Rovers are back in league action this weekend as they travel to face newly promoted Hartlepool United for the first time.

Here’s the Lowdown on the Pools ahead of our trip to Victoria Park.

MEET THE MANAGER: ANTONY SWEENEY (INTERIM)

Antony Sweeney took over as interim manager of Hartlepool just two weeks ago after former manager Dave Challinor left for National League Stockport County.

The 38 year old is third on the all-time appearance list for the Pools playing 444 games which he racked up over a 13 year period.

He said farewell to Hartlepool in 2014 and spent two years at Carlisle before playing his final ever game for Gateshead against FGR in the National League.

He has since returned to work in several coaching roles at Victoria Park from u16’s coach to first team coach under then manager Craig Hignett.

In his two weeks in charge, he has helped the team qualify for the knockout stages of the Papa John’s Trophy and the second round of the FA Cup, beating League One Wycombe Wanderers.

KEY PLAYER: NICKY FEATHERSTONE

Hartlepool skipper Nicky Featherstone joined the Pools back in 2014 and has gone on to make over 250 appearances for the club.

The 33 year old started his career at Hull, not far from his home-town in Humberside, where he rose through the youth system to play for the first team.

Nearby loans to North Ferriby United and Grimsby followed before a loan move to Hereford United was made permanent in 2011.

Short stints with Walsall, Scunthorpe and Harrogate came next for Featherstone and in 2014 he made the move to County Durham, where he instantly made his way into the team.

The swashbuckling centre midfielder is the central focal point of the Pools XI and he has contributed one goal and one assist this season, whilst being one of their top performers.

FORM

16/10/21 – Salford City 2-0 Hartlepool United

19/10/21 – Bradford City 1-3 Hartlepool United

23/10/21 – Hartlepool United 3-2 Harrogate Town

30/10/21 – Leyton Orient 5-0 Hartlepool United

12/11/21 – Hartlepool United 1-2 Newport County

LAST TIME OUT

Hartlepool fell to a 2-1 defeat to Newport County as the travelling Exiles stole a late winner at Victoria Park.

The away side were the first to come close as Finn Azaz stung the palms of Ben Killip who saved well, but they got a deserved goal soon after.

The Pools went behind under the lights on the half hour mark as Killip couldn’t keep out Courtney Baker-Richardson’s header as he powered in from a corner.

Into the second half and just after the hour David Ferguson inch’s perfect free-kick flew past Joe Day to make it 1-1.

But in added time, a long ball into the box was knocked down to Dom Telford who bundled his header into the net in front of their fans.

The win means Newport are three for three in the league under new manager James Rowberry whilst Hartlepool now sit three points outside the play-offs.

PLAYED FOR BOTH SIDES

Liam Noble:

In his one year at the club, Liam Noble helped FGR reach the Football League for the first time as he captained the side to the infamous play-off Final victory.

Noble also made over 50 appearances for the Pools a couple of seasons later, notching 13 league goals to be the clubs top scorer in the 2018-19 season.

The 30 year old currently plays for Morpeth Town in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

Denny Ingram:

Ingram is well-known amongst some of the older Hartlepool fans as he played between 1993 and 2001, making over 200 appearances and winning the young player of the season award.

His ventures with Rovers came in the early 2000’s where he played under Colin Addison for the year he was in GL6, scoring twice.

Now 45, he most recently managed Pickering Town but was relieved of his duties at the start of 2020.

Luke James:

The attacker began his career at Hartlepool and played more than 150 games over three spells at the club, the most recent of which ended in 2020.

The 27 year old only had a season in Nailsworth and scored just one goal, which came against Newport in the EFL Trophy.

James now plays for League Two Barrow, who Rovers take on next week as we return to The Fully Charged New Lawn.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This weekend will be the first time ever that Forest Green Rovers and Hartlepool have met in their respective histories.

The newly promoted Pools we’re relegated to the National League in 2017, ending their 96 year staying the Football League.

Rovers, on the other hand, took their place, as our National League play-off Final victory came in the same year.