Like many Pools fans, I had a premonition last summer that the game at Rushden and Diamonds this coming Saturday was going to be of special significance. When the fixtures came out, it seemed almost pre-destined that the meeting of two of the strongest sides in Division Three would be extra special at season's end.

After those heartbreaking successive near misses at play-off time in previous seasons, it was clear that Hartlepool United were determined to go for the automatic promotion route this time round. At the time (before his move to Sheffield Wednesday) I was playing squash every week with the then Pools manager Chris Turner, and it was clear from him that there really was a steely determination to go for the top. As you might remember, the players started training earlier than usual, and the club had even booked the Dutch national training camp to prepare.

Now I don't know if this counts as insider dealing, but I thought this was an ideal time to put a bet on Pools; nothing half-hearted like an each-way bet for promotion, but purely on the championship outright. If that makes me sound like an expert gambler, it's all bluff. It's usually once a year on the Grand National, with spectacular failure compared to Mrs Wright's unerring ability to pick a winner because the jockey had a nice shirt or the horse smiled at her.

So I did the deed: a good chunk at 12 to 1 for Pools to be Third Division champions. A couple of months back I was purring with my heroes 14 points clear before a blip and good form from Rushden closed the gap. Now, as I trust you know, it's all down to Saturday when a Pools win will give them the championship trophy and a major celebration in Hartlepool.

I have full confidence in the lads shining on the day, and, when the winnings come in, there'll be a bottle of champagne put aside for Chris Turner, partly to make up for his serial stuffings on the squash court. That's a cunning ruse, by the way, to niggle him into a return match next time he's here.

And I do hope that new boss Mike Newell's team talk on Saturday ends with the plea "...... not just for the championship lads, remember Wrighty's got us at 12-1!

Another use for Saturday's winnings will be to buy a new set of strings for my prized Fender Telecaster; for the uninitiated it's the Mercedes of guitars.

As you may have heard, my compering task for the Prime Minister (how many name drops is that?) has changed a smidge.

The original formal dinner has now become a more bouncy affair at Trimdon Labour Club, complete with a rock band fronted by the son of Tony Blair's agent, John Burton. Latest discussions reveal that, as well as my compering role, I'll get a chance to murder a sixties tune or two. John Burton, possibly joking, said that they want me to join the band at closing time to ensure stragglers would leave quickly. After the Prime Minister's illuminating interview in Saga magazine recently, there'll be plenty of material from the night in Trimdon for the follow-up!

Published: 30/04/2003