2003/4 Season Review: March and Mourning

By Albatross
June 11 2004

Hartlepool United continued to stay in the playoff picture throughout March - but off the field events overshadowed the football as Harold Hornsey and Frankie Baggs - both people worthy of much praise at the club - died within a week of each other.

Pools started the month in 11th place, some four points behind the final playoff place. A busy programme of six games had the potential to lift us up though - especially, we thought, because four of those games were at home. First up was a match against Chesterfield; and it was a comfortable 2-0 win that was the result. Gavin Strachan had made a surprise return to the side - but had to be withdrawn early in the second half after his knee injury recurred.

Meanwhile, Adam Boyd had returned from his loan spell at Boston and seemed to be just waiting for a permanent deal to be agreed. It fell through, and left Boyd looking like he was in a sort of limbo. We were soon to find out what a couple of weeks of hard work would do....

Our next game was away at Colchester, and although hardly a game to write home about, three points came Pools way thanks to goals from Nelson and Istead. It was the last appearance for Chris Shuker though; his loan spell finished, and shortly afterwards he joined Barnsley. In to replace him came Neil Danns on loan from Blackburn.

Danns made his debut the following week as Pools played QPR. The Hoops were supposedly in a severe injury crisis, signing a keeper at the last minute - but as we found out to our cost, that didn't affect their forwards. After going in at the break level, we were blitzed in the second have with Furlong (twice), Gallen and Rowlands scoring before Joel Porter grabbed a late equaliser.

A meeting with Tony Williams was next on the agenda; a home game against Stockport looked just the ticket as we looked to bounce back - especially given that Taff himself would only be allowed to play if there was no alternative, although some thought we should have insisted on him starting! Things looked to be going according to plan when Eifion notched on ten minutes, but two goals in quick succession from Stockport meant that we had to rely on a Joel Porter equaliser to earn a point. One surprise was a certain Mr. Boyd appearing from the bench - and he played well enough when he came on to suggest that he might yet have another chance at Pools.

The next game confirmed it: Boyd started the match, worked hard throughout, and scored twice as we completed a double over Grimsby with a 2-0 win in atrocious conditions at Blundell Park. Nicky Law, not long installed as Mariners boss, wasn't impressed though: his post match comments included the assertion that "We have been beaten by a very ordinary hard working team." Pools had the last laugh though - Law presided over Grimsby's descent from a relatively safe position into the bottom four, and was sacked following their relegation.

News broke as well of the death of Frankie Baggs. Frankie had been involved with the club for many years, and was very popular; his loss was keenly felt amongst fans. On the day of his funeral came more tragic news. Harold Hornsey, the man who had saved Hartlepool United in the mid 90s, had also passed away after a long battle with illness. A huge figure in the history of the club, but never one to court publicity, Harold will hopefully be given an appropriate memorial at the ground - the Harold Hornsey Stand or Harold Hornsey Town End maybe?

In the midst of this, Football seemed less important; however, there was still a match to play that Saturday, and after two seperate minute's silence in the honour of Frankie and Harold, Brentford were the visitors. Things hardly went to plan, with a 2-1 defeat and injury to Nelson; Adam Boyd scored again, but it was scant consolation. Playoffs were still a possibility, but improved results in April would be a necessity.