Northernpilgrim Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Hartlepool United Football Club is an English association football club based in Hartlepool, England. The club has played in League One since winning promotion in the 2006–07 season. Hartlepool play their home games at Victoria Park, which is situated on Clarence Road, Hartlepool. The club was founded in 1908 as Hartlepools United Football Athletic Company. Their main local rivals are Darlington F.C., who have historically been in the same league as Hartlepool United. Hartlepool is known for its association with Brian Clough who began his managerial career at the club in 1965 and is widely considered to be one of the greatest English football managers of all time. Under Cyril Knowles' management the club won promotion to the Third Division in 1990. Hartlepool's greatest moment occurred in 2005 when they narrowly missed promotion to the The Championship. The club has received media attention in recent years when the team mascot "H'Angus the Monkey" was elected mayor during the 2002 Hartlepool Council election. The club also receives popular attention due to its vocal support from the presenter of Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday, Jeff Stelling. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 21, 2012 Author Share Posted June 21, 2012 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 21, 2012 Author Share Posted June 21, 2012 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 22, 2012 Author Share Posted June 22, 2012 Promotion to the Championship for the first time in the club's history wasn't on the agenda, but a stonking 35 goals in the league from James Brown, 42 in all competitions, kept us in contention for the title from the off. Massive changes for the Championship, because I felt the squad had too many passengers and not enough quality. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 22, 2012 Author Share Posted June 22, 2012 And how it was achieved. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 22, 2012 Author Share Posted June 22, 2012 And the evidence of my 2012 summer reshaping Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 22, 2012 Author Share Posted June 22, 2012 So, a bit about my plan for this career. My plan is to replicate the path taken by Brian Clough, and to have exactly the same number of games in charge of each club. I will resign and wait for the relevant job to become vacant if it's not available, but will put pressure on the manager through the media and expressing an interest if he looks vulnerable. I aim to achieve everything Brian Clough did in his career, but if I'm offered an international job, or I get sacked without reaching the right length of time, it'll turn into a 'what might have happened' career. Enjoying life at Hartlepool, but know I'll be leaving them this season, one way or another, as BC only managed them for 84 games. So, 38 Championship games to get the 9 wins and 4 draws I need to emulate the great man. But as I'm chasing the Derby County job, I'll need to do rather better than that! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRL88 Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 Excellent season in League 1 and some nice signings to. Looking forward to this with Hartlepool being a side rather local to myself. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 23, 2012 Author Share Posted June 23, 2012 Preseason and August 2012. Solid enough start but a disappointing cup defeat Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 24, 2012 Author Share Posted June 24, 2012 September results were disappointing, with no wins at all, but on the positive side, only 1 defeat. We led 2-0 in that game as well, so it's obvious where the problems lie. Solving them? Well, that's another matter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 24, 2012 Author Share Posted June 24, 2012 A mixed but decent enough October Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 Nobody will be better than Brian Clough. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 26, 2012 Author Share Posted June 26, 2012 My record with Hartlepool is far better than his was. Not that that says anything, but my challenge is about beating his record at each club in terms of games won from the same number of maches, as well as winning the same trophies he did. So far, so good. I'm ahead of schedule on matches won at Hartlepool, and have a promotion which he didn't get. Cloughie was a legend, and if I can get anywhere close to his career I'll be delighted. I actually think the spell at Derby is going to give me the most trouble, as he achieved a lot in a short time, whereas at Forest he was there 18 years. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRL88 Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 A nice win away to Coventry there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 November results. Two tough games to start, but 2 fantastic wins to get us back on track to finish the month Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 Thanks for the kind words SRL. Coventry are struggling in the league, but away form has been an issue, so am delighted with the result there. More than halfway to the 9 wins required from 38 games, and only 17 played. 4 from the next 16 will take me past Clough's record. Brighton and Huddersfield both in good form, so pleased to get 2 more wins there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 League table at half way. Brian Clough's Hartlepool points total from 84 games passed after just 69 games. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 What should happen now then? If the Derby job becomes available before 84 games, should I apply? Or would that be against the spirit of the challenge? Personally, as my objective was to get more points (counting his as if they were 3 points for a win) than he did, and I've done that already, I'd have no issues moving early. Not sure what I think about the reverse though, getting to 84 games without the job being available? Who would stay with Hartlepool, who would resign and remain unemployed until Derby offer the job, and who would take another job entirely? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 27, 2012 Author Share Posted June 27, 2012 And would creating the vacancy by installing a human manager and resigning them immediately constitute cheating? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welsh Wizard Posted June 27, 2012 Share Posted June 27, 2012 A great start. I think sticking with the team until the other becomes free is best option. As long as you complete your objective you could leave when the next team becomes open. And would creating the vacancy by installing a human manager and resigning them immediately constitute cheating? May be only option as could take a very long time otherwise. I wouldn't call it cheating but enabling the challenge to continue. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 December was a decent month, consolidating 10th place. Only disappoinment was that we failed to win the away game at Bournemouth, who are in the drop zone. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 A great start. I think sticking with the team until the other becomes free is best option. As long as you complete your objective you could leave when the next team becomes open.May be only option as could take a very long time otherwise. I wouldn't call it cheating but enabling the challenge to continue. A very good point. I will take the Derby job if offered it before the 84 game mark, but will create the vacancy only at 84 games to continue the challenge. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CityAndColour Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 Problem is if you don't get the job, they are less likely to sack a newer manager. So you may put yourself back. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 January 2013 results, and a truly brilliant month for the Monkey Hangers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted June 28, 2012 Share Posted June 28, 2012 My record with Hartlepool is far better than his was. Not that that says anything, but my challenge is about beating his record at each club in terms of games won from the same number of maches, as well as winning the same trophies he did. So far, so good. I'm ahead of schedule on matches won at Hartlepool, and have a promotion which he didn't get. Cloughie was a legend, and if I can get anywhere close to his career I'll be delighted. I actually think the spell at Derby is going to give me the most trouble, as he achieved a lot in a short time, whereas at Forest he was there 18 years. Beating his points total at his early clubs will be easy, since three points for a win didn't come into place until 1981. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 28, 2012 Author Share Posted June 28, 2012 Actually I meant I'd beaten the total as if he DID get 3 poins for a win Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 30, 2012 Author Share Posted June 30, 2012 A poor February has seen us fall out of contention for the playoffs, but given that we're newly promoted, and face bottom of the table Coventry at home next, I'm optimistic we'll secure safety in early March Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 30, 2012 Author Share Posted June 30, 2012 Quick note, due to a disagreement with the ref over his decision not to award Hartlepool a penalty in the Leeds game, I've been given a 1 match ban. Will be interesting to see whether my Assistant is a capable replacement or not, and it will also provide me with some food for thought as to whether I should take him with me when he time comes to head to Derby. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 30, 2012 Author Share Posted June 30, 2012 How the hell can I have a reputation of 'Regional', after getting a Hartlepool side predicted 15th in League 1 automatic promotion, then sitting 10th in The Championship after 34 games, despite being predicted a 24th placed finish. Given we've busted through the 50 point barrier already, if we finish in 24th this season I'll walk the 200 or so miles to Hartlepool in a monkey suit if it happens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted June 30, 2012 Author Share Posted June 30, 2012 They aren't quite visible on the screenshot, but in 24th is Coventry with a paltry 17 points, 14 adrift of Hull in 23rd, 19 from safety, and 33 behind us. Think the monkey suit might be safe Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 1, 2012 Author Share Posted July 1, 2012 I'm starting to find this season a chore. We're never going to challenge for the playoffs, with a capacity of not much over 7k I'm not generaing the revenue. I'm just waiting for the 84 games to be up, then resign and wait to see if Derby come calling. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 1, 2012 Author Share Posted July 1, 2012 Not the sign off we wanted. Holidayed my final 2 games in charge. Have reached the 84 league games managed by Brian Clough, but what a dismal way to go. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 1, 2012 Author Share Posted July 1, 2012 Here is Brian Clough's League Record as a manager. For comparison my own Hartlepool league record is P84 W39 D20 L25 F158 A118 Pts137 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 1, 2012 Author Share Posted July 1, 2012 So now begins the wait for the Derby job. Current manager Gordon Strachan enjoying a less than happy relationship with his chairman, so hopefully I'll get my chance soon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 1, 2012 Author Share Posted July 1, 2012 Within days I'm linked with Birmingham City, but not as the favourite. Gordon Strachan, Derby's manager, also in the frame. Hope he gets it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 1, 2012 Author Share Posted July 1, 2012 I decided to risk forcing the Derby vacancy by replacing Gordon Strachan with a human version of himself and resigning immediately, and THIS happened: And the league table showing the positions of my old and new clubs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 1, 2012 Author Share Posted July 1, 2012 I won't post an end of season update this time, but instead will concentrate on using the remaining 5 games to work out what needs to happen with my squad, as well as bringing in my backroom team, most of whom left Victoria Park the same day I did. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 1, 2012 Author Share Posted July 1, 2012 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 Nice one, wasn't sure if you'd get it after all that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 1, 2012 Author Share Posted July 1, 2012 I think the promotion to the Championship, and then consolidating in the top ten until the end of January was too much for the Derby board. I toyed with the idea of trying to stay with Hartlepool, but I knew when I holidayed the game and we got hammered twice, that I was getting the team to over achieve. It looks like I'll have to do that at Derby too, as the finances are desperate, the squad is very large but short of quality. That said, the first XI are a bunch I'd expect to be in the hunt for promotion, there is just absolutely no backup. I've decided not to use my tried and trusted formaion in the last few matches this season, I don't want the AI getting too long to have a peek at it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobby_McDonald Posted July 4, 2012 Share Posted July 4, 2012 I decided to risk forcing the Derby vacancy by replacing Gordon Strachan with a human version of himself and resigning immediately Doing things like that makes me lose all interest in your save. It is your game so you can play as you please but that doesn't hold any interest for me personally. Good luck with the rest of your game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 4, 2012 Author Share Posted July 4, 2012 The point was to see whether I could match Brian Clough's achievements in terms of win percentages, honours won etc at each of his clubs over exactly the same number of games. The Derby board were no likely to get rid of their manager, as they changed him only at the start of the season, and the finances mean they don't expect much above survival. The fact that they gave me the job says that I deserve the chance. If I can't match Clough's achievement of winning the league within 6 years, my save will come to an end. Everyone is entitled to their view, and thankyou for yours, but I sought people's opinions before doing it, and you didn't object then. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
deltablue Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 At least you're open about that. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 7, 2012 Author Share Posted July 7, 2012 I've got to be happy with the way preseason 2013/14 has gone Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 7, 2012 Author Share Posted July 7, 2012 And my transfers this summer. As well as these, I released a whole host of players after the last game of last season Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 7, 2012 Author Share Posted July 7, 2012 My current squad looks like this. Small but talented Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welsh Wizard Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Great pre-season. Hopefully injuries don't have a impact on the squad as it's looking good enough to have a outside chance of a challenge. Good Luck:thup: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 7, 2012 Author Share Posted July 7, 2012 Thanks Welsh Wizard. My aim for this season is promotion by any means possible. To complete my Derby section of the challenge, I need to win the title no later than 5 seasons in, as Brian Clough led them to a European Cup Semi Final before his departure. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Welsh Wizard Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Thanks Welsh Wizard. My aim for this season is promotion by any means possible. To complete my Derby section of the challenge, I need to win the title no later than 5 seasons in, as Brian Clough led them to a European Cup Semi Final before his departure. European semi final will be very hard to reach but I see getting promotion the hardest bit Prem money will ease the rest but still going to be tough good luck. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted July 7, 2012 Author Share Posted July 7, 2012 OMG. How is it possible for a shot to hit the crossbar TWICE, and not go in?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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