A weekly newspaper has been slapped with a “totally unexpected” ban by its patch’s main football club.

The Hartlepool Mail has been told its Hartlepool United writer Joe Ramage he will not be allowed to report from the press box at the club’s Victoria Park stadium and is also barred from covering matches from the terraces as a paying spectator.

United informed the Mail of the ban by letter shortly after the club’s relegation from League Two, English football’s fourth tier, in May.

At the club’s request, the Mail kept the decision a secret in the hope of having it overturned prior to the forthcoming season.

However, despite “cordial” discussions taking place between the two parties, club chairman Raj Singh confirmed on Friday morning that the decision would not be reversed prior to United’s first home pre-season friendly against Middlesbrough that day.

The ban does not extend to away games and the Mail says it is “confident that we can maintain our unrivalled coverage of the club during what we hope will be a successful season”.

Explaining the situation to readers, editor Gavin Ledwith, pictured, said: “The letter was totally unexpected because the club had not indicated to us that there was a problem in the first place.

“Nor have they outlined with concrete evidence exactly what that apparent problem is.

“If there was indeed an ongoing issue then surely it would have been beneficial to both sides for the club to have raised it with us as it was supposedly escalating?

“In my view, Joe Ramage worked tirelessly in covering a disappointing season in a thorough and fair manner and no-one has contacted the Mail to tell us otherwise until after that same season was over and relegation was confirmed.

“As it is, we are now in a situation which is not in the Hartlepool Mail’s interests, not in the fans’ interests, not in the club’s interests or indeed those of their sponsors and advertisers.”

Confirming the Mail aims to “continue discussions” with the club, Gavin added: “We could go into greater detail about the conversations we have had with the club and criticise them at length for their unjust decision.

“But that is all unlikely to resolve the situation any time soon.

“The Mail has loyally covered Hartlepool United home and away since the club were founded back in 1908.

“We have publicised rescue attempts when Pools have floundered financially and helped organise public meetings in the past to drum up much-needed support for them.

“We have no intention of deserting them, their fans or our readers because of this ban and remain confident that we can eventually reach an agreement for it to be rescinded.”

HTFP has approached Hartlepool United for a response.