SCOTT FLINDERS admits he is looking forward to a quick reunion with the Hartlepool United faithful this afternoon – even if he gets a bit of flak.

The goalkeeper left Victoria Park in the summer and signed for York City. It’s only six games since Pools were last at Bootham Cresent, Flinders and Pools losing 1-0 on April 11 as they scratched around to remain in the Football League.

Flinders has made more appearances in goal for Pools than any other keeper and, with 2,000 fans behind the goal this afternoon, he admitted: "I can't see why I shouldn't get a good reception from the Hartlepool fans. I was captain there last season during the Great Escape but what will be, will be.

"People always ask me if I like getting stick but some of the comments you hear are quite funny. I would rather have a big crowd behind me than one man and his dog and they will bring a really good following, especially with the start they have had.

"They're a great set of fans up there who back their team to the hilt."

Boss Ronnie Moore allowed Flinders to exit, with his eye on Trevor Carson as his replacement. Carson in injured this afternoon with Adam Bartlett out to carry on his impressive form.

Pools have revamped their squad over the summer to the extent that of today’s starting XI only five were regular team-mates with Flinders last season.

“They've got a great manager in Ronnie," added Flinders. "He's been around the block and knew what he wanted in the off season.

"It looks like he got his wish and it certainly can't get any worse than it did last season, so all the best to them. I've got many friends up there but my objective is to get three points for York City.

"Their stand-out player at the moment is Billy Paynter.

"He's had a couple of years when he's not had the best of support from managers but Ronnie will back him to the hilt. Nicky Featherstone's a great player too, so they've got some good players, but so have we."

And Minstermen boss Russ Wilcox insisted Flinders has nothing to prove to his former club.

“He's certainly got nothing to prove to Hartlepool's supporters," Wilcox argued. "He's got their club record for clean sheets and played 250 games for them, so you would think he will get a terrific reception before the game as he deserves that for being a great servant."