Hartlepool MP Mike Hill issues plea for the Government to 'let fans in' at Hartlepool United ahead of Parliamentary debate

Hartlepool United fans have been unable to watch their team live in the National League since March despite the club selling 1,500 season tickets ahead of the 2020-21 campaign.

Supporters were initially set to return to grounds with social distancing measures in place in time for the start of the season but rising coronavirus cases across the country put those plans on hold.

Instead, National League clubs have been granted a £10-million support package to help financially while they’re unable to generate any significant matchday income other than through live streaming services.

And following discussions with the club and the Hartlepool United Supporters Trust, Hartlepool's MP Mike Hill has written to the Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage Nigel Huddleston regarding the safe return of fans to Victoria Park.

The letter read: “We are all disappointed that the expected October date for supporters to return to stadia did not happen and I believe it is important to note that clubs such as Hartlepool United have invested considerable time and resource in ensuring a safe environment for fans to attend.

"In addition to the appointment of a dedicated Covid officer, Hartlepool United have developed a wide range of safety procedures to allow some fans to return to the ground for home matches.

“Importantly, Victoria Park is a large, open, outdoor environment ideally suited to safe social distancing. Indeed, with a ground capacity of almost 8000 there is no reason at all why a much smaller number of fans could not safely attend matches to support their team and to raise vital revenue for the club.

“As a non-league National League team Hartlepool United rely on most of their income from matchday revenue and receive little in the form of League or Premier League solidarity funding.

"They are by no means alone and the longer that football grounds remain closed the more damaging this is to clubs, and despite the efforts they have taken to create a safe environment it is disappointing that there is still no clarity on when fans are to return to the terraces and under what conditions.

“Further to this, Hartlepool United fans do not have the luxury of being able to watch our team play on television in the way fans of major Premier League teams can.

"Allowing some fans to be able to watch their team play could provide a lifeline that will not only allow them to get out of the house but could be a huge morale boost for people in Hartlepool through this difficult and worrying time.”

Mr Hill continued: “Football clubs such as Hartlepool United are at the heart of local communities and we should seek a return for fans as soon as possible acknowledging that this can and will be done safely.

“I acknowledge that following almost 200,000 signatures (at the time of writing) on the #LetFansIn petition there is to be a debate in Westminster Hall on this important issue on the 9th of November.”

The #LetFansIn campaign has also been backed by the FA, Premier League, Football League and Football Supporters’ Association.

A message from the Editor:

Hi, our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative coverage of YOUR club every single day, home and away, 365 days a year.

This depth of Pools coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to from the football team at the Hartlepool Mail, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package.

You'll find all the details at www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/subscriptions/sports

Your support is much appreciated.