Hartlepool United's pre-season friendlies, start date and opponents revealed as Dave Challinor confirms north east tour against Gateshead, Spennymoor United and Blyth Spartans

With the competitive season due to start on October 3, Dave Challinor’s side have returned to training and are set to take to the pitch for friendly matches from Friday, September 11.

Pools are looking to play six friendlies in total with just one being officially announced so far. The side are set to face North East neighbours Gateshead at the International Stadium on Saturday, September 26 (3pm kick-off).

In the weeks building up to that match, Hartlepool are set to tour the North East’s non-league scene with matches against Spennymoor United and Blyth Spartans also set to take place, though no official kick-off dates have been confirmed.

Potential matches against Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough’s under-23s sides could also be lined up.

All matches will take place behind closed doors due to the restrictions regarding spectators in stadiums due to Covid-19 protocol.

Discussing friendlies, Challinor told The Mail: “We’ve got a few in, we’re going to start our first game on Friday, 11 September and from there we’re looking to play six games in the three weeks before the competitive season starts.

"I think all of them are going to be local games and I’m unsure if we’re going to play a home game at The Vic.

"We’ll have to say, we may end up playing one just to see how it will work logistically as a practice run in preparation for a league game.

"But with no crowds allowed in, most of our games will be local and away from home.

"We’ve only had one game announce officially yet but we’ll be playing Spennymoor, Blyth and Gateshead as well as potentially a couple of under-23s games against some of the big clubs in the area.

"I’d imagine the 23s games will be at training grounds rather than stadiums though.”

While some uncertainty and trepidation remain over supporters being allowed back at Victoria Park for the start of the National League season, Pools have sold over 1,000 season tickets so far and made a further 500 available last week.

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