Hartlepool United are known by two nicknames: The Pools and The Monkey Hangers. The plural Pools harks back to the club’s original name, Hartlepools United, which reflected the two separate towns it represented—Hartlepool (the coastal headland area) and West Hartlepool (the more industrialised area, where Victoria Park is located). After the towns officially merged in the 1960s, the club eventually updated its name to Hartlepool United in 1977.

As for Monkey Hangers—that one’s rooted in local legend. During the Napoleonic Wars, it’s said a monkey washed ashore from a shipwreck off the coast. The locals, having never seen a Frenchman—or perhaps a monkey—allegedly mistook it for a French spy and hanged it. True or not, the story stuck, and Hartlepudlians have worn the nickname with a mix of humour and pride ever since.

The club mascot is a monkey named H’Angus, most famously brought to life by Stuart Drummond—who made national headlines when he was elected Mayor of Hartlepool in 2002 while still in costume. He went on to win two more terms, becoming the town’s first—and last—directly elected mayor before the role was abolished.

Two managers stand out in Hartlepool’s history. The great Brian Clough began his managerial career at the club in 1966, alongside Peter Taylor. And between 1989 and 1991, Cyril Knowles—“Nice one, Cyril”—led the team to one of its most successful periods in decades. Tragically, Knowles was diagnosed with brain cancer and passed away in 1991, and he remains a revered figure among fans.

A founder member of Division Three in 1921, Hartlepool spent the next 89 years yo-yoing between the third and fourth tiers, earning the dubious distinction of having to apply for re-election to the Football League a record 14 times—surviving each one. But in 2016/17, they finally dropped out of the league, finishing 23rd in League Two just as FGR went the other way. After three seasons in the National League, Pools clawed their way back via the play-offs—only to suffer relegation again two seasons later.

Pete Wild became Hartlepool Head Coach at the start of this month, replacing Lee Clark, who himself had arrived only at the end of the 2025/26 season, replacing Nicky Featherstone, who had only been in charge since the previous October. While Featherstone led the Pools to a respectable ninth-place finish in last year’s National League (and his win percentage was better than his four immediate predecessors, none of whom managed a complete season in charge, there was a sense that this wasn’t quite enough: looming large on the debit sheet was a 7-0 defeat by (relatively) lowly Wealdstone; as well as the FA Trophy defeat, at home, by Anstey Nomads, then of the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands (i.e. the ninth tier). Clark was given a clear mission – return the club to the EFL. Judging by the very rapid turnover of gaffers at Victoria Park in recent years (excluding Interims, Clark was the seventh to take charge of the team since their return to the National League in 2023), he must have been expected to prove his worth very promptly, or face the boot himself.

Ah And so the boot came in, Clark resigned on 19 September. following a 3-1 defeat by Worthing and a generally depressing start to the season that saw the Pools flirting with the relegation places. After a period with Gary Liddle and Adam Clayton in interim charge, Wild arrived, with a definite mandate to turn things round. Wild’s most recent role in management was as interim Head Coach at Tranmere Rovers towards the end of the last season, but had longer and more successful spells in charge at Fleetwood Town and before that at Barrow and FC Halifax Town. Wild also had numerous spells in charge, both interim and “permanent” at the team he has supported since his childhood, Oldham Athletic, back in the bad old days when they were, according to some, something of a circus run by a highly unpredictable ringmaster. He also managed the England Amputee team for three years.  Wild never played as a professional footballer, taking up coaching – at Oldham – at the age of 18.

Hartlepool will clearly be hoping that his diverse range of experiences will help the team’s league campaign take off this year.

The club are clearly aiming to finish at least two places higher than they did last season (9th), and are hungry to return to the EFL. With a new, experienced and adventurous Head Coach in place, there has also been a great deal of incomings and outgoings among the players. Left-midfield Brooklyn Ilunga has joined from League One Bromley, centre-forward Jordan Hugill from Rotherham Utd, left-back Liam Gibson from Harrogate Town, and right-back Neo Eccleston from Huddersfield Town. Other newcomers include left-winger Jack Nolan from relegated Morecambe and left-back Cameron John from promoted York City.  Under-21 hopes of premier league teams  Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea have joined Hartlepool, and there are also some loans in from local non-league teams Hebburn Town and Spennymore Town. Clearly the aim is to make something wonderful from a mix of diverse elements.

The resignation of Lee Clark as manager in mid-September clearly indicated that things were not going to plan: by late September the Pools had fallen to 21st place in the league table, in the relegation zone, with three wins and seven losses from ten games.

Last year’s home game against the Pools, in early September 2025 was a straightforward 1-0 win for Rovers through Kairo Mitchell, which kept Rovers on top of the National League. The reverse fixture – the final away game of the season proper, in April 2026, was less happy: a 2-1 defeat, with Hartlepool taking the lead in the first half and a Kyle McAllister goal not being sufficient to gain any points. The match effectively confirmed Rovers’ seventh-place finish and entry into the play-offs.

Forest Green Rovers F.C. – The New Lawn, Another Way, Nailsworth, Stroud, GL6 0FG

Parking is available in the adjacent school car park, just a short walk from the stadium. Spaces cost £15 per car and must be booked in advance by calling 0333 123 1889 (Monday, Thursday and Friday at 11am to 2pm) or by emailing reception@fgr.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can use the Park and Ride service from Renishaw (Bath Road, Nailsworth, Stroud, GL5 5EY). It opens at 12:30pm on matchdays and costs £5 per car (card only).

If parking on surrounding streets, please be considerate of local residents.

Rovers Raffle – organised by the Supporters Club to subsidise away travel, ground improvements, Academy teams etc. Tickets cost £1 each (cash or card accepted) with winners announced at half time or check winning numbers here – Raffle Results – Forest Green Rovers Supporters Club

Fan Zone – Fan Zone to the right of the ground entrance, behind the North Stand. Open to home & away supporters. The Fan Zone has a food truck, bar, toilets and a large marquee with picnic benches and live music from about 3pm.

The Green Man  – Normally home fans only,  serves food and drink. Opens 2.30pm.

Gym Bar – Open in the East Stand, and open to other home supporters after the match.

Club Shop – Opens 2.30pm. TNL is a cashless stadium. To find out about hospitality and events, please email hospitality@fgr.co.uk.