History makers and familiar foes: The 6 new sides Hartlepool United will face in the 2026/27 National League
Hartlepool United will hope to challenge for promotion into the EFL in their first season under new head coach Lee Clark.
Hartlepool United are preparing for their first season under new head coach Lee Clark after the former Newcastle United and Sunderland midfielder was named as successor to former boss Nicky Featherstone last month.
Pools have already announced a number of departures from their playing squad and are currently working to add their first new signings of the summer after tying down midfielder Jack Hunter and forward Luke Charman on new deals over the last fortnight. The need to strengthen the squad Clark will work with throughout the campaign is clear to see after 13 players left the club in the aftermath of last season and a goalkeeper, centre back and a striker are expected to be at the top of the list of priorities ahead of the return to pre-season training later this month.
With a hectic period of recruitment lying in wait, a new look Pools squad is expected to be in place by the time the National League season gets underway in August - and they will face what feels like a wide-open division that has been boosted by the arrival of a number of highly ambitious clubs.
Two clubs have been relegated from the EFL and the two clubs promoted from the National League North will provide familiar opposition for Pools. However, the two sides promoted from the National League South are now preparing for their first ever season in non-league’s elite and will provide Clark and his players with a trip into the unknown. So who are the new sides taking their place in the National League?
Relegated from League Two
Harrogate Town
After gradually making their way from the Northern Premier League’s second tier into League Two over the last quarter of a century, the Sulphurites suffered a first relegation at any level since 1978 when they ended last season second from bottom in the League Two table. With long-serving manager Simon Weaver still at the helm and preparing for his 18th season in charge, Harrogate are expected to be in contention to bounce back at the first attempt and have already completed the signing of former Chesterfield midfielder Bailey Hobson. There is a familiar face in the Harrogate squad in the form of Lewis Cass, who helped Pools to promotion under Dave Challinor in 2021.
Barrow
Barrow have already rang the changes as they prepare for their first season in the National League since 2020 after appointing Kidderminster Harriers manager Adam Murray as their new boss just days after he guided Kidderminster Harriers into the top flight of the non-league game (more of that later!). He has already made his first addition of the summer after snapping up former Pools striker Alex Reid on a free transfer after his departure from the Prestige Group Stadium was confirmed.
Promoted from the National League North
AFC Fylde
The Coasters bounced back from relegation at the first attempt as they pipped South Shields to the National League North title on the final day of the season. A first signing of the summer was secured last month when they snapped up former Darlington striker Cedric Main and Craig Mahon is believed to be keen to add further new faces to his ranks before his side return to the National League in August.
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Kidderminster Harriers
It has been quite the month for the Harriers after they secured their place in the National League with a play-off final win at South Shields. However, it was all change after that as manager Adam Murray accepted an offer to take charge of newly-relegated Barrow just days after their win at Mariners Park. Paul Wotton has been named as Murray’s successor and he has handed a new deal to key man David Davis and made Torquay United attacking midfielder Callum Dolan and former Sunderland defender Ben Crompton his first two new signings since taking charge.
Promoted from the National League South
Worthing
In terms of historic promotions, few could have claimed to have surpassed Worthing’s achievement of securing a place in non-league’s top flight for the first time in their 140-year history when they were crowned as National League South champions last season. The Mackerel Men saw off the challenge of Hornchurch to top the table when the curtain came down on the campaign and former York City manager Adam Hinshelwood has already added Southend United midfielder Noor Husin and Slough Town’s Tyrique Clarke to his squad.
Hornchurch
After missing out on the National League South title on the final day of the season, Daryl McMahon’s Hornchurch matched Worthing’s achievement of securing a first ever promotion into the National League with a play-off final win against Torquay United just two weeks later. They have already announced plans to switch to full-time, professional status and are looking to oversee a number of improvements at their home stadium.
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