I’ve never felt more positive about the future of Pools

I’m sure I’ve said this before ahead of a new season but Hartlepool United is simply too big to be a National League club.

This could be the year that all changes …

Doesn’t the build-up feel a little more exciting this time around, though? Now, it’s down to everyone at the club to deliver. 

We have a new owner, a new squad and a new manager. There’s a genuine new lease of life with this fresh start because it really feels like we have lift-off. 

There is a buzz about the place, and we have to ride the crest of this wave to achieve our ultimate goal of promotion.

Over the last few years, I’ve said we need to embrace this league and the grounds we haven’t visited before, but I don’t think we’ve done that enough. 

This is our chance to be Hartlepool United – to turn up with a bit of swagger and expect to deliver results. Let’s be ruthless and do whatever it takes. Win ugly, win well, just win games.

Lee Clark, manager, and Chris Beech, head of recruitment, have built a squad that has more than enough quality to compete. 

Lee has mentioned that our budget is bigger than most of the teams above us. Come August 8 against Barrow, everyone should be excited – hold on tight and let’s see where we end up! 

I absolutely can’t wait to watch this Pools team in action. I haven’t felt this optimistic before a season in a long time. 

Even the year I went back, I wasn’t as hopeful as I am now. We didn’t have the best budget or squad that year, which is what made it extra special when we went up under Dave Challinor. 

That post-Covid season, when everyone just wanted to watch football again, brought the best feel-good factor we’d had in ages.

But I genuinely can’t remember this kind of excitement surrounding our budget and player recruitment. 

Clark and Beech are shopping in different shops with a different credit card. Rather than going into Poundland with a pocket full of change, they’re heading into Waitrose with a gold card!

Win the league? Why not! But with the squad that’s been assembled, and the immense backing we’ll get from the town if we start strongly, the very least I expect is a top-three finish. 

Let’s make the Vic an absolute fortress again, just like it was under Challinor when the fans essentially gave us a 1-0 lead before a ball was even kicked.

Speaking of the Vic, it is brilliant to see the Victoria Park name back. 

Full credit to Landon Smith for what he is doing both here and in the USA to get our branding out there. It’s bound to attract new sponsors and interest.

I’d also like to say that one of the best signings we’ve made this summer is the return of my childhood hero and friend, the legendary Brian Honour. 

What a delight to see him back. He epitomises everything about Hartlepool United. He should never have left in the first place, and I am over the moon to see him take on an ambassadorial role. 

I’m sure he’ll bring his infectious enthusiasm straight back to the hospitality suites.

Whatever else happens, I want to add one caveat – if we don’t beat Barrow in the first game on Saturday, let’s not panic and think it’s doom and gloom. 

This is a new squad with new players, and it will take time to gel. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

On paper, the squad looks incredibly strong for this level. I’ve always said that if you can bring in proven players who did the business in this league the year before, you have a great chance, and we’ve done exactly that with the likes of Jack Nolan and Will Harris.

Good luck, Pools. Hold on tight and enjoy the ride – hopefully, it ends with a promotion party and a trip to Wembley in the FA Trophy!