Hartlepool United are set to face former boss Dave Challinor for the first time as they take on Stockport County this Saturday at the Suit Direct Stadium.

Challinor won the National League play-off final against Torquay United back in 2020 with Pools, seeing them regain their Football League status after being out of it for four years.

The Former Pools boss left the club last November to join Stockport who were then a National League side after signing a new three-year deal just five weeks prior.

This left many Hartlepool United fans puzzled on the sudden departure and left a sour taste on Challinors reputation at the North East club.

Now under the management of Keith Curle, Pools face The Hatters this Saturday coming face to face with Challinor for the first time since his departure in what will be a war-like atmosphere at the Suit Direct Stadium.

So, here are the five of the very best battles between Pools and The Hatters.

Stockport County 3 – 3 Hartlepool United, 17th March 2007, League Two

Starting off this list, is a six-goal thriller from over a decade ago.

Under the management of Danny Wilson, that season was the 99th year of competitive football played by Hartlepool United.

Hartlepool going into the fixture were League Two leaders, a very different situation they find themselves in right now.

Pools found themselves 3-0 just before the end of the first half, with Andy Monkhouse grabbing Pools’ first goal of the evening on the stroke of half time. However, a Richie Barker brace in the second half secured a point was shared between the two clubs.

Hartlepool United 3 – 1 Stockport County, 11 December 2004, League One

All the way back in 2004, Pools faced Stockport in League One at Victoria Park in arguably the club’s most famous season.

A season, of course, that seen Pools reach the League One Play-Off final played at Cardiff City’s Millennium Stadium where they were beaten by Sheffield Wednesday 4-2 after extra time.

The Hatters’ Jon Daly put the away side in front after 26 minutes. However, this lead only lasted for two minutes when Chris Westwood found the back of the net to level the proceedings before half time.

Pools’ lead was doubled just before the hour mark when Chris Westwood found the net again before Joel Porter wrapped up all three points for promotion seeking Hartlepool United.

Hartlepool United 4 – 0 Stockport County, 22nd December 2020, National League

Just three days before Christmas, Poolies were left with a gift of three points as they dominated The Hatters in a 4-0 victory at Victoria Park.

Rhys Oates put Pools ahead in just under 10 minutes and went into half time 1-0 up. Ryan Johnson doubled the scoresheet just before the hour mark before Luke Armstrong grabbed Pools third two minutes later and grabbing himself a second in injury time.

Hartlepool United 3 – 0 Stockport County, 13th April 2010, League One

Pools faced Stockport County over a decade ago which seen the two clubs in the third division of English football.

Under the management of Chris Turner, Pools turned over an unconvincing Stockport side in a 3-0 thrashing against The Hatters at Victoria Park.

Pools went into half time 1-0 up after Joe Gamble put the home side ahead after 15 minutes. Andy Monkhouse doubled the score line just before the hour mark before Roy O’Donovan sealed all three points for Pools.

Stockport County 0 – 1 Hartlepool United, 13th July 2021, National League Play-Off Semi-Final

Although the lowest score out of the previous four meetings in this list, this fixture was arguably the most important fixture for Hartlepool’s future.

In their chase for promotion out of the National League, Dave Challinor’s men faced Stockport County away in the National League semi-final.

After a tough contest and both sides going into half-time at 0-0, there was nothing to split both team until inform forward Oates fired a low shot into the bottom corner with less than 15 minutes to play.

This seen Pools triumph The Hatters and send them through to the National League Play-Off final where they faced and won Torquay United to regain the clubs Football League status.