THE wait is over, the hard work and preparation done. For Craig Harrison today starts a whole new chapter.

The Hartlepool United boss takes charge of his first game in charge since his May appointment.

Pools are in new territory today, outside the Football League for the first time, as they meet Dover in the National League.

It’s been some wait for Harrison as he rebuilt the squad and put his own stamp on things.

"It's been great,’’ he reflected. "You are working with new players and it's interesting how players take things on board.

"You think relegation, new manager, new players coming in, that one of those things would be a kick up the backside to those that we already have here.

"But they haven't needed it, they've been brilliant, everyone has been fantastic, doing what I've wanted them to do.’’

With eight signings in the bag, Harrison admitted: "Bringing in so many players probably helped us.

"That diluted the after-effects of relegation and the lads who were still here were the lads who wanted to stay here and felt they owed Hartlepool and the supporters to get the opportunity to get the club back in the Football League as soon as possible.

"Everyone is here for the right reasons and those who didn't want to be here aren't.’’

At TNS, Harrison conquered all in the League of Wales. Pools will be expected to win more games this season than they have in recent seasons and Harrison wants his players to soak up the expectations.

He demands high intensity from his players in games, and pre-season has had them working hard, while reaping the benefits.

Harrison said: "I want to be the fittest team in the league.

"The amount of ground they have been covering has been incredible, the GPS figures have been great.

"The body fat has dropped rapidly, which obviously help, the less body fat you have the less dead weight you are carrying.

"The GPS numbers have been really good, some of the lads have commented on it and Scott Loach says he has never been as low as he's been.

"That's encouraging, we're trying to get everyone to buy into the culture and a couple of good results and lads feeling good about themselves then it will be a snowball effect with people buying into it even more, they know it is working.

"They know them tiny little percentages might be the difference of a win and a draw or a draw and a defeat away from home on a Tuesday night.

"Training has been competitive, lads have trained to the max, I'm a believer that you train as you play.’’

With plenty of new signings to work with and a competitive squad, Harrison has decisions to make. Only five substitutes are permitted in the National League, but with a busy schedule to come, he is sure everyone will have a part to play.

"There will be some disappointed players here on Saturday,’’ he admitted. "But for the first weeks of the season, we go Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday and I can guarantee in the first month that everyone is used in some way shape or form.

"Everyone is ready.

"It's not been as hard as I anticipated. It's almost taken care of itself because of the group of players I've brought in.

"I did specifically try to bring players from the North-East back to the North-East.

"It's a good connection, these lads know what the expectations are from the people of this area.

"I know that from having played football round here and coming from just up the road in Gateshead.

"Most of the players knew each other that helped.

"I'm not taking credit for that, but it's helped bring the whole group together.’’