RECAP as thousands of fans attend Hartlepool United's promotion parade
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It’s the first time Pools have been promoted in 14 years and it needed to be marked in style.
Poolies defied the gloomy weather to hail the promotion heroes as Hartlepool United toured the town during a open-top bus parade.
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Hide AdFans and residents cheered on the players as the procession set off from Coronation Drive, in Seaton Carew and visited all 12 council wards before finishing its tour in Truro Drive.
It comes after Hartlepool United won the National League play-off final in dramatic fashion on Sunday against Torquay United after extra time and penalties in Bristol.
We’ve been speaking to fans in the town throughout the procession – scroll down to catch up with our live coverage.
LIVE Updates as victorious Pools set off on a promotion parade
Key Events
- A bus parade on Friday, June 25, is celebrating the club’s promotion back to the Football League
- The procession will start in Seaton Carew at 5pm and will end at the Fens at around 7pm
- Players will show off the play-off final trophy won in dramatic fashion on Sunday against Torquay United in Bristol
What can we expect from the weather?
According to weather experts at the Met Office, there is an 80% chance of heavy rain when the parade bus visits Coronation Drive, in Seaton Carew, at around 5.05pm.
By the time it is due to visit Middlegate, on the Headland, at 6pm, any deluge is predicted to have eased with a 50% chance of light rain.
Similar conditions are forecast at 6.50pm when the bus is expected to reach the end of its journey in Truro Drive.
What’s the route?
The procession will start just after 5 pm at Seaton Carew.
It will then travel through Maritime Avenue and York Road before reaching the Headland at 6pm.
The parade will finish at Truro Drive just before 7 pm. See the full route here.
Scenes from the last promotion parade in 2007
Route change
Hartlepool Borough Council has announced a minor change to the parade route this evening.
It said: “We have had to make a minor change to the route at around 6:35pm where the parade will now turn right into West Park and travel onto Egerton Road.”
Fan hopes for a signed programme
Rob Stubbs, 70 has been a Hartlepool fan for more than 25 years.
He said: “It’s been brilliant, I’ve enjoyed the season a lot. I’m hoping to get my programme signed by the players.
“I go to all the home games and they’ve had a great season. It’s been fantastic.”
‘I’m actually quite tearful'
Geoff Coggin (PC Coggie) from Hartlepool Neighbourhood Police said: “I’m absolutely delighted, I’m actually quite tearful, I’m just so proud.
“I’m overwhelmed and it’s a huge positive for the town. I’m Hartlepool born and bred so it’s been unbelievable.
“The passion of the team and the fans has been brilliant, nobody has ever given in.”
‘I actually cried at the match'
Mark and Nicola Ainsley are huge Hartlepool fans and were at the match last weekend.
Mark said: “It’s unbelievable, I actually cried at the match! I’m so proud and absolutely love it.”
Father and son attend the procession despite the rain
Cal Gorse, 41 has decided to turn out despite the rain.
He said: “I think it will do the town well, especially after Covid. I think it’ll be a bit different this year but I’m sure people will still come out to support the team.”
His son Cal Gorse, 15, said “I’m very excited, I think people will still come down to cheer the team on. It’s been a great season.”
Promotion puts Hartlepool on the map, says town Mayor
Mayor Brenda Loynes said: “The promotion is fantastic for the town, we had the election first and now this - it’s really putting Hartlepool on the map.
“I think the die hard fans will turn out and I’m sure it will be a great afternoon for everyone.”
Mam and grandmother out to support ‘their star’
Anne Molnyneux, 79 and Jane Quigley, 54 (mam and grandmother of player Luke Molyneux) were out to support “their star”.
Anne said: “I’ve been watching him play football since he was 4 so today is a proud moment.”
Jane said: “We couldn’t be prouder, he absolutely loves it at Hartlepool and so do we!”
Fans waiting to see the parade bus
Connor Reed (right), James Duffy, and 10-year-old Hayden Duffy are looking forward to seeing the parade bus
