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.

Have a look at The Poolie Bunker and find out!

Hartlepool Marina

Hartlepool Utd finished 11th place in the 2024/25 National League, with 60 points and 14 wins, pretty much a near repeat of their performance in the previous season, the first following their relegation from League Two. In both seasons Emmanuel Dieseruvwe was their leading goal scorer, but he’s now upped sticks and moved to Rochdale. There have been tensions off-pitch and talks (or at least rumours) of a sale, but one that is seemingly forever delayed. The club is known for its vigorously enthusiastic fan base, but they may have to hold on a while before they will be in a position to escape non-league purgatory.

Hartlepool have been active in the transfer market over the summer, reshaping the squad with a flurry of new arrivals. In defence, Besart Topallaj joins on loan from Bromley, Cameron John arrives on loan from York City, Max Kouogun signs from Scunthorpe Utd, Jay Benn comes in from Lincoln City, and Reiss McNally from Kidderminster Harriers. In midfield, Matty Daly returns—this time on a permanent deal from Harrogate Town—alongside Brad Walker, who makes his way back to the club from Tranmere Rovers. Up front, Alex Reid joins from Wealdstone, Jermaine Francis arrives from Barnet (after a loan spell at Braintree), and striker Danny Johnson returns from Walsall.

Just as significant is the appointment of Simon Grayson as manager in early June, replacing Anthony Limbrick, who lasted only a few months in the job. Grayson, best known for his time at Leeds United, trades the mountain air of Nepal—where he managed Lalitpur City—for the North Sea winds of County Durham. 

Pools have had a good start to the season, going unbeaten in league matches during August, their best score being a 3-0 defeat of Woking.

Last season’s home fixture against the Pools was a September match, too. Charlie McCann’s goal made all the difference, giving Rovers a 1-0 victory and leaving the team stuck in third place in the table.

The badge, used since 2021 (when it replaced a complicated design based around a ship’s wheel orignally introduced in 1995), is a heraldic pun – a hart by a pool. The town has a seal depicting a similar image that is claimed to date back to 1200.

Some say Cyril Knowles was the best full back Tottenham have ever had. Hartlepool fans remember him as a legendary manager.

Brian Clough rejuvenated the Pools in his short spell in charge before moving to Derby County. His approach to man-management, famously summed up as “If I had an argument with a player, we would sit down for 20 minutes, talk about it, and then decide I was right”, might not go down so well today.

In 2002, Pools mascot, H’Angus, also known as 28 year-old Stuart Drummond, beat off opposition from the main political parties to be elected to the £53,000-a-year job as mayor of Hartlepool.  His winning slogan in the campaign was “free bananas for schoolchildren”.  Even though his candidacy was just a publicity stunt, he was subsequently re-elected and served until 2012 when the post of mayor of Hartlepool was abolished.  He never made good on his promise of free bananas,

The mascot monkey that became Mayor of Hartlepool

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 from 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.

The Green Man bar and Fan Zone will be open pre-match for food, drink, and live music, with bands performing before each game. Both will also be open at half-time, while the Green Man stays open after the final whistle, showing live Sky Sports games. This season, the Gym Bar also returns for East Stand ticket-holders.

The New Lawn is a cashless stadium — card or contactless payments only.

Hospitality details and offers:

The FGR Shop will be open in the Fan Zone, East Stand concourse, and the Carol Embrey Suite.

A free digital matchday programme will be available online before each home game. Keep an eye on the club’s social media channels for the download link ahead of kick-off.