Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor explains his 'two plan' preparation strategy for next season

The Pools boss has never finished outside the play-off places in his 10-years in management, which has always cast uncertainty over what division his side will be playing in the following season.

While Hartlepool have an outside chance of making the play-offs and an even slimmer chance of promotion under Challinor this season, that hasn’t stopped him preparing for both scenarios.

The current United manager was a beaten play-off finalist with Fylde last season so has previous experience preparing for a potential Football League step-up.

“What I’ve always done is go with two plans,” he said.

“You hope the players we’re targeting will be good enough to play in the Football League anyway.

“Regardless of what division we’re in, my thought process will be if we are in the National League next year then we’ll have people who will help us to get out of the National League and therefore be good enough for the Football League, so it should tick a box in that regard.

“That’s where we’re at, we’ve got players who can step up with us but everyone who we bring in will be with a positive outlook and be players who can travel up with us and give us continuity rather than leaving us with a blank canvas at the end of every season with everyone being out of contract.”

Challinor is currently preparing contract offers for his players next season with five currently believed to be tied down for the 2020-21 campaign.

“If we have lads here who we can’t agree a deal with then we have to move on quickly,” he added.

“Players will move on and we’ve got to have as many players here who want to be here.

“I’ve only been here a short time but it’s a brilliant football club and I’m excited for what the future holds and I, like all the fans, want players here who are proud to play for the football club and its supporters.”