Stadium ban prompts comic strip

Hartlepool won the Carling Cup clash 3-1

A newspaper has printed a Roy Of The Rovers-style comic strip instead of live action photographs after being banned from a football stadium.

The Northern Echo's pages feature the illustrated version of Hartlepool United's giant-killing Carling Cup victory over West Bromwich Albion.

The Darlington-based paper, together with the Hartlepool Mail, has been banned from Victoria Park.

The club is in dispute with the newspapers over commercial rights.

The row was sparked when the Hartlepool Mail refused to sign a commercial agreement with the club which the newspaper considered to be unfair.

It is very sad that the two newspapers which have given Hartlepool FC the most coverage should be treated in this way Northern Echo editor Peter Barron

The Mail's photographers are not allowed into the stadium, and reporters, who are denied press access, have been buying tickets and reporting from the terraces.

The Northern Echo was banned for supplying the Mail with pictures of recent matches and refusing to give a commitment not to do so in the future.

Writing in Wednesday's edition, editor of The Northern Echo Peter Barron said: "I have twice written to the club, proposing a meeting so we can try to find a constructive way forward but, sadly, the offer has not even been acknowledged.

"It is very sad that the two newspapers which have given Hartlepool FC the most coverage home and away for many years should be treated in this way."

Hartlepool United, who beat the Premiership side 3-1 after extra time in Tuesday night's game, have warned other newspapers not to co-operate with the two papers, according to the Northern Echo.

A spokesman for Hartlepool United declined to comment.