HARTLEPOOL UNITED go to Leyton Orient this afternoon; two long-standing Football League clubs who fell through the trapdoor at the same time and who have suffered and rebuilt in the National League.

The pair were relegated at the end of the 2016-17 season, amid bad management, pitiful ownership and terrible decision-making.

Last season they both struggled to come to terms with the division, Orient finishing two places and four points better off than Pools in 13th spot.

When Pools lost at Brisbane Road in April 2017, it represented somewhat of a nadir in the club’s history. The fragile side was beaten by a scratch home team made up of trainees. Then Pools boss Dave Jones amazingly came out after the game to admit he had asked his players in the dressing room for anyone who had won something in football to put their hands up.

Only himself, he said, and his two coaches raised their hands. It is hoped he can still take great pride from such a show of strength and masculinity.

Pools, under Matthew Bates this season, are a different and much-improved team. Orient, under Justin Edinburgh, the same.

Today’s game is set for a big crowd, with tickets priced at £5 and Pools have sold in excess of 500.

Bates said: “There will be a big crowd, and you want to play in front of full houses. Players want to play in front of a good atmosphere. You have seen teams come to us and raise their game because it’s a big crowd.

“It’s a good month ahead and we want to get into the game on Saturday from an off. We have one win this month, let’s go for another come Saturday. We will take care of ourselves and confident.

“Our away support has been brilliant all season and we will have around 500 there on Saturday even though it’s all-ticket for us. Our away form is good and we want to give them something to enjoy.’’

Pools have lost only once away from the Super 6 Stadium this season, their last trip to Salford ending in a 3-0 defeat.

Salford top the table, with the Os a point and a place behind. Pools are sixth, five points behind Edinburgh’s side.

“Our away record has been very good, better than our home record. But our away record was good last season under a different system to what we play this time,’’ said Bates. “We set out to be organised and play in a determined manner.

“It’s worked away from home, a disappointing result at Salford aside. But we go to Orient at the weekend confident. They are a good side, a tough game, but it’s a good game to play in – a big crowd and a nice stadium.

“Salford was disappointing, but we have to be aware of Orient. They are different to Salford in a lot of ways, a good side I their own right and we give them respect they deserve.

“Our away form, and form as a whole, should make it an enjoyable game and it should be a good game to be involved in for the players.’’

Pools will take on Kidsgrove Athletic in the FA Cup next weekend at home. The Northern Premier League South side beat Workington in a replay on Wednesday.

Bates and chief scout Tommy Miller watched the game and Bates admitted: “I enjoyed Wednesday night, a proper non-league club. They have strengths and weaknesses like any teams at that level – congratulations to them and we look forward to welcoming them. It took me five hours to get home and we don’t want a replay down there!

“But we will concentrate on what we can do and hopefully we will be OK.’’

Tickets for the FA Cup tie have been reduced to £10 adults and £5 concessions.