There was a special guest at Victoria Park this afternoon for the Club's Official opening of the Centenary Suite.

Alan Shearer was at the ground to cut the ribbon on the new Suite, cementing a close link between Pools and Newcastle United.

Hartlepool United was formed on 1^st June 1908 and the first game played at the then Victoria Ground came against The Magpies in the September of that year.

And so, to commemorate the first ever game at The Vic, there are large prints of both the Pools and Newcastle United 1908 teams now on display in the Centenary Suite.

To enhance the link further, Pools have close ties with Jack Hixon, the man who discovered Alan Shearer, and he surprised Chairman Ken Hodcroft with a specially commissioned painting of Shearer, by artist Mark Scorer.

The Club then decided to make this painting and the two prints a focus of the new Centenary Suite and Shearer was only too pleased to come along for the launch.

The afternoon went well, with all guests in attendance having the opportunity to meet the former England striker as well as to get autographs and photographs.

The Centenary Suite is open throughout the season for matchday hospitality and can also be hired out as a conference venue.