Mammoth away mileage confirmed for Hartlepool United's debut National League season

Delighted FC Halifax Town manager Billy Heath celebrates their weekend play-off final victory over Chorley at their MSI Stadium, formerly known as The Shay.

Poolie addicts already knew that the away mileage for the club's debut season in the Vanarama National League was going to exceed the 2016-17 total of 10.013 miles.

With play-offs completed at the weekend to both go up to and from the division, the final figure can be confirmed as 10,096 miles.

Pools will return to Tranmere Rovers after a three-season absence during 2017-18. Here winger Jack Compton takes a tumble during United's last visit in 2014.

It would have been much higher if it was not for Gloucestershire side Forest Green's promotion to League Two following their 3-1 National League play-off final victory over Tranmere Rovers.

Tranmere, a mere 342-mile round trip, will be joined in the division by relegated Pools and National League North play-off winners FC Halifax Town (206 miles there and back) and National League South victors Ebbsfleet United (540 miles return).

While Hartlepool have travelled repeatedly both to the Wirral and West Yorkshire to face Tranmere and Halifax respectively, they have never made the journey to Northfleet, in Kent, to face Ebbsfleet.

As we reported last week, only two trips, to Gateshead (60 miles) and Guiseley (148 miles), lie less than a 200-mile round-trip away.