By Albatross/John McQue
November 3 2005

The Poolie Pride single comes out on 7th November: and as the second part of the story of how it became a reality explains, the actual recording had been the easy part. However, where there's a will there's a way....

John McQue continues his account of how a throwaway post on a Message Board lead to 50 or more Hartlepool United fans recording a CD Single in an effort to break the charts and raise a few bob for good causes - or, as Mike Smash would have said, "Charidee." When we left the tale, everything was going swimmingly: of course, things are never quite as straightforward as they seem.....

"Dead easy this record lark isn’t it?

Alas no. Suddenly we run into a major problem: Woolworths and WH Smiths are contracted to Entertainment UK, a music and video distribution company. Despite jumping through every one of their hoops they simply did not want us stepping onto their turf. Local store management tried to help but they ran up against the same internal procedures. In effect the major distributors have the market tied up in contracts and unless they are making huge wads from a music project they just don’t want to know. They are supported in this by the major record labels who are in turn contracted to a few large distributors. In short, the market is sewn up tight. At that stage the music chart side of the project was looking grim. It was not quite dead in the water but it was hardly leaping like a salmon.

Step forward our knights in shining armour; Asda and Music Zone. Both these stores run their own distribution and can do what they like. We approached them and they agreed to sell the record. Phew !!!

So here we are, release date is 7th November 2005. Posters are being displayed on every spare inch of Hartlepool, and the CD is ready to go. The Mail will ramp up publicity the week leading up to the day of release (did I mention 7th November) and quite a few other events are planned to promote the CD.

It has been an interesting ride, not always an easy one. We’ve had our falling outs and our arguments. But in the end we got there through everyone having a common goal and the willingness to put time and effort into making this a success. We’ve done all we can to create a chart record made by Hartlepool people for Hartlepool people; now its up to you to finish the job by buying a copy."

Thanks John! So, how can you get hold of a copy of this remarkable record? Well, Asda and Music Zone in Hartlepool will both be stocking it; for any Yakkers, you can also find it as Asda's branch in Peterlee. Anyone further afield need not despair either: Music Zone have agreed to make it available through their Mail Order Service, so even the exiles can order a copy. Contact Music Zone on Contact Music Zone on 0870 6000646 (opening hours Mon - Fri 0900-1730hrs) to order a copy - all major credit and debit cards accepted, and cheques too!

All money raised is to be split 50/50 between the Soundwaves Project, and Hartlepool United's Youth Development Programme.