The first Chairman who I started noticing and seeing was Vincy Barker before him I knew the odd board members name but not a face. It was different back then because we put up with season after season of being happy to win a few home games and a bonus odd point away. Crazily me and my mates all about 10 yrs old loved just loving being part of the Poolie family gang ( hooligans).The older lads would have been 15 upto 30ish and a few even older but never questioned why we waited in Church Street with them waiting for away trains to arrive ( they just told us to get back and watch & learn ). Many a time the excitement of watching hooligans fighting together as one lot to show the away fans we would die for our club seemed absolutely normal at that age. It all honestly thought a part of being a Pools supporter was football and fighting. So much so when we got to 15 upwards we would get involved and it was more exciting than the game most times and definitely helped you cope with a shit result. I realised it was not for me and got away from that side of things although in a funny way I missed that crazy part and had to just watch the football but we never complained about anything game wise. The whole game day experience was a package to most of lads back then and very normal although in the real World it was pathetic. Nevertheless we still loved our club and it became like a unstoppable train watching and getting addicted to poor football and being happy. Ist time I remember demanding a Chairman leaves was that time at the end of Barkers days in charge. We got told he was pinching money etc but in reality he almost bankrupted his family farm by ploughing way to much into a club he also loved to support. The first time I realised we unfairly victimised a man who really did do the best he could with very little was when Bob Newton told a group of us 20 years back that the staff and players had ultimate respect for the man. Bob said he and the team could not believe the fans shouting for Barker to go at home games. He said the man was blinded by his love of Pools and was desperate to bring some success to Pools.

Our younger supporters are probably not aware that this proud little club used to be in the EFL for over 110 years before falling to its current level.

Fish n chip shape chocolate.

Piccadilly Bar Ice cream vans and hard cornets!

Didn't realise the hard cornet is only a Hartlepool thing, until I moved away.
Waffle cones just don't cut it

Lemon tops too- think it's only Hartlepool and Stockton were you get them.

Lemon tops being local yes but surely hard cornets are not from Hartlepool or are they

I always got told as a kid Hard Cornets were for adults only.

Double Post

Think its an Italian thing- as Piccadilly Bar was (don't know if it still is) owned by the Amerigo's.

Hadn't seen one of their vans for years and then drove past one on York Rd shortly after posting previous message. However was surprised to see they had turned red- they always used to be blue and white, playing Three Blind Mice as their siren. (circa 85)

Maybe they moved over the river to boro.

Hope not - could lead to a boycott if word got out- and I don't mean Geoffrey!

Only you Kettering

Does anyone remember the coffee shop / take away on York road behind the bus stop at the end of the road from 42nd Was run by a very strange old woman and possibly closed in the 80s

Was it near Sports Kit?

Not sure were the Sports Kit was. But if you came out of 42nd and turned right and go to the junction with York Rd it was on the opposite side of York road directly behind the bus stop.

It’s the pram shop near Kwik Fit now.
Bought a pair of Patrick Footy boots in there back in the day…decent boots.

My Dad used to know John Wright that owned Sports Kit, back in the day. Had many a pair of black Adidas Kick from there. Probably closed late 80's. Mathesons Dentist used to be nextdoor before she moved opposite the Health Centre in Victoria Road

Come on Snowy you must know the coffee shop I am struggling to name

The Yorkshire Lassie if my memory serves me right used to catch the bus there back to West view in the day

That's the place cheers Mr. Critic.

Where Sicilianos is now then?

Yes I believe it is Fensy.

Them cheap "Flying Bomb" batteries the toy stalls in the market sold - which lasted about as long as I would shagging one of Charlie's Angels..!

Love it Kenny

Does anyone remember a player called " popeye " who played for Pools I believe in early 80s If memory serves he scored a few times but he didn't stay long despite being from the town.

That long ….. what were you using the batteries for while ‘shagging ‘ Charlie’s Angels.
We need to know…..could you sit down afterwards?

not after bosley got hold of him.

remember when fireworks were only let off on bonfire night. the bastards were still at it last night.

David 'Popeye' Howard, great little player on his day and yes I seem to remember him scoring a few goals during his short spell here.

You have a good memory Bluebones

I reckon it was his brother

Wonder if he ate spinach and dressed as a sailor or did he have bulgy eyes

Only you Snowy

tried that and got picked up by a butch vegan.

Double entendre….

Dog Licences. Did anyone actually have one??
While we are on about Dogs....do you remember when you use to let your dog(s) out on a morning...and I don't mean just in the garden!?!
I bet dogs loved those days...knocking about with their mates and shitting allover. Try telling the dogs of today that....they won't believe yeh!!!

had one back in 1978 when i had the first of my own dogs. remember the days of letting em out the back also and they always returned at feeding time. mine used to sit in a field surrounded by his mates who were cows and had a go at anybody who dared get too close to them. actually for an animal i,d guess it was a better life that many of todays dogs get. the enclosed back garden and a weekend walk.

I suppose the dogs are now on permanent lockdowns and know nothing else. That will be us in a few years time.

He had a few cameo games for Pools.
Almost forgotten about him.
Them Linighan brothers went on to have excellent careers from that era.
Fair to say probably the best x Poolies to sustain careers at the top pish end of the Football pyramid.

Been said before.
What happened to white dogshit .

Haven't seen any for about 40 years.
Not that I roam the streets looking for some.

What a bizarre subject " Our Kev " but very true indeedie.

Dog licences haven’t existed for years, not like there’s an MOT for your dog.
I believe it’s called being a responsible owner and actually valuing your dog or dogs in my case.
I hold my muts in greater esteem then some fecking people….and unlike people their loyalty is unconditional, they don’t start wars, in fact they’ve changed places with people as they very rarely fuck in the street….which is more than can be said of people nowadays……

not too sure about them not starting wars. i have had a few who wanted to be top dog in their small local area and do their utmost to be that. take em a mile away and its like having a different dog. my present one is a right bastard at home. he,ll run off at any opportunity but never down the blue lagoon or the headland where he,ll have a swim but keeps you in sight.

I agree about the cuts and people Accy