RICHARD Money starts his Hartlepool United tenure today, beginning in a competition which brings happy memories for the new manager.

Four years ago, he led Cambridge United to the final, lifting the FA Trophy at Wembley.

At Leamington today, Pools seek their first win in the competition after losing at Workington in the first round last year.

Money has vowed not to come in and shake the team up, allowing them to build on last weekend’s win at Maidenhead.

While three at the back may not be his preference, he hinted he would give them a chance to impress in that way today.

He will be without Peter Kioso, the defender suffering an ankle injury last weekend and has already made his first signing – right-sided defender Harvey Rodgers moving on loan from Accrington.

“It’s a good game for us,’’ he mused. “You can trawl back through the press cuttings when I was at Luton when I was very detrimental (about the FA Trophy) and how it was a hindrance.

“But we won it at Cambridge and it was fantastic.

“I said to the players you might not think about Wembley now, but you get to the semi-final, and that’s different.

“When we played Grimsby in the semi-final, there were full houses home and away and we took 20,000 fans to Wembley, win it and it’s a great occasion and a big feather in the cap.

“Think about that when you walk onto the pitch on Saturday, don’t think about Leamington away.’’

He added: “It would be a real disappointment to win last weekend and then not win this weekend and then we’d have to come back here the Saturday after having to pick it up again.

“You want to go and go again.

“Havant and Waterlooville will be a challenge and if it’s true Lee (Bradbury) was interviewed for the job then that’s going to be a really interesting day!’’

He added of today’s meeting: “Given the result at Maidenhead it would be wrong of me to come in and smash everything up.

“I’d have no intention of doing that.

“Winning last week, they should have won the week before too, I’ve spoken to Craig Hignett and Ged McNamee.

“I would not normally play that way, but let’s have a look at it, if they can persuade me that’s the right way to go for now then I’d be wrong to change it.

“Of course I’ll be involved on Saturday but I will take counsel from Craig and Ged. It’s a big game but it gives a chance to look at the group.’’

After a sabbatical from front-line management, Money has been quick to make his mark at the club in the last week, as he aims to install new standards and ideals.

Getting back on the training ground has also been a boon for the boss, who said: “My career path has been different to many.

“I don’t jump from one job to another.

“I could have got straight back in after Cambridge, but I couldn’t imagine going to work for another club straight away.

“I found a spell away from management refreshes the juices and gets you going again.

“I genuinely feel this is a good time to be getting back in.

“You look at Harry (Redknapp) winning the Jungle at 71, accepting the job at 63 should be a breeze!’’

Money will be with assistant McNamee in the dug out today and, while Pools won last week, it was on the back of a seven-game winless streak in the National League.

He said: “I have a big responsibility along with the staff to get the players ready to play.

“The players have a responsibility to perform.

“I understand the frustration, I know the people don’t want to be in this division, but it’s a heck of a lot easier with them on our side and that will be the message I’ll get across.

“I’m here to protect the players as much as I can, if we win they are great and if we lose then I am rubbish.

“Players playing confidently are totally different to those who are lacking confidence.

“That’s the major thing. We need to get back to winning games and see where that takes us.”