TALL ships, cranes and the hallmarks of the maritime history that Hartlepool was built on loomed on the horizon as a 110-year-old football club fought for its future.

Hartlepool United’s prayers may have been answered with significant investment set to save the club from taking an undignified ten point deduction in the National League – and much worse.

Pools are still navigating the maelstrom threatening to swallow the club into administration, with their course still rough on the pitch after being defeated by Saturday’s visitors, Wrexham Football Club.

There was no shortage of support at The Vic however, with 6,412 supporters selling out the ground in a bid to bolster the Pools players and staff – who will all be paid next week thanks to a fundraising page attracting £67,000.

Financial aid for Hartlepool has come from clubs in all corners of the country, but the most visible support arrived on Saturday as coach-loads of fellow North-East football fans travelled in from Teesside.

The Northern Echo:

SUPPORT: Thousands have rallied around the effort to fundraise for Hartlepool, including the Save Pools Day campaign

Dozens of Middlesbrough Football Club fans sporting both Boro red kits with Pools blue scarves vowed to back the Clarence Road outfit after being saved by the coastal club when they faced liquidation back in 1986.

Of those supporters making the short trip up the A689 were the Thompson family, from Middlesbrough.

Father-of-two and staunch Boro fan, Paul Thompson, said: “Hartlepool might not be our club, but they were there for us when we needed them so I think we’ve all agreed to support them now they need us.

“No matter who you support, you want the North-East clubs to do well – as long as they’re not beating you – we’ve come today to hopefully help Hartlepool a bit.

“There are plenty of us from here from Boro and I think it’s a sell-out today. It’s been great to be a part of.”

The Northern Echo:

FUNDRAISING: Middlesbrough supporters rattle collection buckets for Hartlepool United

Speaking after the match, Hartlepool’s own Carole Wright, in full Pools attire, said: “It’s been really wonderful to see all the support from all the other clubs, it really has.

“It’s been very sad to see what’s happening to the club and today hasn’t gone how we wanted, but it’s still been a fantastic atmosphere and so many people have turned out. It’s amazing.”

The sun may have set at The Vic on Saturday evening after a miserable 0-2 defeat, but there is still plenty of fight left in the “never say die” Hartlepool United.