I never thought I'd say those 3 words, but his contract has not been renewed.

How very strange. The timing I mean.
Speculate away.

A positive step for the club. Presumably frees a decent chunk of wages.

Has there been any mention whatsoever of Howard by the club since he wednaway?

Thanks for the good times in a great career but sadly those times are gone.

Good luck

Was outstanding in his first 4/5 seasons and a huge part of what made matchdays great.

Thanks and good luck for the future.

Never has more shite been spouted about one man!

Let's deal with the facts, a bloody good footballer Pools record appearance holder played a key role in two promotions. His penalty at Tranmere was the most euphoric I've ever felt at a Pools game. Also he's a throughly decent lad who's been an absolute credit to the club since the day he joined.

Absoultely spot on.

No need for any negative comments anymore.

Thanks for the Memories Ritchie.

His brilliant goal at Accrincton started the the "we are unbeatable" run as well.

If that goal had been scored by a brazillian it would be shown weekly on skys football shows.

Wasn't his fault that the club kept giving him contracts for at least 3 and probably 4 seasons longer than they should have so farewell and best of luck in that swanky retirement home near Hart.

So, new manager with his own coaches it is then. Surely that is a good thing that will be met with at least cautious approval even by people with glasses that are half empty and were originally full of piss. In fact maybe Humphreys was released on the new manager's say so and he is taking over team selection from Uncle Ken's mam

Concurring .. Head & Nail ..Good Luck on whatever you decide to do in the future Richie.. Once a Poolie ALWAYS a Poolie!

Perhaps a decision a few years too late by the club but a great player in his prime. Always remember that penalty at Tranmere.

Is Uncle Ken's mam Great Auntie Hodcroft then?

Yeah canny in his day but it's long been his day, almost became a figurehead of exactly what was wrong with the club.

As Chrissy said she free up a good chunk of the wages now.

He's synonymous with our recent success, but also our recent demise. One of my favourite players at his peak. Good luck Sir Ritchie.

I think he's a figurehead for exactly what is right in a footballer. Hard work, dedication, fitness.
He wants to play football while others have came and went without giving a toss.

Best of luck to Richie. Thanks for the memories.

A great shame that this decision was not made so that everyone knew prior to the game that Crawley would be his last match in a Pools shirt. He should of had the same sort of farewell as Scholes/Carragher/Harper did last weekend.

Now Humps has gone, it may put to an end managers being sacked so quickly

Well done, it is sad that it has come to this.

Two things kind of become clearer now, Humphreys didn't hang up his boots voluntarily and was possibly seen by the club as part of the problem.

Collins and Monkhouse, rightly or wrongly, are now seen as the senior pro's at the club and may have been told they have extra responsibilities as such.

It may indicate that there is something of a plan at the club.

Concurring. His commitment can never be doubted. Remember he went out on loan to Port Vale, took it on the chin and used it as means to get back into the team. A brilliant player for Pools in his prime. Wasn't his fault that less committed players around him have failed the club or that better, younger players have not been brought in to challenge or replace him (as is the natural course of events). I will always remember being at Tranmere and thinking "oh crap, not Humphreys, not again." And then cool as you like, he tucks the penalty away. Happy days.

Good luck Ritchie in whatever you do next.

Interesting times - good luck for the future Richie and thanks for the good years. Now Ken, over to you ...

Let go as a player but may be kept on in other capacity.

Thanks to the man for his commitment and dedication to the club.
Good luck Ritchie.
Time for us all to move on.

I'll no doubt get some flack for saying this but the major things that have happened since my family and I met with Messrs Green and Simpson were discussed.
Everyone said their piece and what we suggested regards Barron and Humps has been done.
Not everything we put forward has happened (yet) and I am not claiming any credit or otherwise for Humps playing career at Pools coming to an end but I will emphasise that it proves, to me anyway, that the club are prepared to listen.................which in my humble opinion is a major step forward.
I now believe that the club have recognised some of the areas that were preventing us from progressing and have also addressed those areas.

It now remains to be seen whether the new manager will be given the opportunity to stamp HIS authority and presence on the club, starting with the appointment of HIS backroom staff, which may include Humps.

Credit to the club for having the balls to take, what was obviously, a major decision.

Will always be a Poolie legend and will always be remember fondly by myself. As stated not his fault he was given contracts by the club but you can never fault the lads effort even in the last couple of years.

I wouldnt mind seeing him return in some capacity even if head scout / director of sport role.

I reckon that's the post Mr I will quote

Much like some should have done when the Baroness passed away; I will refrain from passing comment if I can't say anything positive.

Except:
1/ I have been on the phone to Binns's reference usage of their windows, the number doesn't seem to work.
2/ Where do I obtain a season ticket form?

You are saved, John............Binns no longer have a window in Hartlepool ( which I assume you meant)

Shops last longer than football clubs in Loidland- they still have a Binns and half the population are tramps. Could pull a bigger crowd than Darlington 99 and half just won't do.

We need shot of him altogether, not keeping him in a coaching capacity, unless he is kept at arms length of first team affairs.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

echoing the comments on here. Great servant to the club, great player and pivital to the great times at the club. Thanks for the memories Ritchie.

Good luck in your new role

I don't know where people are getting this "just let go as a player" angle from.

The official site is quite unambiguous. Ritchie Humpreys is leaving HUFC:

"HUMPHREYS TO LEAVE VICTORIA PARK"

"He leaves with the best wishes of everyone at Hartlepool United for the future and we would like to thank him for his outstanding efforts over the last twelve years."

So what exactly are you saying then? What's the point? And it's a serious question, not a dig.

We have got shot of him all together

Great. I haven't been able to see the official site so just relied on the comments made on the bunker. A silly mistake

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What I mean is that it was one of my major points during my discussions with the club and although my suggestion has been fulfilled I am not going to claim the credit as it may have already been decided but there was disagreement with my suggestion so you never know.
Not that it matters really other than they were prepared to listen.
I thought if fair to point that out after all the flak directed at them recently.
The reaction from all three of us (my family) has been " at last we're getting somewhere".
It's just how it's coming across and is difficult to explain to people who weren't there.

"The news surprises me," Cooper said. "He's a true Hartlepool legend is Ritchie. He did ever so well for the club over the years.

"You cannot get a more consumate professional. But he was also a very good coach and I know that was something he wanted to get into."

"He was an excellent player for me," Cooper added. "He could play in numerous positions, wide left midfield, central midfield, left-back, striker and he never let you down.

"He always gave his lot and is a lovely guy as well. He was a real fans' favourite. I think they named a street after him in Hartlepool and you can't get much better than that."


Comments by Neale Cooper today..

I thought Humps got him sacked?

Maybe he was pissed at the time and can't remember that happening?

Humps only got him sacked on The Bunker.

It does make you wonder how much of the hostility on here directed at Micky Barron and Ritchie Humphreys was based on pure conjecture.

Fair enough to criticize Micky's (lack of) ability as a coach or Ritchie's (waning) contribution on the pitch, but all of the other Jedward stuff has turned out to be pure bollocks.

As perversely entertaining as it's been, the last couple of weeks has demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that Green and Hodcroft make all the decisions affecting the club, whether the fans agree with them or not. Managers, coaches and players come and go on their whim, nothing else.

Brilliant player don't make me laugh. A decent lower league player whose enthusiasm and commitment to the club was excellent and a great ambassasor but not a great player.He came as a striker but ultimately played all over the shop with great credit but was never more than a decent lower league player. Never heard of anyone looking at him to buy or move to. He has had a good living out of Pools and I wish him the best of luck as he is a really nice guy.

He was brilliant on the left wing for several seasons, that's not an overstatement it's an undisputable FACT.

Either you didn't go when he was at his best or you've forgotten how good he was when he was at his best (which is possible as it's a while ago now).

Doesn't make me wonder.

All of it.

So will you be renewing your 3 season tickets after Russ carried out his pinky promise ?

I cant believe that any sane persons decision to get or not to get a season ticket rested on whether Ritchie Humphreys was kept on as a player.

What a bizarre reason.

So if we had signed Messi and Ronaldo, but kept Humphreys some wouldnt go?

Only at Hartlepool.

Concurring with the Ripper.

Richie Humphreys put in some of the best performances I've ever seen from an Individual Pools player. He was often worth the entry fee alone.

Phil, you were there when Humphreys was bragging about him, Barron and Tinkler outing Cooper so its only on the Bunker and from Humphreys mouth.

I've just been out to buy champagne which I will consume tonight with a big fuck off smile on my face.

And here's you mentioning the signing of Messi and Ronaldo and at the same time questioning people's sanity....................now that's bizarre.

Mr Monkeybutt....the chances are getting stronger.

Are you mad? Talking about Messi and Rolando and Pools in the same breath is just mindblowingly daft. Mind you, what else can you expect from a failed QS?

Anyway, this is the Bunker, we're supposed to be Bizarre.