The 2011–12 season was Hartlepool United's 103rd year in existence and their fifth consecutive season in League One. Along with competing in League One, the club also participated in the FA Cup, League Cup and League Trophy. The season covers the period from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.
Background and pre-season
In pre-season, Hartlepool received media attention having announced a season ticket deal whereby the price would be only £100 if over 4,000 tickets would be sold. The club ultimately sold over 5,600 season tickets. The club also announced the signing of former Newcastle United player Nolberto Solano. During pre-season, Hartlepool played a testimonial for the club's record appearance maker Ritchie Humphreys against local side Sunderland.
Review and events The club began the 2011–12 campaign with a trip to Milton Keynes Dons. Hartlepool twice took the lead thanks to goals by Adam Boyd and James Brown but were pegged back late in the match to draw 2–2. They were subsequently eliminated in the first round of the League Cup after a penalty shootout defeat to Sheffield United. Hartlepool would draw three matches in a row before winning five in a row to go 3rd in the league. This was the first time in the club's history that they had gone unbeaten in their first nine matches of a season. This run was ended with a home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in early October. The following week, Pools suffered defeat once again away to Notts County, losing 3–0 in the televised fixture. Despite the impressive start, Hartlepool would suffer poor home form. Six consecutive home defeats was a club record and signalled the end of Mick Wadsworth's tenure as Hartlepool manager.
Former manager Neale Cooper was announced as Wadsworth's successor. Cooper's first match back at the club saw Hartlepool's eighth successive home defeat. In the next home fixture, Cooper took the decision to start 17-year old Luke James. James scored in the 2–0 win against Rochdale to become the youngest goalscorer for the club in its history. This was a theme at the beginning of Cooper's second spell; giving opportunities to many younger players whilst criticising the performances of more experienced players. This win against Rochdale was followed up with an impressive away point at Sheffield Wednesday and then a comprehensive 4–0 home victory against rivals Carlisle United which gave hopes for a late play-off charge. However, Hartlepool would suffer a 5–0 away defeat to relegation threatened Wycombe Wanderers. Pools struggled in front of goal for their remaining matches and ultimately finished in 13th position.
Players
First-team squad
Transfers
Transfers in Date Position Player From Fee Ref13 May 2011 FW James Poole Manchester City Free 13 May 2011 MF Nolberto Solano Leicester City Free 27 June 2011 FW Colin Nish Hibernian Free 22 July 2011 DF Jack Baldwin Faversham Town Undisclosed 2 September 2011 DF Stephen Wright Brentford Free
Transfers out Date Position Player To Fee Ref16 June 2011 MF Leon McSweeney Leyton Orient Free 23 June 2011 MF Joe Gamble Limerick Free 23 June 2011 FW Denis Behan Limerick Free 11 July 2011 DF Dylan Purvis Blyth Spartans Free 5 August 2011 FW Michael Mackay Consett Free 7 August 2011 FW Billy Greulich Durham City Free 10 August 2011 MF Fabián Yantorno Sud América Free 13 August 2011 MF Billy Blackford Whitby Town Free 15 September 2011 DF Ármann Björnsson ÍA Free 11 January 2012 DF Jordan Mellish Blyth Spartans Free 24 January 2012 DF Stephen Wright Wrexham Free
Loans in Date from Position Player From Date until Ref2 March 2012 FW Samuel Adjei Newcastle United 2 April 2012 20 March 2012 FW Ryan Noble Sunderland 1 June 2012
Loans out Date from Position Player To Date until Ref12 August 2011 FW Callum Hassan Harrogate Town 12 September 2011 19 September 2011 FW Callum Hassan Whitby Town 19 October 2011 19 September 2011 MF Lewis Hawkins Whitby Town 19 October 2011 4 November 2011 DF Paul Johnson Workington 3 March 2012 4 November 2011 FW Steven Snaith Workington 4 January 2012 16 March 2012 DF Paul Johnson Darlington 1 June 2012
Results
Pre-season friendlies
League One
League table
Results summary
Results by matchday
FA Cup
League Cup
Football League Trophy
Squad statistics
Appearances and goals
Goalscorers RankNameLeague OneFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal1 Antony Sweeney 8 0 1 0 92 James Poole700073 Adam Boyd600064 Peter Hartley 40004Gary Liddle 40004Colin Nish 4 0 00 45Luke James30003Andy Monkhouse 30 0 0 36Neil Austin 20 0 0 2Ryan Noble20 0 0 2Nolberto Solano20 0 0 27James Brown10 0 0 1Sam Collins100)1Ritchie Humphreys10001Nathan Luscombe10 0 0 1Paul Murray10 0 0 1
Clean Sheets RankNameLeague OneFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal1 Scott Flinders 13 0 0 0 132 Andy Rafferty 1 0 0 0 1
Penalties Date Name Opposition Scored?20 August 2011Adam BoydStevenage15 October 2011Adam BoydWycombe Wanderers5 November 2011Neil AustinLeyton Orient
Suspensions Date Incurred Name Games Missed Reason13 August 2011Nathan Luscombe3 (vs. Walsall)5 November 2011Paul Murray1 (vs. Leyton Orient)12 November 2011Scott Flinders1 (vs. Stevenage)31 March 2012Peter Hartley1 (vs. Sheffield United)
Awards End of Season AwardsWinner Hartlepool Mail Player of the Year Peter Hartley Players' Player of the Year Peter Hartley Michael Maidens' Goal of the Season Luke James vs Rochdale Supporters' Association Youth Team Player of the Year Josh Rowbotham
Aftermath Following the conclusion of the season, Cooper opted to release experienced players such as Adam Boyd and James Brown. Steve Haslam, Nolberto Solano and Colin Larkin also departed. The 2012–13 season saw Hartlepool relegated to the fourth tier after six seasons in League One.
References