Let’s hope Rovers hit the ground running this coming season

As I have mentioned before, at First Team Physiotherapy we are connected with a number of clubs and grassroots teams doing a fantastic job of developing talent across the town.

At The Friarage, our headquarters, the Rovers Colts finished last season strongly. 

There will be a big influx of talent into the senior squad before the new campaign. Hopefully, the young players will be blooded in by then, paving the way for an exciting season ahead in a new, albeit controversial, league structure.

Things are changing, but from my end, I am not a fan of Rovers’ first team having to come up against a number of clubs’ second teams (such as Billingham, Mowden Park, and West Hartlepool) in Level 8.

It’s hugely important that Rovers attack that league and climb out of it after a promising pre-season. They will have plenty of work to do with Dan Charters in the gym next to my clinic, so hopefully, they hit the ground running.

Off the field, things are moving in the right direction with new changing room facilities. It’s such a brilliant, traditional club, and it would be fantastic to see this progress followed by bringing the glory days back on the pitch.

While on the rugby theme, massive congratulations to another of our partners, Hartlepool Old Boys, on winning the Durham Intermediate Cup. 

First Team Physiotherapy’s Nathan Cross covers their games and holds a Wednesday clinic. From his point of view, it has been a great first season in rugby, and our partnership will only flourish.

As I sit writing this column, I’m looking out the window at Hornby Park, watching Seaton Carew FC’s new Northern League team run the bleep test. 

It was amazing to see them become Wearside League champions last season. They are a club I have a strong partnership with. I was rooting for them all year – and I can’t wait to see how far they climb up the pyramid.

I am sure that, with Stevie Cockrill and Steve Salvin driving things with their passion and dedication, the journey will be amazing. 

That praise extends to the volunteers, the committee, and everyone at Hornby Park across the rugby, cricket and social sections. There was also a long list of sides in the juniors’ and girls’ sections who enjoyed massive success, so a huge congratulations to them.

Moving onto Pools Youth, exciting times are ahead. I don’t want to tempt fate, but I think they will make a strong case for being the third Northern League side from the town in the next few years. 

We waited years for a Northern League team, and now following FC Hartlepool’s recent rise, we have two – and could easily have three. 

Congratulations to all the Pools Youth teams who won titles, including the White Under-15s who gained promotion, with my stepson, Charlie Hall, playing too!

Another club under our umbrella with exciting times ahead is St Francis. They have Sunday senior teams, an Over-40s side, and numerous juniors. We do group sessions with them, and congratulations to all their cup-winning squads.

Sport in the town is booming. When Hartlepool United aren’t playing, head down to Hornby Park to watch Seaton Carew or get down to Tech for some Wearside League action.

Speaking of Pools, how great was it to see striker Jordan Hugill sign back at Hartlepool United? 

I had a small part to play in him joining during the “Great Escape” season and we have stayed in touch. It was brilliant to see him secure an £8m move to West Ham and now, at 34, we get him back at the Vic. 

Hopefully, he can make a huge difference with his experience and quality!