In January 2026, Hartlepool United officially transitioned from Silver to the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award, making the club the national leader in the football pyramid for supporting the British Armed Forces community.
As a result of this, the club has moved beyond symbolic gestures towards implementing “forces friendly” HR policies that include guaranteeing interviews for veterans, while also providing an extra 10 days of paid leave for Reservists.
Furthermore, in the 2026 Parliamentary debate about non-league football, Hartlepool United was cited as being the “blueprint” for how a club is able to serve as a social anchor that proves its value far more than gate receipts.
More Than A Monday Drop-In
Located in the 1908 Bar at The Prestige Group Stadium, the Veterans Hub has gradually evolved into a full-time support centre; no longer being just a “coffee morning”, but a high-functioning environment that provides face-to-face support focused on transition.
In particular, the hub particularly targets the 12-month post-discharge window, understood to be the most critical for a veteran’s mental health. Through service banter, walking football and museum visits, this helps to build the “unit” structure that many veterans lose when leaving the military.
As well as this, the club now plays host to several key speakers from the Veterans Welfare Group and the NHS University Hospital Tees which offers direct pathways into healthcare careers and mental health rehabilitation.
The football club’s identity is now inextricably linked with the town’s military history, which is actually long and storied, dating back to WWI and WWII in which there was a considerable representation by the town.
This “Military Soul”, it seems, has helped to galvanise the fanbase which has led to a record-breaking “Military Appreciation” matchdays, with these also doubling as networking events for local service families.
Impact Of SROI
Meanwhile, under the new ownership of Landon Smith in 2026, the club has doubled down on the “Social Return on Investment”, (SROI), effectively making the argument that their community impact is a more stable asset in the long term than their league position.
It is suggested that Hartlepool’s success could well mean that future football regulation may just judge clubs based on their Social Return on Investment, which could be a proven indicator of wealth and/or value, due to the number of veterans they have helped back into work that ultimately contributes to the local community and makes a positive impact overall.
Essentially, Hartlepool United has proven itself to be a ‘model’ football club when it comes to the impact that it has from an SROI perspective and there is no doubt that they are making a positive impact.
Not only is it a worthwhile initiative, but it is clear that the whole club is completely behind this and it is something that, no doubt, will win hearts and minds around the country, especially those of other clubs, whether non-league or in the English Football League.
It is also the kind of initiative that gathers support from around the world if sensitively shared; the type that attracts investment, so this is a story that is certainly worth keeping an eye on.