By A.N. Author
June 5 2003

Delayed due to recent events, but at last here's Part 1 of a new fiction serial that will run throughout the summer on Pools Online. It's set just after World War 2; the first proper season of Postwar Football approaches, and sees Hartlepools United on the lookout for "A right Bobby Dazzler".... It was the evening of Tuesday 9th April 1946, and a middle-aged man in an ill-fitting grey demob suit trudged back towards his house in West Hartlepool. Tall but wiry, almost thin, there was something almost grim about his relentless tread as he walked down the road. He reached the door of No. 7 Alston Street, paused for a moment, and then pushed open the door.

"Well then, did you get it?"

"No, they said I hadn't got enough experience."

"Oh, Alan, I'm sorry. But you knew it wasn't likely."

"I know." He couldn't keep his face straight any longer; a smile appeared, lighting up his whole face. "But they have said that they'll take me on part time as a local scout. They're not paying much, just expenses really, but it's a start!"

As Beryl flung her arms around him, Alan Striker reflected on his interview at Hartlepools United. When he'd heard they were after a new Chief Scout he'd applied straight away; even getting an interview had surprised him, but Mr. Westgarth seemed to have taken a shine to him. Quite a character that fellow, thought Alan, if anyone can make the club a success he can.

"How about a cup of tea to celebrate then," he said to his wife. Her face fell. "We're running a bit short this week, there's probably only enough for the morning," she said. "I can go and collect our ration tomorrow, though. We could always try and make it stretch of course...." Alan grimaced. At least in the Army there had always been tea, even if it was the rather dubious powdered stuff that came in the Compo rations. He was beginning to realise how hard it had been for civilians.

"No, it's all right. Got to have a cuppa to start the day with, haven't I? Especially tomorrow - there's a big shipment due in and I'll need to have my wits about me. Oh, and Mr. Westgarth is expecting me to start looking around this week as well."

It wasn't going to be easy, pulling a team together in time for the new season, thought Alan. Half of the army were still overseas, quite a lot more not yet demobbed, and a lot of the younger lads hadn't had a chance to play much football, what with so many pitches being used to grow vegetables. And most of the players who'd been guesting during the wartime seasons were wanted back by their old clubs.

Mentally he started making a list of the teams he'd be looking at. Railway Athletic, West Hartlepool Expansion, go and see if there was anyone worth having playing on Greyfields, maybe even a trip out to Horden Colliery Welfare if they'd pay his expenses.... Make a success of this, and he might make Chief Scout yet! Now, if he could only find a right Bobby Dazzler....