Hartlepool United National League season preview: Transfer business, friendly review & how rivals are shaping up
Hartlepool United will host Barrow on the opening day of the National League season this weekend.
The mood surrounding Hartlepool United is overwhelmingly positive as the new National League season draws ever closer.
There are just days to go until the campaign gets underway with an intriguing home clash against recently relegated Barrow as Lee Clark’s side face an immediate test of their promotion credentials against a visiting side that are expected to challenge for an immediate return to League Two.
Pools’ preparations for the season have produced some eye-catching performances and results and Clark’s men appear to be heading into their head coach’s first competitive fixture in charge with some serious momentum behind them. But where do Pools stand ahead of the new season and could they bring an end to their absence from the EFL during the campaign?
What transfer business have Hartlepool United completed during the summer?
It has been the most hectic summer in living memory for Pools and one that has got supporters excited for the new season. The departure of 13 players in the aftermath of what was a disappointing season last time out ensured there would be a lot of work for Clark and head of recruitment Chris Beech to oversee during their first summer at The Vic. They have not disappointed with the recent signings of goalkeeping duo Nathan Fisher and Max Merrick taking the total number of new arrivals to 13.
That all kicked off with the signing of experienced striker Jordan Hugill and further attacking additions followed in the shape of Will Harris, Chris Popov, Terry Bondo and Jack Nolan. The defensive ranks have been strengthened with a permanent deal for former loan signing Cameron John and the arrivals of Liam Gibson, Neo Eccleston and the highly-rated Charlie Penman and Owen Hampson will hope to challenge for a place in Clark’s midfielder. The Pools boss will hope former Spennymoor Town man Corey McKeown and Brooklyn Ilunga can also shine during their first season at The Vic.
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How have Hartlepool United fared during pre-season?
Clark has overseen a methodical approach to his first season in charge and one that has been overwhelmingly positive. The pre-season fixtures got underway with Chris Popov marking his debut with a brace in a 3-0 win at Northern League newcomers Seaton Carew. That was followed by a 4-2 win at Northern Premier League club Redcar Athletic that was secured thanks to goals from Terry Bondo, Max Kouogun, Josh Donaldson and Neo Eccleston on a bruising night at Green Lane.
Pools then overcame National League North opposition with a 2-1 victory at Spennymoor Town and a 3-2 win at Hebburn Town before they suffered their only defeat of the summer with a 3-0 home loss against League Two side Grimsby Town on a day where the promising performance did not match the result. However, Clark’s side bounced back to see off EFL opposition at the weekend as Corey McKeown’s late strike edged out Fleetwood Town at Victoria Park.
Which clubs are expected to challenge for the National League title?
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Make no doubt about it, Pools are firmly in the conversation when it comes to National League title contenders and have been widely discussed as challengers for promotion. However, they are far from alone with several other clubs tipped to be in the mix. Carlisle United are the early favourites to take top place and secure promotion into League Two following the appointment of former Gateshead manager Rob Elliot. The former Republic of Ireland international has boosted the squad he inherited from Mark Hughes with the additions of the likes of Kenton Richardson, Brad Nicholson, Miguel Azeez and Toby Mullarkey.
Last season’s beaten play-off finalists Boreham Wood have experienced a surprisingly quiet summer - although their hopes could rest upon their ability to hold on to key man Abdul Abdulmalik after they reportedly rejected two offers of around £1m from Swedish club Djugardens for the highly-rated winger. The appointment of former Newcastle United star Kieron Dyer and several eye-catching signings have boosted Southend United’s chances of securing a return to the EFL and newly-relegated Harrogate Town and Barrow are also considered to be amongst the frontrunners - although a lot will depend on how they adapt upon their return to the always unpredictable National League.
Forest Green Rovers and Scunthorpe United landed a play-off place last season and both clubs have enjoyed productive summer transfer windows that they hope will catapult them into the top seven mix once again. In terms of dark horses for the promotion race, Yeovil Town ended last season in the bottom half of the table but they have quietly gone about their business during the summer with the likes of Doncaster Rovers midfielder Zain Westbrooke and Southend United centre-back Joe Gubbins both joining the Glovers. Sutton United have also been discussed as one side that could gatecrash the top seven battle after new manager Chris Agutter added Manchester City’s highly-rated goalkeeper Spike Brits and experienced duo Emmanuel Osabebe and Jordan Moore-Taylor to his squad.
National League opening day fixtures (3pm kick-off unless stated)
AFC Fylde v Wealdstone, Altrincham v Southend United, Boreham Wood v Tamworth, Boston United v Aldershot Town, Carlisle United v Worthing, Eastleigh v Gateshead, Forest Green Rovers v FC Halifax Town, Harrogate Town v Solihull Moors, Hartlepool United v Barrow, Hornchurch v Kidderminster Harriers, Scunthorpe United v Yeovil Town, Woking v Sutton United.
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