Harrison: High Standards And Expectation Levels At Hartlepool

The Pools were relegated from League Two and are preparing for their first game of the season against Dover Athletic, writes Tom Feaheny.

Harrison was brought in at the start of pre-season after a successful spell as TNS boss in the Welsh League.

Harrison spoke about the task at hand as the club try to go back up at the first attempt.

"We will set high standards, as the old saying goes if you reach for the sky you might fall short but you might get the stars. I'm ensuring that there are great levels for us all, in everything that we do. I want everyone to believe in themselves at this great club."

"I think it is very important for us, we are under no illusion, it is going to be very tough, it will be a demanding schedule and we are going to have to deal with what happens, we will have to grind results out."

"We have a plan in place in a perfect world, we would like to be playing for promotion from League Two in the next three years, we are aiming high but again that is what I expect from us all."

Harrison admitted that the busy transfer period for the club, has seen them sign players who fit into their plan that means they can continue with their progression if promotion is achieved.

"The signings we have made all have a good level of experience, with League football as well, we have ensured they all fit inside an age bracket, it means they all have that freshness, the aim to be part of this journey for many years with us."

"It is important that a club has an identity, we have players who understand the culture of the North East, they want to play for us. These lads are desperate to return to the area, they know how passionate this subject is for our fans."

While Harrison looked ahead to all the games coming up this season, he said there is one he was keeping an eye out for.

"I will be honest, there was one game I looked out for and that was Wrexham, it is because I have a very good friend, someone who was a colleague of mine for ten years in Carl Darlington their first team coach, I'm looking forward to facing the side he has such a big role at."