Pools draw - and hit their tickets target

Long-standing fans won't be taking anything for granted, but Hartlepool United's build-up to the new season appears to be going well ... so far. Not only are they returning from their pre-season trip to holland unbeaten in two games, but the fans have also played their part by taking the club past the 4,000 target for season ticket sales.   

It's not a huge figure by the standards of many clubs, but it means that the tickets will cost just £100 each under the club’s brave incentive scheme, meaning it will cost supporters under a fiver for each League One match next season.

They’ll get a shock when they have to pay the full price at places like the two Sheffield clubs, Charlton and Huddersfield.

Pools passed the 4,000 ticket sales mark with three days to spare before the Friday deadline when long-standing fan John Devenport bought his first ever season ticket to mark his 50^th birthday.

Meanwhile, on the pitch, Pools earned a 2-2 draw against Den Bosch in their second and last game in Holland, new striker Colin Nish scoring both goals in a first half dominated by Pools.

The Dutch side came back after the break to end up with a draw.

Nish was pleased with his two-goal performance, but boss Mick Wadsworth wasn’t exactly overjoyed – in fact, he gave them a roasting for their second-half display.

He told the Hartlepool Mail: “I don’t like negative reactions and I won’t accept players getting their heads down, which we did a little bit after their goals.

“I’ll let them know if we’re not doing things properly, pre-season or not, because we set very high standards – you saw that in the first half when we were excellent.

“But we’ve got a great bunch and they’re terrific to work with and I love every one of them dearly.

“They are good pros and everything we do will make us better and stronger for the kick-off.”

Hopefully he’s right … 4,000 people have shelled out for season tickets in the hope that Pools are heading for a good season.