GROUND HISTORY TRAVEL

Formed in 1908 as Hartlepools United (that's not a typo, by the way), the club became known as plain old Hartlepool in 1968 before restoring the United moniker in 1977, albeit without the surplus 'S' on their town name. Since joining the Football League in 1921 as a founder member of Division Three North, the lower two divisions would remain their home for the rest of the century.

One of the biggest claims to fame for Hartlepool does not derive from footballing circles. The Monkey Hangers take their name from local folklore, in which a monkey was subjected to the death penalty during the Napoleonic Wars. A French-style ship was wrecked off the coast and the monkey came ashore (allegedly in French military dress).

A trial was held, the monkey refused to answer the questions, and the conclusion was that the monkey was actually a French spy. The story inspired Hartlepool to adopted H'Angus the Monkey as its mascot. If that wasn't enough, the man who donned the mascot costume was elected Mayor of Hartlepool in 2002 and for two further terms.

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