FOR two people who didn't know each other before June 26, 2003, Martin Scott and Neale Cooper have hit it off pretty well.

Thrown together as strangers when Cooper was appointed Hartlepool United's third manager in seven months, the pair have been nothing but a success as Pool make their mark in Division Two.

Today's trip to Sunderland is a reward for their hard work; for Scott it's especially sweet after enjoying the best years of his playing days on Wearside.

Cooper has often referred to Scott as his best friend and Scott admitted: "Our relationship is a different class, especially for two people who didn't know each other.

"I applied for the manager's job and, for Neale to take that on board, after he got the job, and accept me, you couldn't get two people pulling so much in the same direction as Neale and I do.

"We have grown close socially as well. Neale is here on his own and I have my family, but we work so well together.

"Since he came here, he has been a breath of fresh air. He has a laugh, but works hard as well - he knows the right times to do it.

"In the office and around the ground he is joking all the time, but is very professional as well.''

Scott made his name as a no-nonsense left back, with a reputation as a dead-ball specialist.

From the moment the teams were paired together in the third-round draw, Scott has been like a child waiting for Christmas.

He said: "Looking back to the Burton game, when we got a good result to get through, it was a great draw from a personal point of view and it's a great draw for the club as well.

"I had the best part of my football career at Sunderland. We had two promotions, a relegation from the Premiership, which was disappointing, there were all the injury problems I had, but it was a great time, great occasions and great memories.

"The best memories are the promotions. Probably the first one to be honest.

"Peter Reid came in and saved us from relegation and then, with the same squad of players, we went up. We had a great spirit and that's what pulled us through.

"It was a great time. Being able to play in the Premiership was a great occasion every week.

"It's just so disappointing that we were relegated at Crystal Palace on the last day of the season against Wimbledon.

"There was also the Wembley play-off final, the promotion after that - tremendous times.''

Scott has also enjoyed tremendous times at Pool. As youth team boss he took Pool to an FA Youth Cup tie at Old Trafford, a game which brought his name and ability to the fore.

As Cooper's right-hand man he is making his name with the big boys.

Scott admitted: "From a club point of view, we are aiming to build and get up there with the likes of Sunderland one day.

"The game has generated so much interest. I think it's down to the way we have performed this season and the way Sunderland have performed over Christmas.

"We had a great win at Oldham last week, which was important after losing to Barnsley.

"But the fans have been tremendous all season.

"I remember the atmosphere they created at Peterborough on the first day of the season and it has gone from there.

"It was disappointing to lose to Barnsley, but it was important to win at Oldham and go away from home and perform like we can.

"It's four away games we have won now and that's a good record. It's a tight league and we are tenth.

"We've had a good build-up to this game and we are full of good spirit.''

Scott's experience of playing at the Stadium of Light - he made 106 league appearances for the Black Cats - will prove a useful addition to the Pool armory.

He said: "This is a great occasion for the fans - I don't think many of them have been to a place like that for a long time.

"I know I'd rather be playing on Saturday, no doubt about it.

"I've played there, so it's my job to get across to the players what the occasion will be like - the dressing rooms, the music before the game and when the players run out, the tremendous atmosphere.

"And 10,000 of our own supporters will make it a great occasion.''

Read more about Hartlepool here.