It has become a tradition for Hartlepool fans to raise quizzical eyebrows at train stations the length and breadth of England ahead of their final away fixture of the season.
This is because supporters settle on a fancy dress theme beforehand and then make their way to the match in their droves, with Stormtroopers, Smurfs, penguins and Oompa Loompas among the weird and wonderful theme in previous years.
This year they chose "clowns," leading to some very confusing scenes at the local station on the morning of Pool's National League trip to Tranmere.
Plenty of Clowning about at 7am at Hartlepool Train Station going to Tranmere 🤣 pic.twitter.com/mhSXIkP9KK
— John Rooke (@poolsla) April 28, 2018
Of course, being a train full of clowns, it was not long before the custard pie-related tomfoolery began in earnest.
Clowning around already 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/JrYn9kvodN
— Elliott Hogg (@Official_Hogg) April 28, 2018
Amid all the fun and frolics, it should not be forgotten that Hartlepool are still desperately in need of points in order to prevent a second successive relegation.
Here is hoping they manage to pull off a result against Tranmere, if only because we could not stand to see a stadium full of weeping clowns at full-time.
