Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor reflects on post match celebrations following play-off win over Bromley ahead of Stockport County semi-final

Following Sunday’s 3-2 play-off win over Bromley at Victoria Park, Pools manager Dave Challinor took to the field to talk to rally his players and staff before leading the celebrations with the Pools fans in attendance, fist-pumps and all.

“The players have deserved that,” Challinor said.

“In terms of what they have done, you don’t get opportunities all the time to revel in the supporters’ celebrations so it’s really good for the players and it’s the last opportunity they have to do it here this season, hopefully they get the opportunity to do it at Bristol City.

"They’ve deserved that and the supporters deserve to be thanked for what they have given us.

"Going back to Weymouth, it was a different atmosphere at the start, a bit nervy during the warm-up and we needed them, thankfully not as much we might have done.

"At times during the second half, little things happened and all of a sudden the whole ground is going for it.

"I said to the players before, ‘you’ve got to invite that’ whether it be a tackle, a header, whatever it might be, I think we did that well.

"The players worked their socks off and they’ve been brilliant to us the fans so we wanted to thank them.”

It was the final home match of the 2020-21 campaign and only the second time Pools fans had been able to play in front of their own supporters over the season.

“We haven’t had the opportunity to interact with the fans anywhere near enough this season but to have the last two weekends with the supporters in here and the atmosphere what it was is great and I think it more than reemphasises how much we’ve missed it,” Challinor added.

“Regardless of what happens, we’re always looking forward to having this place bouncing with renewed hope and aspirations of moving the club forward and having a smile on people’s faces.”

Pools’ season continues with a play-off semi-final at Stockport County on Sunday (12pm kick-off). The winners will go on to face either Torquay United or Notts County in the play-off final on June 20 (2pm kick-off) at Ashton Gate.

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