...who thought that the open top bus wasn't really fitting for the occasion and looked a bit crap?

It was very old and tatty, with some adverts draped over the side to cover the company logos, and a token Pools flag on the front. The Camerons ad even had 'Hartlepool FC' on it. It's been a long time since we didn't have the United in the name, Camerons, unless they printed it in the 70's?

By all accounts we were lucky to get a parade at all, but I thought the lads deserved better than the vehicle that was provided.

Clearly not, Radio Cleveland were apparently rubbish, the bus was garbage, next the location will be all wrong.

I think a horse and cart would have been smart, with Lawrence weilding the whip in the drivers seat.

SOME PEOPLE HAVE NO TASTE THAT WAS A VINTAGE OPEN TOP LEYLAND PS 42 WITH VARIABLE DIFF

Perhaps we should of just had a fleet of limo's and the lads could have stuck their heads through the sunroof's like a hen party!

Bloody hell you have turned into Victor Meldrew overnight you will be calling the mucky curtains tonight.

I DO NOT BELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE it of you John.

you all will
I WILL BE ON THE DOOR

Just give the pass word.



I feel a code coming on

I like Chip's scenario - the crowd in the Town End could cheer "GGOO-OOO-OONNNN" when the mayor was racing to finish his soup before Micky Nelson

I thought the bus was great, looking smart in a colour scheme almost identical to that of West Hartlepool Corporation. I've no doubt that that wasn't a coincidence, and I enjoyed the link with the past.

It was in fact not a Leyland, but - perhaps unfortunately, given the team which beat us the day before - a 1957 Bristol Lodekka, which normally does tours of Alnwick.

The Camerons cockup apart, I never saw anything wrong with the banners being draped over the bus lettering, and I saw it 3 times during the tour.

It's a pity the old West Hartlepool open-top bus isn't still around. It would be good to use it for the Double Promotion/Centenary run next year!

I used to think being a Poolie in Newcastle was a bit out of the ordinary, but Poolies who are also experts at vintage buses and their associated colour schemes makes me feel very humble.

Whereabouts in Newcastle do you live sir? I live in Seaton Sluice and frequent the toon a canny lot, working in Gosforth.
Off to the Head of Steam tomorrow night to see three bands
Yes Pop
Thee British Empire (my mates band - about to change their name soon, probably to Hamfist)
and Moira Stewart (not THE Moira unfortunately but a great name for a band)

Are you Mr.Snowy in disguise????