Jeff At Hart Of Pools' Mission

NEVER-SAY-DIE is Hartlepool United’s club slogan – never has that rally cry been quite so apt.

- Jon Couch

Forced to raise £200,000 in 15 days to pay bills and save their proud club from administration, the northeast outfit have put up a united front, desperate to protect the heartbeat of their community.

And they’ve got the backing of their most high-profile fan, club president and Sky Sports anchorman Jeff Stelling, who has thrown his weight behind an online appeal to get behind the stricken club and help pay the wages of players and staff, plus various bills, all due on January 25.

Pools’ rapid financial demise came to the fore three weeks ago when the club’s owner Jack Blackledge put the club up for sale after just six months at the helm, having decided he has taken them as far as he could.

Blackledge – under the banner of Sage Investments – is believed to have put £1.8m of his own money into the National League club since taking over from JPNG and Gary Coxall in June after the club had been relegated from the Football League for the first time in their history.

Unless Blackledge is prepared to cover the costs, or supporters can rally round to raise the money, the club’s future could be in serious doubt.

Community

Step up then concerned fan Rachel Cartwright, who set up a crowdfunding page on the justgiving.com website – and the football community responded.

In the space of two days, the appeal raised more than £20,000 with fans of Middlesbrough, Leyton Orient, Gateshead, Brighton, Portsmouth, Oxford United and Plymouth Argyle all chipping in with donations, while Blackburn Rovers striker Danny Graham has added a further £2,500.