Manager: Chris Turner

Stadium: Victoria Park

Capacity: 7,229

Last Season: 7th

Comings and goings

Out: Chris Freestone (Shrewsbury, free), Gary Jones (Halifax, free)

In: Goalkeeper Anthony Williams (Blackburn Rovers, free), striker Tim Sperrevik (Norwegian club Fana, free)

One to watch: Tommy Miller. Now the big fish in the Pool. After showing undoubted promise in his first season the young midfielder confirmed his undoubted ability by scoring 14 goals last term. Has attracted the interest of a number of top clubs, most notably Nottingham Forest who al-legedly tabled a £500,000 bid last season.

Odds: Hartlepool surprised even their own fans with last season's play-off finish but that has served only to increase the expectancy this time around. Anything less than a top three place would be considered a disappointment.

However, manager Turner has seen his pre-season preparations ravaged by injury, having to call on Pool's youth trainee goalkeeper to play in midfield for one friendly at Berwick.

There is still a need for a new striker to replace outgoing pair Chris Freestone and Gary Jones and having paid out £150,000 for the pair this time last year only to let them leave on frees, Turner may find money is in short supply.