Last season, Hartlepool United completed their very own great escape under Ronnie Moore. When all looked lost, the team managed to dramatically improve their form, claw back a ten point gap and secure their place in League Two for at least another season.
However, after last summer’s optimism, where many new players were brought in to help make the step forward, they once again find themselves in deep trouble. They face a must-win game against relegation rivals Yeovil Town at home this weekend and after last Tuesday’s defeat at home to Stevenage, the club decided that a change was required if they are to escape the dreaded drop
Last year’s saviour, Ronnie Moore, left the club by mutual consent after the midweek defeat and the club quickly turned to ex-Middlesbrough player and ex-Hartlepool assistant manager Craig Hignett to lead them to safety. Although things aren’t as bleak as at the same stage last season, confidence is low and results are not going their way. Only one win in the league since mid November has left them 22nd in the table and just four points off the relegation zone. A defeat at home to Yeovil Town could be the beginning of the end.
Hartlepool are experienced at avoiding relegation. They have never been relegated from the Football League and on numerous occasions they have only just escaped. After various relegation escapes and fourteen re-elections, can they do it again and make yet another attempt at moving forward?
New boss Hignett believes that he is capable of securing his side’s all important league status: “I have enough experience now to know the job – even though I’ve never been a manager I have done everything but and had two spells as assistant that have gone well for me. We’ve got some games in hand, I know that, and I have to get my views over to the players and let them know how I want them to play because there will be a change in style, that’s for sure. There’s a lot of work to be done but I am massively excited by the challenge.”
So can they do what they do best and escape relegation from the Football League? History tells us that they won’t quit and whenever a change has been needed to get them out of trouble they have got it right when it’s been needed most. Is Craig Hignett, the man with no managerial experience, the right choice to take them up the table and onto a brighter future? The man himself and his chairman seem to think so, and he also seems to have the backing of the majority of supporters.
If the club can get out of this, supporters will be hoping that under their new manager, relatively new chairman and owners, that the future holds fewer great escapes and maybe a few more relaxed seasons and even the occasional push for promotion. But at Hartlepool United and in football in the North East of England, few things go smoothly.
