Hartlepool United handed tough home test on National League opening day

Lee Clark will officially kick off his Hartlepool United managerial reign with a Victoria Park clash against Alex Reid’s Barrow in one of the fixture of the opening day of the National League season.

The former Newcastle United and Sunderland midfielder has enjoyed a promising summer of recruitment as his squad has been bolstered by the arrival of the likes of FC Halifax Town striker Will Harris, experienced frontman Jordan Hugill and former Morecambe duo Chris Popov and Jack Nolan. That has raised expectations Pools could be in the mix for promotion into the EFL during what already feels like an exciting season for the club.

However, the release of the National League fixtures on Friday morning confirmed Clark’s new-look squad will go head-to-head with a Barrow side looking to bounce back from suffering relegation from League Two last season. They will travel to The Vic on Saturday, August 8, with Clark’s first away game coming with a long trip to Aldershot Town seven days later.

Other notable fixtures include a mid-November trip to the International Stadium to face Lee Cattermole’s Gateshead, a Boxing Day home clash with Boston United and a long trip to face National League newcomers Hornchurch on the first Saturday of the new year. The Easter weekend offers an eye-catching prospect with a Good Friday home game against Carlisle United before a return fixture at Boston 72 hours later. Pools final home game of the campaign comes against Yeovil Town on Saturday, April 17 before the season is rounded off with a trip to face Kieron Dyer’s Southend United a week later.

Hartlepool United’s 2026/27 National League fixtures

Sat Aug 8 Barrow H

Sat Aug 15 Aldershot Town A

Wed Aug 19 National League Cup 1

Sat Aug 22 Sutton United A

Fri Aug 28 Eastleigh H

Mon Aug 31 FC Halifax Town A

Sat Sep 5 Woking H

Wed Sep 9 National League Cup 2

Fri Sep 11 Kidderminster Harriers A

Wed Sep 16 Altrincham A

Sat Sep 19 Worthing H Emirates FA Cup 2Q

Sat Sep 26 Scunthorpe United A

Tue Sep 29 Harrogate Town H

Sat Oct 3 Tamworth H Emirates FA Cup 3Q

Sat Oct 10 Forest Green Rovers A

Wed Oct 14 National League Cup 3

Sat Oct 17 Emirates FA Cup 4Q

Sat Oct 24 Hornchurch H

Tue Oct 27 AFC Fylde A

Sat Oct 31 Boreham Wood A

Wed Nov 4 National League Cup 4

Sat Nov 7 Emirates FA Cup 1

Sat Nov 14 Wealdstone H Isuzu FA Trophy 2

Sat Nov 21 Gateshead A

Wed Nov 25 Solihull Moors H

Sat Nov 28 Southend United H

Sat Dec 5 Yeovil Town A Emirates FA Cup 2

Tue Dec 8 Forest Green Rovers H

Sat Dec 12 Isuzu FA Trophy 3

Sat Dec 19 Tamworth A

Sat Dec 26 Boston United H Boxing Day

Mon Dec 28 Carlisle United A

Sat Jan 2 Hornchurch A

Sat Jan 9 AFC Fylde H Emirates FA Cup 3

Sat Jan 16 Isuzu FA Trophy 4

Wed Jan 20 National League Cup Quarter Final

Sat Jan 23 Aldershot Town H

Tue Jan 26 Solihull Moors A

Sat Jan 30 Barrow A

Sat Feb 6 Gateshead H Isuzu FA Trophy 5

Wed Feb 10 National League Cup Semi Final

Sat Feb 13 Scunthorpe United H Emirates FA Cup 4

Tue Feb 16 Harrogate Town A

Sat Feb 20 Worthing A

Tue Feb 23 Altrincham H

Sat Feb 27 Sutton United H

Sat Mar 6 Eastleigh A Emirates FA Cup 5 / Isuzu FA Trophy 6

Wed Mar 10 FC Halifax Town H

Sat Mar 13 Woking A

Wed Mar 17 National League Cup Final

Sat Mar 20 Kidderminster Harriers H

Fri Mar 26 Carlisle United H

Mon Mar 29 Boston United A

Sat Apr 3 Boreham Wood H Emirates FA Cup 6 / Isuzu FA Trophy Semi Final

Sat Apr 10 Wealdstone A

Sat Apr 17 Yeovil Town H

Sat Apr 24 Southend United A Emirates FA Cup Semi Final

Sun May 16 Isuzu FA Trophy Final

Sat May 22 Emirates FA Cup Final

Fixtures are subject to change. Compiled in association with Atos.

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