Woking manager Alan Dowson makes Darlington comment that Hartlepool United fans will love

The Gateshead-born former Darlington defender watched Pools on Tuesday night as they beat King’s Lynn Town 2-0 at Victoria Park.

And speaking to the Woking club website ahead of the game, Dowson feels his side probably shouldn’t be in the same league as Hartlepool.

“Up north where I come from, it’s Hartlepool against little old Woking,” he said. “That’s what they think like up there because that’s how northerners think. Hartlepool is a massive club who should never be in the Conference.

"It’s Sunderland, Newcastle, in that order by the way, Middlesbrough then Hartlepool in terms of the North East clubs, that’s how big they are up there.”

The Woking boss went on to make a stark admission that Pools fans will enjoy.

“I remember playing for Darlington and we knew Hartlepool were always the bigger club,” he added. “To the people of the north east, it’s a shock that Hartlepool are where they are.”

The Pools squad is full of seasoned professionals but it was one of the least experienced players, Joe Grey, who caught Dowson’s eye on Tuesday night.

“They’ve got a young kid up top, 17,” added the Woking manager. “He’s blinking good for 17 he is, I hope he doesn’t play [on Saturday]. They’re a good side and deserved to win the game on Tuesday so I’m expecting another tough game.”

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