Victoria Park is the home ground of Hartlepool United F.C, a team which currently plays its football in League Two, the fourth highest tier in England. Dating back to 1886, the 7,856 capacity ground is located on the coast of North-East England within County Durham.
Table of Contents
Stadium Guide
History
The land on which Hartlepool United’s stadium is located was originally owned by North-Eastern Railway Company who sought to extract limestone from local soil, turning it into a quarry. Lacking the minerals so to speak, the site was sold to West Hartlepool Rugby and Football Club for the construction of a new multi-purpose sports arena.
The club eagerly began to construct a stadium in celebration of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee before shortly going bankrupt in 1908. A company by the name of “The Hartlepools United Football Athletic Company Limited” which later became Hartlepool United as we know it today then leased the land and began developing the professional football team until the disruptions caused by the First and Second World War.
Largely destroyed by the Blitz, the club mounted an claim for compensation for Victoria Park from the German government after the war, but this proved to be unsuccessful, and thus Hartlepool FC erected temporary stands and portability until they could afford proper facilities in the 1990s.
The record attendance was set at 17,264 in a 3rd round FA tie against Matt Busby’s Manchester United side which saw the Monkey Hangers lose narrowly by 4-3 in one of the club’s legendary matches. This record attendance is unlikely to ever be beat in the foreseeable future as expansion plans put forward in June 2012 were rejected by the council, with no signs of a resubmission.
Seating Plan
Below is a seating plan of Hartlepool United's Victoria Park:
Stands
The four stands at Victoria Park are as follows: The Rink End (North) which houses away fans, The Cyril Knowles Stand (East) which is the family friendly stand, Town End Terrace (South) for the more vocal home supporters and The Niramax Stand (West) which is a mix between seating and standing.
Click the thumbnails above to enlarge an image of each stand and to read a more detailed description of each part of the stadium.
The Matchday Experience
Away fans
Away fans are housed in The Smith & Graham Stand which was formerly known as The Rink End. With an all-seater capacity of 1,033 the lack of terrace can almost be considered a luxury compared to a lot of other lower league stadiums. Some fans do however miss stand, and frequently complain of the cold, with the North Sea producing a howling wind even in the most Summerly months, so make sure you bring a jacket or jumper!
Rink End Ticket Prices
- Adults: £20.00
- Concession: £10.00
Hartlepool treat the away fans well with a catering outlet inside the away end of the stand selling their supposedly “famous foot-long hotdogs” along with a dedicated bar which can help warm your cockles. Fans are still of course welcome to drink in either The Centenary Suite Bar on Clarence road although high profile matches such as the emerging derby against York City may be an exception to this.
Look out for the club’s mascot, the H’angus Monkey (Presumably “Hang Us Monkey”, after the local legend which is responsible for the club’s nickname of “The Monkey Hangers”.
Best Pubs
Two venues at the ground for a pre-match drink are the Centenary Suite on Clarence Road and The Victoria Lounge located within the Car Park at the stadium. As well as selling the expected alcoholic beverages there is also a café which open before the match and offers your typical hot drinks such as teas and coffees.
For something different, and for those travelling in via train there is the Rat Race Ale House micro pub on the railway station platform which exclusively serves “Real Ale”in a cramped, no-frills environment. If this isn’t your thing, The Engineers Social Club opposite the police station on route to the stadium is a much more traditional establishment.
Food
Victoria Park is well endowed with bars which serve a selection of hot food and snacks before, during and after the match.
Club Shop
Hartlepool FC operate a club shop at Victoria Park in addition to their own 24/7 online store, The Pool Club Shop.
The opening times for the store at the ground are as follows:
- Monday – Friday: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
- Weekday Matchday 10.00 am – Kick off
- Saturday Matchday 10.00 am – Kick off and for 1 hour after the full time whistle.
- Saturday: 10.00 am – 1.00 pm
The club’s mascot, “H’Angus the Monkey” gives two thumbs up to the new home shirt.
For more information, to confirm opening times or to check availability feel free to send an email to [email protected] or phone the store on 01429 260491.
Stadium Tours
It doesn’t appear as if Hartlepool United FC currently offer fans the chance to undertake a stadium tour of Victoria Park. If this changes, we’ll be sure to update this section.
Ticket Information
Tickets to see The Monkey Hangers can be purchased via the usual channels including telephone (01429 272 584 Option 2), email ([email protected]), in person at the stadium either on the turnstiles on matchday or at the ticket office situated on Clarence Road.
Currently Hartlepool do not offer fans the chance to buy tickets online, but this may change in the coming seasons.
Hartlepool College of Further Education Stand
- Adults: £20.00
- Concession: £10.00
Niramax Stand (Seats)
- Adults: £20.00
- Concession: £10.00
Niramax Stand (Terrace)
- Adults: £20.00
- Concession: £10.00
Cyril Knowles Stand
- Adults: £20.00
- Concession: £10.00
Family Enclosure
- Adults: £20.00
- Concession: £10.00
Disabled Enclosure (With free carer)
- Adults: £20.00
- Concession: £10.00
Concessions are available for Over 60s, under 19s and students.
Matchday Travel
Victoria Park is located a few hundred metres inland from the coast on a site bordered by two supermarkets, approximately 0.2 miles from the city centre.
The rear of The Cyril Knowles Stand on Clarence Road.
Driving
Victoria Park Stadium’s address for satnav is as follows:
- Victoria Park, Clarence Road, Hartlepool, TS24 8BZ
Hartlepool United fans spectating the game.
Car Parks
There is an official car park run by the club on Victoria Park with spaces available on a first come first served basis at a princely sum of £8, with the Millhouse Car Park behind the Niramax Stand on Raby Road the back up option costing a more affordable £3. Again, first come, first served.
Train
Hartlepool railway station is exactly 0.4 miles south of Hartlepool United’s ground and should take even the most unfit of us, no more than 10 minutes by foot. From the station turn right onto the main road which is Church Street and follow street across the busy junction as it becomes Clarence Road. The floodlights whether turned on or not should act as a guiding beacon.
Hotels
The two closest hotels to the ground and train station are The Travelodge (Where isn’t there one of these, these days?) and Hillcarter Hotel with The York Hotel and Douglas Hotel being two other localised options to consider.
