The Monkey's Uncle to deliver fresh, independent coverage of Hartlepool United on CounterPress
Hang about, what's this? A new independent media title dedicated to the trials and tribulations of Hartlepool United? Yes, it is. And it's coming very, very soon.
The Monkey's Uncle promises a fresh approach to intelligent, in-depth local reporting on events at Victoria Park.
The site will be steered by Robbie Stelling, until last month the Pools correspondent for the Hartlepool Mail.
With the Mail opting to eliminate Robbie's role in a restructure, there was a very strong possibility that Hartlepool were set to be without a dedicated external reporter covering the club regularly in print.
However, by teaming up with CounterPress, Robbie is ensuring he can continue to provide a steady service of breaking news, insightful analysis, and engaging features to the local community.
Robbie's association with Hartlepool stretches beyond the professional, and his family are longstanding Pools supporters.
Under his guidance, The Monkey's Uncle will provide an intimate, fan-first product which will inform and entertain in equal measure.
He said: "I am so thrilled to be partnering with the dedicated, innovative and forward thinking team at CounterPress.
"From our very first conversation, it was clear to me that our vision and values aligned and I can't wait to get going.
"As a lifelong Hartlepool United fan, I know how much the club matters to the people who live in the town - as well as those who follow Pools across the globe.
"I'm determined to provide fans with news, opinion and insight that reflects what's important to them as Pools attempt to return to the Football League.
"With The Monkey's Uncle, I'll chart the highs and lows of life at Hartlepool United as Pools begin an exciting new era under Landon Smith, working hard to cover what matters most to supporters.
"During my time living in the town while covering Pools for the Hartlepool Mail, I came to understand that football really is a way of life for Poolies who live and breathe their club, travelling the length and breadth of the country to support their team - that's what makes this new project so important to me.
"Hartlepool United remains the heartbeat of the town and fans deserve coverage that shines a light on the important issues and reflects their own unique passion and unrivalled commitment - that's what I'm determined to provide.
"Throughout the last two years, which, at times, were really challenging on a personal and professional level, I was blown away by the support of Pools fans and I'm delighted to have the chance to continue this journey with them into the new season and beyond."
Early interest is open from May 1, with all who sign up to the mailing list ahead of the big launch set to benefit to considerable discounts on membership.
The Monkey's Uncle will go live on June 19.
So don't hang around, make sure you sign up to The Monkey's Uncle's early interest mailing list from May 1, and get ready for a new era of Pools coverage.
CounterPress co-founder Sam Morshead said: "Robbie is a talented, erudite, energetic young journalist who has done an excellent job providing independent coverage of Hartlepool in sometimes challenging circumstances over the past two years.
"We are delighted to be able to support him in continuing that role with The Monkey's Uncle, and I'd urge any Pools fans who want well-sourced, well-written, well-considered local journalism on their club to back Robbie as he gets set.
"Going out on your own shows a degree of entrepreneurial spirit which we fully endorse in our partner journalists."
The site is the latest in a string of titles covering English football, whose editors are choosing to partner with CounterPress.
Other clubs with dedicated outlets on the network include Swindon Town (The Moonraker), Bromley (From Bromley With Love), Leicester City (For Fox Sake), and Plymouth Argyle (The New Pilgrim).
The Sixty Six, covering the England men's football team, is currently free to all in the lead-up to the World Cup.
Further sites covering Brighton & Hove Albion (The Brighton Base), and Wycombe Wanderers (The Quartermen) are in early interest ahead of June launches.
CounterPress is expecting to announce a series of further Premier League and EFL titles over the course of the spring and early summer.
Be a part of change.
Sam Morshead
Co Founder
Are you ready for journalism's new future? Get in touch today to find out how CounterPress can work for you.