Hartlepool United Football Club was formed as a professional club in 1908 from a successful Amateur Cup-winning team, and joined the League in 1921.

Through two minor name changes, Hartlepool United have spent all of their years in the lower two divisions of the Football League, but nonetheless have a fascinating if somewhat chequered history.

As the Club approaches its centenary year they are currently enjoying one of the stronger periods since their formation.

We take a leisurely four part look at the story so far.

Part 1 - 1881 to 1945 : The Early Years

Part 2 - 1945 to 1968 : Westgarth to McLean

Part 3 - 1972 to1995 : From Triumph to the Brink . and Back

Part 4 - 1997 to date : On The Up

Acknowledgement
Great use has been made of Ed Law's now sadly out-of-print History of Hartlepool United in the compilation of this history, and we thank Ed for his kind permission to use the contents. Reference has also been made to Gordon Small's excellent "The Definitive Hartlepool United FC". The history has, of necessity, been abridged and the choice of which items to include is somewhat arbitrary. If anyone has any strong opinion on events which they feel ought to have been included - fell free to e-mail us with your thoughts.