 
Synopsis
There has been a settlement at Hartlepool since Saxon times.
The town was subsequently invaded by the Romans, the Vikings, the Scots and in the last big invasion of Britain by William the Conqueror’s army.
The town grew and in the industrial revolution a second town, West Hartlepool, emerged. It was often referred to by comedians as “British West Hartlepool”. There was immense rivalry between the citizens of the two towns.
They had derogatory names for each other ranging from “Cod heads” for those residents on the “old side” to “scaly backs” in West Hartlepool. West Hartlepool buses were painted in strawberry and cream livery and the “old” side had buses in Hartlepool blue.
In the 1960’s, under yet another local government reorganisation, the two town’s were amalgamated to become united, which co-incidentally was the name the football club adopted - Hartlepool United.
People of Hartlepool are immensely proud of their heritage although occasional angered by being referred to as “monkey hangers”. That dates backs to a story in Napoleonic times when a ship was wrecked off the wicked north east coast.
The only survivor was a monkey, who the locals at the time, thought was a French spy. Nobody in Hartlepool had probably ever seen a Frenchman and quite possible never clapped eyes on a monkey. The poor ape was taken before the magistrates, subjected to a trial and hanged.
From that day to this “Hartlepuddlians”, as they would prefer to be called, have been tagged “monkey hangers”. The hanging monkey was adopted as the symbol of Hartlepool Rovers Rugby Club who have produced many famous international players.
In 1999 Hartlepool United adopted a monkey as its mascot too - named H’Angus. His alto ego, Stuart Drummond, a man working at a local call centre, was to stand as elected mayor in the first such elections.
He promised in his election manifesto free bananas for school children. Much to the disgust of the local political parties H’Angus the Monkey was elected Mayor. Even more astounding when he stood for re-election at the end of his first term, he was re-elected and increased his majority.
Yes the people of Hartlepool are hard working folk with a sense of humour. It is the birthplace of many famous and talented people and a few infamous ones too.
The local football club as I have mentioned is called Hartlepool United and on the club badge are the words which say it all “the town’s club”. Over the past 100 years many players have graduated from the youth academy and gone on to play for bigger clubs and international teams. It seemed appropriate in United’s centenary year that I include a tribute to my favourite football team, those players who pulled on the famous blue and white more than 300 times.
Hartlepool is just 100 miles from Gretna and a similar distance to Berwick on Tweed and many players have stopped off at Victoria Park or as it was known in the good old days Victoria Ground on their way to and from Bonnie Scotland. I have included them too as they added to the rich tapestry of Hartlepool United. Collectively they are called “The Tartan Poolies”.
People associated with the town of Hartlepool, through hard work and endeavour, have risen to the top of their chosen professions, whilst others have canoed their way into our colourful history. Hartlepool is where the many were given their first chance on the road to fame, even though some were not born within the borough boundaries. Some will be familiar household names, some have made the global stage and others well not so well known but when gathered together they are the people of Hartlepool. |
