SATURDAY was a dream come true for Paul Simpson.

The Rochdale boss, who hadn't tasted a League win since September 28, reckons he knew Hartlepool United were going to be on the receiving end of a pasting because he dreamt it on Friday night!

Simpson, part of the opposition when Pool lost in the play-offs to Blackpool in 2001, said: "I had a bit of a thought on Friday night that we were going to get this sort of result.

"I thought it would be three or four and I'm delighted. Maybe I'm a bit of a spook, I don't know, but Jamie Hoyland (assistant manager) came in on Saturday morning and said it was in his mind that we would score a few.

"We've been building up towards it, our performances have been good and we knew it was going to be a big battle because they haven't got where they are without being a good team.

"But we set our stall out from the start - hard work from everyone. That's what Hartlepool have done all season and maybe on Saturday they didn't get the little breaks they have had this season.''

Meanwhile, former Pool midfielder Chris Beech has admitted leaving Victoria Park was never on the cards until his contract row with the club.

Beech, who missed the chance of a return to action against his old club after suffering a calf strain, walked out on Pool in 1999 on the advice of his agent and signed for Huddersfield for £65,000.

Speaking in the Rochdale programme he said: "Throughout my two years at Hartlepool the manager brought in players on contracts substantially bigger than mine so when I was due for renewal I hoped for a better deal.

"But the contract was worse than the one which expired. I had players in the dressing room earning twice the wage I was, yet I was scoring all the goals.

"I had no intention of leaving but felt I was being forced out. I signed a week to week deal and as the weeks went by I was gradually offered a better contract.

"At the same time Sheffield United came in for me with Jon Cullen moving the opposite way.

"Initially Hartlepool agreed to the transfer. I was free to speak to Sheffield United only then to recieve a phone call telling me they wanted an additional £100,000 on top of the agreed fee. Sheffield United pulled out and I was devastated.

"When I returned to the club I spoke to the chairman (Harold Hornsey). With me being out of contract after refusing to sign a week to week deal I was a free agent. I didn't have to train or play with them anymore as I wasn't attached to them anymore.''

Beech, who failed to mention the influence of his agent in the deal, added: "I was made the scapegoat. It was around the same time as the Pierre van Hooijdonk situation at Nottingham Forest and the same story was painted with me. It wasn't true."

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