IN their hundreds and thousands Hartlepool United supporters descended on Wales yesterday to turn Cardiff into a glorious sea of blue and white - with a hint of red.

Never before, in the club's 97-year history, have the people of Hartlepool experienced anything like it and they turned out in force to taste the flavour of an historic play-off final in League One.

Sleeping South Yorkshire giants Sheffield Wednesday may have had more than 40,000 fans inside the magnificent Millennium Stadium, but it was the little North-East town - with a population of about 90,000 and an average home attendance of just over 5,000 - that can feel so proud this morning, despite the disappointment of the result.

An incredible 16,500 fans made the 550-mile round trip to Cardiff to witness Pool, so often the laughing stock of the Football League in previous years, revel in the big time and come so close to the Championship.

Town Mayor Stuart Drummond, made famous up and down the country for wearing the club's monkey mascot suit before being voted in, was one of those determined not to miss the unforgettable occasion.

"It's the greatest day in the club's history. It's unbelievable to see how the town has reacted and I'm so proud," he said.

The Hartlepool players were well dressed for the occasion.

Resplendent in their new suits, ties, shirts and blue and white buttonholes. And, having been forced to wear their away strip yesterday afternoon, it was the men in red shirts that the Hartlepool followers turned their attention to for kick-off.

The dream of being just nine months outside the Premiership maybe over, after Pool lost 4-2 in extra-time, but it will remain in the memory of those there for many a year.

Lifelong fan Adam Palmer, who had stayed like so many others in Bristol on Saturday night, said: "A truly magical moment and to think that Hartlepool United had that many at the Millennium Stadium is fantastic.

"We sang from start to finish and I will never forget it.

"I had a lump in my throat for nearly all of the day and it will live long in the memory.

"For this club to come within a whisker of the Championship is amazing."

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