FEBRUARY NEWS

MINUTES OF MEETING

Before the game at Brighton & Hove Albion, members of the South East Poolies sat and had their 1st ever sit down, official club meeting. This was all attended and those that couldn’t have been interested as to what happened. This was a chance for members to not only hear what is happening, but to also be involved in what happens in the future. Minutes of the meeting are available to view for members and non-members.

DOUGLAS HOTEL

The hotel that we will be using this season for the annual trip to Hartlepool is the Douglas Hotel on Grange Road. The hotel has offered us an excellent rate and after looking round the place I can say it is up to a very good standard. All rooms are en-suite and are very clean. They have a bar and restaurant, and they are only a 2 minute walk from the town centre amenities. It is also only a 10 minute walk from here to the ground. Check out the hotel at www.douglas-hotel.co.uk.
Their contact details are as follows;

 01429 272038
info@douglas-hotel.co.uk

MEMBERSHIP CARDS

If you have not already received your membership card, you can collect this at Brighton & Hove Albion this Saturday. Any remaining after this will be posted to members. We are also hoping to link in with Hartlepool based businesses to offer discounts to members who produce their membership cards. I have a few ideas already, but please feel free to share any ideas that you have.

MEETING WITH HUFC

Hartlepool United’s Chief Executive, Russ Green and Media Manager, Mark Simpson, were both good enough to meet with me and discuss a few SEP issues this week. The meeting went well, with both keen to pass on thanks to our members for continued support and working hard to increase the fan base within the South East. They have also offered the use of the Victoria Lounge prior to the Brentford game this season. They did this last season and the treatment that we received was superb.

A big thing that they are keen on is that any HUFC related fund-raising that we do is for the Youth Development Fund. The cost of running this is around £300,000per annum, which the club receives only part funding for. Some ideas around this will discussed at the meeting prior to the Brighton game.

Other things that we spoke about will be discussed at the meeting. Thank you to both Russ and Mark for their time and the support that they have offered.

HARTLEPOOL TRIP

We need final numbers for the Hartlepool trip as well as deposits of £50. The mini-bus will be booked this week along with the hotel rooms. Some people have arranged to pay this at Brighton, which is fine, but I will need to know if this is when others intend to pay. The numbers at the moment are around 18, so it promises to be a lively trip! Cheques can be made payable to South East Poolies and sent to 55 Roberts Road, Rainham, Kent, ME8 0AZ. For more details on the trip go to Trip to Heaven.

POLO SHIRTS

We have been given a price of £15 for the Polo Shirts, which orders can now be taken for. These will be Royal Blue and made by Fruit of the Loom. They will have the monkey crest on the left breast along with the words Hartlepool United, South East Poolies. The shirts will be great for wearing at away games and look fashionable at the same time!

If you would like to order 1 (or 10) just e-mail at kentpoolies@hotmail.co.uk for details. Alternatively call/text Stu on 07789 734790.