CARL MAGNAY feels it is a fresh start for all concerned with Hartlepool United.

The skipper takes his side to Spennymoor today, with the National League season two weeks away.

Pools drew with Sunderland last weekend, while Moors drew at Scarborough Athletic and put 11 past Billingham Synthonia in midweek.

Jason Ainsley’s side will give Pools a competitive test and Magnay feels Pools are well prepared to cope with all that is thrown their way in the coming months after some traumatic times at Victoria Park.

"With everything that went on I think we can look back and say that the club has been on a downward spiral for the last five or six years,’’ he reflected.

"I think it all came to a head last season with the financial difficulties.

"The fans were magnificent in terms of raising the funds so the club could keep trading.

"I think from the players perspective we owe it to them to try this season.

"We have new surroundings, a new training ground, new players coming in and a fresh management with it being their first full season.

"Coming to a new training ground in Peterlee at the time we have will help us.

"It's a welcome change really. From a playing side of it, it almost feels like a new football club.’’

He added: "You start every season with optimism, so obviously you have to be cautious about setting targets and saying what we want to achieve I think we will take it game by game and see what happens."

Pools have made eight summer signings, the latest will be on show today. Marcus Dinanga has scored against Moors in the last two seasons for both Telford and Matlock, chalking up 59 goals in his two loan spells.

With Niko Muir and Luke James signing, boss Matthew Bates has more attacking options for the season than last time.

Magnay added: "Batesy has got his feet under the table now and he can properly implement what he wants.

"We certainly showed signs at the back end of the season that if we can do it on a consistent basis under him the lads really responded well to what he wanted from us.

"We are confident that under his management that we are a different group of boys, the freedom is there a little bit and the Tranmere game is an indicator of that.’’

Moors have their new signings on show at the Brewery Field: goalkeeper Matthew Gould, Rob Atkinson, Kris Thackray, Callum Williams, Stephen Brogan and Jake Hibbs