Hartlepool United Football Club

Ian McGuckin has thanked the Supporters' Trust after they

donated money raised in the recent Legends Game to allow the purchase of

training equipment for the Youth Team.

Stars such as Ritchie Humphreys, Mark Tinkler, Chris Westwood

and Eifion Williams pulled on the blue and white stripes once again for the fundraising

game back staged back in October.

As a result of its success, the Trust were able to offer a donation of £1,400 to the Club and the majority has now been spent on things to help with the Youth Team's training.

“The Supporters' Association had already made a significant donation to buy us footballs for the season so this latest money from the Trust is very much appreciated,” explained a delighted McGuckin.

“We'll always use money like this wisely and we've been able to buy new bibs, inflatable mannequins, a head tennis net and a SKLZ net so that the players can do work on finishing even when there is no keeper available.

“These sorts of things are massive for us because it just

allows to us to add more variation to what we do in training and gives us scope

to do more.

“I can't thank everyone involved enough – from the former

players who gave up their time to take part in the game, to the organisers and

everyone who turned up to support the event.

“Perhaps in the past we have taken things like this for

granted because we had some funding in place but now, more than ever, I really

appreciate it the kindness and so do the young players.”

The Trust's Fundraising Officer, Ron Harnish added: “We had £1,400

available to donate to the Youth Team and I think they've spent £1,200 so the

remainder will go in to the pot for our next fundraiser.

“It gives me great satisfaction to be able to see the fruits

of our hard work being enjoyed by the Youth Team players at the Club and

knowing that it's making a real difference.

“I know lots of people wonder about what the Trust is doing

but we're doing a lot in the background to raise money to put back in to the

Club.

“We've just arranged for our January draw money to go

towards the Club's Sports Foundation which is another positive step so we're

doing what we can to help.

“All the while, we're building money to put to one side to

ensure that, down the line, if there is a point when the Club needs it then we

have something to fall back on.”

Everyone at the Club would like to thank those who supportedthe Legends Game and to those at the Trust for the hard work in organising.