HARTLEPOOL UNITED face a long trip to Maidstone United to open a first new season under Matthew Bates’ management.

Pools, who are making a number of changes this summer following Raj Singh’s successful takeover towards the back end of last season, will be looking to make a positive start away from home in the National League.

That trip to Maidstone on Saturday, August 4, will be followed by back-to-back dates at Victoria Park against Harrogate Town on Tuesday, August 7 and Ebbsfleet United on Saturday, August 11.

Hartlepool will travel to newly-promoted Salford City on Tuesday, September 25 and the pair go head-to-head on the final day of the National League season at Victoria Park on Saturday, April 27.

Over the festive period Hartlepool will travel to Gateshead again on Boxing Day like they did last year, and then battle it out again at the Vic on New Year’s Day. There is a trip to Chesterfield pencilled in on Saturday, December 29.

The Northern Echo: