Hartlepool United's new signing Tony Lormor will be happy to upset some friends when he makes his debut against former club Lincoln City today.

The 29-year-old frontman, who joined from Mansfield Town in midweek, still lives in Lincoln and is best friends with the Imps' centre-back Grant Brown.

Pool boss Chris Turner yesterday also completed the signing of on-trial Norwegian forward Tim Sperrevik on a two-year deal and Lormor, who has signed a two-year deal with Turner's men, is keen to get his Pool career off to a goal-den start with victory in his side's Third Division opener.

"I know a lot of the Lincoln lads through playing there before, living in the town and coming up against them, so it will be pretty familiar," he said.

"Grant Brown is one of my best mates as well and we've had some good tussles when we've played against each other before.

"I have never scored when I've come up against him but hit the post and bar in one game for Mansfield. Hopefully I can get a goal this time.

"It would be nice to get off to a good start on my debut and help the team get a win.

"Lincoln are a tough team and it will be hard work for us. They have got a lot of big lads and we have got a lot of small lads, so we will have to keep the ball on the ground and play through them."

Ashington-born Lormor is excited about the challenge at Pool after returning to his North-East roots after a ten-year gap since he left his first club, Newcastle United, to join Lincoln.

He admitted: "It's nice to be back. The passion for football is still here.

"Hartlepool might only be a small town and a small club but they are ambitious and I have been very impressed by that.

"They did so well to reach the play-offs last season and want to get promotion this time.

"I want to help them do that because I still want to do bigger and better things.

"That's why I have come here. It is a new challenge for me and the chance to play a part in a team which is looking forward to success.

"The club have also paid money for me and that's a sign of the faith they have in me.

"There are a lot of players coming on free transfers now and on trial, but Hartlepool have actually thought me good enough to pay money and now it is up to me to prove I am worth it.

"I want to deliver. I go out in every game believing I can score and wanting to score and hopefully it can happen against Lincoln.

"It's important we get a good start and the best one is a win."

Pool chief Turner revealed the move came after some timely advice from his defenders.

"I spoke to Gary Strodder and Micky Barron before I bought Tony and both said he was a handful and difficult to play against,'' he said.

"When I told them we were keen on signing Lormor they both said what a great signing he would be for us. He is not necessarily a 25-goal-a-season man but his record suggests he is consistent and he is a hard-worker who will give his all.

"I have seen the benefits in training as well. Kevin Henderson has been given a real spark by his arrival and knows he is playing alongside someone with a bit of calibre. He will learn from him and be a better player for it.''

Pool's opening-day record makes miserable reading, with only one victory at Colchester in 1997 since winning at Chesterfield a decade ago. Turner endured a woeful start last time around, going down to Peterborough on the opening day and then losing the first three home outings.

But that poor start launched Pool into a consistent run that led to the play-offs and Turner admitted: "Even after the results we had we could still have had more points.

"We hit the post at Peterborough on the opening day, lost to Southend after missing a penalty and lost to Cheltenham even though we had most of the game.

"But we went to Lincoln last season and for 45 minutes played some great football - I'd settle for that again. Of course we have something to live up to. We had a good season last time around but there is no reason why we cannot enjoy success again.'