Gardening Leave

Might be out of the loop for the next few weeks. Moving house today and new place doesn't have a phone line. So no tinterweb. And when we get it sorted will have bigger fish to fry until settled.

It's going to be a quiet February but stay tuned though because got some topics planned including -

Clarks Minster Moor

Charity shop Stone Island

Northern Monkeys book review

Cult Poolies - Brian Horne

Righto that's me signing off for a bit. Take care.

Same Old Subbuteo Brand New Kits

Remember when you got your first ever subbuteo? Two teams in generic red/white and blue/white. Arsenal/Nottingham Forest/Crewe etc vs. Wigan Athletic/Cardiff City/Macclesfield Town etc. Plain templates that could represent any team in those said colours. But the detail wasn't there. Even the 'real' Manchester United's sold separately was just the same but with 'SHARP' stamped on the front. They were better but not that realistic.

So if you want realism in miniature footballing form then visit a certain Mr Terry Lee and his glorious Subbuteo Art website - They have a vast range of full teams that are hand painted in the very latest colourways, individual models of footballing legends and single pieces of memorable footballing events - Hazard kicks ballboy being my personal favourite. 

Well worth a look (but don't touch and keep pristine in the box)...

Hazard 2013

Premier League 2012

George Best

Africa Cup of Nations 2012

Higuita 1995

Man City

   

tuktuk

This Manchester based shirt making company have been on my radar for a long long while. But I've only just got round to purchasing my first ever one and consider myself to have wasted valuable time. I know tuktuk pride themselves on making quality shirts at reasonable prices, which they are, but being a thrifty type I prefer to wait for sales. And the last two years I've missed out as being a bigger gent these sizes tend to go first. Well not this time. Picked up this beautiful blue combi check - wonderfully crafted and a smashing fit -  in the required size 5 for just over £25. Love the slight brushed cotton effect and breast pocket with contrasting red button. Easily the best shirt in my wardrobe and for a sum that didn't break the bank.

Gingham Shirt Factory

A little venture by gents shirting staple Ben Sherman in early 2012, they looked to make the gingham check their own by creating the 'Gingham Shirt Factory'. It seems quite logical as Ben Sherman have been churning out gingham design for some time, so they gave themselves the brief  ''to design a range of Gingham shirts, whereby we would deconstruct, reform and ultimately redefine the Gingham shirt.  The final outcome is a collection of truly innovative and contemporary shirts that celebrate our heritage and a relationship close to our hearts''.

I certainly don't disagree as I became the proud owner of a white and pink effort over Christmas. Quality shines through with just a slight edge to make an ordinary shirt stand out - in this the shade of pink on the collar is a touch darker than on the rest of the shirt. Just enough to add a certain I don't know what.

The 72 Review

Was recently approached by another blog to provide some wise words on Hartlepool United's current demise. That made me feel special. It's one thing to spout dribble and talk bollocks on your own personal corner of the web, but to do it on someone else's is a dream come true.

The blog itself is The Football League Fans of the 72, concentrating on the happenings below the top 20 elite. A good thing in my book. Anyway, their latest feature is to ask fans their thoughts and opinions on the season so far. An epic feat with 71 others to be interviewed, but I dare say no one will be as blunt as me.

You can view my rather pessimistic ramblings here

Image of The Day (in 1992)

Tony Skedd's Gash

True Colours - Part Two

For those of you have followed this blog for some time, you may remember a post about the truly appalling kits that have graced Hartlepool United over the years. For those of you didn't then play catch up here. As someone who doesn't really care for replica kits, I sometimes see one and have to grudgingly admit that they're wearing a fine looking shirt - and it's time to celebrate them here (instead of me bloody moaning all the time...)

1991 Home - Promotion Special
This simplistic looking kit is fondly remembered as it was worn during the 1990-91 promotion triumph, only the second in Pools history since Brian Clough guided United to second place in the 60s. This all white affair looked very classy and although I don't know who made it, I know for certain it wasn't Hummel, even though the arrows on the sleeve are certainly a rip of Denmarks finest. The photo below is a special version worn at the Brian Honour testimonial in 1996.

Don Hutchison

1995-98 Home - Argy Bargy
This is my favourite Pools kit of all time as it was the one they were wearing as I started following them. A superb blend of light blue and white meant that I could compare Hartlepool with Argentina (in colours at least, not playing style). Made by 1908 Gold this classy kit ended up spanning nearly three seasons (and just as many managers). In 1998 local rivals Middlesbrough wore a similar design as an away kit - they do say imitation is the best form of flattery.

Stephen Halliday

1998-99 Away - Striking Gold
New makers Super League struck gold with this superb retro looking kit. Gold/amber in colour with black trim this kit looked very much like a subbuteo kit from days gone by. Seldom worn it was sadly never brought out in replica form - very disappointing for two young early teen fans in me and my step brother - we loved this so much we wanted it to become the new home kit.

Tommy Miller

1999-00 Home - Times They are A Changing
With new owners and manager Chris Turner at the helm it was out with the old and in with the new. The new millennium saw United throw off the shackles of forever being relegation fodder, and become a professionally run outfit that was ready to challenge for promotion. And we did so in this quality looking shirt, sponsored by local brewery Cameron's. Pools got to the playoffs for the first time in their history in this, only to get beat in the semis by bitter local rivals Darlington. Only lasted one year this kit. A shame.

Paul Stephenson

2004-06 Away - Nice Nike
Hartlepool were riding the crest of a wave in 2004. Promoted the year before and consolidated by finishing in the playoffs, a superb array of new Nike kits were brought out in 2004. All of them, including the keepers superb. The home affair simple blue and white stripes, the keepers plain green or black, the third kit (worn in Playoff final defeat to Sheff Wed) was basically Man United's home kit and my personal favourite was the all navy blue away one. With the Nike being based in neighboring town Peterlee, they probably thought it was best to supply us with decent kits or risk have the factory burned down by angry Hartlepudians.

Humphreys and Konstantopolous

2006-2008 Home - Half and Half
Too be honest Pools kits have been made by Nike since and the home one sees very little change to it. Thin stripes to thick and back but with a zig zag edge etc. but the American firm know not to tinker with the classic royal and white combination. This half and half effort was a smart one although linked with dark days at Pools. The club were relegated in 2006 and found themselves in the basement division, but also in 2007, having won promotion again, joy turned to dispair when winger Michael Maidens was tradigically killed in the car accident...

Maidens RIP

 2008 Home - Centenary
Nike went back to basics with plain white with blue shorts for the clubs centenary season in 07/08. A simple kit in the colours as the original club in 1908, and coincidentally similar to the 91 promotion kit, Poolies snapped this up with gusto and talk of more triumph to follow. However united struggled to produce in it, despite a bright start, and narrowly avoided relegation. Remembered best for the giant killing of Premiership Stoke City with a two nil victory in the FA Cup 3rd round.

Stoke Who?