MY LIFEIN RUGBY
THE FORMER WEST HARTLEPOOL PLAYER, CAPTAIN AND COACH, WHO ALSO REPRESENTED DURHAM, THE NORTH AND BRITISH POLICE
JOHN STABLER

Regular guy: John Stabler was Hartlepool born and bred
PICTURE: Pete Jenkins

I’M Hartlepool born and bred and grew up on a council estate three-quarters of a mile from West’s old ground, Brierton Lane. We had a strong colts team, and about three or four of us school mates went up into the first team together and had the time of our lives. It was a great place to be, like a family, yet we used to play in the Premiership. I know...