Gavan Holohan is entering his first season as a senior Football League player and believes he and his Hartlepool United team mates can make their mark. 

The 29-year-old is entering his fourth season in the blue and white of Pools where he's clocked up nearly 100 appearances since signing in February 2019.

Pools gave the fans a memorable day in Bristol last month beating Torquay United on penalties in the National League play-off final.

During the midst of last season's promotion push, Holohan says that he and his team mates would often discuss how they'd do in the fourth tier of English football if they were make the jump up from the National League. 

“We used to speak about it as a group and even just in the car school, myself, Feath (Nicky Featherstone) and Oatesy (Rhys Oates) travelling up, we used to say we’d more than hold our own in the league.

“In the National League you’ve got five or six other clubs that are big clubs. Wrexham, Chestrerfield, Torquay, the likes of them who would say the exact same. It’s just getting out the league is the tough bit because it’s a monster of a league to try and get out of.

“Luckily we’ve been able to that so hopefully we can keep the core of the squad together and there’s no reason why we can’t hold our own."

It all kicks off for Holohan and co at Victoria Park on Saturday 7th August where they host Crawley Town. The popular Irish midfielder was happy that they're kicking off the season in front of home support. 

“Everyone would have wanted a home game. Anybody at home really. That’s what we were hoping for so it’s not a bad start.

“We’ll be up for the game, we’re more than capable of going and winning. Hopefully we’ll have pretty much a packed house at the Vic. That’s something to really back excited for."