View source for Hartlepool United F.C.

{{Short description|Association football club in Hartlepool, England}}
{{good article}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = Hartlepool United
| image = Hartlepool United FC crest.svg
| upright = .8
| fullname = Hartlepool United Football Club
| nickname = Pools, [[Monkey hanger|Monkey Hangers]]
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1908}}
| ground = [[Victoria Park (Hartlepool)|Victoria Park]]
| capacity = 7,858
| owner = [[Raj Singh (businessman)|Raj Singh]]
| chairman = Raj Singh
| mgrtitle = Head coach
| manager = [[Simon Grayson]]
| league = {{English football updater|HartlepU}}
| season = {{English football updater|HartlepU2}}
| position = {{English football updater|HartlepU3}}
| current = 2024–25 National League
| pattern_la1 = _hartlepool2425h
| pattern_b1 = _hartlepool2425h
| pattern_ra1 = _hartlepool2425h
| pattern_sh1 = _hartlepool2425h
| leftarm1 = 0000FF
| body1 = 0000FF
| rightarm1 = 0000FF
| shorts1 = 0000FF
| socks1 = 0433FF
| pattern_la2 = _hartlepool2425a
| pattern_b2 = _hartlepool2425a
| pattern_ra2 = _hartlepool2425a
| pattern_sh2 = _hartlepool2425a
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| website = {{URL|https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/|hartlepoolunited.co.uk}}
}}

'''Hartlepool United Football Club''' is a professional [[association football]] club based in [[Hartlepool]], [[County Durham]], England. The team competes in the [[National League (division)|National League]], the fifth level of the [[English football league system]].

They were founded in 1908 as the '''Hartlepools United Football & Athletic Club Company Ltd'''. [[West Hartlepool F.C.|West Hartlepool]] won the [[FA Amateur Cup]] in 1905 and after the club was dissolved in 1910 its assets and liabilities were subsequently taken over by Hartlepools United, who were then playing in the [[North Eastern League]]. Hartlepools United were elected into the [[English Football League|Football League]] in 1921 and spent the next 37 years in the [[Football League Third Division North|Third Division North]], at which point they were placed into the new [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]]. In 1968, they were renamed '''Hartlepool''' due to the merger of [[West Hartlepool]] with the town of [[Hartlepool]] and the village of [[Hart, County Durham|Hart]], forming the new [[Borough of Hartlepool]]. The club won promotion in [[1967–68 Football League|1967–68]] for the first time, though were relegated out of the [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] the following season. In 1977, they were renamed again, to '''Hartlepool United'''. They won another promotion in [[1990–91 Football League|1990–91]], though were relegated in [[1993–94 Football League|1993–94]]. They won further promotions out of the fourth tier in [[2002–03 Football League|2002–03]] and [[2006–07 Football League|2006–07]], having been relegated again in [[2005–06 Football League|2005–06]] after losing the [[2005 Football League One play-off final|2005 League One play-off final]] to [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] in the previous season. Hartlepool were relegated again in [[2012–13 Football League One|2012–13]] and ended their 96-year run in the Football League with relegation into the National League in [[2016–17 EFL League Two|2016–17]]. Hartlepool achieved promotion back to the Football League in 2020–21, beating [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] in the [[2021 National League play-off final]]. However, Hartlepool returned to the National League after two seasons following relegation in [[2022–23 EFL League Two|2022–23]].

Hartlepool have played home games at [[Victoria Park, Hartlepool|Victoria Park]] throughout their history. Their main rival is [[Darlington F.C|Darlington]]. Between 1924 and 1984, Hartlepool had to apply for [[Re-election (Football League)|re-election]] on fourteen occasions (a record) in the fourth tier of English football; however, they were not relegated from this level until 2017. The club is also known for being the one where [[Brian Clough]] started his managerial career. [[Ritchie Humphreys]] holds the record for most appearances for the club, having made 543 appearances, while their leading scorer is Joshie Fletcher with 111 goals.

==History==
{{Main|History of Hartlepool United F.C.}}

===1908–1946: early years and establishment in the Football League===
Hartlepool United's origins can be traced back to 1881 when '''[[West Hartlepool F.C.|West Hartlepool Amateur Football Club]]''' were founded, later joining as founder members of the [[Durham County Football Association|Durham FA]] in 1883.<ref name="History">{{cite news |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/club/history--records/club-history/ |title=Club History |author=Mark Simpson |publisher=Hartlepool United Football Club |access-date=8 March 2022 |archive-date=19 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419210703/https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/club/history--records/club-history/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1889, West Hartlepool subsequently joined the new [[Northern Football League|Northern League]] before winning the [[FA Amateur Cup]] in 1905, beating [[Clapton F.C.|Clapton]] 3–2.<ref name="History" /><ref name="Mike Amos">{{cite news|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/columnists/backtrack/backtrack/10396632.old-ball-game/ |title=Old ball game |author=Mike Amos |publisher=The Northern Echo |date=2 May 2013 |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> Partly as a result of this victory, the opportunity for a professional football team arose in 1908, when [[West Hartlepool R.F.C.|West Hartlepool Rugby Club]] went bankrupt, leaving their stadium, the [[Victoria Park (Hartlepool)|Victoria Ground]] vacant.<ref name="History"/> The stadium was bought and the current club was founded under the name '''The Hartlepools United Football & Athletic Club Company Ltd''' on 1 June 1908, representing both the town of [[West Hartlepool]] and the original settlement of [[Hartlepool]], known locally as "Old Hartlepool".<ref name="History"/>
In their first season, they won the major regional trophy, the [[Durham Challenge Cup]] and retained it the following year<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dutsfc.co.uk/countycupwinners.htm |title=Durham Challenge Cup Winners |publisher=Dunston UTS F.C. |access-date=19 May 2016 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160719010004/http://www.dutsfc.co.uk/countycupwinners.htm |archivedate=19 July 2016}}</ref> as well as entering the [[FA Cup]], in which they were drawn to play the local amateur club, West Hartlepool, with whom they [[groundshare|shared]] the Victoria Ground.{{sfnp|Errington|2012|pp=10–11}} Hartlepools won 2–1 in the first qualifying round only to go out in the second, beaten by [[South Bank F.C.|South Bank]] after a [[replay (sports)|replay]].<ref name=FACupArchive>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/thefacup/more/pastresults |title=Past Results |publisher=The Football Association |access-date=7 July 2022}}</ref> They also entered the [[North-Eastern League]], finished fourth in their initial season, and remained members of that league until [[1920–21 in English football|1920–21]]; their best season was [[1910–11 in English football|1910–11]], when they finished third.<ref name="FCHD"/> In June 1910, the amateur West Hartlepool team folded, with their assets being taken over by Hartlepools.<ref name="History"/> In 1921, the [[Football League]] agreed to form a [[Football League Third Division North|Northern Section of the Third Division]] to complement the existing Third Division which contained only southern-based teams. Hartlepools were among the 18 applicants accepted as members.<ref>{{cite news|title=Football League. Northern Section of Third Division |newspaper=The Evening News |location=Portsmouth |date=7 March 1921 |page=2 }}</ref> On 27 August 1921, Hartlepools played their first ever Football League match, defeating [[Wrexham A.F.C.|Wrexham]] 2–0.<ref name="History" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.inthemadcrowd.co.uk/UI/Match.aspx?oid=370 |title=Wrexham 0–2 Hartlepools |publisher=In The Mad Crowd |access-date=8 March 2022}}</ref> In [[1921–22 Football League#Third Division North|1921–22]], Hartlepools finished their first Football League campaign in 4th place.<ref name="History" />
Two seasons later, Hartlepools came 21st in the table, so were obliged to apply for [[re-election (Football League)|re-election to the League]]; they and bottom club [[Barrow A.F.C.|Barrow]] were elected unopposed.<ref name=ReElection/> In the [[1935–36 FA Cup|1935–36]] season, the club reached the third round of the FA Cup for the first time. Drawn against [[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]], they held the [[Football League First Division|First Division]] club to a goalless draw, but lost the replay.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105131857/hartlepool-v-grimsby-fa-cup-1936/ |title=Grimsby held |publisher=Sports Argus |date=11 January 1936 |page=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=FCHD/> By the time the [[World War II|Second World War]] put a temporary end to competitive football, they had spent 18 consecutive seasons in the Third Division North, courtesy of two more successful applications for re-election.<ref name=ReElection/><ref name=FCHD/>

===1946–1969: FA Cup runs and first promotion===
[[File:Hartlepool United FC League Performance.svg|thumb|300px|right|Chart of yearly table positions of Hartlepool in the Football League.]]
In the mid-1950s, Hartlepools enjoyed improved performances in both league and cup competition. In the FA Cup, they reached the fourth round for the first time in [[1954–55 FA Cup|1954–55]], losing to [[Nottingham Forest]] in a replay [[after extra time]].<ref name=FCHD/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105132154/forest-v-hartlepool-1955-fa-cup-replay/ |title=Forest taken to extra time |newspaper=Birmingham Post |date=3 February 1955 |page=10 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The following season, they lost 1–0 to reigning First Division champions [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] in the third round. At the same stage of the [[1956–57 FA Cup|1956–57]] competition, in front of a record Victoria Ground attendance of 17,426,<ref name="History"/> they came back from 3–0 down with top scorer [[Ken Johnson (footballer)|Ken Johnson]] struggling with injury to equalise against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]'s "[[Busby Babes]]" before the top-flight club scored a late winner.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.inthemadcrowd.co.uk/UI/Match.aspx?oid=1633 |title=Hartlepools 0–1 Chelsea |publisher=In The Mad Crowd |access-date=11 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/105132342/hartlepool-v-man-utd-1957-fa-cup/ |title=Brave fight by Hartlepools |newspaper=Manchester Guardian |date=7 January 1957 |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Those three league seasons brought top-six finishes, culminating in what remains the club's record high of second place in [[1956–57 Football League#Third Division North|1956–57]], when only the champions, [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]], were [[promotion and relegation|promoted]].<ref name=FCHD/> They dropped into the bottom six in 1958, which meant they were placed in the [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] when the regional sections were merged into nationwide third and fourth tiers.<ref name="History"/> Despite this, in 1959, Hartlepools defeated Barrow 10–1, the current club record victory in a league match.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gr-eight-pool-3843431 |title=Gr-eight Pool! |publisher=Teesside Live |date=13 September 2003 |access-date=11 April 2022}}</ref> However, Hartlepools did not fare well in the fourth tier. After five consecutive applications for re-election and with the club in financial difficulties, they appointed the 30-year-old [[Brian Clough]] in October 1965 to his first managerial role.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/01/03/hartlepool-united-club-wherebrian-clough-learned-trade-managerial/ |title=Hartlepool United - the club where Brian Clough learned his trade and a managerial legend was born |author=Luke Edwards |publisher=The Telegraph |date=3 January 2020 |access-date=11 April 2022}}</ref> He and assistant [[Peter Taylor (footballer, born 1928)|Peter Taylor]], aided by a change of chairmanship, built a team that finished eighth in [[1966–67 Football League#Fourth Division|1966–67]]. Clough gave his future [[European Cup]] winning captain [[John McGovern (footballer)|John McGovern]] his professional debut for Hartlepools aged 16.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/people/former-nottingham-forest-european-cup-winner-john-mcgovern-looking-forward-to-hartlepool-tribute-night-4496687 |title=Former Nottingham Forest European Cup winner John McGovern looking forward to Hartlepool tribute night |last=Payne |first=Mark |website=Hartlepool Mail |date=29 January 2024 |access-date=19 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.inthemadcrowd.co.uk/UI/Person.aspx?oid=494 |title=John McGovern |publisher=In The Mad Crowd |access-date=19 February 2024}}</ref> Although Clough and Taylor then left for Derby County,{{sfnp|Errington|2012|pp=48–49}} the team maintained their form, finished third, and won promotion for the first time in the club's history in [[1967–68 Football League#Fourth Division|1967–68]].<ref name="History"/> To better represent the new borough formed by the recent amalgamation of the adjacent boroughs of Hartlepool and West Hartlepool, the board decided the club would be called Hartlepool Association Football Club instead.<ref>{{cite Hansard |house=House of Commons |title=Local government boundaries (Hartlepool) |date=7 February 1967 |volume=740 |column_start=1516 |column_end=1524 |url=https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1967/feb/07/local-government-boundaries-hartlepool |access-date=20 May 2016}}</ref>{{sfnp|Errington|2012|p=52}}<ref name="BBC News"/>

===1969–1997: re-elections and stagnation in the Fourth Division===
Hartlepool's foray into the [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] lasted just one season, finishing 22nd.<ref name=FCHD/> Under [[Len Ashurst]] (who became manager in 1971), the team slowly began to revive after years of largely indifferent form.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/people/simply-the-best-service-celebrates-life-of-former-hartlepool-united-manager-len-ashurst-3415196 |title='Simply the best' - service celebrates life of former Hartlepool United manager Len Ashurst |author=Kevin Clark |publisher=Hartlepool Mail |date=11 October 2021 |access-date=13 January 2022}}</ref> After Ashurst departed for [[Gillingham F.C.|Gillingham]], the club reached the League Cup fourth round in [[1974–75 Football League Cup|1974–75]] for the first and only time under [[Ken Hale (footballer)|Ken Hale]], where they lost a replay to eventual [[1975 Football League Cup Final|winners]] [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]].<ref name="History" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.inthemadcrowd.co.uk/UI/Match.aspx?oid=2561 |title=Aston Villa 6–1 Hartlepool United |publisher=In The Mad Crowd |access-date=12 April 2022}}</ref> However, [[1976–77 Football League#Fourth Division|1976–77]] saw a return to the doldrums; Hale was sacked but his successor, Billy Horner, could not improve the team's form, with Hartlepool finishing in 22nd place.<ref name="thenorthernecho.co.uk">{{cite news|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/columnists/backtrack/backtrack/1019380.still-hearty-67-not-much-beyond-ken/ |title=Still hearty at 67, there's not much beyond our Ken |publisher=The Northern Echo |date=13 November 2006 |access-date=12 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.inthemadcrowd.co.uk/UI/Season.aspx?oid=1976/77 |title=1976/77 season |publisher=In The Mad Crowd |access-date=1 May 2022}}</ref> Again there was a strong challenger from non-League in the form of [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]]; however, as the club was seeking re-election for the first time in six years, it was [[Workington A.F.C.|Workington]] – bottom for a second successive year – that made way.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15460338#:~:text=Workington%20failed%20to%20win%20re-election%20to%20the%20Football,the%20shareholders%20directly%20and%20do%20it%20that%20way.%22 |title=Workington reject second takeover bid by Baron Bloom |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 October 2011 |access-date=1 May 2022}}</ref> Over the close season the team's name was changed to its current form of Hartlepool United.<ref name="BBC News">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/tees/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8964000/8964237.stm |title=Cash the key to the future of the Vic |publisher=BBC News |date=3 September 2010 |access-date=11 April 2022}}</ref>{{sfnp|Errington|2012|p=54}} In 1977–78, the first season under that name, the team reached the fourth round of the [[1977–78 FA Cup|FA Cup]] again. By the time automatic promotion and relegation between the [[Football Conference]] and the League was introduced in [[1986–87 Football League|1986–87]], Hartlepool had made a record eleven applications for re-election to the Fourth Division, which added to the three in the pre-war Northern Section made fourteen, also a league record, all of which had been successful.<ref name=ReElection>{{cite web |url=http://www.poolstats.co.uk/seasons/reelection.htm |title=Football League re-election |website=PoolStats |access-date=18 May 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604162513/https://www.poolstats.co.uk/seasons/reelection.htm |archivedate=4 June 2016}}<br />{{cite book |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2010–2011 |editor1-first=Glenda |editor1-last=Rollin |editor2-first=Jack |editor2-last=Rollin |publisher=Headline |date=2010 |page=583 |isbn=978-0-7553-6107-6}}</ref>

After a poor start to the [[1989–90 Football League#Fourth Division|1989–90]] season, the appointment of [[Cyril Knowles]] meant Pools achieved a remarkable turnaround.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/uk-sports/2017/05/06/highs-and-lows-of-hartlepool-uniteds-96-year-stay-in-the-football-league/ |title=Highs and lows of Hartlepool United's 96-year stay in the Football League |publisher=Shropshire Star |date=6 May 2017 |access-date=29 May 2021}}</ref> After avoiding relegation, Hartlepool were in play-off contention with the partnership of [[Paul Baker (footballer)|Paul Baker]] and [[Joe Allon]]. However, in February 1991, Knowles was diagnosed with brain cancer.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2020/january/pat-jennings-remembers-cyril-knowles/ |title='We were like brothers' - Pat on Cyril Knowles - Boro starlet, Spurs legend |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur FC |date=2 January 2020 |access-date=12 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519112814/https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2020/january/pat-jennings-remembers-cyril-knowles/ |archive-date=19 May 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Alan Murray (footballer)|Alan Murray]] was put in temporary charge, where Pools' form would improve further. Joe Allon's 28 goals helped them gain promotion via a third-place finish in [[1990–91 Football League#Fourth Division|1990–91]] which was confirmed with a 3–1 win against [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/6959636.allon-happy-boyd-threat-record/ |title=Allon happy that Boyd is threat to his record |publisher=Northern Echo |date=5 March 2005 |access-date=15 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515230905/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/6959636.allon-happy-boyd-threat-record/ |archive-date=15 May 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/pools-celebration-promotion-triumph-397284 |title=Up the Pools - a celebration of promotion triumph |publisher=Hartlepool Mail |date=19 February 2016 |access-date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515230900/https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/pools-celebration-promotion-triumph-397284 |archive-date=15 May 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> This time their stay lasted three seasons.<ref name="FCHDPools">{{cite web|url=http://fchd.info/HARTLEPO.HTM |title=Hartlepool United FC |author=Richard Rundle |publisher=Football Club History Database |access-date=20 May 2016}}</ref> In [[1992–93 FA Cup|1992–93]], Hartlepool defeated [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] 1–0 in the FA Cup third round – the first time that Hartlepool had beaten a top division side in its history.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-palace-stunned-by-hartlepool-1476224.html |title=Football: Palace stunned by Hartlepool |author=Paul Newman |work=The Independent |date=22 October 2011 |access-date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514190238/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-palace-stunned-by-hartlepool-1476224.html |archive-date=14 May 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> It was revealed shortly after the cup win that the club were in financial difficulties.<ref name="The Northern Echo">{{cite news|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/4073219.pools-plunged-glory-despair/ |title=How Pools plunged from glory to despair |publisher=The Northern Echo |date=24 January 2009 |access-date=29 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514191740/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/4073219.pools-plunged-glory-despair/ |archive-date=14 May 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> To make ends meet, a number of players were released or sold, and the club set an unenviable record by going 1,227 minutes without scoring.<ref name="The Northern Echo"/> The club eventually escaped relegation, finishing 16th but were relegated back to the fourth tier in the following season.<ref name="FCHDPools"/>

===1997–present: success under IOR and relegation from the Football League===
{{football squad on pitch|align=right
| GK_nat  = England          | GK  = [[Ben Killip|Killip]]
| RWB_nat = England          | RWB = [[Jamie Sterry|Sterry]]
| RCB_nat = England          | RCB = [[Timi Odusina|Odusina]]
| CB_nat  = England          | CB  = [[Gary Liddle|Liddle]]
| LCB_nat = Northern Ireland | LCB = [[Ryan Johnson (footballer, born 1996)|Johnson]]
| LWB_nat = England          | LWB = [[David Ferguson (footballer, born 1994)|Ferguson]]
| RCM_nat = England          | RCM = [[Mark Shelton (footballer)|Shelton]]
| CM_nat  = England          | CM  = [[Nicky Featherstone|Featherstone]]
| LCM_nat = Ireland          | LCM = [[Gavan Holohan|Holohan]]
| RCF_nat = England          | RCF = [[Luke Armstrong|Armstrong]]
| LCF_nat = England          | LCF = [[Rhys Oates|Oates]]
| caption = <div style="text-align:left">
The Hartlepool team that beat [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] in the [[2021 National League play-off final]] 5–4 on penalties after a 1–1 draw.<ref name=2021POF/>
</div>
}}
In 1997, Harold Hornsey sold the club to IOR Ltd, with [[Ken Hodcroft]] becoming chairman.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30495203.amp |title=Hartlepool United: Ken Hodcroft and IOR sell to TMH 2014 Limited |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 December 2014 |access-date=29 May 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230723212600/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30495203.amp |archive-date=23 July 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> After narrowly avoiding relegation to the Conference in 1999, the appointment of [[Chris Turner (footballer, born 1958)|Chris Turner]] turned around the club's fortunes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2018065.quakers-finally-confirm-tait-left-club/ |title=Quakers finally confirm Tait has left the club |publisher=The Northern Echo |date=4 February 2008 |access-date=14 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518193707/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2018065.quakers-finally-confirm-tait-left-club/ |archive-date=18 May 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Nick Loughlin">{{cite news|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/8345755.saturday-spotlight-turner-reshaped-hartlepool-united/ |title=Saturday Spotlight: How Turner reshaped Hartlepool United |author=Nick Loughlin |publisher=The Northern Echo |date=21 August 2010 |access-date=14 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518193707/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/8345755.saturday-spotlight-turner-reshaped-hartlepool-united/ |archive-date=18 May 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Three consecutive defeats in the semi-finals of the play-offs preceded promotion in [[2002–03 Football League Third Division|2002–03]] as runners-up, narrowly missing out on the title to [[Rushden & Diamonds F.C.|Rushden & Diamonds]].<ref name="Nick Loughlin"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/apr/20/newsstory.sport3 |title=Diamonds sparkle |work=The Guardian |date=19 April 2003 |access-date=14 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910232309/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/apr/20/newsstory.sport3 |archive-date=10 September 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> Hartlepool then achieved their highest finishing position since the introduction of the four-division structure, coming sixth in the third tier in both [[2003–04 Football League#Second Division|2003–04]] and [[2004–05 Football League One|2004–05]] under [[Neale Cooper]].<ref name="Database"/> In the latter season, they reached the [[2005 Football League One play-off final|play-off final]] but lost out to [[Sheffield Wednesday]] after extra time.<ref name=2005POF>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4580603.stm |title=Hartlepool 2–4 Sheff Wed (aet) |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 May 2005 |access-date=18 May 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121223073421/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/4580603.stm |archive-date=23 December 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Relegated in 2006, they bounced straight back as runners-up in what was by then [[Football League Two|League Two]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4957494.stm |title=Hartlepool United 1–1 Port Vale |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 May 2006 |access-date=24 October 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230723213831/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/4957494.stm |archive-date=23 July 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Promotion was confirmed with an away win at [[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|Wycombe Wanderers]] but they missed out on the title on the final day to [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://cdnedge.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6534995.stm |title=Wycombe Wanderers 0–1 Hartlepool United |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 April 2007 |access-date=7 June 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230723213519/http://cdnedge.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6534995.stm |archive-date=23 July 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6602923.stm |title=Hartlepool United 1–2 Bristol Rovers |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 May 2007 |access-date=16 September 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130419165708/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/6602923.stm |archive-date=19 April 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

They would spend six years in the third tier before being relegated in [[2012–13 Football League One|2012–13]].<ref name="FCHDPools"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22206026 |title=John Hughes committed to Hartlepool despite relegation |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 April 2013 |access-date=15 May 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230723212908/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/22206026 |archive-date=23 July 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> They came close to automatic relegation to non-League in [[2014–15 Football League Two|2014–15]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32362945 |title=Hartlepool United 2–1 Exeter City |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 April 2015 |access-date=15 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515232402/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32362945 |archive-date=15 May 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> June 2015 saw a change of ownership, IOR handing over to Essex recruitment firm JPNG, which appointed director Gary Coxall as chairman.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/13355404.new-chairman-coxall-accepts-need-silence-doubters/ |title=New chairman Coxall accepts the need to silence the doubters |publisher=The Northern Echo |date=26 June 2015 |access-date=22 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515165547/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/13355404.new-chairman-coxall-accepts-need-silence-doubters/ |archive-date=15 May 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> But two years later, they were relegated from League Two after 96 years in the Football League.<ref name="HPLDCR"/> Needing to win their final match of the season and hope [[Newport County A.F.C.|Newport County]] did not, Hartlepool came from behind to beat title-chasing [[Doncaster Rovers]]; however, Newport produced an 89th-minute winner to secure their own safety at Hartlepool's expense.<ref name="HPLDCR">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39753913 |title=Hartlepool United 2–1 Doncaster Rovers |author=Tom Garry |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 May 2017 |access-date=30 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419082837/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39753913 |archive-date=19 April 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> By November 2017, financial legacy issues from JPNG intensified, with the club narrowly avoiding liquidation after being bought by local businessman [[Raj Singh (businessman)|Raj Singh]] in April 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/hartlepool-united-sale-club-reveals-huge-financial-legacy-issues-390692 |title=Hartlepool United for sale as club reveals huge financial 'legacy issues' |publisher=Hartlepool Mail |date=22 December 2017 |access-date=16 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515230901/https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/hartlepool-united-sale-club-reveals-huge-financial-legacy-issues-390692 |archive-date=15 May 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11339844/raj-singh-completes-hartlepool-united-takeover |title=Raj Singh completes Hartlepool United takeover |publisher=Sky Sports |date=20 April 2018 |access-date=19 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514190237/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11339844/raj-singh-completes-hartlepool-united-takeover |archive-date=14 May 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> Hartlepool ultimately finished a turbulent first [[2017–18 National League|season]] in non-League in 15th place.<ref name="FCHDPools"/> After four years, they returned to the Football League via the [[2020–21 National League#Play-offs|play-offs]], defeating [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] on penalties in the [[2021 National League play-off final|2021 play-off final]].<ref name=2021POF>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57457835 |title=National League promotion final: Hartlepool United 1–1 Torquay United (5–4 on pens) (aet) |author=Brent Pilnick |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 June 2021 |access-date=20 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527005337/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57457835 |archive-date=27 May 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> In Hartlepool's first season back in the EFL, they finished 17th and reached the [[EFL Trophy]] semi-finals for the first time, losing on penalties to [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/20135614.hartlepool-season-review-2021-22-hectic-campaign-survived/ |title=Hartlepool Season Review 2021–22: a hectic campaign, but they survived |author=Matty Jones |publisher=The Northern Echo |date=13 May 2022 |access-date=12 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230612181416/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/20135614.hartlepool-season-review-2021-22-hectic-campaign-survived/ |archive-date=12 June 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60665134 |title=Hartlepool United 2–2 Rotherham United (4–5 on pens) |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 March 2022 |access-date=8 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517130105/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60665134 |archive-date=17 May 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> However, in [[2022–23 EFL League Two|2022–23]], the club were relegated back to the National League after only two seasons in the fourth tier.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65357124 |title=Hartlepool United 3–1 Barrow: Pools relegated to National League despite win |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 April 2023 |access-date=8 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429181736/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65357124| archive-date=29 April 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>
<!--This section is meant to be just a summary. Please do not add too much detail&nbsp;– the "History of Hartlepool United F.C." article is intended for detailed additions-->

==Recent seasons==
Statistics from the previous decade.<ref name="European Football Statistics">{{cite news|url=https://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attnclub/league/haru.htm |title=England historical attendance and performance - Hartlepool United |publisher=European Football Statistics |access-date=19 June 2022}}</ref><ref name="Database">{{cite news|url=https://fchd.info/HARTLPLU.HTM |title=Hartlepool United |work=Football Club Database |access-date=30 December 2022}}</ref> For a full history see; ''[[List of Hartlepool United F.C. seasons]]''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="background:blue;color:white" |Year
! style="background:blue;color:white" |League
! style="background:blue;color:white" |Level
! style="background:blue;color:white" |{{Tooltip|Pld|Number of games played}}
! style="background:blue;color:white" |{{Tooltip|W|Number of games won}}
! style="background:blue;color:white" |{{Tooltip|D|Number of games drawn}}
! style="background:blue;color:white" |{{Tooltip|L|Number of games lost}}
! style="background:blue;color:white" |{{Tooltip|GF|Number of goals scored}}
! style="background:blue;color:white" |{{Tooltip|GA|Number of goals conceded}}
! style="background:blue;color:white" |{{Tooltip|GD|Overall goal difference}}
! style="background:blue;color:white" |{{Tooltip|Pts|Total points earned}}
! style="background:blue;color:white" |Position
! style="background:blue;color:white" |FA Cup
! style="background:blue;color:white" |League Cup
! style="background:blue;color:white" |EFL Trophy
! style="background:blue;color:white" |FA Trophy
! style="background:blue;color:white" |{{Tooltip|Average attendance|Average attendance of league matches only}}
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
|- align="center"
| [[2014–15 Hartlepool United F.C. season|2014–15]]
| League Two
| 4
| 46
| 12
| 9
| 25
| 39
| 70
| −31
| 45
| 22nd of 24
|[[2014–15 FA Cup|R2]]
|[[2014–15 Football League Cup|R1]]
|[[2014–15 Football League Trophy|R2(N)]]
|[[2014–15 FA Trophy|-]]
| 3,736<ref>{{cite web|title=League Two 2014/15 Attendance|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/eng-league-two-2014-2015/1/|website=Worldfootball.net|access-date=25 August 2020}}</ref>
|- align="center"
| [[2015–16 Hartlepool United F.C. season|2015–16]]
| League Two
| 4
| 46
| 15
| 6
| 25
| 49
| 72
| −23
| 51
| 16th of 24
| [[2015–16 FA Cup|R3]]
| [[2015–16 Football League Cup|R2]]
| [[2015–16 Football League Trophy|R1(N)]]
| [[2015–16 FA Trophy|-]]
| 3,890<ref>{{cite web|title=Football League Attendances 2015–16|url=http://www.emfootball.co.uk/attend2016.html|website=Emfootball.co.uk|access-date=25 August 2020}}</ref>
|- align="center"
| [[2016–17 Hartlepool United F.C. season|2016–17]]
| League Two
| 4
| 46
| 11
| 13
| 22
| 54
| 75
| −21
| 46
|align=center bgcolor="Red"| 23rd of 24<br />'''[[Promotion and relegation|Relegated]]'''
|[[2016–17 FA Cup|R2]]
| [[2016–17 Football League Cup|R1]]
| [[2016–17 EFL Trophy|Group Stage]]
| [[2016–17 FA Trophy|-]]
| 3,788<ref>{{cite web|title=Football League Attendances 2016–17|url=http://www.emfootball.co.uk/attend2017.html|website=Emfootball.co.uk|access-date=25 August 2020}}</ref>
|- align="center"
| [[2017–18 National League|2017–18]]
| [[National League (division)|National League]]
| 5
| 46
| 14
| 14
| 18
| 53
| 63
| −10
| 56
| 15th of 24
| [[2017–18 FA Cup|R1]]
| [[2017–18 Football League Cup|-]]
| [[2017–18 EFL Trophy|-]]
| [[2017–18 FA Trophy|R1]]
| 3,350<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/national-league/attendances/2017-2018 |title=National League – Average Attendance – Home Matches – 2017–18|website=Footballwebpages.co.uk |access-date=25 August 2020}}</ref>
|-
|- align="center"
| [[2018–19 National League|2018–19]]
| National League
| 5
| 46
| 15
| 14
| 17
| 56
| 62
| −6
| 59
| 16th of 24
| [[2018–19 FA Cup|R1]]
| [[2018–19 EFL Cup|-]]
| [[2018–19 EFL Trophy|-]]
| [[2018–19 FA Trophy|R2]]
| 3,124<ref>{{cite web|title=Attendance Table: National League Season Standings|url=http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/attendance-table-national-league-season-standings-56838|date=30 May 2019|access-date=25 August 2020}}</ref>
|- align="center"
| [[2019–20 National League|2019–20]]
| National League
| 5
| 39
| 14
| 13
| 12
| 56
| 50
| +6
| 55
| 12th of 24{{efn|The 2019–20 football season was disrupted by the effects of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]]. The National League was suspended in mid-March 2020 and the clubs voted six weeks later to end the regular season programme.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52381612 |title=National League clubs vote to end regular season immediately |website=BBC Sport |date=22 April 2020 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref> Teams had not all played the same number of matches, so it was agreed to construct final league tables on an unweighted [[points per game]] basis.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/national-league-statement-ordinary-resolution-supp-62361 |title=National League Statement: Ordinary Resolution supported by clubs |first=Oliver |last=Osborn |publisher=The National League |date=17 June 2020 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref> Hartlepool United were placed 12th; moving down from 9th place.<ref name=1920Table>{{cite web |url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/archive8875-match-info/tables?table_id=d-51774 |title=Vanarama National League table: Archives: 2019/20 season |publisher=The National League |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref>}}
| [[2019–20 FA Cup|R3]]
| [[2019–20 EFL Cup|-]]
| [[2019–20 EFL Trophy|-]]
| [[2019–20 FA Trophy|R1]]
| 3,355<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/eng-national-league-2019-2020/1/ |title=National League – 2019/20 |website=Worldfootball.net |access-date=25 August 2020}}</ref>
|-
|- align="center"
| [[2020–21 National League|2020–21]]
| National League
| 5
| 42
| 22
| 10
| 10
| 66
| 43
| +23
| 76
|align=center bgcolor="Green"| 4th of 22<br />'''[[Promotion and relegation|Promoted]]'''{{efn|In October 2020 due to ongoing financial issues, [[Macclesfield Town F.C.|Macclesfield Town]] were expelled from the [[National League (division)|National League]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/national-league-statement-macclesfield-town-64028#:~:text=The%20National%20League%20can%20confirm,of%20the%202020%2F21%20season. |title=National League Statement |author=Oliver Osborn |publisher=Vanarama National League |date=13 October 2020 |access-date=29 May 2021}}</ref> Furthermore, also due to financial issues inflicted by [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19]], [[Dover Athletic F.C.|Dover Athletic]] were unable to complete their fixtures.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56544033 |title=Dover Athletic: National League club hit with fine, points deduction and results expunged |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 March 2021 |access-date=29 May 2021}}</ref> Therefore, only 42 fixtures were played instead of the intended 46.}}
| [[2020–21 FA Cup|R1]]
| [[2020–21 EFL Cup|-]]
| [[2020–21 EFL Trophy|-]]
| [[2020–21 FA Trophy|R3]]
| N/A{{efn|Due to the ongoing disruption caused by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], all but two home fixtures (against [[Weymouth F.C.|Weymouth]] and [[Bromley F.C.|Bromley]]) were played [[Behind closed doors (sport)|behind closed doors]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/national-league-statement-commencement-of-202021-s-63856 |title=Commencement of 2020/21 season |author=Oliver Osborn |publisher=Vanarama National League |date=2 October 2020 |access-date=29 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/story-of-the-day-hartlepool-united-4-0-weymouth-fans-return-with-a-bang-at-victoria-park-as-pools-finish-fourth-3255027 |title=Story of the day: Hartlepool United 4–0 Weymouth - fans return with a bang at Victoria Park as Pools finish fourth |author=Dominic Scurr |publisher=Dominic Scurr |date=29 May 2021 |access-date=29 May 2021}}</ref>}}
|-
|- align="center"
| [[2021–22 Hartlepool United F.C. season|2021–22]]
| League Two
| 4
| 46
| 14
| 12
| 20
| 44
| 64
| −20
| 54
| 17th of 24
| [[2021–22 FA Cup|R4]]
| [[2021–22 EFL Cup|R1]]
| [[2021–22 EFL Trophy|SF]]
| [[2021–22 FA Trophy|-]]
| 5,195<ref>{{cite web|title=League Two 2021/2022 – Attendance – Home Matches|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/eng-league-two-2021-2022/1/|website=Worldfootball.net|access-date=10 May 2022}}</ref>
|-
|- align="center"
| [[2022–23 Hartlepool United F.C. season|2022–23]]
| League Two
| 4
| 46
| 9
| 16
| 21
| 52
| 78
| −26
| 43
|align=center bgcolor="Red"| 23rd of 24<br />'''[[Promotion and relegation|Relegated]]'''
| [[2022–23 FA Cup|R3]]
| [[2022–23 EFL Cup|R1]]
| [[2022–23 EFL Trophy|GS]]
| [[2022–23 FA Trophy|-]]
| 4,676<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/eng-league-two-2022-2023/1/ |title=League Two 2022/23 Attendance Home Matches |publisher=Worldfootball.net |access-date=8 May 2023}}</ref>
|-
|- align="center"
| [[2023–24 National League#National League|2023–24]]
| National League
| 5
| 46
| 17
| 9
| 20
| 70
| 82
| −12
| 60
| 12th of 24
| [[2023–24 FA Cup|QR4]]
| [[2023–24 EFL Cup|-]]
| [[2023–24 EFL Trophy|-]]
| [[2023–24 FA Trophy|R4]]
| 4,149<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/eng-national-league-2023-2024/1/ |title=National League 2023/24 Attendance Home Matches |website=Worldfootball.net |date=24 April 2023 |access-date=20 April 2024}}</ref>
|- align="center"
| [[2024–25 National League#National League|2024–25]]
| National League
| 5
| 46
| 14
| 18
| 14
| 59
| 62
| −3
| 60
| 11th of 24
| [[2024–25 FA Cup|QR4]]
| [[2024–25 EFL Cup|-]]
| [[2024–25 EFL Trophy|-]]
| [[2024–25 FA Trophy|R3]]
| 3,579<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/attendance/eng-national-league-2024-2025/1/ |title=National League 2024/25 Attendance Home Matches |website=Worldfootball.net |date=5 May 2025 |access-date=5 May 2025}}</ref>
|}

==Club identity==
===Colours and crest===
Hartlepool have primarily played in blue and white vertical stripes throughout their history.<ref name="kits"/> From 1908 until 1911, Hartlepools initially wore white shirts with blue and white socks.<ref name="kits"/> In 1912, Hartlepools then adopted the blue and white stripes.<ref name="kits"/> From the mid-1960s to mid 1970s, the club's strip was often solely blue.<ref name="kits"/> In the 1990s, Hartlepool often played in light blue with white before returning to dark blue with white towards the end of the decade.<ref name="kits"/>

The first time that a crest appeared on the kit was in 1959, the crest was a shield with the club's initials.<ref name="kits"/> However, this would not last long as a crest would not appear on the kits again until the 1970s.<ref name="kits"/> From 1974, Hartlepool wore a variety of badges featuring a [[Hart (deer)|hart]], taken from the logo of the newly enlarged town. In the early 1990s, a modern and abstract image of the hart was used.<ref name="kits"/> In 1995, the new ownership under local businessman Harold Hornsey ran a competition for a new logo. The winning design featured a [[ship's wheel]], reflecting the maritime identity of the town.<ref name="kits"/> The club reverted to a design with a hart in 2017, standing on water as a [[heraldic pun]] on ''Hart''-le-''pool''.<ref name="kits"/> The club said that the 1995 logo did not reflect the club's history, and that the ship's wheel was difficult to replicate in digital and printed media.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hartlepool: New badge for a new era at Pools |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/15359104.hartlepool-new-badge-new-era-pools/ |access-date=31 July 2023 |work=The Northern Echo |date=20 June 2017}}</ref>

===Sponsorship===
[[Erreà]] currently manufactures the club's apparel.<ref name="Errea">{{cite news |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2022/april/new-kit-supplier/ |title=Hartlepool new kit supplier |publisher=Hartlepool United FC |date=29 April 2022 |access-date=29 April 2022 |archive-date=9 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409031524/https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2022/april/new-kit-supplier/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The current home shirt sponsor are Workwear Express <ref name="Orangebox">{{cite news |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/pools-2021-22-home-kit/ |title=Hartlepool 2021/22 Kit Launch |publisher=Hartlepool United FC |date=30 July 2021 |access-date=30 July 2021 |archive-date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730110127/https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/pools-2021-22-home-kit/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the current away shirt sponsor is the Ultra Tax Ltd.

Table of kit suppliers and shirt sponsors appear below:<ref name="kits">{{cite news|url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Hartlepool_United/Hartlepool_United.htm |title=Hartlepool United |publisher=Historical Football Kits |access-date=13 June 2022}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin-left:1em;float:centre"
|-
! style="background:blue;color:white" |Period
! style="background:blue;color:white" |Kit manufacturer
! style="background:blue;color:white" |Shirt sponsor
|-
|1975–77
|[[Umbro]]
|rowspan=6|<small>''none''</small>
|-
|1977–78
|[[Bukta]]
|-
|1978–80
|[[Admiral Sportswear|Admiral]]
|-
|1980–81
||[[Le Coq Sportif]]
|-
|1981–82
|Umbro
|-
|1982–83
|Spall
|-
|1983–84
|Admiral
|New County
|-
|1984–85
|Umbro
| rowspan="3" |[[Cameron's Brewery]]
|-
|1985–88
|Spall
|-
|1988–90
|Scoreline
|-
|1990–91
|<small>''none''</small>
|Yuill
|-
|1991–92
|Bukta
|rowspan=2|Heritage Homes
|-
|1992–93
|Umbro
|-
|1993–95
|Loki
| rowspan="3" |Cameron's Brewery
|-
|1995–99
|1908 Gold
|-
|1999–2000
|Super League
|-
|2000–02
|1908 Gold
|rowspan=2|[[DNO International]]
|-
|2002–04
|TFG Sports
|-
|2004–15
|rowspan=2|[[Nike, Inc.|Nike]]
|Dove Energy
|-
|2015–17
|Seneca Homes
|-
|2017–19
|[[Beyond Limits Known|BLK]]
|rowspan=2|Utility Alliance
|-
|2019–20
|rowspan=3|[[O'Neill's]] 
|-
|2020–21
|Prestige Group
|-
|2021–22
|rowspan=1|Orangebox Training Solutions 
|-
|2022–23
|rowspan=3|[[Erreà]]
|Suit Direct 
|-
|2023–24
|Prestige Group
|-
|2024–
|Workwear Express
|}

==Ground==
{{Main|Victoria Park (Hartlepool)}}

[[File:Victoriaparkhartlepooldiagram.jpg|thumb|right|A diagram of Victoria Park]]

The home of Hartlepool United has been [[Victoria Park (Hartlepool)|Victoria Park]] since the club's formation in 1908.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/club/victoria-park/ |title=Victoria Park |publisher=Hartlepool United FC |access-date=23 June 2021 |archive-date=1 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901110247/https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/club/victoria-park/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The ground is currently under the ownership of [[Hartlepool Borough Council]].<ref name="council">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-11311495 |title=Council rejects offer to buy Hartlepool United ground |publisher=BBC News |date=15 September 2010 |access-date=23 June 2021}}</ref> The capacity of the ground is 7,856. The four stands of the ground are the Brunel Group Stand/Town End (1,599 capacity), the [[Teesside Airport]] Neale Cooper Stand (1,617 seated and 1,832 standing), the Rink End/Simpson Millar Stand - which is used for away supporters (1,003 capacity) and the Longbranch Homes Cyril Knowles Stand (1,775 capacity).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/club/victoria-park/ |title=Victoria Park |publisher=Hartlepool United FC |access-date=13 October 2021 |archive-date=1 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901110247/https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/club/victoria-park/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

West Hartlepool Rugby Club bought the Victoria Park land from the [[North Eastern Railway (United Kingdom)|North Eastern Railway Company]] in 1886 which was by then allotments.<ref name="History"/> The land had once been a limestone quarry.<ref name="History"/> The ground was named in celebration of [[Queen Victoria]]'s Diamond Jubilee.<ref name="History"/> The club's first fixture at the Victoria Ground was on 2 September 1908, a 6–0 win against a [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] team.<ref name="History"/> Hartlepools initially shared the ground with [[West Hartlepool F.C.|West Hartlepool]] before they were dissolved in 1910, with their assets being taken over by Hartlepools.<ref name="History"/> In 1916, the stand on Clarence Road (the current location of the Cyril Knowles Stand) was bombed by a German [[Zeppelin]] and was completely destroyed. The club attempted to claim compensation from the [[Weimar Republic|German government]] but failed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/hartlepool-united-s-bet-new-owners-make-monkey-survival-odds-9934531.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220509/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/hartlepool-united-s-bet-new-owners-make-monkey-survival-odds-9934531.html |archive-date=9 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Hartlepool United's bet on new owners to make monkey of survival odds |author=Michael Walker |work=The Independent |date=18 December 2014 |access-date=23 June 2021}}</ref> A temporary stand was introduced and was used until the Cyril Knowles Stand was completed in 1995 in memory of former manager [[Cyril Knowles]] who had died in 1991.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newport-county.co.uk/news/2016/august/on-the-road-hartlepool-united-/ |title=On the Road: Hartlepool United |publisher=Newport County AFC |date=24 August 2016 |access-date=23 June 2021}}</ref> In June 1948, new terracing was added to the Victoria Ground.<ref name="History"/>

Under Harold Hornsey's ownership, a new covered terrace was built, with the ground renamed as Victoria Park.<ref name="History"/> In September 1998, West Hartlepool Rugby Club started a ground share which lasted for a year.<ref name="History"/> By September 2010, owners IOR claimed to have invested over £12 million in the ground during their tenure.<ref name="council"/> Following the death of former manager [[Neale Cooper]] in 2018, the Cameron's Brewery Stand was renamed in his memory.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2018-06-27/hartlepool-united-to-rename-stand-in-memory-of-former-manager-neale-cooper |title=Hartlepool United to rename stand in memory of former manager Neale Cooper |publisher=ITV News |date=27 June 2018 |access-date=23 June 2021}}</ref> In June 2021, owner [[Raj Singh (businessman)|Raj Singh]] and Hartlepool Borough Council signed a memorandum of understanding to begin a long-term project of development of Victoria Park and the nearby area.<ref name="Singh">{{cite news|url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/people/rebuilt-hartlepool-united-ground-could-be-15000-seater-stadium-3278512 |title=Rebuilt Hartlepool United ground could be 15,000-seater stadium |author=Mark Payne |publisher=Hartlepool Mail |date=18 June 2021 |access-date=26 July 2023}}</ref> Singh claimed that Victoria Park's capacity could be extended to 15,000 as part of the project.<ref name="Singh"/>

Due to sponsorship reasons, the ground was formerly named as the Northern Gas and Power Stadium (2016–17) and the Super 6 Stadium (2018–19).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/14660061.hartlepools-victoria-park-become-northern-gas-power-stadium/ |title=Hartlepool's Victoria Park to become The Northern Gas & Power Stadium |author=Paul Fraser |publisher=The Northern Echo |date=3 August 2016 |access-date=23 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11466232/hartlepools-deal-with-super-6-will-help-club-survive-says-jeff-stelling |title=Hartlepool's deal with Super 6 will help club survive, says Jeff Stelling |publisher=Sky Sports |date=8 August 2018 |access-date=23 June 2021}}</ref> On 12 November 2021, it was announced that the stadium would be named the 'Suit Direct Stadium' after a three-year partnership was signed with the menswear high street retailer Suit Direct.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2021/november/the-suit-direct-stadium/ |title=The Suit Direct Stadium |publisher=Hartlepool United FC |date=12 November 2021 |access-date=26 November 2021 |archive-date=27 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127175723/https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2021/november/the-suit-direct-stadium/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The stadium was named as the 'Prestige Group Stadium' for the 2024–25 season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/prestige-group-become-stadium-sponsor/ |title=Prestige Group become Stadium Naming Rights sponsor |website=Hartlepool United FC |date=16 August 2024 |access-date=7 September 2024}}</ref>

==Popular culture==
===Andy Capp===
The comic strip [[Andy Capp]], which was created by Hartlepool native [[Reg Smythe]], has referred specifically to the team and the Cyril Knowles stand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gocomics.com/andycapp/2022/04/10|title=Andy Capp by Reg Smythe for April 10, 2022 |first=Reg|last=Smythe|date=10 April 2022|website=GoComics.com|access-date=11 June 2022}}</ref>

===Monkey hangers===
{{Main|Monkey hanger|H'Angus the Monkey}}

According to local folklore, the term monkey hanger originates from a likely apocryphal incident in which a [[monkey]] was [[Hanging|hanged]] in Hartlepool during the [[Napoleonic Wars]].<ref name="h'angus">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-40801937 |title=Was a monkey really hanged in Hartlepool? |author=Duncan Leatherdale |publisher=BBC News |date=17 September 2017 |access-date=3 August 2023}}</ref> According to the legend, a French ''[[chasse-marée]]'' was wrecked in a storm off the coast of Hartlepool. The only survivor from the ship was a monkey, allegedly dressed in a [[French Army]] uniform to provide amusement for the crew.<ref name="monkeylegend">{{cite news|url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/club/monkey-legend/ |title=Monkey Legend |publisher=Hartlepool United |access-date=3 August 2023}}</ref> On finding the monkey on the beach, a group of locals decided to hold an [[Animal trial|impromptu trial]].<ref name="h'angus"/> Because the monkey was unable to answer their questions, and because they had seen neither a monkey nor a Frenchman before, they concluded that the monkey must be a French [[Espionage|spy]].<ref name="h'angus"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-57403460 |title=Hartlepool council leader denies monkey statue explanatory sign |publisher=BBC News |date=8 June 2021 |access-date=3 August 2023}}</ref> Being found guilty, the animal was duly sentenced to death and summarily hanged on the beach.<ref name="h'angus"/>

The people of Hartlepool therefore gained the nickname of monkey hangers which has subsequently been adopted by the football club.<ref name="h'angus"/><ref name="monkeylegend"/> In 1999, the club's mascot [[H'Angus the Monkey]] was introduced.<ref name="h'angus"/><ref name="monkeylegend"/>

====Mascot elected mayor====
{{main|H'Angus}}
In the [[Hartlepool Council election, 2002|2002 council election]], the team's mascot "[[H'Angus|H'Angus the Monkey]]", aka [[Stuart Drummond]], was elected mayor of [[Hartlepool]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/victor-hangs-up-his-monkey-suit-and-says-hes-serious-605757.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220509/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/victor-hangs-up-his-monkey-suit-and-says-hes-serious-605757.html |archive-date=9 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Independent.co.uk |work=The Independent |location=UK |date=4 May 2002 |access-date=17 October 2011}}</ref> as an independent, under the slogan "free bananas for schoolchildren". Even though his candidacy was just a publicity stunt, Drummond has since been re-elected after discarding his comedy image and identifying himself increasingly with the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] group on the council. On 5 May 2013, Drummond left his post of Hartlepool's mayor after a November 2012 referendum abolished the position, with the town instead being led by committees.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-22297425 |title=BBC.co.uk |work=The BBC |location=UK |date=1 May 2013 |access-date=16 June 2013}}</ref>

==Supporters and rivalries==
In 2003, market research company [[Football Fans Census|FFC]] surveyed fans of every Football League club across the country to find who they consider their main rivals to be. Hartlepool United fans chose [[Darlington F.C.|Darlington]] as their main rivals. Additionally, in 2008, 95% of both clubs named each other as their biggest rivals.<ref name="auto">{{cite news|url= http://www.footballpools.com/football-fever/Rivalries_Report_2008.pdf |title=Football Rivalries Report |publisher=The New Football Pools |date=February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015233159/http://www.footballpools.com/football-fever/Rivalries_Report_2008.pdf |access-date=4 September 2020|archive-date=15 October 2013 }}</ref> Between the two clubs, Hartlepool have won 60 games, compared to Darlington's 57 games in the rivalry.<ref name="auto"/> However, the two clubs haven't met since 2007 in a League meeting due to Darlington's financial issues and subsequent relegations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18209679 |title=Darlington relegated four divisions after FA recommendation |publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 May 2012 |access-date=4 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/darlington/17377191.darlington-1-hartlepool-united-2/ |title=Darlington 1 2 Hartlepool |author=Craig Stoddart |publisher=The Northern Echo |date=22 January 2019 |access-date=30 December 2022}}</ref> Hartlepool's other rivals according to the 2003 report include: [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]], [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]], [[Rushden & Diamonds]] (now extinct) and [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] respectively.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.footballfanscensus.com/issueresults/Club_Rivalries_Uncovered_Results.pdf |title=The Results of the Largest Ever Survey into Club Rivalries |publisher=The Football Fans Census |date=December 2003 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020074918/http://www.footballfanscensus.com/issueresults/Club_Rivalries_Uncovered_Results.pdf |access-date=4 September 2020|archive-date=20 October 2013 }}</ref>

In 2015, a Hartlepool United's Supporters Trust was founded with the intention of "articulating the views of Hartlepool United supporters, lobby the club and provide the basis for some element of fan involvement and influence with the football club."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hufcsupporterstrust.org.uk/who-is-hust |title=What is HUST |publisher=Hartlepool United Supporters Trust |access-date=4 September 2020 |archive-date=19 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919175526/https://www.hufcsupporterstrust.org.uk/who-is-hust |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Famous fans===
In recent years the most visible fan of the club has been [[Jeff Stelling]], the former presenter of ''Soccer Saturday'' on [[Sky Sports]]. Stelling is currently Club President (2018–) and formerly Honorary President of the Hartlepool United Supporters' Trust (2017–2018).<ref>{{Cite web|title=HUST Welcomes Next Honorary President|url=https://www.hufcsupporterstrust.org.uk/hust-welcomes-next-honorary-president|website=Hartlepool Utd Supporters Trust|date=6 December 2018 |language=en-GB}}</ref>  [[Janick Gers]], of the metal band [[Iron Maiden]], is a season ticket holder in the [[Neale Cooper]] Stand.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Made in Hartlepool: 23 famous people who were born, lived or studied here|url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/people/made-in-hartlepool-23-famous-people-who-were-born-lived-or-studied-here-1373544|website=Hartlepool Mail|date=17 October 2022 |language=en-GB}}</ref> Cricket umpire [[Michael Gough (cricketer)|Michael Gough]] is also a fan of the club and in January 2021 was appointed Honorary President of the Hartlepool United Supporters' Trust.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Michael Gough to be HUST's new honorary president|url=https://www.hufcsupporterstrust.org.uk/michael-gough-to-be-husts-new-honorary-president|access-date=2021-05-12|website=Hartlepool Utd Supporters Trust|date=29 October 2020 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In 2003, rock star [[Meat Loaf]] said on ''[[Soccer AM]]'' he was a fan of Hartlepool. On ''[[So Graham Norton]]'' later in the same year, he spoke about his support for the club and brought a cuddly [[H'Angus]] toy on the show.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Rumours of Meat Loaf's arrival in Hartlepool are greatly exaggerated|url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/rumours-of-meat-loafs-arrival-in-hartlepool-are-greatly-exaggerated-lwblcp9kd6d|website=[[The Times]]|language=en-GB |last1=Slot |first1=By Owen }}</ref> It was reported in the media that he was looking to purchase a house in the town.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/may/22/northerner.davidward | location=London |work=The Guardian | first=David | last=Ward | title=Bat out of Hartlepool | date=22 May 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.the-football-club.com/famous-football-fans.html |title=Famous Football Fans |access-date=29 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626104023/http://www.the-football-club.com/famous-football-fans.html |archive-date=26 June 2012  }}</ref> Speaking to [[Setanta Sports News]] in 2008, he commented on Hartlepool's recent victory but said that while amusing, the story about him looking to buy a house in the town was not true.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Meat Loaf: Hartlepool United's Most Famous Fan?|url=https://hartlepool.vitalfootball.co.uk/meat-loaf-hartlepool-uniteds-most-famous-fan/|website=VitalFootball|date=13 May 2008 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19868255.watch-hartlepool-fc-pay-tribute-pop-singer-meat-loaf-death/ |title=Hartlepool pay tribute to pop singer Meat Loaf |author=Patrick Gouldsbrough |publisher=Northern Echo |date=23 January 2022 |access-date=30 December 2022}}</ref> In an interview with [[Talksport]] in 2010, Meat Loaf confirmed he still followed Hartlepool's results.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Meat Loaf on supporting Hartlepool and ringing Mike Newell|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsiMMrF1ieo|website=YouTube| date=15 April 2010 |language=en-GB}}</ref> Following his death in January 2022, the club paid tribute to Meat Loaf.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/hartlepool-run-out-to-bat-out-of-hell-as-club-pay-tribute-to-fan-meat-loaf-1642864932000 |title=Hartlepool run out to Bat Out of Hell as club pay tribute to fan Meat Loaf |publisher=FourFourTwo |date=22 January 2022 |access-date=11 July 2022}}</ref>

==Records and statistics==
{{Main|List of Hartlepool United F.C. records and statistics}}
The record for most appearances for Hartlepool is held by [[Ritchie Humphreys]], who played 543 matches in all competitions between 2001 and 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22609857#:~:text=Hartlepool%20United%20have%20released%20veteran%20Ritchie%20Humphreys%20after,by%20supporters%20in%202008%2C%20the%20club%27s%20centenary%20year. |title=Long-serving Ritchie Humphreys leaves Hartlepool United |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 May 2013 |access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref> Joshie Fletcher is the club's top goalscorer with 111 goals in all competitions.<ref name="ClubRecords">{{cite news |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/club/history--records/club-records/ |title=Club Records |publisher=Hartlepool United FC |access-date=11 July 2022 |archive-date=4 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704152110/https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/club/history--records/club-records/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The first and only player to be capped at international level while playing for Hartlepool was [[Amby Fogarty|Ambrose Fogarty]], when he played for the [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]] against [[Spain men's national football team|Spain]] in 1964.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/14701932.hartlepool-keeper-named-national-squad-world-cup-qualifier/ |title=Hartlepool keeper named in national squad for World Cup qualifier |author=Nick Loughlin |publisher=The Northern Echo |date=24 August 2016 |access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref>

Hartlepool's largest league victory was a 10–1 win over [[Barrow A.F.C.|Barrow]] in the [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] in 1959, while the heaviest loss was 10–1 to [[Wrexham A.F.C.|Wrexham]] in 1962 also in the Fourth Division.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gr-eight-pool-3843431 |title=Gr-eight Pool! |publisher=Teesside Live |date=13 September 2003 |access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref><ref name="MATCH - Largest Losing Margins">{{cite news|url=http://www.inthemadcrowd.co.uk/UI/Stats.aspx |title=MATCH - Largest Losing Margins |publisher=In The Mad Crowd |access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref> Their widest winning margin in the [[FA Cup]] was a 10–1 win against St Peters Albion in 1923.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.inthemadcrowd.co.uk/UI/Stats.aspx |title=MATCH - Largest Winning Margins FA Cup |publisher=In The Mad Crowd |access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref> Hartlepool's record defeat in the FA Cup was by 6–0 against [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] in 1976 and [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] in 1994.<ref name="MATCH - Largest Losing Margins"/>

The club's [[List of record home attendances of English football clubs|highest attendance]] at [[Victoria Park (Hartlepool)|Victoria Park]] was 17,264 against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] in 1957.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/2022/january/pools-opp/ |title=The Opposition: Hartlepool United |publisher=Exeter City FC |date=24 January 2022 |access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref> The lowest attendance was 380 in the [[2016-17 EFL Trophy|EFL Trophy]] against [[Rochdale A.F.C.|Rochdale]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/14879409.three-games-three-defeats-hartlepool-checkatrade-trophy/ |title=Three games, three defeats for Hartlepool in Checkatrade Trophy |author=Nick Loughlin |publisher=The Northern Echo |date=10 November 2016 |access-date=11 July 2022}}</ref> The record attendance of any Hartlepool game was 59,808 at the [[Millennium Stadium]], [[Cardiff]] for the [[2005 Football League One play-off final]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.inthemadcrowd.co.uk/UI/Stats.aspx |title=MATCH - Highest Attendances, Home/Neutral |publisher=In The Mad Crowd |access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref> Hartlepool's highest average attendance during a league season was 9,248 during the [[1951–52 Football League|1951–52]] season.<ref name="European Football Statistics"/>

The youngest player to play for the club is [[David Foley]], who was 16 years and 44 days on his debut against [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] in the [[Football League Second Division]] on 25 August 2003.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hartlepool_united/8517491.stm |title=Striker David Foley quits Hartlepool for US move |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 February 2010 |access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref> The oldest player is [[Dimitrios Konstantopoulos]], who played his last match aged 41 years and 15 days against [[Harrogate Town A.F.C.|Harrogate Town]] in the [[FA Trophy]] on 14 December 2019.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/former-middlesbrough-goalkeeper-dimi-konstantopoulos-back-at-hartlepool-united-as-a-coach-3327375 |title=Former Middlesbrough goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos back at Hartlepool United as a coach |author=Dominic Scurr |publisher=Hartlepool Mail |date=5 August 2021 |access-date=11 July 2022}}</ref>

=== Club records ===
As of the end of the 2024–25 season<ref name="European Football Statistics"/><ref name="FCHD">{{cite web|url=https://fchd.info/HARTLPSU.HTM |title=Hartlepools United |website=Football Club History Database |access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://fchd.info/HARTLEPO.HTM |title=Hartlepool |website=Football Club History Database |access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref><ref name="Database"/>
*Best [[FA Cup]] performance: Fourth round, [[1954–55 FA Cup|1954–55]], [[1977–78 FA Cup|1977–78]], [[1988–89 FA Cup|1988–89]], [[1992–93 FA Cup|1992–93]], [[2004–05 FA Cup|2004–05]], [[2008–09 FA Cup|2008–09]], [[2021–22 FA Cup|2021–22]]
*Best [[EFL Cup|League Cup]] performance: Fourth round, [[1974–75 Football League Cup|1974–75]]
*Best [[EFL Trophy]] performance: Semi-final, [[2021–22 EFL Trophy|2021–22]]
*Best [[FA Trophy]] performance: Fourth round, [[2023–24 FA Trophy|2023–24]]
*Highest league finish: 2nd in [[Third Division North]], equivalent to 47th in the [[English football league system]], [[1956–57 Football League|1956–57]]
*[[List of Hartlepool United F.C. seasons|Seasons]] spent at level 3 of the football league system: 43
*Seasons spent at level 4 of the football league system: 48
*Seasons spent at level 5 of the football league system: 5

===Most appearances===
{{updated|match played 5 May 2025}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Player – Most Games
|url=http://inthemadcrowd.co.uk/UI/Stats.aspx  |website=In The Mad Crowd |access-date=26 December 2023}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! width="30"  style="background:blue;color:white" |Rank
! width="150" style="background:blue;color:white" |Player
! width="50"  style="background:blue;color:white" |{{Tooltip|Apps|Appearances for Hartlepool in league and cup competitions}}
! width="50"  style="background:blue;color:white" |Goals
! width="50"  style="background:blue;color:white" |Position
! width="100" style="background:blue;color:white" |{{Tooltip|Career|Career with Hartlepool}}
|-
|1
|align="left"|[[Ritchie Humphreys]]
|543
|37
|DF, MF
|{{nowrap|2001–2013}}
|-
|2
|align="left"|[[Watty Moore]]
|472
|3
|DF
|1948–1960
|-
|3
|align="left"|[[Nicky Featherstone]]
|462
|28
|MF
|2014–2023, 2023–
|-
|4
|align="left"|[[Antony Sweeney]]
|444
|62
|MF
|2001–2014
|-
|5
|align="left"|[[Ray Thompson (footballer)|Ray Thompson]]
|423
|3
|DF
|1947–1958
|-
|6
|align="left"|[[Alan Goad (English footballer)|Alan Goad]]
|418
|11
|DF
|1967–1978
|-
|7
|align="left"|[[Ken Johnson (footballer)|Ken Johnson]]
|413
|106
|FW
|1949–1964
|-
|8
|align="left"|[[Brian Honour]]
|384
|36
|MF
|1985–1994
|-
|9
|align="left"|[[Michael Barron|Micky Barron]]
|374
|4
|DF
|1996–2007
|-
|10
|align="left"|[[Gary Liddle]]
|364
|21
|DF, MF
|2006–2012, 2019–2020, 2020–2022
|}

==Players==
===First-team squad===
{{updated|30 June 2025}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/teams/first-team/ |title=First Team |publisher=Hartlepool United FC |access-date=4 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/kit-numbers-revealed-for-2024-25/ |title=Kit numbers revealed for 2024/25 |website=Hartlepool United FC |access-date=19 September 2024}}</ref>

{{fs start}}
{{fs player|no=4  |nat=ENG |pos=DF |name=[[Tom Parkes]]}}
{{fs player|no=7  |nat=ENG |pos=MF |name=Jack Hunter}}
{{fs player|no=10 |nat=ENG |pos=FW |name=[[Adam Campbell (footballer, born 1995)|Adam Campbell]]}}
{{fs player|no=11 |nat=ENG |pos=FW |name=[[Luke Charman]]}}
{{fs player|no=12 |nat=ENG |pos=FW |name=[[Joe Grey]]}}
{{fs player|no=14 |nat=ENG |pos=MF |name=[[Nathan Sheron]]}}
{{fs player|no=16 |nat=ENG |pos=MF |name=[[Nicky Featherstone]]}}
{{fs player|no=18 |nat=ENG |pos=MF |name=[[Jamie Miley]]}}
{{fs player|no=20 |nat=ENG |pos=FW |name=[[Emmanuel Dieseruvwe]]}}
{{fs mid}}
{{fs player|no=21 |nat=ENG |pos=DF |name=[[Louis Stephenson (footballer)|Louis Stephenson]]}}
{{fs player|no=22 |nat=ENG |pos=MF |name=Campbell Darcy}}
{{fs player|no=27 |nat=ENG |pos=FW |name=[[Sam Folarin]]}}
{{fs player|no=29 |nat=ENG |pos=FW |name=Alfie Steel}}
{{fs player|no=40 |nat=ENG |pos=GK |name=[[Adam Smith (footballer, born 1992)|Adam Smith]]}}
{{fs player|no=   |nat=ENG |pos=DF |name=[[Jay Benn]]}}
{{fs player|no=   |nat=ENG |pos=DF |name=Reiss McNally}}
{{fs player|no=   |nat=ENG |pos=MF |name=[[Brad Walker (footballer)|Brad Walker]]}}
{{fs end}}

===Retired numbers===
{{fs start}}
{{fs player|no='''25''' |nat=ENG |pos=MF |name=[[Michael Maidens]]|other=2004–2007}}
{{fs end}}

On 19 October 2007, Hartlepool's midfielder [[Michael Maidens]] died in a road traffic accident aged 20 years old.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/7043096.stm |title=Hartlepool player dies in crash |website=BBC Sport |date=20 October 2007 |access-date=20 February 2024}}</ref> In honour of Maidens, the club retired his number 25 shirt.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hartlepool_united/7067462.stm |title=Pools retire Maidens' number 25 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 October 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031090950/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hartlepool_united/7067462.stm |archive-date=31 October 2007 |access-date=3 October 2019}}</ref> Furthermore, the annual Goal of the Season award was named after Maidens, who won the award himself in [[2005–06 Hartlepool United F.C. season|2005–06]] for his long-range strike against [[Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|Huddersfield Town]].<ref name="GOTY"/> Annually, the club's supporters applaud in the 25th minute of the game closest to the anniversary of his death.<ref name="GOTY">{{cite news|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/17978807.sweeney-hartlepool-united-salute-michael-maidens/ |title=Sweeney and Hartlepool United salute Michael Maidens |last=Loughlin |first=Nick |website=The Northern Echo |date=20 October 2007 |access-date=20 February 2024}}</ref>

===Notable former players===
{{See also|List of Hartlepool United F.C. records and statistics#Player records}}
''For all players with a Wikipedia article see [[:Category:Hartlepool United F.C. players|Hartlepool United F.C. players]]''

====Player of the Year====
{{See also|List of Hartlepool United F.C. records and statistics#Club Player of the Year}}

==Hartlepool United Women==
{{Main|Hartlepool United F.C. Women}}
In 2015, a Hartlepool United Ladies team was launched.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34270168 |title=Hartlepool United set up women's team |publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 September 2015 |access-date=7 December 2020}}</ref> They will participate in the [[North East Regional Women's Football League#Division One North|North East Regional Women's Football League Division One North]] in the 2024–25 season following relegation in the previous season and are managed by Gareth Horwood.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-united-women-relegated-following-heartbreaking-final-day-defeat-to-sunderland-west-end-4644490 |title=Hartlepool United Women relegated following heartbreaking final day defeat to Sunderland West End |first=Robbie |last=Stelling |website=Hartlepool Mail |date=28 May 2024 |access-date=11 June 2024}}</ref>

==Club officials==
'''Board'''
{{updated|12 June 2025}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/club/the-board/ |title=The Board |publisher=Hartlepool United FC |access-date=16 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/club/whos-who/ |title=Who's Who |website=Hartlepool United FC |access-date=13 June 2025}}</ref>

*Owner: [[Raj Singh (businessman)|Raj Singh]]
*Head of football operations: Joe Monks
*Non-executive director: [[Lennie Lawrence]]
*Non-executive director: Neil Pinkerton
*Group finance director: John Astbury
*Director: John Pearson

'''Coaching and medical staff'''
{{updated|30 June 2025}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/teams/staff-profiles/ |title=Staff Profiles |website=Hartlepool United FC |access-date=8 November 2024}}</ref>

*Head coach: [[Simon Grayson]]
*First-team coach: [[Nicky Featherstone]]
*Goalkeeping coach: [[Adam Smith (footballer, born 1992)|Adam Smith]]
*Physiotherapist: Danny O'Connor
*Strength and conditioning coach: Vacant
*Chief scout: [[Ronnie Moore]]
*First team analyst: Ben Daniel
*Academy manager: Alex Cross
*Club doctors: David Russell and Dan Palmer

===Former managers===
{{Main|List of Hartlepool United F.C. managers}}

==Honours==
Sources:<ref name="ClubRecords"/><ref name="2021POF"/><ref name="Mike Amos"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.synners.co.uk/synners/durham-cup.php |title=Durham Challenge Cup Winners |publisher=Synners.com |access-date=16 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301023726/http://www.synners.co.uk/synners/durham-cup.php |archive-date=1 March 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

'''League'''
*[[Football League Third Division North|Third Division North]] (level 3)
**Runners-up: [[1956–57 Football League Third Division North|1956–57]]
*[[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] / [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] / [[EFL League Two|League Two]] (level 4)
**Runners-up: [[2002–03 Football League Third Division|2002–03]], [[2006–07 Football League Two|2006–07]]
**Promoted: [[1967–68 Football League Fourth Division|1967–68]], [[1990–91 Football League Fourth Division|1990–91]]
*[[National League (division)|National League]] (level 5)
**Play-off winners: [[2020–21 National League#play-offs|2021]]

'''Cup'''
*[[FA Amateur Cup]]
**Winners: [[List of FA Amateur Cup finals|1904–05]]
*[[Durham Challenge Cup]]
**Winners: [[1908–09 in English football|1908–09]], [[1909–10 in English football|1909–10]], [[1956–57 in English football|1956–57]], [[1957–58 in English football|1957–58]], [[2004–05 in English football|2004–05]]

==See also==
*[[History of Hartlepool United F.C.]]
*[[List of Hartlepool United F.C. seasons]]
*[[List of Hartlepool United F.C. managers]]
*[[List of Hartlepool United F.C. records and statistics]]
*[[Victoria Park (Hartlepool)]]
*[[Hartlepool United F.C. Women|Hartlepool United Women]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
'''Infobox kits'''
*{{cite web |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2024/may/new-202425-kits-launched/ |title=New 2024/25 kits launched |publisher=Hartlepool United FC |date=29 May 2024 |access-date=28 June 2024 |archive-date=28 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628095253/https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2024/may/new-202425-kits-launched/ |url-status=dead }}

'''Specific'''
{{Reflist}}

===Works cited===
* {{cite book |title=Hartlepool United: The Complete Record |first=Malcolm |last=Errington |publisher=DB Publishing |location=Derby |date=2012 |isbn=978-1-78091-030-7}}

==Other sources==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070205032023/http://www.poolstats.co.uk/timeline.htm Timeline of events from Pools Stats] (archived)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070930204106/http://www.soccerbase.com/manager_history.sd?teamid=1190 Manager History] from Soccerbase (archived)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070211015809/http://www.inthemadcrowd.co.uk/cgi-bin/itmc_view_seasons.asp Season by Season record] from [http://www.inthemadcrowd.co.uk In the Mad Crowd] (archived)
* Law, Ed, Hartlepool United, (Derby; Breedon Books, 1989), {{ISBN|0-907969-57-7}}.

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{official website}}
*{{BBC football info|BBClinkname=hartlepool-united}}

{{Hartlepool United F.C.}}
{{National League (English football)}}
{{Former English Football League clubs}}
{{EFL League One}}
{{EFL League Two}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hartlepool United F.C.| ]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1908]]
[[Category:English Football League clubs]]
[[Category:Football clubs in County Durham]]
[[Category:1908 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Football clubs in England]]
[[Category:National League (English football) clubs]]
[[Category:North Eastern League]]