UPBEAT Hartlepool United boss Chris Turner last night issued a passionate rallying call to fans.

Pool start their Victoria Park campaign against Chesterfield this afternoon on a high after the opening day win at Lincoln.

And the Pool boss, who was praised by fans for shepherding bouyant Pool followers off the Sincil Bank pitch after Lee Fitzpatrick clinched the 2-0 win last weekend, is looking to the fans to get behind his team in numbers.

Pool's last home outing saw a packed house for the play-off semi final against Darlington and while Turner is not expecting a 7,000-plus crowd this afternoon, he admitted: "We need the crowd to be there and get behind us in numbers.

"I will be disappointed if there is less than 3,500 there. The fans last week were excellent, a few got a little bit carried away with enthusiasm, but overall they were tremendous.''

Twelve months ago Pool's season started with three successive home reverses and Turner confessed: "Last season we were always playing catch-up. It's important to get off to a good start, it gives you a good platform to build from.

"Because of that start we were always chasing the leading pack and if we have a consistent first month then it gives us something to hang onto.''

Turner is likely to stick with the same line-up from last week against Nicky Law's side, who were this week ordered by a Football League tribunal to pay Chester £150,000 for striker Luke Beckett.

"They are one of the fancied teams,'' said Turner. "They have spent a lot of money, but no one has a divine right to go straight back up - I think York found that out last season. We have to beat teams like Chesterfield if we want to be in the running this season.

"But I think it will be interesting to see the strength of the two teams, they have spent money and are paying big wages as well. It will be a good test for both teams - and hopefully we will see a home win.

"It will be more of a footballing spectacle than last week and hopefully Paul Stephenson, Tommy Miller and Lee Fitzpatrick will see more of the ball instead of it flying over their heads all game.

"Tommy didn't score last week and it was great to see Lee get a couple. I spoke to Lee pre season just like I did to Tommy a year ago and told him to get forward more.

"Lee should be on the scoresheet more this season and I still expect Tommy to get 12 goals this season.''

l POOL yesterday announced Norwegian oil company DNO as their new shirt sponsors.

Turner's side were without a sponsor at Lincoln last week, but yesterday clinched a two-year deal with the Aberdeen-based company.

"Despite the best efforts of the commercial staff, we were unable to attract a local or North-East company,'' said a Pool spokesman. "We had to look further afield, but DNO have been associated with the club in recent seasons and we are pleased to be associated with them.''

Pool wear their new home kit today and it is expected to be in the club shop early next month along with the new yellow change kit