The Joker's Bet of the Day: Friday September 4

The Joker's bet of the day / The Joker / 04 September 2009 / Leave a Comment

A tip from the Joker to get your betting day under way...

What an excellent place Hartlepool is. Isambard Kingdom Brunel, second only to Russ Abbot in the Joker's voting for 100 Greatest Britons, noted its 'remarkably fine race of men' in 1831. He must have known about their terrific contribution to the Napoleonic Wars. A French ship was wrecked off the coast of Hartlepool. The only survivor was a monkey, which was dressed in uniform (one of the better examples of Gallic humour). Unsure as to whether or not the simian was a Frenchman, the Hartlepudlians put it on trial. Its refusal to answer any of their questions earned it the death penalty and it was hanged from the mast of a local ship.

And that's why Hartlepool United fans are the 'Monkey Hangers'. They should go to Oldham in high spirits this evening. They're unbeaten in three league and cup away games so far this season. Meanwhile, their hosts have a couple of draws and an LDV Vans defeat to Accrington Stanley to show for their efforts at Boundary Park.

Recommendation: Lay Oldham at [2.08] to beat Hartlepool