Chris Beech admits he would not be surprised to be booed at Hartlepool tomorrow – just like he was when he first played for them!

The Carlisle United boss is preparing to take his side to Victoria Park, a ground where he spent two-and-a-half seasons as a player in the 1990s.

Ahead of the League Two clash, Beech spoke fondly of his time with the Monkey Hangers - but admitted he had to win over a ruthless home crowd when he joined the north east club.

“If you’re a new player playing for Hartlepool, the trick is to make sure you start very well,” Beech said.

“I remember a few shouts, when I signed from Blackpool, of: ‘Beech…get back to Blackpool, you donkey’.

“As I turned round, I thought, ‘Bloomin ‘eck’, these away fans are a bit rough – before I realised they were our [Hartlepool] fans!

“But I soon got to grips with that. I tried my best and hope I earned the right to have a bit of respect from them in the period I played for them.

“It can be a cauldron of…information. Being Carlisle United’s manager, I would be offended if I’m not booed!”

Beech carved out a reputation as a goalscoring midfielder for Pools after joining in 1996.

He eventually earned a move to Huddersfield – a move that was settled by one of the first transfer tribunals under the Bosman ruling.

“I had a great time [at Hartlepool], scored some good goals, important goals…and it’s funny what happens in football.

“I ended up one of the first tribunals in the first year of the Bosman ruling, when nobody really knew the rules.

“When the Championship came calling, I turned a couple of offers down, stayed with [Hartlepool], and ended up on a week-to-week contract there.

“I was turning 24 in September, and was signing every Friday to make sure I could play on Saturday.

“Hartlepool were offering me a little bit more every week because I was scoring every week, and it ended up in a tribunal.

“Tribunals were funny – the buying club would say you’re no good even though they want you, and the selling club, even though they wouldn’t pay you any more, would say you were the best thing they’ve ever had in the history of the club.

“They ended up getting about 95 grand. Twenty-five years ago, I suppose that was worth a little bit, although it’s nothing really to shout home about…”

Beech made about 100 appearances for Pools and also recalled his past experience of facing tomorrow’s opponents in the dugout at Victoria Park.

“I was caretaker at Rochdale and unfortunately for me at that point back in the day as a younger coach, it was one of Luke James’ first games [for Hartlepool] and he volleyed one in. Old Jeff Stelling was having a great day…

“I loved playing for Hartlepool, loved the honesty and hard work that they have as a town, but of course you’re talking about something that’s about 25-26 years ago.

“There’s still people there when I played, although one of them’s just left, the physio, Buster [Ian Gallagher] – he was a young lad when I was there. Well, we were all young…

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Hartlepool. It was a great learning curve to live away from home and live in that area. I had some great times on and off the pitch, and there were some great lads I played with.

“I’m really pleased for them [that they’re back in the EFL]  but of course I represent Carlisle now, so I have to make sure we’re very professional and go against a team that wins a lot of home games.”