New Hartlepool United owner Landon Smith is relishing the prospect of Saturday's visit of Altrincham, the first home game since the American businessman and investor completed his takeover of the club.

Pools are preparing to usher in what many fans are hoping will be an exciting new era after Smith, who is the co-founder of real estate company Tailwind Group, bought the club from controversial former owner Raj Singh.

Whereas the final few years of Singh's tenure were overshadowed by infighting, division and discontent among an increasingly fractured fanbase, a number of controversial managerial appointments and equally contested sackings as well as a whole host of disappointments on the pitch, there is a real sense that things have the potential to be different under Smith.

Of course, the American has a lot of work to do and many of the longstanding problems that have plagued Pools won't have gone away overnight, but it's hard to avoid the feeling that optimism, belief and, crucially, hope have been restored to the town and the club.

The new Hartlepool United owner is set to be in attendance as Pools prepare to entertain Altrincham on Saturday in their first home game since the American investor and businessman completed his takeover of the club. Picture by Frank Reid.

placeholder image — The new Hartlepool United owner is set to be in attendance as Pools prepare to entertain Altrincham on Saturday in their first home game since the American investor and businessman completed his takeover of the club. Picture by Frank Reid.

While Smith will need time and patience as he bids to move past the legacy of Singh, which still looms large over Victoria Park, and implement his own vision, supporters who have been generally starved of success will expect to see improvements in both performances and results.

Having produced one of their best displays of the season to beat National League leaders Rochdale the day before Smith's takeover was completed in late December, Pools were on the wrong end of a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Woking last time out, which manager Nicky Featherstone slammed as the most embarrassing moment of his life.

Despite that, fans are set to flock to Victoria Park in their numbers ahead of what promises to be a memorable, emotional and potentially momentous day as Pools prepare to entertain Altrincham.

The game is set to be emotionally charged, with a bumper home crowd expected - attendances have dropped sharply this season, with many fans staying away from Victoria Park in silent protest at Singh's divisive leadership - to welcome Smith to the club.

Aside from the obvious significance of the occasion, Pools can ill-afford another slip-up if they're to give themselves any realistic chance of sneaking into the National League play-off places against an Altrincham side who will make the trip to the North East having lost all of their last five games.

Yet if Pools can ride the wave of emotion and passion without being overawed by the atmosphere and sense of expectation, then Saturday's game has the potential to be very special indeed for Smith - and, of course, for Hartlepool United.

"I've thought about it - but I haven't really thought it through," the new Pools owner said.

"It's all been a whirlwind but I'm embracing it; it's quite fun. I'm very excited for the game, I think the fans have been looking forward to it and it's going to be nice to start fresh."

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