Hi everyone and welcome back to the next instalment of my Hartlepool story here on allthatisfm. With only two months left of the season at was crunch time and I needed a good end to the season to make sure that I get one of the two promotion spots on offer. So let’s get straight into business and see how I faired.
April Results
A busy April was set and with 7 games to play this month I need to make sure that I rotate the squad just right. We started off very well with 10 points from a maximum 12 in the first four games. All wins came with just 1 goal in them. The loss against Blackpool was a disappointment as it meant that I slipped into the play-off spots but if this was only going to be a one-off result then I should be fine. This was exactly what happened and with two wins from the last two games we were now level on points with Wolves at the top of the table.
Performance of the month
v Newcastle
A very important win against a side that could challenge us for one of the promotion spots. Luke Moore was the scorer of the winner and it was a game that on paper should have lost but I took my chances and that meant that I would leave with all three points.
May Results
It was now crunch time as with the way things were at the top of the table two wins out of the last two matches would see my win the league but two losses could see me slip out of the top two and have to attempt promotion though the play-offs. The first game against top of the league Wolves was a very close top of the table game with both teams having chances to win the match and them duly appliquéd with two goals from the league’s top scorer Kevin Doyle. It would mean that a win against Wigan was essential especially with the table looking like this.
Performance of the Month
v Wigan
The most important game of the season a win and were playing Premier League football but a loss and we would have to sit through another three games to see if we were going to get promoted. We opened the scoring when Darren O’Dea header put Hartlepool 1-0 up just before half-time. Wigan needed a quick start to the second half and got it when Andraz Kirm scored two minutes into the second half. My nerves were getting the better of me but they were calmed when Sean Morrison scored another goal from a corner to set up what could be the goal that took us into the premiership. Wigan were pushing for an equaliser to steal the second place in the crulest of ways. The win was assured when Eyeman Henaini scored in the 90th minute to send delirium into the visiting support as Hartlepool were promoted to the Premier League.
End of Season Table
So there it was I had finished second and I was now set to play Premier League football next season. It was a tremendous season and I was proud of every single player that was involved. I will be an exciting season next year and I feel that I need to make a lot of chances if I am going to survive in the Premier League. It will be one hell of a journey but it’s one that I will certainly going to enjoy.
Thanks for reading
Warren
P.S In the close season I also got some fantastic news and that was that Hartelpool was going to be taken over by a businessman called Javi Munoz. This is brilliant news as this should pump more money into the transfer budget for next season.
Davewig1980
11 января, 2011 at 17:11
Amazing achievement there Warren, well done! Hope the new chairman doesn’t get rid of you after what you have done for the club!
warren
11 января, 2011 at 21:47
Thanks Davewig
I hope that he looks back on what I have done over the past 3 seasons and keeps he on. Looking forward to the new season.
Laxeyman
11 января, 2011 at 18:24
Brilliant Warren, a great season for you and now you have the exciting prospect of playing in the Premier League next season. Hopefully the new owner will give you a lot of money to spend, and I doubt he’ll get rid of you because it says that every time a club is taken over. Looking forward to seeing what you do in pre season :)
warren
11 января, 2011 at 21:49
Hi Laxeyman
I cannot wait to face the likes of Man U, Arsenal next season and I hope that I will be able to not get relegated and I feel that that would be a realistic target to set for next season.
Darren Smith
11 января, 2011 at 19:10
First of all how could you beat our beloved Newcastle lol…only kidding, well done mate!! You won some amazing games to gain promotion. That Wigan match must have been pure drama and I can imagine the fist pump you must have done as your boys scored the second and third. Well done mate. Congrats on the new owners as well, I hope they don’t sack you though. On FM09 I got Leeds promoted to Premier League and was in second place during my 5th season when a consortium took over. They sacked me after two losses even though we were second. I really hope the game doesn’t screw you like it did me.
warren
11 января, 2011 at 21:51
Yer sorry but I always knew that Newcastle would be able to promote themselves to the premiership through the play-offs. The Wigan match was very tense and I was thrilled when the second goal went in I jumped out of my seat and celebrated. Hopefully the owners will give me a good amount to stay in the league
Sears
11 января, 2011 at 19:29
Great stuff Warren. You’ve worked wonders on Hartlepool and you deserve to be among the elite next season. Obviously you’ll need to strengthen but hopefully your board will give you some funds. Good luck!
warren
11 января, 2011 at 21:58
Hi Sears
Thanks I am cannot wait till next season to see how I compete with the best in the business. I need to bring in a lot of players so hopefully the board and transfer target I go for will be kind to me.
Birdy
11 января, 2011 at 19:50
Hey Warren
Awesome stuff that is really nice work. The new owners should be great and make it easier to stay in the premier league if there are signs of struggling
Good luck
warren
11 января, 2011 at 22:01
hi birdy
Thanks and I think that if i can get a substantial amount of money then its fair to say i should be able to stay in the premier league
Ana Garcia
11 января, 2011 at 20:30
Congratulations!!
Fantastic achievement, but hopefully you wont get sacked by the new owners. I had a similar story to Darren when at Roma having won everything the season before they sacked me before the season had began!
Hopefully it wont happen to you but at least the promotion money will help. Infact the money you get is equal to the team that finishes third in la liga!
Good luck on next season! :)
warren
11 января, 2011 at 22:06
Thanks Ana
A shame that happened in your Roma story but hopefully it would happen to me either and the money that the promotion has generated will hopefully get us the safety that we need next season.
kevin
11 января, 2011 at 21:43
Hi Warren
Brilliant mate. Congratulations on taking Hartlepool to the Premier League and hopefully your new benefactor will give you a hefty transfer budget for the off season. Again, well done!!
warren
11 января, 2011 at 22:09
Hi Kevin
I am so proud of what I was able to achieve this season and hopefully with some changes to the sqaud we can have a very successful season.
Lye Kuek Hin
12 января, 2011 at 00:39
Hi Warren,
Congratulations on the promotion. It was a great day for Hartlepool. I believe you are well like by the fans and the new owner have to think twice if he decides to change the manager. I believe you will still be around by the sideline when new season starts. Lets see the transfer funds that the board will be giving you.
warren
12 января, 2011 at 12:07
Hi Lye
I enojoyed the promotion as much as I could and the fans celebrated into the small hours of the morning. I dont think I will get sacked but you never know. The new owner could turn out to be another Mike Ashley.
Johnny Karp
12 января, 2011 at 07:39
Congrats Warren, great job! I hope that you’ll have a lavish transfer budget from the new owner, good luck!
warren
12 января, 2011 at 12:08
Thanks Johnny
I guess that if I get around the £20/25 mill mark I think that is how much I need to spend on the players next season.
pickard77
13 января, 2011 at 14:25
Congratulations Warren, fantastic achievement getting Hartlepool to the Premiership…Jeff Stelling would be pleased lol.
warren
13 января, 2011 at 15:27
hi pickard
thanks and Im sure that Jeff Stelling would have been joining in with the celebrations after the win against Wigan. Hopefully I can make more of a success if I can keep Hartlepool in the premiership