Centre-half Nelson made his Pool debut at Posh on the opening day of the 2003-04 season and celebrated with a stunning long-range strike to seal a dramatic 4-3 win for his side.

Ritchie Humphreys was also involved that day, but in a midfield role rather than the left-back position he occupies now. Humphreys started his career at Sheffield Wednesday after winning English youth caps and also spent a brief spell at Cambridge United.

The veteran once broke his leg playing for Cambridge, but his recovery has been such that he soon embarked on a run of 286 consecutive appearances for Pool.

Hartlepool also enjoyed a high scoring win at London Road in the 2006-07 season when midfielder Gary Liddle netted twice in a 5-3 win.

Liddle, a former Middlesbrough player, should be in action tomorrow, probably alongside Richie Jones, a midfielder who started his career at Manchester United.

Goalkeeper Arran Lee-Barrett appears to have won the duel with Danish giant Jan Budtz for the number one jersey. Lee-Barrett was signed last season from Coventry City.

Right-back Jamie McCunnie played in the 2007 Scottish FA Cup Final for Dunfermline, while winger Andy Monkhouse finished on the winning side in his first eight appearances for Pool.

Aussie striker Joel Porter was outstanding in the Carling Cup win over West Brom on Tuesday night.


Did you know?

CURRENT squad member David Foley became the youngest ever Hartlepool player when making his debut at the age of 16 years and 105 days in 2003.

HARTLEPOOL were formed in 1921, but the club have never played in the top two divisions of the Football League.