Meeting @ the Shakespeare Pub 10th of July 2010

It is a great sight to be stood in a non-descript London boozer on a random Saturday in July and see people walking in wearing Pools tops. They of course were there was the first ever South East Poolies meeting and it’s fair to say that the meeting had a fairly informal feel to it!!! The venue was the Shakespeare Pub at London Victoria and there was a decent turnout, despite at least half a dozen apologies before-hand.

Things were not looking great when I entered the pub with chief pub researcher, Captain Flicko, and realised that the private corner of seats that he had been promised were definitely not evident as the place was packed. Just to round it off the barman, who had made him the promise, was not evident neither!!!

Due to the informal nature of the meeting and the consumption of several (expensive) beers, not as much was discussed as originally planned, however the whole idea of the meeting was to get idea’s and feelings of how things should run. So it has been decided that the club should be run in a drunken, hazy state and decisions should be made hung-over, whilst trying to remember exactly what the joint decision was! Seriously it was a great day and it’s fantastic to meet up with some regular faces outside of the season.

Anyway there were a few things discussed other than past trips, pessimistic predictions and optimistic goals. These are as follows;

• There was a lot of interest in organising a trip to Holland for next pre-season. This is of course assuming that Pools play there. We plan to organise a mini-bus from the South East and cheap digs (probably in the back of the mini-bus knowing this cowboy outfit!). We would be grateful if anyone interested could let us know in the coming months in order for us to start planning from Christmas onwards.

• Hartlepool United have offered for a member of the playing squad to be our ‘Club President’. Richie Humphreys is the clear winner for this and will hopefully put his full support behind the S.E.P.

• Hartlepool United have sent us Ármann Björnsson’s shirt to raffle for fund raising. The no. 26 home shirt has been signed by the 1st Team Squad. This will be used for the new-members raffle, with all new members being given 2 tickets for the raffle when they purchase their 2010-11 membership. Additional tickets are available for members to buy at £1 each.

• There are Poolies in France who are keen to find out more about the S.E.P. (WHAT!!!!). This has obviously thrown us as we did not expect to be going international so soon, but we will be putting together an overseas membership for a reduced price of £5 per season. The cheaper price reflects the fact that they will not be able to take full advantage of the club due to their location (I am NOT doing pick-ups in France!).

• There are varying reasons for fans wanting to join the club. There are some who are especially keen on the social aspect, including pre-match meets, competitions with other supporters clubs and general days out. Then there are some who are mainly interested in cheap/organized travel to home and away games. It is important that we meet the needs of ALL members in order to give them value for money and keep interest in the club.

• We are keen for other supporters to get involved with the running of the South East Poolies in order for us to offer as much as possible. Please let us know if you can do this. Ideas include; articles for the newsletter/website, knowledge in cheap train travel, experience in organizing trips or just simply enthusiasm for being involved.

• We need to find a cheaper pub if we are to do this more often. £3.70 a pint for Kronenbourg.

I think this covers everything that was discussed, but like I have said it was a heavy day. Also worth noting, again based on our experience, is that they do not allow you to sing ‘2 Little Boys’ in the Willow Walk, Wetherspoons at Victoria!