Username
Password
An Interview with...A Hartlepool fan
By Nick Raynor April 20 2005
Hartlepool Fan Rob gives us his views ahead of Doncaster's league clash with Hartlepool.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself; Name, age, how long a fan of your club etc…
Albatross, or to those that know me away from football, Rob! I'm 32, and have been following Pools for about 15 years.

2. What was the first football match you went to and what was the score?
I used to live in the Midlands, and my Dad and Uncle took me to see Walsall play Cardiff - this was in the early 80s when they were still at Fellows Park. I think Walsall lost 2-1. My first Pools game was a league cup tie with Derby in the mid 80s - but it took a while longer for me to become a regular.

3. What is the best and worst match you have attended?
There were some amazing games in our playoff seasons in Division 3 - thrashing Swansea 7-1 springs to mind - but I'd have to go back to the last game of the season in 1990/1. We needed a win over Northampton to secure promotion, and duly did so 3-1 in front of a packed home crowd.

As for worst - take your pick! Though one of the most infamous has to be a Sherpa Van Trophy game about 10 years ago. We were away at Crewe: they were at the top end of Division 2, we were at the wrong end of Division 3. The gap was obvious - we lost 8-0, and I even lost count of their goals at one point!

4. Where do you expect to finish this season?
Not so long ago I'd have said top three - now though I think fifth or sixth is more realistic. Another Playoff season would be a great achievement in any case.

5. Where do you think Doncaster will finish?
Top half - somewhere around about 10th at a guess.

6. How did you do last season?
We finished 6th and made the Playoffs, losing out to Bristol City in the Semis. Not bad considering we were favourites to go down. It's probably the most successful spell in our history - three successive playoff seasons in Division 3, then automatic promotion, then a playoff campaign in the division above, with hopefully another one to follow.

7. Who is the player Doncaster should watch out for when we play you?
Adam Boyd is our leading scorer, and when it comes off for him he can tear any side apart. Look out too for his strike partner Joel Porter, who has really come good after a slow start last season.

8. Whose the Doncaster player you think you should watch out for?
Leo Fortune-West is the player we love to hate, but as he's injured.... possibly James Coppinger. He had a couple of loan spells with us and a lot of people thought we should have signed him when he was released by Newcastle. He may feel he has a point to prove.

9. What's your team like? Strong areas/players, weak areas/players, manager + backroom staff etc…..
We're a side that likes to pass the ball about a bit, and there's plenty of skill going forward - the likes of Porter and Boyd are a danger with the ball at their feet, while Tony Sweeney has scored plenty from midfield to boot. If we've got our first choice defence available we're very strong there too. We've got a great team spirit at Hartlepool, and a strong Youth System - this year we've seen a dozen current or former youth teamers take the field for the first team. Much credit must go to former Youth Team coach - and now Assistant Manager - Martin Scott, but Neale Cooper is definately the Boss Man and is well on the way to achieving "legend" status at Pools.

10. Make a prediction for when Doncaster play you
Call me chicken if you like, but I can see this being a tight game - so I'll go for a draw!

Bookmark or share this story with:

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS

Doncaster Rovers Poll

Who is your Doncaster Rovers Player of the Season?
£25 free bet with Paddy Power