‘Poise the cause in justice’s equal scales,
Whose beam stands sure, whose rightful cause prevails.’ William Shakespeare.
The Scales of Justice as a concept go back two and a half thousand years, but rarely are they employed as much as in football. Instead of a lifetime, it is a season; weighed and measured before it passes into history.
Before 2022-23 Barrovian souls weighed, we still had one last away trip to go, Hartlepool: monkey hanging and Mandelson- stags and ships. A coastal town with the football team rolling down the slipway into the choppy waters of The National League.
Buoyed by kindly provided Pete Wild buns, the bus was lively, cheery and looking forward to a stress free away day. Subjects covered; George Michael Karaoke, ‘Fun Buses’, Burton 2008, spillages and pyramid play-offs. It was also very early as we blazed across the country and landed in Billingham before midday.
There was a choice of a couple of pubs where we had plenty opportunity to settle down and enjoy a pre-match sup. Just reward for the 9134 league miles travelled this season. Subjects covered; cocktails, The Jam, real ale, cricket, neurodiversity and junior football.
Our wins and losses perfectly balanced, we greeted our arrival loudly at a subdued Victoria Park. And it was all going beautifully when Josh Gordon wriggled around the side of the box and fed Garner who slid the ball confidently home. Through the first half we went fairly happily until Hamilton stroked home from close range in a slightly static box. Ho-hum.
Half time. Another view of those scales of justice in the shape of the local police- who had clearly decided on the Judge Dredd method of policing robustly ejecting two supporters to widespread frustration, given this was a League 2 fixture at Hartlepool rather than a dystopian future Mega-City One.
Two characters in particular, one toting a Go-Pro like a Lawgiver were much to the fore. Perhaps, as they slipped into their superhero P-Jays and a Pinochet biography, they might reflect on whether they had acted justly, rather than actively goading fans. But I doubt it.
Another of those second half performances now beckoned as we popped on our flip flops, Speedos and shoved an inflatable under our arm, and strolled off to the beach. Pack your bags, and leave tonight- and some of them may have sleepwalked into that, judging from Peter Wild’s public reaction as an innocuous in swinger trundled in for 2-1.
Worse was to follow. Harrison Neal, brilliant last week, let his frustration get the better of him for the first booking then overstretched into a challenge and off he went- hopefully, to return next season, as on balance, his contribution has been good.
Hartlepool pressed ahead, looking to prolong their EFL agony. They hit the bar, went close with some neat interplay, then the ball arrived in the box. Ray and Warren glancing up from their sun loungers blearily as Jennings was left miles between them to smash the ball in. Three for the home side.
What was already fairly tragic then ended as farce, Paddy Brough, likely bound for the greener financial pastures of the career high contract, stupidly wrestled someone to the ground, there was then some playground pushing and rolling around and off he went. Nine men. Great.
Equally embarrassing were the three fully-grown Middlesboro morons who for reasons best known to themselves had made a flag depicting Chris Kamara to mock Jeff Stelling and Hartlepool, doubtless in the hope of drawing attention to their pointless existence and receiving a Twitter reach around and top ‘BANTER’ points. Just naff, really.
That was all enough for me and I wandered off at the final whistle for the buses, passing one of the Judge Dredd pair intent on provoking a reaction, as was the one who was rude to an eleven year old child trying to get on a bus. The away policing has been as inconsistent as the football and some of it has been awful, this was the worst, in my opinion.
On the pitch, however, was not… but it was close. On the scales next to Stevenage Away, Carlisle Away, Harrogate Away, Crewe Away, Tranmere at Home. Some awful football there.
But so many cracking days too: Stockport Away, Blackpool Away, Bradford Away, Mansfield Away, Crawley at home. And, as we rolled home for the final time this season, lots of brilliant memories.
On the scales, at the end of the road, must go the fact we have finished ninth in League 2. The best position in fifty years and some stability off it as Pete changes the squad, hopefully with that elusive and essential target man. An incredible home average crowd. Development to come. Brilliant, and massive kudos to a hard-working, honest management and players who have given us some great moments and put a right shift in.
Semper Sursum though- momentum is so important and our recent trajectory performance wise has contained plenty to concern too. Strange bouts of lassitude, switching off at crosses, not enough penetration. Work still to do.
Given it looks like the titanic struggle of the Lancashire Cup Final may be set for pre- season, one more step along the road we need. Promoted Stevenage roll into town and a good result and performance will send us into the summer in good heart. So let’s take it, to the limit, one more time next week.