The 2022-23 campaign delivered ultimate heartbreak for Hartlepool United as The Monkey Hangers finished a crushing 23rd in League Two, resulting in an agonizing relegation back to the National League after a two-season stay. Amid a tumultuous season of managerial upheaval, forward Josh Umerah's 12 crucial league goals provided the brightest attacking spark. It was a dark, unforgettable year that ended in the loss of their Football League status and remains a painful but defining chapter of their modern history.