Medal Chances for Pools Players?

Not here though
By Albatross
April 25 2006

Bizarre as it may seem, there's a chance that two Hartlepool United players may pick up medals for helping win a title this season. It's fair to say that at least one North-East club has had a successful league season, even if it is in the Unibond!

While it seems to have been a year of very few highlights for Pools, at least a couple of players have been able to play a part of the season for a winning side; and as their title race enters its final couple of games Blyth Spartans could even help a couple of players pick up a championship medal.

Despite a ridiculously hectic end to the season that will mean they've played no less than eleven times in April's 30 days - including five games in just eight days - the team from Croft Park are still in with a very good chance of picking up the Unibond Premier League title and with it promotion to Conference North. And the Smoggies reckon they've had fixture congestion! At least they didn't have to play on successive days as Blyth did over Easter...

The end is in sight for Blyth though - if they win their remaining two games (both at home - to Guiseley on Thursday Night and Wakefield-Emley on Saturday) then only an avalanche of goals from the level on points Frickley Athletic would see them forced into the playoffs. I suspect a few Pools fans with long memories would argue that denying Frickley would be good enough reason to give a shout out to Blyth, but with Andy Appleby entirely likely to be involved as well it gives me a good reason to talk them up! The Pools forward has started a number of games recently and has certainly helped bolster what must be an exhausted Spartans squad.

Neil Wilkinson has also had a loan spell there this season, as former Whitby boss Harry Dunn seems to have continued his good relationship with the club. Both are well-thought of by many fans at Blyth, with the implication being that if Pools decide to wave them goodbye at the end of the season both would be more than welcome to sign up at Croft Park on a more permanent basis.

I don't know what the Unibond League's rules are about qualifying for medals, but with Wilkinson having a double figure number of appearances in his spell and Appleby not far behind him there must be a reasonable chance of some reward for the pair. Here's hoping that by the end of the Football League season they have double the reasons to celebrate.

To keep an eye on how Blyth get on, try checking out their Fans Messageboard.