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!
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