A new book has been published to document the story of Hartlepool United's Intermediates youth team, a historically overlooked but vital chapter in the club's development. The team, formed in 1977 by manager Billy Horner and Kenny Sutheran, produced a host of future professional talent.
Dave Sutheran, the 64-year-old son of founder Kenny Sutheran, wrote 'Hartlepool United Intermediates 1977-1986'. He said he felt compelled to record the story. "I thought ‘I’m going to record this’," Sutheran said. "To me it’s a gem of a story that’s just been brushed under the carpet."
The Intermediates won the Northern Intermediate League in the 1980/81 season, becoming the only Fourth Division club to achieve that feat. Funded initially by a £50 league registration fee and local businesses, the team competed against youth sides from clubs like Newcastle United and Sunderland. It evolved into the modern Hartlepool United youth academy.
From its ranks came 31 local players who graduated to the first team. Notable products include Andy Linighan, who later scored the winning goal for Arsenal in the 1993 FA Cup final, and Keith Houchen, an FA Cup winner with Coventry City in 1987. Mark Venus, another graduate, captained Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Phil Brown went on to manage Hull City.
The book is priced at £20 and is limited to 250 copies. Sutheran, who is semi-retired, described the project simply. "It’s a good story," he said.
This look at the club's past comes as the current Hartlepool side sits 15th in the National League with nine points from seven games. Their recent form shows one win and four defeats from the last five outings, a run fans can track on the club's fixtures page. The legacy of the Intermediates' local production line remains a model as the club builds its future squad.
Further reading: Hartlepool Mail
