Hartlepool United Matchday Programme by ForestGreenRovers

FOREST GREEN V HARTLEPOOL

Sean

10 Minutes with Long

Studying for coaching badges, jamming to Bob Marley and lifting the League Two title. Get to know our Irish fullback, Sean Long, ahead of our National League meeting with Hartlepool United.

Q: Best moment in football?

“I’ve been lucky enough to have a few but I’d say winning League Two is up there, going up as champions. Also representing my country at youth levels was a proud moment for me and my family.”

Best player you’ve played with or against?

“Liam Sercombe who is here as well, just because of his ability. Against, I played against Jack Grealish when I was younger and looking at what he is doing now, he gave me plenty of problems.”

Hobbies outside of football?

“I’m fairly boring. Coffee’s, walks, a bit of studying as I’m going for coaching badges at the minute, so I’m kept busy.”

Favourite places you’ve visited?

“Dublin. Nowhere’s better than home for me so I will say Ireland.”

Favourite TV series or film?

“Me and the Mrs are watching ‘Suits’ at the minute and I’m enjoying that. Favourite movie, that’s a tough one, I’d go with ‘Gladiator’.”

What song goes on your matchday playlist?

“I like something that has a mad beat. I can’t remember the name of one that Manny [Osadebe] is playing at the minute, but I’d go with a remix of Bob Marley’s ‘Jamming’.”

Teammates you’d least like to be stuck on an island with?

"I’d least like to be on an island with probably [Fichera] Pags one because he’d eat all the food, two he’d just put me to sleep as when he talks I go to sleep.”

Best friends at FGR?

“Sercs and [Ben] Tozer because I’ve been with them a lot the last few years, but I get on with everyone and hopefully they all feel the same.”

3Long

WeAre FGR

Opposition The

Forest Green Rovers welcome Hartlepool United to The New Lawn for only the second time with our last home encounter with the Pools ending 1-1 back in 2022.

A Regan Hendry opener was cancelled out by an Omar Bogle equaliser during the last encounter as Rovers went on to clinch the League Two title just six games later.

The Pools are currently competing in their second season back in the National League following relegation. They finished 12th in their first seasonthat saw a vast change in the dugout throughout the campaign.

John Askey, who signed a new contract following the side’s relegation, was dismissed in December 2023, leaving Lennie Lawrence in interim charge for January picking up two wins, one draw and two defeats before the Pools hired a new permanent manager.

At the end of January 2023, former Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Southampton forward Kevin Phillips took charge of the side guiding them to a 12th-place finish

before departing at the end of last season being replaced by Darren Sarll.

former Rovers loanee Jahmari Clarke, and experienced midfielder Craig Eastmond.

Sarll has guided the Pools to a more positive start to the 24/25 season as his side currently occupy a midtable position following some positive results against Yeovil Town, FC Halifax, Braintree Town and Boston United.

The Pools have a range of quality players but one to look out for would be their 6’5” centre-forward, Emmanuel Dieseruvwe who last season finished as the club’s top scorer and the league’s fourth top scorer finding the net 23 times.

Despite a lethal attack, the side’s defensive area needed improvement and almost half of Sarll’s summer signings fell in that area.

Goalkeeper, Adam Smith joined from Walsall, centre-back Billy Sass-Davies joined from Crewe Alexandra, and former Sheffield United, Derby County, and Swindon Town full-back, Kerion Freeman was added to the defence.

Established

Formed in 1908, Hartlepools United were elected to the Football League in 1921 and competed in the Third Division North until Division Four was created in 1958.

Crest

The first emblem worn on their shirts was the 1959/60 quartered shield, containing the letters HUFC. A hart, standing in a pool with a deerhound springing on to its haunches, is the device on the seal of the town of Hartlepool.

Stadium

Victoria Park, which is named after Queen Victoria, was originally built to be the home of a rugby club. It wasn’t until some 22 years later that Hartlepool football club moved in.

Now known as the Suit Direct Stadium due to sponsorship reasons, is a traditional compact ground with a capacity of 7,856. The stadium has hosted some famous games over the years, including a match in 1957 with a Manchester United side managed by Matt Busby in which the home side lost 4-3.

P O E O L S THE

Turn your passion for football into a career with the University Campus of Football Business where you can study a wide range of courses with access to iconic stadiums and global summits .

Over 90%* of UCFB graduates find fulltime employment within 6 months of graduating with two thirds of those working in football and sport

* UCFB internal Graduate Census undertaken 6-9 months after course completion (45% response rate)

UCFB alumni have worked in each of the 20 Premier League clubs and over 50 of the 72 EFL clubs

The course has been exceptional for learning so many skills within the industry. The lecturers and module leaders have all really guided me on my journey, and I wouldn’t be where I am now without the help that UCFB has given me.

Rio

Rosenberg

BA (Hons) Football Business and Media student and Women’s Content Creator at Chelsea FC