Hartlepool United's new National League rivals confirm full-time move
There was a major announcement from one of Hartlepool United's new National League rivals earlier this week.
Hartlepool United will face some familiar foes in next season’s National League after Barrow and Harrogate Town were relegated from League Two and AFC Fylde were promoted from the National League North.
There will also be a reunion with Kidderminster Harriers as the two sides face for the first time since Pools duo Darrell Clarke and Eifion Williams scored in a 2-2 draw in a Division Three fixture in April 2003. However, two new opposition will arrive from the National League South as champions Worthing and play-off winners Hornchurch prepare to compete in the National League for the first time in their history.
The latter of that duo have experienced some major success in recent seasons after lifting the FA Trophy with a shock 3-1 win against Hereford in 2021 before Daryl McMahon’s side landed a first ever promotion into step one with a 3-2 win in their play-off final meeting with Torquay United earlier this month. The Urchins have already revealed they have held discussions with the London Borough of Havering Council over plans to redevelop their home stadium and have warned the capacity may ‘differ from game-to-game’ as developments take place.
Speaking to the club’s official website earlier this week, Hornchurch chairman Alex Sharp also confirmed his club will make a bold move towards a full-time professional model as they prepare for a first ever season in non-league football’s top tier.
He said: “The National League is professional football. From our level, we’ll be moving to a full-time model next season, which is a bit of a shock to the system. It means full-time training, it means that we’ll be doing a lot more travel and overnight stays in this league as well. We need to give ourselves the best possible chance of success in the league. Off the field I think we need to match that professionalism that we’re going to see when we go to Carlisle, when we go to Southend and some of these big, well-established clubs in the National League.”
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