Hartlepool get pre-season surprise as opposition Jarrow Roofing forced into bringing on social media manager in goal

PRE-SEASON is a funny time of year for footballers, with bosses experimenting with new training regimes, formations and so on.

Sometimes there’s a shock selection… Perhaps a fringe youth player gets a chance to lead the front-line on the biggest stage of their fledgling career?

Or perhaps even the man who runs your team’s Twitter account has a crack out on the pitch?

No, too bizarre. Or is it?

Well, that’s exactly what happened when Hartlepool – Jeff Stelling’s club of choice, of course – took on minnows Jarrow Roofing on Saturday.

During the first half, there were occasional updates of the match, including team news and the first goal flying in, before the half-time score is tweeted.

After that though, it goes oddly quiet.

It was only after the game that Jarrow Roofing cleared things up, saying: “Sorry for no updates during the game after half-time.

“The lad handling the account had to go in goal.”

Unbelievable Jeff, indeed.

It’s worth noting the little-known side were in trouble even before kick-off, naming only two subs on their bench.

It’s unclear what caused the original keeper to go off, but the social media man – Andy Hudson – clearly did a stand-up job.

Incredibly leading 1-0 at the half-time whistle, it was expected League Two side Hartlepool would breeze past their opponents in the second-half, what with their overwhelming quality and the fact the opposition had a Twitter man between the sticks…

Yet the Pools only mustered a single goal – and how bitter the social media man was, saying: “Hartlepool equalised after a long ball, and a controversial no-flag for offside, left the forward one-on-one to finish past Andy Hudson.”

However, it was all smiles later that evening as the two teams exchanged pleasantries.

Firstly, Hartlepool wrote: “Big thanks to @TheRoofing for today’s game, top club and we wish them all the best for the upcoming season.”

Before Jarrow replied: “Thanks again for hosting the match and here’s to a great season for you lads.”

N’aww…