Hartlepool United fans to take Plymouth by Storm

As Pools go to Plymouth for their final game of the season they will be backed, in time-honoured tradition by supporters clad in fancy dress.

This year over 500 will be making the 380-mile hike to Plymouth dressed as Stormtroopers.

Twelve months ago, more than 2,000 went to Carlisle dressed as Bob Marley as they adopted a reggae theme, while in recent years they have captured the attention as Where’s Wally, Oompah Loompahs, Penguins and Thunderbirds.

Hartlepool Smurfs at King's Cross in 2012

Four years ago this weekend, an army of Smurfs descended on London for the game at Charlton, with a photo of the fans on the escalator at King’s Cross Underground Station, taken by The Northern Echo's sports editor Nick Loughlin, going worldwide.

Two bus loads set off on Friday morning, with three more leaving Victoria Park at 3am on Saturday morning, as hundreds more make their own way through hyperspace to Home Park.

Pools boss Craig Hignett, a huge Star Wars fan, admitted he considered donning his own Stormtrooper suit and joked: “I don’t want anyone saying I should be Yoda or an Ewok – I’m happy being a Jedi Knight.’’

“The last day of the season for Hartlepool supporters is brilliant, one to enjoy. I look forward to it every year because there’s been some unbelievable pictures taken over the years.

“The national spotlight is on Hartlepool United because of what the fans do – I just hope for their sake it’s not red hot because in plastic suits they may collapse! I’m hearing already they are getting their suits adjusted and paying eight quid to get flaps and air vents in them - something I’ve never thought about in Star Wars I suppose!

"If a Stormtrooper needs the toilet he has to take the whole lot off, whereas our lads have got one over of them and put flaps in so fair play to them."