This Week In Hartlepool's History: 22/11

Vital Hartlepool takes another delve into the archives as we look at the events that unfolded this week in years gone by.

Famous Matches:

Barnsley 5-2 Hartlepool United
F.A. Cup Round 1: Saturday 24th November 1979

31 years ago this week Pools were in action in the F.A. Cup First Round taking on Barnsley for what was to be the last competitive fixture between the clubs for 24 years.

Billy Horner's men had been progressing steadily; sitting two points above the drop zone going into the Cup match at Oakwell. However, Pools hadn't won on their travels since their opening away game of the season - 3 months before this encounter. That run wasn't to come to and end either.

Barnsley thumped five past Martin Burleigh in the Pools goal and the only two consolation goals for Pools came from Bob Newton and John Linacre - whose only goal to date in that season came against Scunthorpe in the only previous victorious away game. So Pools were thumped out and they didn't win another game until Boxing Day where they kick-started a 7 game unbeaten run.

Aston Villa 6-1 Hartlepool
League Cup 4th Round: Monday 25th November 1974

Back in 1974 Ken Hale and his troops travelled to the Midlands for a replay game of the League Cup 4th round against Aston Villa. The first leg in front of a bumper Vic Crowd - the biggest League Cup crowd at the Vic, saw Malcolm Moore rescue a goal for the hosts after finishing off a McMahon flick on from a corner. The equalizer earned Pools a replay at Villa Park after the tie ended 1-1.

Pools had only lost twice since the beginning of October and were ready to cause a cup shock. But Jon Saunder's Villa proved too much on their home turf, scoring 6 and advancing into the latter stages. Allan Gauden scored Pools' only goal on the night, his twentieth in Pools colours, and also his last.

Saunder's men later progressed through the competition, and eventually lifted the League Cup later that season after seeing off Chester in the semis and Norwich in the final.

Birthday:

Tommy McGuigan

Born this week in 1922 is a true Pools legend. Thomas McGuigan joined Pools in 1950 from Ayr and Fred Westgarth made an inspired signing. Following Thomas Owen's move to Norwich after his heroics the previous season, Westgarth snapped up McGuigan from north of the border to fill the available centre forward spot.

McGuigan scored his first of 79 goals for Pools in a 4-1 home win against York City where he hit a brace. In his first season he banged in nine goals as he took his first steps to becoming a key player in the Pools team.

The following season's he continued to hit about 10 goals per campaign and he got his first match ball in a comprehensive 6-1 win over Halifax. He formed a decent partnership with Kenny Johnson and in the 54/55 season he scored on 20 occasions. He made 350th appearances in total, which ranks him ninth in the all time appearance records.

Bob Newton:

Turning 54 this week is another Pools legend. Bob Newton is widely regarded as one of the best strikers to play for Pools, having a very impressive scoring ratio of one in three.

The lively character was a big hit with the Pools fans, and his brilliant relationship with the Vic faithful helped him to become a true fans favourite. The Player of the 1980's was often overlooked by Keith Houchen as the striker of the 80's, but no one can hide away from the powerful bulky presence Newton presented.

He was sentenced to jail in 1978 for six months for drink diving after his team mate Dave Wiggett was killed in a car accident near the Traveller's rest with Newton driving. However, Newton slowly won over the Pools fans and returned to become a hero.

He scored two in the surprise F.A. Cup win over Crystal Palace in the late 70's and his heroics against Palace won him a place in the hearts of Pools fans. The peak of his 62 goals came in the 1981/82 season where he hit 18 goals, and his goalscoring feats earned him a move to Port Vale. He returned years later but couldn't re-establish himself but he remained in the hearts of Poolies. A well earned Happy Birthday!

Neale Cooper

Hartlepool United's best ever manager in many people's eyes is 47 this week. The Neale Cooper era was not just the best two season's in Pools history, it was arguably the most entertaining too, as the feel good factor injected by Cooper's men lit up the town.

Cooper arrived in June 2003 and departed surprisingly and still to this date unbeknown why in May 2005. But his two year spell will long be remembered. He brought fluent football and a lively spirit to the Vic and the dressing room, as his side clinched two play-offs in consecutive seasons.

His famous wins include the thrilling 4-3 win against Luton, the 4-3 win against Peterborough, the rain drenched 3-0 hammering over Sheff Wed to name just a few. Cooper had a superb relationship with the Pools fans and some have called for Cooper to be reinstated as Pools boss.

My best memory of Cooper was when he stormed across to the referee at the end of a 1-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday after the end of the match. Furious with a penalty decision which cost Pools, Cooper stormed onto the pitch and pulled his hamstring as he let steam off. He remained on crutches for about 4 weeks! His passion was unquestionable and he is still sorely missed. Happy Birthday Coops.

A year ago:

Making the headlines here on Vital Hartlepool a year ago this week was Ken Hodcroft. Hodcroft told Pools fans that IOR would purchase the ground by the time the year was out, and were still waiting! Stupid Council! Also this week, Tony Parry sadly passed away.

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