College Rebuilds Community’s Centenary Wall

Here at Hartlepool College of Further Education, we were proud to see two of our own, Lee Boyd and Andy O’Brien, step up to help repair the beloved Centenary Wall at the Prestige Group Stadium in time for the new season.

Last October, fierce storms damaged the Wall, which holds deep emotional significance for many Hartlepool United supporters. Understanding how much this memorial means to the community, we knew it was important to get involved.

Lee and Andy, both dedicated members of our brickwork team and huge Pools fans, meticulously replaced the damaged brick slips, ensuring the Wall was restored to its former glory.

As John Cartwright, our Head of Business Growth and Skills, expressed: “Through our strong partnership with Hartlepool United, we were happy to lend a hand in restoring the Centenary Wall. The brick slips are full of people’s sentimental memories, with tributes that are cherished by so many. It’s fantastic to see the Wall restored near the away entrance at the ground.” John added, “Andy and Lee did an exceptional job, not only installing new brick slips but also carefully cleaning and securing the undamaged ones. The Wall looks great once again, standing proud as ever.”

We also received tremendous support from Intaglio Creative, who generously provided replacement bricks free of charge. Kevin O’Brien, the director, despite being based in Merseyside, has strong family ties to Hartlepool and played a key role in facilitating this donation. This restoration project is a true testament to our community spirit, ensuring that the Centenary Wall continues to stand as a cherished memorial for generations to come.

Rose Stoker, Hartlepool United’s Commercial and Operations Director, shared her delight at the Wall's restoration and praised our collaborative effort. Rose said: “We’re delighted to restore our Centenary Wall back to its former state following the horrible weather conditions last October. The Wall holds huge emotional and sentimental significance to the Club and fans alike – a place with the names of many fans, former players, and managers recorded for families and supporters to pay their respects since 2008.Our strong partnership with Hartlepool College of Further Education enabled us to rebuild the Wall smoothly and efficiently. A huge thank you also goes to Kevin from Intaglio Creative, who immediately approached us after the damage to offer their services to replace all damaged bricks, free of charge. Although Kevin is based in Merseyside, his wife’s family hails from Hartlepool. The team has done a fantastic job, and we’re glad to have repaired such a valuable and treasured display among supporters. We would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and dedication.”

The beloved brick slips on the Centenary Wall were victims of the ferocious gales brought by Storm Babet. Many of the brick slips were brought crashing down when gusts of up to 50mph, along with heavy rain, hit the region. Thanks to our collective efforts and the support of our partners, the Wall now stands restored, continuing to serve as a symbol of shared memories and community pride.