Burnley’s population is about the same as Hartlepool’s, and while the two clubs have totally different histories in the game, they are both from smaller towns surrounded by alleged bigger clubs.
The Scunthorpe area is not quite as well off for top football, with Hull City just surviving in the Premiership, but certain to go down next season – after, all, any clubs that allows its manager to sing (badly) in the centre circle after the last game of the season DESERVES to be relegated.
But like Hartlepool and dozens of other clubs, both Burnley and Scunthorpe have tended to be overshadowed by the country’s glory teams in recent years, but clubs like this are the roots of the game in this country who  always have and will probably continue to supply the top clubs with some great players.

That trend is likely to continue when the Premiership boom shows signs of falling off and clubs are forced to field more home grown players than imported ones.
Meanwhile, Hartlepool and clubs like them, as well as their fans, should join with the likes of Burnley and Scunthorpe and celebrate their achievements.
If they can make progress up the football pyramid, surely so can Hartlepool.
For too long football has been dominated by alleged big clubs, and Burnley – and Holland’s pies – will hopefully provide a breath of fresh air in the Premiership.
Until they are relegated at the end of next season, that is.

NOTE - the above has been written without once mentioning that Newcastle and Middlesbrough have been relegated.
Oops.

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