New Hartlepool United owner Landon Smith is embracing the challenge as Pools gear up for their first home game since the American businessman and investor completed his takeover of the club on New Year's Eve.

Pools are anticipating a bumper home crowd of well over 5,000 fans as supporters flock to Victoria Park to welcome Smith, who bought the club from controversial former owner Raj Singh and is set to be in attendance on Saturday.

This weekend's visit of an Altrincham side who have lost all of their last five matches is set to be significant - indeed, it has the potential to be monumental - for all sorts of reasons.

For many fans, Saturday's game could well be their first at Victoria Park all season after increasing numbers of supporters stayed away from home matches in silent protest against Singh's divisive leadership, resulting in an alarming decline in attendances.

The new Hartlepool United owner is determined to embrace the challenge at Victoria Park as Pools gear up for their first home game since the American businessman's takeover this weekend. Picture by Frank Reid.

placeholder image — The new Hartlepool United owner is determined to embrace the challenge at Victoria Park as Pools gear up for their first home game since the American businessman's takeover this weekend. Picture by Frank Reid.

For others, it is the chance to usher in what it is hoped will be an exciting and successful new era, with Pools having stagnated in purely footballing terms under Singh's stewardship.

Of course, Saturday also represents a chance for Smith to soak in the atmosphere and experience the unique footballing culture in the North East as he begins his bid to lead Pools back to the Football League.

Yet amidst all the fanfare and furore, it's easy to forget that a potentially pivotal three points are on the line, with Nicky Featherstone's side in desperate need of a win to keep their hopes of stealing into the National League play-off places alive.

As the dust settles in the wake of the weekend, Smith will begin to be faced with the considerable size of the task facing him as he looks to bring structure, stability and sustainable growth to Victoria Park.

By his own admission, the next few weeks and months are likely to be a learning curve for the American but Smith insists he is determined to make the most of it as he gets used to life as Hartlepool United's new owner.

"There are nerves, for sure," he said.

"This is not something I'm used to - I'm not used to being interviewed.

"I'm definitely looking forward to more challenges and personal growth, but most importantly getting this club to a point where I can create a vision, a structure and some commercial activity to help support sustainable growth.

"To the fans, I'm basically your intern - I'm here to learn. I'm looking for guidance and I'm looking to just soak it all in. Over time, hopefully I can earn the respect of the supporters to be able to formulate a vision for the club.

"I want to do everything in my power to push the club to where it needs to be. It's not about me; I hope that when I leave, I leave it better than I found it."

Your next Hartlepool United read: Landon Smith determined to lead Hartlepool United back to the Football League