Former Hartlepool United hero Joe Allon has told of his hopes to help “just one person” going through difficult times as he discusses his own struggles in a raw new documentary.

Joe enjoyed two spells at Pools in the Eighties and Nineties which included promotion in 1991, escaping relegation and twice being the club’s top goal scorer.

He also played in the top flight with Newcastle United alongside Paul Gascoigne and at Chelsea.

Joe’s life story, including his battles with alcoholism and mental health, are due to be told in a new documentary by award-winning Hartlepool filmmaker Paul Suggitt.

Former footballer Joe Allon (left) with Hartlepool fimmaker Paul Suggitt for the making of the upcoming documentary Just Another Joe.

placeholder image — Former footballer Joe Allon (left) with Hartlepool fimmaker Paul Suggitt for the making of the upcoming documentary Just Another Joe.

Titled Just Another Joe, Paul, of 7even Productions, describes it as a “rags to riches to homeless” story including being rescued from the brink of suicide by Pools fans.

Joe, 59, said: “This is going to be a candid, honest, brutal at times look at where I’ve been lately.

"I’ve had some incredible, incredible highs but I’ve also had some horrible lows.”

Joe, who has the accolade of a street named after him in town, first signed for Pools in 1988 under Bobby Moncur and helped the club win promotion from the old Fourth Division in 1991 by scoring 35 goals.

Joe celebrates scoring for Hartlepool United against Darlington.

He returned to the club again between 1995-1997 and in 1997 he memorably scored the winning goal against Darlington at their Feethams ground to help save Hartlepool from relegation.

Joe has expressed his everlasting gratitude to the club and the town as a whole for their friendship and support over the years.

"Playing for Hartlepool will always be one of the most special times in my life,” he said.

“The people of Hartlepool have got a very special place in my heart. I love them to bits.

Joe Allon during filming of the documentary on his life.

"They have always been there for me and I will never forget that friendship and love.”

Joe went on: “Without some of the lads from Hartlepool I wouldn’t be here. They saved my life.”

He described being in “a very dark place” with his battles with alcohol and mental health.

But he has been sober for two years now and takes things one day at a time.

Speaking about his hopes for the documentary, Joe, who lives in Gateshead, said: “It’s sometimes a place where you think you are never going to come back from and fortunately I’m getting there.

“If I can help one person it will be an achievement.”

He is due to meet up with some Pools fans for the documentary, which is planned to be released on streaming services such as Prime and Apple TV.

A release date has not yet been confirmed.

Paul, 57, who has made numerous eye-opening documentaries, said: “It’s a compelling story. Alcohol basically took everything away.

"Joe is now an advocate for helping people combat alcoholism and he is still very well respected in Hartlepool.”

Meanwhile, the director has been very busy working on multiple other exciting projects.

They include a documentary featuring Darlington extreme adventurer John Beamson, another about Big Brother series seven winner Pete Bennett, and a docu-drama for the 200th anniversary of the Stockton to Darlington railway starring actor Stephen Tompkinson.

Paul also acts as a mentor for up and coming filmmakers and crew including with the Hartlepool-based group In The Frame.

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