UNDER Increased Oil Recovery Hartlepool United were the most stable of clubs, a sound business organisation for 17 years. They were, it’s fair to say, the glory seasons. Since they got out in 2015, the last four years have been shambolic.

From owners who didn’t have the money to keep the club going, to relegation from the Football League under a manager who was more concerned with what he used to do rather than what he could (or couldn’t) do,  to a chairwoman who cried and floundered (who actually thought the club could pick which games suspended players would miss), to not good enough players earning small fortunes to drop the club in the bottom half of the National League, to almost going bust, to events on Saturday which brought embarrassment and shame on the club and the town.

Choose life. Choose Hartlepool United. Choose the odd smattering of excitement and joy (like the Great Escape). Choose misery.

Hartlepool United is not a racist club. It is not a racist town. Yes, it has a small element who can be racist – and, lurking under the surface, other clubs do. On Saturday, things came to the fore. It was as stunning as it was shocking and surprising.

It was a day which will go down in history, added to the list of carnage which has engulfed Victoria Park in recent years.

Striker Nicke Kabamaba admitted on Sky Sports: “It was a difficult day, things what happened you don’t want to see or be involved in especially when it’s your job.

“It happened in a moment and then you start thinking the worst – you don’t want to be there and you have to take time and understand why we reacted how and why we did.

“We actually did well to finish it off because we started to think about walking off and making a stance, but we decided to finish the game.’’

The racist narrative on Saturday was played out to a backdrop. It was a tinderbox of events which sparked when Dover scored and celebrated in front of the Town End. There were reasons why it happened, no excuses, no exemptions, but an exposition.

There’s no need for a social-economic essay into life in Hartlepool or why the town voted overwhelmingly for Brexit. That has nothing to do with what went on at Victoria Park on Saturday, despite what some know it all outsiders claim on social media.

It is up to the club and the relevant authorities – police and FA especially - to deal with things now.

The club should be applauded for making a stance before Tuesday’s game when cards will be held declaring “Love Pools, Hate Racism”.

Some players, as reported in The Northern Echo, have spent time considering their futures since events. Do they want to play for the club again after the incidents? It is to be hoped they are all turning out against Chesterfield on Tuesday evening.

Some supporters are ready to stay away from Victoria Park on the back of it, such was the shame they all felt.

But by not playing, by not turning up, isn’t it allowing the idiots to win? Well not win, but to get the better of stout individuals with morals and standards?

One worrying aspect on Saturday was how some in the Town End actually turned on their own players during the eight-minute delay in play. Passions ran high; too high.

There’s regularly been flak and abuse dished out at the ground. Short-lived boss Richard Money was correct last season when he said it was a negative place, with a downbeat atmosphere. Players didn’t want to play at the Vic such was the vitriol spouted by some.

But that has turned around of late. The atmosphere has been positive, fully supportive of the players.

When the club’s PA announcer read out a statement denouncing racism during half-time it was warmly applauded. When Gus Mafuta and Kabamba strode along the front of the Town End they were, in the main, applauded for pointing out individuals.

On the pitch, Pools still can’t shake off that home hoodoo. In the most brutal of divisions, too many teams visit and niggle, nark and outmuscle their way to victory. Pools have a better-equipped squad this season but they still can’t yet get into their stride.

A five-game unbeaten run this season offered plenty of promise, but that’s all it’s been so far. Potential and promise. They need more substance.

You can change the name of the ground, the owners, manager, chairman, players, sponsor, kit manufacturer and all you like. And the same issues and problems remain at Hartlepool United.

Press the reset button and start again on Tuesday night.