Hartlepool United Women have been promoted to the NERWFL Premier Division for the 2023-24 season. Following a third placed finish, Pools successfully applied for the second promotion spot from the Northern Division, meaning that they return to the fifth tier of women’s football after a season’s absence.
Pools were relegated from the Premier Division this time last year after a frustrating season where the side dealt with upheaval in departures and injuries. The squad underwent an overhaul in the summer, spearheaded by new first team coach Craig Bage. Nine players came in to try and get Pools promoted at the first time of asking.
Early season form was mixed as the team bedded in together. An opening day win against fellow promoted side Spennymoor Town got Pools off to a flyer but they were brought back down to earth with defeats against Gateshead and Washington.
Pools enjoyed a purple patch when the league got restarted after its winter break and wins over Washington, Guisborough and an incredible comeback away at Norton had Bage’s side well in the promotion race.
A 4-1 victory on the final day at Bishop Auckland meant that Pools secured a top three finish. As champions Wallsend Reserves couldn’t be promoted to the same league that their first team currently play in, this meant that Hartlepool had a strong case for promotion and the side are delighted that the league has accepted the application to go up.