Ahead of tonight's friendly meeting between Hartlepool United and Spennymoor Town, Tommy Miller says he hopes their opponents can maintain their EFL status. 

Miller, currently first team manager at Moors, featured for Pools 179 times across two different spells as a player after coming through their academy ranks. 

A fans favourite during his playing days, the 42-year-old has now turned his hand to coaching and is current;y in charge at the Brewery Field, where the two teams will meet this evening in a friendly match. 

It was famous day in Bristol that brought Pools back to the promise land where they beat Torquay United on penalties at Ashton Gate and Miller, who was watching the game, admits he went through a rollercoaster of emotions. 

"I was in shock for about five minutes when the goalkeeper equalised in the 94th minute but delighted they got promoted. Absolutely delighted.

"When they had the two goals disallowed, you just think that this could be Hartlepool’s day and then they equalise in the 94th minute.

"You’re thinking ‘oh dear, typical Hartlepool’ but delighted for Dave Challinor, delighted for the club. Delighted for the players as well, I still speak to quite a few of them and hopefully they can stay in the Football League which is where they belong."

Spennymoor Town are hopeful of mounting a promtion challenge of their own this evening when they return to National League North action next month.

Having not played a competitive game since 28th December 2020, Moors will play their first league game away to Boston United on Saturday 14th August.

“We want to be up there with a chance" says Miller. 

"This club is always striving for better every year and we want to be in the mix.

“It’s a very competitive league. I think you’ve got six full-time teams in.

"I’m not saying that guarantees you success but we certainly want to be in the mix and I’m confident we can be come the season starting."