Well done Richie, now for the real thing

It was all about Richie Humphreys, and the Hartlepool United favourite got the night he deserved as more than 5,700 turned out to watch Sunderland fight back to win 3-1 at Victoria Park in the long-serving player's testimonial game.   

Humphreys admitted it was an emotional night, as it was always destined to be for a modest man who has achieved so much.

With 480 Pools appearances behind him, this is the one he will possibly remember best, though at the age of 33 he played in a way that suggested he has every intention of passing the 500 mark.

Nobby Solano had given Pools an early lead as Sunderland started slowly, but Premiership class told in the end as Steve Bruce’s men came back for their win with goals from Asamoah Gyan, Jack Colback and Seb Larsson.

It was never a full-on game – testimonials rarely are – but it wasn’t a bad run out for either team.

Sunderland have ten days to go before their season starts, but for Pools the big kick-off is this weekend when they make the League One trip to MK Dons.

Mick Wadsworth told the Hartlepool Mail that Steve Bruce had said the game was fantastic for them because Pools gave them a real workout and a real shock in the first half. 

“And I must say I thought we did very well in that opening period," he added.

“We moved the ball very well and pushed them back. We caused them problems and opened up what was a very experienced back four.

“Nobby’s goal was a super finish and was a great bit of football to open the whole thing up, as good as we’ve had through all of pre-season.

“To match a team like that, albeit for a half, is very encouraging. We’re ready for the new season now and we’re raring to go.

“This was a marvellous occasion but the real stuff starts this weekend and we can’t wait and I think we’re in excellent shape.”

Much this season will depend on how Solano settles into football at this level – is he going to be an inspirational midfield general, or is he too old for the rigours of League One life?

It will also depend on whether the arrival of Colin Nish from Scotland does enough to inspire the Pools attack to score the number of goals needed to thrive, or even survive, in League One.

Having sold a record number of season tickets, Pools can’t afford to sicken the thousands who have backed them in the summer by being rubbish in the season. Relations between the club and the fans are probably better now than they have been for years.

It would be a pity to waste that.