Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor and players discuss dream FA Cup opponents ahead of third round draw – Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Hull City mentioned

Hartlepool United will find out their FA Cup third round opponents live on BBC Two from 7pm this evening as a huge draw potentially awaits should they beat Exeter City.
Hartelpool United manager Dave Challinor with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.Hartelpool United manager Dave Challinor with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Hartelpool United manager Dave Challinor with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Pools boss Dave Challinor will be at the draw at the Etihad Stadium and is already eyeing up his dream opponents.

“Of course, Liverpool away would be great,” admitted the lifelong Reds fan.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“You’d love from a club perspective and I think I speak on behalf of Exeter as well a big Premier League tie away from home can be not only season changing but almost life changing for smaller clubs.

“We both want a huge tie which for me would be Liverpool but I wouldn’t be disappointed if it was Man United or Tottenham or Man City or one of them.

“I’m being a bit of a masochist wanting to go to one of those places and play a game against those sort of players but the opportunity to do that and the rewards for the club would be unbelievable. Fingers crossed we can see one of the big ones come out tonight.”

Nicky Featherstone’s stunner helped set-up the comeback to force a replay against Exeter.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And the midfielder is hoping to come up against one of his former sides as he said: “We’ve got a job to do still but for me personally it would be Hull City away or Manchester United away.

“Hull was where my career started so it would be great to go back there and Man United is my boyhood club that I supported growing up.”

Defender Michael Raynes made his 30th FA Cup appearance on Sunday and would like to return to his native north west should Pools progress to round three.

“I’d want any of the Manchester ones,” said the Manchester United fan.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“United would be perfect but even City though I’d need about 1,000 tickets to get everyone from home there abusing me! That would be my dream.

“I haven’t had too many big draws in the FA Cup but in the League Cup I’ve played at Anfield, Everton at home and a few all right ones over the years so I’ve not done too bad really!”