New book into 'forgotten' chapter of Hartlepool United which produced players including Andy Linighan, Mark Venus and Phil Brown
A little known chapter of Hartlepool United’s history has been recorded for prosperity in a new book.
Hartlepool United’s under-19 youth team, the Intermediates, enjoyed success on the pitch after being formed in the late 1970s producing a string of future first team players – despite an early lack of funding.
The side evolved into the modern day youth academy which continues to this day.
Now, the story of how the Intermediates were created has been penned by Dave Sutheran, the son of one of their chief founders.
In 1977, the then Hartlepool United manager Billy Horner proposed creating a junior system and approached Dave’s father Kenny Sutheran.
The aim was to form a youth team capable of competing with clubs such as Newcastle United, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, and Leeds United, for the Northern Intermediate League.
Dave, 64, who is semi-retired, said: “I thought ‘I’m going to record this’. To me it’s a gem of a story that’s just been brushed under the carpet.”
The Intermediates began life on a shoestring due to a lack of club funds with Kenny, alongside Peter (Benny) Tose and George Lormor, finding the initial £50 league registration fee and other costs from local businesses.
In the 80/81 season, they won the Northern Intermediate League, becoming the one and only Fourth Division team ever do so.
The Intermediates produced 31 local players who went on to represent Hartlepool in the first team, including Andy Linighan who went on to score the winning goal for Arsenal in the 1993 FA Cup final.
Other notable players included another FA Cup winner, Keith Houchen for Coventry in 1987, Wolves captain Mark Venus, and Hull City manager Phil Brown.
Dave, a Pools fan himself, spent years researching the Intermediates including 350 hours in Hartlepool’s reference library digging out match reports and photos.
He added: “I’ve had mountains of input from former players and fans. There’s masses of photos and match reports covering nine or ten years.
“It’s a good story.”
Hartlepool United Intermediates 1977-1986, priced £20, is limited to 250 copies and Dave has received dozens of orders already.
To obtain a copy email [email protected] or message him via Facebook.