Monkey Hangers Want Toon Stars!
Kevin Keegan once said he would never take a Newcastle team to Hartlepool again, when Mark Robinson suffered a broken leg in a pre-season friendly at the Vic.
That tackle ruined the defenders Newcastle career, he had only made 14 appearances following his big money signing.
That was in 1994, when Peter Beardsley made his welcome return in black and white, and Hartlepool tried to kick the Magpies off the pitch.
But a lot of water has passed under the Tyne since then, and KK goes back to Hartlepool on Saturday July 19.
Pools tried to get Newcastle involved in the club's centenary tournament which takes place the weekend after the game between the two sides.
Rivals Sunderland will be sending a select XI instead, along with Huddersfield Town and Hamilton Academical.
Turner (Hartleppol's Director of Sport): "Sam Allardyce (former Newcastle manager) brought an unbelievable side down last year. I would like to think it will be the same this year, with it being their first pre-season game.
"Pre-season is not like an FA Cup or League Cup game, but I think it is good to get out on the same pitch as Premiership players.
"It lets our boys see what it is like at the highest level and also brings a bit of reality back to the Premiership players.
"I would also like to think that opposition like that would attract a fair number of supporters.
"We tried to get Newcastle for the tournament but the Premiership clubs have a lot of commitments so we are just pleased we have got them for a friendly instead.
"But when you think we have got Sunderland coming down for the tournament, there are two big Premiership clubs coming to the Vic.
"We were very close with two or three of the top European sides, but two of them got into the Champions League and UEFA Cup qualifiers which meant they could not come over.
"It is very difficult to arrange pre-season games because we want to bring the best we can get to Victoria Park. But sometimes for different reasons a lot of big clubs go abroad and take their players away.
"Getting opposition to come all the way up to the North-East is always difficult."
HARTLEPOOL v TOON
Where To Drink?
The Victoria Suite near the entrance to the away end is for members only. At the same end but at the opposite corner, is the 'Corner Flag Supporters Bar' that welcomes away fans. The entrance fee is 50p, but the bar has a good pre match atmosphere and SKY TV. Popular with away fans is the Jackson's Wharf Pub near the ground. It has good food and real ale on tap. This pub is over the road from the ASDA store, to the left of the old sailing ship. Otherwise the ground is not far from the town centre where there are plenty of pubs to be found.
I would recommend The Causeway, 15 minutes walk away from the ground. It is located just around the corner from the brewery near the church, real ale and very friendly. The Engineers Club five minutes from the ground opposite the police station, just off the town centre is okay, as is the Raglan Club just behind the visitors end. Usual club rules apply regarding entry for these.
How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
From the A19 take the A689 signposted Hartlepool. Follow the A689 towards the Town Centre. Follow Town Centre signs for 2.8 miles, over two roundabouts. Go straight over the next two sets of lights, passing Hartlepool College on your right. The next left takes you to the stadium. If you miss the turning (as I did), go past ASDA on your left, left at the next roundabout and then left at the next traffic lights for the ground. There is a fair sized car park at the ground. Otherwise there is plenty of street parking to be found behind the away end.
By Train
Hartlepool train station is a ten minute walk from the ground. Leave the station and go straight up a short approach road. At the end of the approach, turn right and head up Church Street towards the large church. At the end of this road is a bridge and junction with the A689. Go straight across the junction and the ground is in front of you on the left hand side of the road.
September
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20 West Ham (A)
27 Blackburn (H)