Hartlepool had rearranged their home game with Scunthorpe earlier this season in an attempt to gain extra supporters on a Friday night before the traditional Christmas rush. Now they have agreed to move that game back to Saturday December 21 - but at a hefty price. Both United and Scunthorpe reluctantly agreed to pay out the whopping compensation payment - almost equal to the total gate receipts expected from the game - to allow their TV date to go ahead as planned. But a furious Courtenay believes Hartlepool exploited the situation for their own gain - and now plans to SNUB their directors when the New Year's Day fixture comes up at Victoria Park. That potentially explosive encounter will be attended by 950 fans from United who must buy their tickets in advance for the game that has a 1pm kick-off time on police advice. "I think it is disgusting," blasted Courtenay. "I feel we have been treated in an extortionate fashion. But what goes around comes around and if Hartlepool ever need a favour from us I hope they don't even bother ringing to ask because that will save them the embarrassment of being told to go away. Negotiations between the three clubs continued throughout Monday after Sky selected the replay for live TV coverage - a deal that nets both clubs £100,000 each. Carlisle and Scunthorpe offered £10,000 each and later £12,500 each - but Hartlepool wouldn't play ball. With five minutes to go before Sky's 5pm deadline for accepting the deal, they finally agreed to switch, but only on condition that both clubs paid out £25,000 from their TV windfalls. "Ourselves and Scunthorpe had no choice but to give them £50,000. We have been held to ransom," said Courtenay. The winners of the replay will get a bumper Third Round home tie with Premiership giants Leeds United, who are struggling down in 16th place after a woeful run of results under new boss Terry Venables. If the game is selected for another live TV appearance, the home side collects £265,000. The BBC have still got one match to select and it is thought they might be waiting on the outcome of the United-Scunthorpe replay before committing themselves. Courtenay chose to break the news of the compensation wrangle publicly here on the CUFC Online messageboard after rumours that Hartlepool were to receive a paymen surfaced earlier in the day. Nobody from Hartlepool United has commented yet. Picture from News & Star |
