PADRAIG AMOND has given Hartlepool United fans a big boost on the eve of the new season by admitting he will be giving everything he has got to get Pools back in the Football League.

The striker, top scorer last season, appeared to be on the way out of Victoria Park earlier this summer.

But after some honest talking with new boss Craig Harrison, the frontman is fully committed to the club.

“Of course we all want to play at the highest level. I want to play for Man United in the Premier League… is it going to happen? Probably not,’’ he mused.

“But I want to play at the highest level possible. My job this season is to score as many goals I can for Hartlepool United and get them promoted back to the Football League.

“I’ve scored goals in this division for Grimsby and hopefully I can do it again. We have lads in the squad who can score goals, it’s not a one-man team.

“The gaffer has come in and we have been honest with each other. I have said I will work hard every day of the week in training and in games for this club, if it’s my first day or last day at the club I will always give everything I can for the club.’’

Amond’s last season in the National League saw him bag 37 goals and secure a spot in the team of the season.

His transfer to Pools didn’t work out as planned as he was often left too isolated up front in a team devoid of confidence.

But amid a fresh start for all at Victoria Park, Amond is looking forward to getting started against Dover tomorrow.

The Irishman said: “It’s all positive here, what happened last year has gone. A new manager has come in and lifted the place and there’s been a few new signings too, which the lads from last year probably needed after what went on.

“We are all raring to go, training has been good, some performances have been excellent too.

“There’s been a lot of changes and training has been enjoyable, we have put a lot of hard work in and we hope its’ the start of something good and a successful season.

“The division isn’t new to me, I know what it’s all about. Maybe I caught people by surprise a couple of seasons ago, but I’m ready to help thus club back into the Football League – that’s my job, that’s my aim.’’

And after being part of a promotion-winning side two years ago, he added: “I’m really looking forward to getting going and we hope the crowd gets behind us. That’s important as teams will come to our place and see us as a scalp.

“Teams will put men behind the ball and try and frustrate us.

“It doesn’t matter if we break them down early or the 90th minute, everyone has to be patient.

“We have to be confident we can push for promotion. It’s going to be tough with only one team going up automatically. There’s the play-offs and someone could sneak into the play-offs in seventh place and get promoted.

“Whatever way promotion is achieved it doesn’t matter.’’

Pools have recruited well over the summer and signed eight players, with boss Craig Harrison still wanting a couple more.

There appears a better balance to the squad this time around and Amond added: “Jack Munns was at Cheltenham and won promotion by winning the league, I was at Grimsby and we came through the play-offs. It’s all the same.

“There’s been a lot of new players come in, they have been brilliant do far and everyone has added to the squad. It’s been positive.

“Josh Hawkes has had a good pre-season, I knew how good Munnsy is, Ryan (Donaldson) has impressed. Devante (Rodney) can hopefully push on from last year.

“It’s great to have lads here and we can switch formations quickly – one up front, two, three, six….

“The new boys here can all offer something positive. Pre-season has gone well and we have interchanged and linked up well. It’s a good headache for the gaffer to have.

“We are looking forward to the season and getting going. Once it goes and the pre-season nonsense is behind us then we can get have a right go at it.’’