Or alternatively how hard is he going to look for an owner that will keep him and his son off the dole? They're not going to get many more pay days out of the club if it's in the kind of state the consensus believes it to be.

A Supporters Trust might be the answer but it sounds like a lot of hard work for a long period of time. Why not look at what we already have, namely the Supporters Association. The S.A. has a constitution, with the main aim of retaining league football in Hartlepool. It has premises, the Corner Flag. A membership data base . A bank account and a reputation for financial credibility. All it needs for a trust to run under the auspices of the S.A. is another, ring fenced ,bank account in which donations , fund raising etc could be deposited and not touched unless agreed by a 2/3 majority of members. For example if a fund raising evening was held in the Corner Flag the S.A. would profit from the bar takings but any entry fees raffle takings etc would be deposited into the ring fenced account. I know that there are other areas which would have to be clarified eg would a member of the trust have to be a member of the S.A. but time is running out and we need to do something, not just talk around the subject.

The Deal is off 100% true.

This come's from a Pro footballer not currently at pool's but who is Hartlepool born and bred.

I'm not going to be taken as a mug........if you want to to the same vote with your Feet.

I will never step foot in the Vic While all this shambles is happening.

It's OFF!! 100%

end of thread.

What sort of statement would make any difference, chip? I think we all know what the situation is.

I don't see the point of any of us saying anything at all, unless we know of some billionaire who's willing to finance us, or know of a person or persons who knows, chapter and verse, how to set up a fan-based club, and keep it going for the duration.

Corner Flag is right..the latter would mean a lot of hard work over a long period of time. None of us is offering to do that. Easier to blame Jeff Stelling and each other!

Are you completely obsessed with me - or just plain stupid.
Please tell me where I have said that the proposed takeover is off (or that Mr Harris has or has not been "scattered" as you put it.) Like the vast majority of fans I have absolutely no idea what is happening at the present time. Nor have I said that the staff are being paid by IOR - as is rumoured by some on here.

I am deeply concerned about the lack of information coming out of Victoria Park and it seems evident that the proposed takeover is by no means a foregone conclusion.

That is as much as I know - which is pretty much the same as every one else.

Do I have too! You said that I did not believe Harris had been scattered ( unlike 99% of others in the town). I REPEAT that there is nowhere that I have said that I believe has or has not been scattered. I have no idea if he has or hasn't. You are clearly the one in the know here so you must know it for a fact. I do not.
You also said that I do not believe that the staff are being paid by IOR. Again I REPEAT that I do not believe this to be either true or untrue.

Clearly the 99% who actually believe both statements to be factually correct must have a lot more information than me. Perhaps that have secretly been talking to Russ Green!
I do not know.

Chips correct in what hes saying the club has zero respect for us fans.
Harris should of kept his mouth shut on his poolsworld interview if he couldnt back up his promises.

The real life soap opera of being a poolie is getting more ridiculous by the day.

There have been some constructive comments from Corner Flag and some sensible contributions from the likes of Northumberland and Grabec - can't we stop the abuse and sarcasm and work on these suggestions?

Again, any Lawyers on the Bunker?

Anyone willing and capable of moving forwards with the suggestions made by Corner Flag?

You never know, if a sensible and sustainable fan based solution was put in place, then Uncle Ken might communicate with 'us'. Perhaps not, but has anyone asked?

So.............credit to Corner Flag............why don't all 'we' keyboard warriors shut up and meet in the Corner Flag, tomorrow, upstairs at 1:30? And anyone who can't attend, we'll be circulating details of the spare Corner Flag bank account shortly.......

Apologies to anyone who finds this too positive/ constructive.......

Thats what I mean. I don't know if he has and I don't know if he hasnt

Where's this announcement you and others were going on about ? It now 530 (ish) and nothing. So all those in the know who were saying this/that / was going to happen are wrong. As I (in your opinion ) don't believe he's been scattered, then you and everyone else who think he has been are wrong because there's been no announcemnt.

I've waited with bated breath for this announcement, simply give an opinion on other issues but not once have I said I think they're still here. I've even said someone should give a statement, whoever was in charge, you've now said the same.

Stop F*%!ing trying to point score, like you I've done nothing for the last 6 weeks. You've made post after post while I have just waited to see what happens. But apart from that you 've done F*%! all, because like most you've been waiting for something to be announced.

I didn't believe the rumour of an announcemnent , many others did.So at this moment in time 99% (your figure) and I said at this moment in time are actually wrong that Harris has walked. Now later this evening another rumour may start some may believe it, others may not. The easiest way is to believe nothing and lets see whose at the game tomorrow.

I reiterate I don't either believe or disbelieve Harris has gone, if you have proof and not rumour please feel free to post it on here for me and others to see.

Corner Flag 1:30? Anyone?

With all due respect for your supporters association, are they an individual and independent group? A supporters trust would have the full backing of Supporters Direct the parent body with a whole raft of expertise and experience in a range of crises and situations.
Whereas a supporters association would need to stand and fight within its own resources, no matter how good and well intentioned that would be.
A trust IS hard work over a long period of time, but could be the difference between success, survival or oblivion - fans need to make up their minds if they want to be part of the solution or stand by and do nothing.
A trust would give the fans a nationally recognised group to help / intervene at any occasion - TMH may turn out to be good owners / bad owners / non-existent owners; there may be other interested investors come forward; the fans may be left on their own - it can't be planned for but it can be prepared for as a trust.
It may be that a trust becomes the natural home for all fans eventually, if not they need to work together extremely well

Thanks QP - see you at 1:30 tomorrow?

Right, so QuakerPete has volunteered.

CornerFlag is providing the pises.

Who is next to appear from behind their keyboard?

I have a prior appointment tomorrow - Salford beckons for me and the Darlo hordes!!!

Chip. There is no one more pissed off than me at the moment. Do I believe this take over is going to happen. Probably not. But I don't have any evidence either way. For that reason I prefer to wait for an announcement. Though that should have happened by now.

What's the answer. I haven't a clue. What I will be doing tomorrow and every other match day is supporting the players that turn out. I'll support them till end of season. See what division we're in, though that goes without saying. Then grand daughters or away games. The former wins. I'll certainly be picking and choosing away games then. Dover for overnight to Calais is only one I can say will be done. Unless that a Tuesday

Oh do give over, chip. If nothing you're saying is going to make any difference to the situation, why say it?

Chip, there isn't enough pools fans in the world to have a fans tun club, unless meatloaf Jeff Stelling and that ginger singer get on board

I don't think we have the fanbase or the money floating around the Town to make a fan owned club viable at the level we all want the club to be at. A middling conference club or one in the Blue Square North is probably sustainable, is that what we want? It's an absolute last resort for me and only should ever be seen as a short term fix to keep the club going until investment is found.

Moi? I though I was supposed to know everything being so close to Russ Green (oops sorry, mustn't mention that name again!) Seems you know far more than I do.

I think they are areas of the country with more money floating about, and more sponsors propared to throw cash at them.

I think if it means the difference between the club surviving or not though it's something that needs to be explored. I just can't see it being a viable in a Town were we need to price season tickets very low to even get 3,000 through the gate. I reckon our hardcore support is only 1,500-2,000 die hards that sort of fan base would never get us back anywhere near League football. Where would the money to sustain the club come from? Especially as conference clubs are about £700,000 down to start with. Fan owned out of the league we'd have to go part time realistically.

Local journalists on the ball as usual with this. Has loughlin wrote his weekly signings are imminent story yet

Seeing as you have told me many times that I have my "head up Russ Green's (sorry again) arse" I am pleased that you now realise that I am a mere mortal fan who is not privileged to all the inside information. What do you call it again "Club Men" wasn't it. Sorry to disappoint.

Isn't it really time you stopped all this childishness - no wonder you have over 22000 posts on this Bunker, you just can't stop yourself can you.

I'm not writing it off at all, but we have to consider that we are about 95% certain to be out of the League at the start of next season with about 4 players on the books.

Where is the cash going to come from?

The maths are pretty simple. You have IOR or TMH or whatever it wants to be called today - not that i'd believe it if it was printed on my eyelids. They're all a bunch of fucking charlatans and liars. They are spending whatever revenue comes in on whatever htey feel like. For some years it hasn't been players.

Or, you stop the gravy train and force these fuckers out!

Choice one: Watch IOR/TMH count the takings and distribute the money in wages to family and friends or build a momentum to force these lying bastards out of the place.

Choice two: ACT

Fact 1: If it comes as a statement from HUFC then you know its definitely a lie.

"John Hughes was out first choice"
"Funds will be made available"
"players are being signed this week"
"players are being signed this week"
"players are being signed this week"
"players are being signed this week"
"We want to communicate with the fans"
"lots of other bollocks"

Get it into your heads; they are a bunch of lying charlatans. They will continue to employ mates and family until the money runs out.

http://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/comme ... ontact-us/

Lets ask them what's going on!!

And you would expect a reply? Jesus, everyone and their dog knows that theres a rabbit off. They won't comment on it until they have to. These are the people who brought you "The club will be making no further comment at this time"

I thought we could swamp their email inbox with questions.
I started but then realised I was too pissed to write a sensible email.
I will recompose my letter tomorrow.
Not really expecting a reply with all commercial details, obviously.
But 5, 50, 500, 5000 emails would be noticed and then ignored.

I doubt Jesus knows anything about it!

this.

The club are obliged to respond are they not? You are entitled to contact the Football League to complain if they don't and then following that there's the Independent Football Ombudsman.

See the customer charter(before it is also removed) on the official website. It also outlines the conduct expected of staff, which I struggled to keep a straight face reading.
http://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/fans/customer-charter/

What a fucking mess....

Staff Conduct

All members of staff will always endeavour to maintain a positive profile whilst representing the Club. This will be achieved by dedication and commitment towards achieving success on and off the field of play and will include:




- The establishment and maintenance of a sound, ethical and effective administration system conducive to a successful professional Football Club.

- Continued improvements to the quality of services to the supporters of the Club

The Independent Football Ombudsman, he will either choke on this episode or will be slightly less of an independent - like Sepp Blatter no doubt!!!

All of this shit when one weeks wage bill from any of the top 4/10 premier league club would be enough to support our club for a season or two...:/

I concur!!!!

Just re-watched Peter Harris on youtube. I felt sick.

In December, after watching the same clip, I was cautiously taken in by his blag *just cautiously*. Now I just want to knock his bloody block off

Why us? We're a decent sized football league side, I don't want us to rot in the Conference but it looks like (at very best) that'll be the best of our ambitions next season. We're not the biggest side that's ever gone down but we'd be a big fish down there for sure. Imagine how hard it'd be to compete for promotion

Someone just save us. PLEASE!

We go down....which we ARE....We will never come back up!!!!

Thank You I.OFUCKING.R....'Never Embarrass The Club'!!!!

Why not we could come back. Never say never. It's all about the fan base look at Chester, Halifax, Wimbledon and Hereford will come back eventually.

We're too big to never come back. Have faith.

Stop that now!

Genuine question, how many people would support a "Phoenix" club? Not sure if I could or would. If the club goes bust then for me my club has gone. A new entity doesn't have the emotional or historical pull for me I don't think. It would be just a different club and team playing in the same ground. In the same way that 1883 isn't Darlo and has absolutely no interest for me in how they do.

Same for me, the club would cease to exist and I've said before might as well switch allegiance to Seaton or Hartlepool Town as they're as connected to HUFC as any phoenix club would be and already have the infrastructure in place.

I think you'll find that the Darlo fans don't see it quite that way.

I must say I've never yet seen you drowned by putting your head over the parapet....even in the depths of your own hyperbole and straw-man constructing, you magically manage to keep afloat.

As I said before, if anyone has a constructive, detailed plan for setting up a fan-based club, let him/her say it. The sticking block is that no-one knows how to do that, not that we are too apathetic to care.

You're fooling yourself if you think you're debating the issue. As many people have pointed out, you are simply alienating people by hurling insults. What is your plan for a fan-based club? Not just airy references to tv rights, sponsorship etc, but an actual sustainable plan for paying wages, paying expenses etc.

"Your attitude seems to be that a fans run club option isnt worth pursuing because its all too much hassle and it will take too long."

My attitude might seem to be that if you didn't read what I said. What I said was that a fan-run club would be a lot of hassle AND that none of us has volunteered to commit to that.

I wish just once, you would consider before you post. I know you get an awful lot of enjoyment out of targeting other people, attempting sarcasm and satire, attempting to blame other people's attitude for the demise of the Club, but this isn't about you, is it?

And while you were frittering so much time indulging your ego with Geoff and others, I was one of those who suggested engaging the national press. If you reply with yet another spiel which addresses everything but what I'm actually saying, I won't bother trying to explain again, on grounds of your obvious impermeability of skull.

That's for them to decide and mine is only a personal choice, but a new club with no history, no ground and not even playing in the town isn't Darlington FC is it?

Like I say, that's my own take on it but I would never have a pop at anyone else who would that if things go pop at Pools. I just wouldn't be involved in it.

I'd just sit in a dark room watching re-runs of Brian Honour, Joe Allon, Adam Boyd and Joel Porter for the rest of my life!!!!!!

Sanity has returned to the board.
We shouldn't be sniping at each other and hurling insults. Just because I don't always agree with the vociferous minority on here ( and they know who they are) doesn't mean that I don't care what is happening to OUR football team. Knee jerk reactions and name calling wont get anywhere. Nor will a simple plan of a few people chucking a few extra pounds into a bucket or whatever.
Some seem to think the club must be self sufficient. Don't be so deluded. We would need to raise not just enough to keep the club afloat to the end of the season, but to do so season after season. If success was wanted then even more money would be required.
Things have never looked bleaker, and if we are to get out of this then it needs more thought than simply writing a few ideas on the back of a fag packet.
Simply trying to score points doesn't help anyone.

A lot of them must because they don't have the amount of fans they did in the FL.

They are still averaging around the 1000 mark. When they were in the league and playing at the much more accessible arena they were getting around the 2000 mark, boosted by more away fans.

If they return to the town and continue to be successful then it wouldn't be long before the crowds were back.