Preview | Hartlepool United FC (H) | Pre-Season Friendly | 2023/24

After debuting our brand new Northumberland-inspired away kit, we return to Croft Park for our first home friendly of the pre-season schedule as we host National League outfit Hartlepool United.

The Spartans managed to rescue a 1-1 draw at the SecuriCorp Stadium last weekend as a trialist scored on the hour mark.

Ticket Information

You can book tickets online here or pay at the gate on the day with cash or card. All ticket information is as follows:

• Adults - £8
• Concessions (over 65) - £4
• 11-16 Years & Students - £4
• Under-10s are admitted for free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Team News

Jack Bodenham will be in contention to debut for the second time for the Club as he has completed a permanent deal ahead of the 2023/24 Vanarama National League North campaign. The 23-year-old defender featured 12 times in the league for Spartans last season after joining on loan from South Shields.

What We're Saying

Following a 1-1 draw away at Newton Aycliffe, Assistant Manager Jon Shaw said: "The game at Blyth (Town) was obviously a disappointing time for us, but we were still trying things out, trying a few younger lads who aren't ready for the level and ready for the club.

"So today was a case of giving the lads who have been here a bit longer more minutes on the pitch, the team started to take a bit more shape and then trying to continually implement the stuff that we're putting into training and the things Graham (Fenton) has probably been saying for the last 18 months."

Opposition

Hartlepool United, now playing in the Vanarama National League, were relegated from League 2 last year after a poor season saw them win just nine games finishing on 43 points, four away from safety.

Pools started their pre-season fixtures last Friday in a 2-1 win at home against Championship side Middlesbrough.

What They're Saying

After securing their first win in pre-season with a 2-1 win against Middlesborough, John Askey said: "It's a good workout. We couldn't have expected any more from the players tonight and everybody got what they needed to get out of the game.

"One or two had to play a little bit longer than I would have liked because of the size of the squad and the positions that we need to bring in, but no, really pleased (with the result and performance)."

Last Time We Met

Both sides last met in a pre-season friendly in July 2021 as the Spartans managed a 2-1 win, thanks to goals from Jordan Hickey and JJ O'Donnell.

Their previous meeting before that came in 2014 in the FA Cup Second Round as Blyth Spartans made an incredible comeback to reach the third round. Pools' Jonathan Franks opened the scoring in the first half. A spectacular free-kick from Stephen Turnbull gave Blyth some hope and a dramatic 90th-minute winner was scored by Jarrett Rivers.

Matchday Programme Preview

A special edition of Spartans will be available for Saturday's matchup against Hartlepool.

• A review of our pre-season so far
• An interview with Stephen Turnbull reminiscing on a historic FA Cup night at Victoria Park
• Junior Spartans quiz pages

Media Coverage

You can follow all of the action on Saturday via our social media platforms as well as live coverage on Blyth Live.