Hartlepool United news round-up: Niko Muir joins Hampton and Richmond Borough, pre-season friendly at Gateshead to be live streamed and National League title odds

The 27-year-old forward has joined National League South side Hampton and Richmond Borough permanently following a promising loan spell from Pools last season.

Muir joined Hartlepool after netting 40 goals under Gary McCann at Hendon during the 2017-18 campaign. He ended his time at Pools having scored six goals in 45 appearances over two seasons.

Now he’s teaming up with the current Hampton manager McCann for the fourth time in his career.

"Of course I know Gary very well and it's unfinished business,” Muir told the Hampton and Richmond club website.

“I’ve come here to get the play-offs or even better win the league. We've got to aim high. I strongly believe only because of corona did we not make the play-offs (last season) and we've got the same bulk of players.”

“I see him not just as a manager but a friend. He helps me out massively with my personal life so I love repaying him by scoring goals on the pitch which makes him happy!"

In other news, Hartlepool United’s pre-season friendly match at Gateshead on Saturday, September 26 (3pm kick-off) is set to be live-streamed online.

Gateshead are running a £5 pay per view option on their pre-season home matches that will take place behind closed doors at the International Stadium next month. Further details and a link to purchase will be made available via the Gateshead FC club website ahead of the game.

The match is Pools’ only scheduled pre-season friendly to be announced so far though additional fixtures against Blyth Spartans and Spennymoor United are likely to be confirmed.

And as clubs across the country prepare for the new season, the bookmakers' odds have landed with Pools among the pre-season title favourites in the National League.

Dave Challinor’s side are currently priced at 12/1 for the title, with only Notts County, Stockport County (both 9/2) and Yeovil Town (8/1) available at shorter odds with Betway.

Newly promoted Weymouth are the outsiders to win the fifth tier at 200/1 while Kings Lynn Town are available at 66/1 to claim a third successive promotion.

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Hartlepool Mail website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here. Thank you.