Mark Carruthers: How Hartlepool United are rebuilding their bond with the town

How much can you read into the opening day of the season? Can the first 90 minutes of competitive action really be used as a barometer for what could lie in wait over the following nine or ten months?

Probably not, if we are honest. After all, there are so many variables in play during a season opener as new managers and new players get a first taste of competitive action and the settling-in process for both remain at such an early stage.

Those hours of hard work on the training pitch and during pre-season friendlies all have one aim – implementing the tactics and team selection that managers and head coaches hope will guide their side to success over the course of the season.

For Hartlepool United, that process has been a challenge during the summer with a major turnover in players as 13 members of last season’s squad were moved on and 14 new additions were secured.

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New-look Pools

A new head coach, former Newcastle United midfielder Lee Clark, is heading up a new-look management team and their attempts to piece together a squad capable of challenging for a return to the EFL were boosted by the appointment of Chris Beech as head of recruitment.

Bromby & Partners, a ‘specialist football advisory firm’, have led a remarkable transition on and off the pitch, with head of football operations Chris Maxwell playing a prominent role throughout a hectic summer at Victoria Park.

If owner Landon Smith wanted to make an impact during his first summer in charge, it would be fair to suggest the American businessman has certainly achieved his goal.

Yet perhaps Smith’s greatest impact does not lie in increasing the prospects of a promotion push or putting in a structure in place that has allowed Pools to attract the likes of Will Harris, Jack Nolan and Chris Popov to The Vic this summer.

Healing the wounds

Without reading too much into the on-field performance during their opening day win against Barrow, perhaps the focus should lie with events in the stands at Pools’ famous old ground.

Almost 6,000 supporters made their way through the gates ahead of the big kick-off and the noises levels were raised throughout as Clark and his new look squad got their season off to a very promising start.

Taking that into account, it would be safe to suggest Smith’s greatest impact has come in going some way to heeling the wounds left behind by the club’s previous owner as questions over ambition, motivation and direction were never too far from the lips.

Hartlepool is a town in its own right and the locals are proud of the football club that is at its heart.

They are not overshadowed by Newcastle United and Sunderland. Middlesbrough may be a touch closer – but Hartlepool is the club of the town and its surrounding areas.

As such, the potential within Hartlepool United is vast and, with the right structure and shrewd investment, there is no reason why a push up the football pyramid should not be on the agenda.

Connection

As with any football supporter, Poolies want to feel close to their club – they want to sense a belonging, they want to feel a connection that has been felt for generation after generation.

They want to walk to The Vic knowing the men in blue and white will give blood, sweat and tears and do everything they can to produce a performance and result that will send them home with smiles on their faces.

They don’t want disconnect, they don’t want to be left out in the cold, they want to feel united in more ways than one.

And last Saturday, as summer signings Harris and Nolan grabbed the goals to kick off the new season in some style, there was a connection and a sense of belonging that became overshadowed by what appeared to be a lack of direction and drive in previous seasons.

Repaired bond

There will, of course, be mighty challenge to overcome throughout the National League season and Clark and his coaching staff are still in the early days of implementing their tactical approach and style of play.

However, Clark’s own words and the repeated message that he sees it as his job to ‘give the town the team they deserve’ will only strengthen the already repaired bond between club and community.

It seems somewhat poignant in the weeks after the sad passing of his former Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan, that Clark shares a similar desire as his old boss to reward supporters for spending their hard-earned money by producing entertaining, high energy football from their beloved side.

All sides, from Smith and the individuals helping run the club to Clark, his coaching staff and players, to Pools supporters of all ages, have a responsibility to ensure the togetherness that has been fostered throughout a transformative summer remains in place throughout the season.

That can help build and maintain momentum on the back of a promising opening day result and performance and ensure a United front can push Hartlepool back towards the EFL.

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