Lee Clark says he wants to give Hartlepool United supporters a team they can be proud of as Pools begin their 2026/27 National League campaign against Barrow at Victoria Park on Saturday (3pm).

Optimism has been steadily building around Victoria Park following Clark’s appointment in May and an extensive summer of recruitment, with the Head Coach determined to lay the foundations for a successful new era.

“Our priority is to build a team that our supporters can be proud of because it’s been a difficult few years for them since our relegation from the Football League in 2023,” said Clark.

“I’ve seen this club during successful times, so I know first-hand the impact our supporters can have when they’re given a team to believe in. Their passion and backing can make a real difference.

“The number of season tickets we’ve sold shows there’s real excitement around the football club.

“Now it’s our responsibility to repay that support by producing performances that people enjoy watching and by building a team that represents this club in the right way every single week.”

Saturday’s league opener marks the moment months of planning and preparation give way to competitive football, with Clark eager to see his new-look squad tested when the points are on the line.

“The anticipation has been building throughout pre-season, but everyone knows the real work starts now,” he said.

“The players have put a huge amount into the last six weeks and they’ve earned the opportunity to go out and show what they’re capable of. 

“Opening day always brings excitement and expectation. We know there’s still plenty of hard work ahead, but we’re looking forward to getting started and showing our supporters the progress we’ve made.”

After taking over the reins in May, Clark has overseen a significant rebuild of his squad ahead of the new campaign, with 14 new players arriving at Victoria Park.

While the new arrivals have added quality throughout the squad, Clark says recruitment was about much more than ability alone.

“It’s been one of the busiest summers I’ve experienced in football, with plenty of new faces arriving at the club,” he said.

“Every player we’ve brought in has been chosen for a reason. Of course, ability is important, but we also wanted players with the right mentality, the right attitude and the desire to improve every single day.

“We wanted footballers who would embrace the responsibility of representing Hartlepool United, compete for one another and help create the standards we expect around the football club.

“When you’ve got good people alongside good players, you’ve always got a stronger chance of building something successful.”

The Head Coach has relished being back on the training ground and says the commitment shown by his squad throughout pre-season has left him encouraged ahead of the campaign.

“I’ve loved every minute of it, if I’m honest,” he said.

“A few days before the players returned for pre-season, my kitbag was already packed at home. My coaching manuals, boots and trainers were all ready because I couldn’t wait to get started.

“Walking back onto the training ground and feeling that buzz again was a brilliant moment. Seeing the enthusiasm and energy from the players only added to that excitement and reminded me exactly why I love doing this.

“What has pleased me most is the attitude of the group. They’ve been willing to learn, willing to work and willing to challenge each other every single day. Those habits are what help create successful teams.

“Now it’s about taking everything we’ve built over the summer into competitive football. We’ve established good standards and now we have to reproduce them when the league campaign begins.

“If we continue to show the same commitment, honesty and desire that we’ve seen every day throughout pre-season, I’m confident we’ll give ourselves every chance of having a successful season.”

Preparations for the new campaign have provided plenty of encouragement, with Pools winning five of their six pre-season fixtures.

While results during the summer are never the ultimate measure of success, the performances, fitness levels and growing understanding within the squad have provided a strong platform to build on heading into the opening weekend.

Barrow provide the first test of the new season as they return to the National League following relegation from League Two last term.

The Bluebirds arrive at Victoria Park under the guidance of new manager Adam Murray, with both clubs beginning fresh chapters and eager to make a positive start to the campaign.

It sets the stage for an intriguing opening-day encounter between two ambitious sides determined to lay down an early marker.

“We’ve had six productive weeks on the training pitch, the players have applied themselves superbly and we’ve seen the group grow stronger with every game,” said Clark.

“But we all understand that pre-season only takes you so far. League football is a different challenge altogether and we’ll have to earn everything we get.

“Barrow will provide a really tough opening test. They’ve got quality throughout their squad, they’ll come here full of determination and we’ll have to be at our very best from the first whistle. That’s exactly what you expect from the opening game of a new season.

“We’ve prepared well and we’ve made real progress, but now it’s about delivering when it matters.  

“We’re excited to get started in front of our supporters and hopefully give them a performance they can really get behind.”