The following update was emailed to all HUST members on 6 April. If you are a member and didn’t receive this update then please contact us via membership@hufcsupporterstrust.org.uk.
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Hello everyone
What a difference a win makes and in what circumstances!! The belief is back so time to press on at last. In John Askey we finally appear to have a very good manager. Anyway, on with our update…
Community
A real positive at the club has been a bigger focus on community initiatives, with some key link-ups with HUST. For the Orient game, we organised for some service users of Down Syndrome Charity Together21 to attend the game, accompanied by an article that you can read here. You can also hear board member Michael Weir and Maggie Hart from Together21 talk more about the importance of this by clicking here from about 21m in.
We were also delighted that Nicky Featherstone presented local LGBT+ group Hart Gables with a signed rainbow armband before the Swindon game. You can read more about this link up here.
Also a big shout out to Jill Simmonds, HerGameToo ambassador, for championing the first dedicated HGT game against Northampton, run with the help of Pools. If you are on social media then please give her a follow @hufc_hgt.
HUST are an official partner of HGT and we were delighted to support the event. We also recently auctioned a signed Newcastle shirt via eBay, which was kindly donated to us by Tommy Miller. This will go towards sponsoring a HUFC Women’s player next season.
Dialogue
Sadly, we were not surprised that Pools finished bottom of a recently published fan engagement table, which you can view here. It is fair to highlight that this was scored on last season, where the club did not conduct any fans forums, despite HUST advocating for dialogue.
This season has shown some improvements, although it should be noted that a further fans forum, due to take place in February, is still outstanding. We have of course reminded the club of this and hopefully a session will be arranged before the season is out.
We also noted with interest the development of the Hartlepool Mayoral Development Corporation, which you can read about here. As the Vic is council owned land, along with the surrounding area, we were keen to understand any potential impact this has on the football club. This included ensuring the asset of community value that is currently in place is still honoured and not part of the ‘cutting of red tape’ that the initiative claims it will support. We wrote to both Ben Houchen and Shane Moore to ask for reassurances and, whilst we have yet to receive any direct response, we note that the linked article now states that ‘The MDC has no intention of negatively impacting upon Hartlepool Football Club. The Mayoral Development Corporations are aimed at economic regeneration of our town centres.‘
You can read the letters here:
- Letter to Mayor Houchen
- Letter to Cllr Moore
Fundraising
We have our fourth annual golf day at Wynyard Golf Club on May 19th with a few spaces still available. Team entry is £270 so if you want to enter a team then please contact Ron Harnish on 07766 545394. It is always a good laugh with ex-players joining us, so get involved or do share with anyone who might be interested.
HUST President
We are delighted that Craig Hignett has agreed to be HUST’s latest honorary president following on from Michael Gough Jnr. You can read more about this here. It is rumoured that Eddie Kyle has already approached him to feature in future HUST football games…
And finally…
Whatever happens at the end of the season, it is vitally important that HUST maintains healthy membership numbers and continues to grow funds. Please continue to renew your membership when it is due and continue others to join at the now reduced cost here. Remember that you can also enter the monthly HUST lottery here for the chance to win £300 each month. All membership fees and lottery income is important to build funds for future investment into HUFC.
All the best and have a great Easter,
The HUST Board