The club is about to enter a new chapter in its history. After the success of the early 2000s under IOR when Pools were regular promotion and play-off contenders, it’s gone downhill since – culminating in relegation from the Football League.
As they prepare for life in the National League under new boss Craig Harrison, with new owners, a new badge, new kits and a new outlook, we asked fans who deserves a place in the club’s greatest line-up.
We selected a shortlist of goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards and asked fans to pick a team in a 4-3-3 formation.
Voting closed on Thursday, July 20, 2017, and the winning team is published in The Northern Echo on Saturday, July 22, 2017.
1983-1987
Appearances: 181
A bit of a cult hero at the Vic. County Durham-born, the keeper used to travel to training and games on public transport. He signed for Pools after leaving York and, while the 80s were difficult times at the club, he was a constant and thoroughly enthusiastic. Moved to Sweden in 1987, but a knee injury ended his career and now lives and works in York.
Dimi Konstantopoulos
2003-2007
Appearances: 139.
The big Greek arrived on trial and left after promotion to League One and becoming a real hero at the Vic. His commanding presence and giant frame in the penalty area made life easy for defenders. His performance at Tranmere in the play-off semi-final, second-leg in 2005 is the stuff of legends.
Ken Simpkins
1963-1968
Appearances: 134
Promotion-winner in 1968, the Welshman settled in the town after his playing days ended. He even scored for Pools, as he turned out five times as a centre forward. Having lost his jersey to George Smith, he played up front, scoring at Port Vale.
Barry Watling
1972-1976
Appearances: 158
Clean sheets were his speciality, racking up 53 for the club, and made 137 consecutive appearances, as the back four in front of Green, Goad, Potter and Smith practically picked themselves. Left Pools to play in the NASL, turning out for Vancouver Whitecaps.
Scott Flinders
2009-2015
Appearances: 276
Signed from Charlton after a £1m move failed to see his career take off, he soon became first choice at Pools. Made history in April 2011 when his injury time header against Bournemouth saw him become the first goalkeeper to score for the club. A consummate professional, he rejected a new deal to move to York two years ago.
Keith Nobbs
1985-1993
Appearances: 385
Goals: 1
No-nonsense defending was his forte. A key part of the 1991 promotion side, with his long, measured balls from the back ploughed striker into Paul Baker. Suffered a broken jaw and lost half a dozen teeth in a 1-0 win at Darlington in October 1990 – and wanted to play on despite his injury. Moved to central defence seamlessly in 1992 following promotion. Daughter Jordan is a mainstay in the England women’s side.
Rob McKinnon
1985-1992.
Appearances: 300
Goals: 7
An attacking left-back, who left Pools and went onto to play for Scotland. Signed after one outing for Newcastle, a 5-1 defeat at Tottenham, he developed into a cultured defender, courted by bigger clubs. Had trials with Manchester United and Leeds before leaving for Motherwell in 1992. Regularly ploughed forward, linking up well with Paul Dalton. Returned to Pools briefly on loan in 1997.
John MacPhail
1990-1995
Appearances: 196
Goals: 5
Signed by Cyril Knowles from top-flight Sunderland, the centre-half was just what Pools needed – strong, rugged and someone to organise the side from the back. Helped Pools to promotion in his first season and adapted seamlessly to the division above thanks to his experience and reading of the game. Cool under pressure, he was combative and never shirked a challenge.
Watty Moore
1948-1960
Appearances: 472
Goals: 3
Long held the club’s record number of appearances before being overtaken by Ritchie Humphreys. The one-club man and centre-half was a regular throughout the 1950s. Died from a heart attack aged 41 in 1967. Played in the club’s memorable 4-3 defeat to Manchester United, the Busby Babes, in 1957.
Billy Ayre
1977-1981
Appearances: 155
Goals: 28
Hard as proverbial nails with a fearsome reputation in the game. Top scorer in his first season with 13 goals from centre-half as he was an ever-present and was the first name on the team sheet for years. Left Pools and following his playing days he was appointed Blackpool boss in 1990, forging a new career. Died of cancer in 2002.
Micky Nelson
2003-2009
Appearances: 306
Goals: 16
Signed from Bury, he scored a stunning 35-yard last-minute winner on his debut at Peterborough on the opening day of the 2003/4 season and never looked back. Formed a tremendous partnership with Chris Westwood, the defensive rock on which Pools success was formed. Always the dominant presence in defence, Nelson is still playing and has just signed a new deal with Barnet.
Micky Barron
1996-2007
Appearances: 372
Goals: 4
Moved on loan initially from Middlesbrough, before arriving permanently months later. Starting as a sweeper in a back three, Barron became a reliable and honest centre-half, before moving to right-back. Captain and leader under Chris Turner, he was rewarded for a decade of playing service with a testimonial year. Become caretaker manager and first-team coach before being dumped in 2012 when John Hughes was sacked.
Tony Parry
1965-1972
Appearances: 204
Goals: 5
The club’s first regular black player, Parry was Brian Clough’s first capture, moving from Burton Albion on the instruction of Peter Taylor for £300, and became a mainstay in the promotion side of 1967, being voted player of the year. In 1972, with the club in financial dire straits, he was sold to Derby County, bought by Clough for £3,000. The deal was regarded as a gesture by Clough, to keep his old club in business. After becoming a regular visitor to the town, he died in 2009.
Alan Goad
1967-1978
Appearances: 418
Goals: 11
Another to be honoured with a testimonial, Pools played Clough’s Nottingham Forest in 1977 to recognise his service. Of the 418 games he appeared in he only netted 11 goals and went from March 1970 to December 1973 without scoring, during which time he played in 157 games. Was appointed player-coach under Billy Horner and later moved to Canada.
Bryan Drysdale
1965-1969
Appearances: 192
Goals: 2
Wingate-born, ‘Trapper’ moved from Lincoln and quickly established himself as the regular left back and hardly missed a game over the four seasons at the club, aiding them to promotion in 1968. He departed following relegation at the end of the next season and joined Bristol City where made 280 outings.
Jan-Ove Pedersen
1997
Appearances: 17
Goals: 1
It may seem folly that someone who only spent weeks at the club can be included amongst the all-time best. But Pedersen was a class act, too savvy and too good. He arrived on loan from Brann Bergen in Norway during their close season as he looked for games to keep alive his hopes of a spot in the 1998 World Cup squad. Graceful on the ball, he glided across the pitch and was far, far too good for this level.
Tommy Miller
1997-2001; 2014/15
Appearances: 171
Goals: 44
One of the club’s finest home-grown talents, made a name as part of a three-man central midfield with licence to attack. Top scorer in both 1999/2000 and 2000/2001, making the PFA team of the year on both occasions, he was rewarded with a £750,000 move to Ipswich. He returned to Pools in 2014/15, but missed the majority of the season through injury and made his 600th career appearance on the final day of the season as Pools completed their Great Escape.
Brian Honour
1985-1996
Appearances: 384
Goals: 36
Admits he was never the most naturally gifted player, but what he lacked in natural ability he more than made up for in effort and honesty. Released by Darlington after 100 appearances, he was playing with Peterlee in the Northern League when Billy Horner snapped him up. He went onto become the crowd hero at the Vic, with his all action style on the flank. Scored the winner as Pools triumphed at Sunderland in 1987, and his two individual strikes at Maidstone in 1991 were sublime. Rewarded with a testimonial as his playing days were ended by knee problems.
Dean Emerson
1992-1994
Appearances: 61
Goal: 1
Something of a coup as Alan Murray landed the central midfielder from Coventry as Pools moved up a division. He offered a strong presence in central midfield as Pools adapted to life in Division Two. His fine form was curtailed by a fractured cheekbone suffered at the Vic.
Tommy McGuigan
1950-1958
Appearances: 355
Goals: 79
Scot, signed by Fred Westgarth, he missed only 11 games in five years. Full of honest endeavour and graft, the hard-working forward spent eight seasons at the Vic and played in the famous game with Manchester United. One of the players to have a street in the town named after him.
Paul Stephenson
1998-2002
Appearances: 170
Goals: 11
Former Newcastle winger, signed from York and his playing days were drifting to an unflattering close – until the appointment of Chris Turner. The manager shifted him from wide to a central role and he flourished, becoming player of the year in 2001, playing every game and dictating with his astute passing and ability to find space. Joined the coaching staff and had a spell as caretaker manager.
Roy Hogan
1978-1987
Appearances: 319
Goals: 36
Hartlepool-born, another who was part of the furniture during the difficult 80s. Small in size, big on heart and honesty, the central midfielder was an uncompromising figure. After three years, he was released by boss John Duncan, only to be resigned by Billy Horner when he took control again. Spent another four seasons in the team, never letting anyone down.
Ritchie Humphreys
2001-2013
Appearances: 543
Goals: 37
All-time appearance holder, awarded a testimonial in 2011, voted the club’s player of the century. Signed by Turner in 2001, he made an astonishing 223 consecutive starts after signing. Netted the winning penalty in the shoot-out at Tranmere in the League One play-off of 2005. Started at Pools as a striker, but flourished in a deeper role, playing wide or creating in the middle.
Mark Lawrence
1978-1983
Appearances: 187
Goals: 26
Born in Stockton and signed from Nunthorpe. A regular for three seasons, he chipped in with some key goals with some firm shows in the middle of the park. He did, however, upset the club when he played in a 1981 summer five-a-side tournament without permission, breaking a leg in the event. Never rediscovered his spark and left to join Port Vale.
Mark Tinkler
2000-2007
Appearances: 245
Goals: 36
The best £40,000 the club has ever spend, as they paid Southend to get him back to the North-East. Never shirked his responsibilities in the engine room, he could sit deep and tackle, spray passes around at will and get forward to score too. A fulcrum for the side.
Joe Allon
1988-1991; 1995-1997
Appearances: 194
Goals: 79
Signed for Pools from Swansea for £12,000. Top scorer in his first full season, he netted a club record 35 times (28 league) as Pools were promoted in 1991. Put his success down the coaching of Pop Robson. An ability to be in the right place, at the right time, Allon’s goals earned him a move to Chelsea in 1991. Returned to the Vic and a knee injury ended his career, but only after he netted the winning goal at Feethams to keep Pools in the Football League in 1996.
Paul Baker
1987-1992; 1997-1999
Appearances: 280
Goals: 92
The perfect foil for Allon, the little and large partnership was one of Pool’s finest. Played centre-half during his first season, that coming after 13 goals in his just seven games. A presence and focal point up front, he was three times top scorer at the Vic and had a spell as caretaker boss after he returned in 1997.
Joel Porter
2003-2009
Appearances: 209
Goals: 65
A fruitless trial at Sunderland saw him at Pools where he impressed boss Neale Cooper. A hesitancy to shoot was soon put to bed as he ran defences ragged and formed a silky partnership up front with Adam Boyd. Injuries pegged him back in 2006/7, but soon hit top form. He left Pools to return to Australia after netting 23 goals. Returned to the town as a guest of honour at the ten-year reunion of the 2005 play-off squad.
Adam Boyd
1999-2005; 2009-2012
Appearances: 273
Goals: 79
Hartlepool-born, his talent was noted before his breakthrough – and he scored the winning goal in the last minute of his debut. His inconsistency came to an end after Neale Cooper sent him on loan to Boston. He came back rejuvenated and focused, scoring 12 times in ten games to get Pools into the 2003/04 play-offs. Scored 29 times the following season, including a fantastic hat-trick against Sheffield Wednesday. After a knee injury, signed for Luton for £500,000 and returned to Pools in 2009.
Kenny Johnson
1949-1964
Appearances: 422
Goals: 111
One of the club’s finest servants - and he also served up mean fish and chips after his playing days ended! Started out with Seaton Holy Trinity and scored on his debut. During National Service he played for the Hong Kong national side while stationed there.
Given a benefit game in 1958, and continued as a key player in the side, being top scorer again in 1961-62 and awarded a second benefit in 1963. An absolute gentleman, he also worked as a matchday host before his death in 2011. Voted player of the decade for the 50s.
Bob Newton
1977-1982; 1985-86
Appearances: 180
Goals: 64
Strong, bold and fearless. Would often be spotted in the pubs and clubs of the town with supporters, his off-field antics were stories in themselves. Jailed for drink driving offences in which teammate Dave Wiggett died, Newton was a key part of Pools side on his release as he played up front with Keith Houchen, forming a positive partnership before it was broken when he was sold to Port Vale for £25,000 in another hour of need.
Keith Houchen
1978-1982; 1993-1996
Appearances: 330
Goals: 104
A regular in the 1979-80 season, he was tall and mobile, causing problems for defences in tandem with Newton. Top scorer for four successive seasons, his talent was being noted from above and was courted by Liverpool, who instead opted for a young striker in the lower leagues called Ian Rush. Sold on the cheap to Orient for £25,000, he carved a fine career culminating in one of the greatest FA Cup final goals, for Coventry in 1987. Returned from Port Vale in 1993 and led the line in a struggling side, bringing nous and experience before being appointed boss and he was sacked in 1995.
Leo Harden
1946-1956
Appearances: 184
Goals: 52
“The Flying Dustman” as he was known for combining playing for Pools with his day job. Winger with a great turn of speed and fleet of foot, he also had an eye for goal. Hartlepool-born, he would also spent his summers playing cricket in the town’s Church League. Died in December 1999.
Luke James
2010-2015; 2016
Appearances: 120
Goals: 23
Made an instant name for himself with a stunning winning goal on his first start – the club’s goal of the season. A difficult second season came, but he soon found his feet. Quick, direct and nimble, James was too sharp for defenders as he tore away from them at will and scored 16 times in League Two. Wanted out and got a £500,000 move to Peterborough, but he has struggled for goals sincr and returned on loan in 2016.
Gordon Watson
2001-2003
Appearances: 53
Goals: 23
Flash by name, Flash by nature. Brought swagger and attitude to the squad after injury looked like finishing his career. Signed by Chris Turner, he was just what Pools needed. Scored every type of goal – from simple to spectacular. Adored by the Victoria Park crowd, he was a driving force in Turner’s success.