Hartlepool United head coach Pete Wild hails 'brilliant' FA Cup as 'the biggest competition in the world'

Pools are looking to banish recent bad memories of England's oldest and most historic competition on Saturday when they begin their FA Cup campaign with a fourth qualifying round clash at home to National League North side Marine.

In the modern era, Pools have a mixed record in the FA Cup, reaching the fourth round in the 2021/22 season to set up a memorable and lucrative trip to Premier League Crystal Palace but being dumped out at the fourth qualifying round stage in each of the last three years.