In response to recent articles in the media regarding Hartlepool United and Billingham Town (BTFC), the Club would like to make the following points:

* HUFC have used Bedford Terrace for the Reserve games for many years, paying BTFC for such use.

* In March 2007 HUFC met with BTFC and agreed to invest a significant sum to upgrade the pitch at Bedford Terrace to mirror that of Victoria Park, both in terms of dimensions and quality.

* Within this Agreement, HUFC also upgraded the changing facilities at Bedford Terrace to Football League standard, again at a significant cost to HUFC.

* The parties signed an Agreement in early 2007, whereby HUFC would have the use of Bedford Terrace for many years due to the investments made, noted above and BTFC would also pay a contribution towards the upkeep and ongoing maintenance of the pitch.

* Following an initial payment by BTFC in October 2008, there have been no further payments due under the Agreement made to HUFC.

* HUFC and BTFC have had regular meetings and correspondence since late 2008 to try to resolve the situation but no further payments have been received by HUFC.

* Despite several warnings to BTFC that HUFC would seek and act upon legal advice if the debt owing to HUFC was not paid, BTFC continued to ignore payment demands and also continued to play on the pitch at Bedford Terrace, which HUFC was maintaining at their cost. For the sake of clarity, BTFC were fully aware of the terms of the Agreement that they had signed and despite claims by them that it was signed by a former Director the Agreement, in HUFC's opinion, still remains valid.

* Consequently, HUFC has had no alternative but to seek remedy through the courts.

As this is now a legal issue, the Club will be making no further comment at this time.