NOT content with holding the record for being Hartlepool United's youngest-ever season ticket holder, six-month-old Ross Cooper has joined the team's new Junior Poolies Club.

Born in May, Ross made headlines across the country when his father John bought him a £100 season ticket for Pools when he was just nine days old.

Now his doting father has helped underline his son's love for Pools by signing him up as the first member of the re-launched Junior Poolies scheme.

"We could tell by the look on his face when we opened his Junior Poolie pack that he's going to be a true Pools fan, " said Mr Cooper.

"As soon as I saw that the club had launched a new Junior Poolie club I wanted to sign Ross up because, even though I live in Nottingham, I'll be bringing him up on blue and white.

"He already loves the Pools Monkey and scarf and hopefully he'll grow up to love Pools as much me and his older brother Ewan."

Junior Poolies captain Peter Hartley was delighted to welcome Ross on board and hopes that more children follow suit as the club look to make a success of the new scheme.

"The pictures of Ross enjoying his Junior Poolie pack are brilliant, " he said.

"We've got a special competition running at the moment too, meaning anyone who joins between now and December 31 gets free entry into a draw to be mascot at The Vic."

Junior Poolies membership is £15 for 12 months and application forms are available in the ticket office and online at hartlepoolunited.co.uk - just click on Fans and then Junior Poolies.