Hartlepool United going Dutch against Wednesday?

By Albatross
July 25 2003

Hartlepool United's pre-season programme sees it's first "open" game at the Vic tomorrow with Sheffield Wednesday the visitors. Both sides are acting cagey with an early season Carling Cup tie just a few weeks away; but Cooper may use the game to run the rule over some Dutch trialists.

With both teams certain to be fielding a less than full strength side £9 sounds a bit steep; but one thing that may tempt a few more Poolies through the gate is the chance to see some of the trialists at closer quarters. Paul Robinson and Richard Hope may be involved - and the Hartlepool Mail is reporting that no less than three Dutch triallists from Heerenveen could also be playing.

The Mail is hinting that one of the players may be striker Jespen Hakansson, who scored a hat-trick against Pools; however, with Robinson apparently already in talks with Cooper after scoring in the behind closed doors game against Sunderland it's hard to see Pools being in the market for any more forwards. If Robinson does sign, then we'll have no fewer than seven strikers with first team experience at the club, even before counting Ritchie Humphreys - I'd guess that at least one of them will have to leave before we could bring in Hakansson anyway.

The First Team has been in action today though, playing what was described as a strong Leeds United side in another behind closed doors game at Sunderland's Training Ground. The game finished 4-3 to Leeds, with Robinson netting again. The other Pools goals came from Darrell Clarke and Eifion Williams. Tinkler went off with a knock, hopefully nothing serious.

Meanwhile, the Youth Team are impressing in the Sage International tournament in Durham; after squeaking past Scunthorpe they then thrashed a Derby County side 4-0, with Steven Istead on target in both games. They'll now face Celtic on Sunday in the Final.