Ex-Carlisle United defender Gary Liddle will face his former club in the new season after agreeing new terms with Hartlepool.

Liddle has signed a new one-year deal with the promoted club, who face Carlisle twice in the first month of the 2021/22 season.

The experienced defender played an influential part in Pools' return to the Football League after a four-year absence.

The 35-year-old, who spent two-and-a-half years with Carlisle and made 117 appearances, is in his second spell with the Monkey Hangers, who won promotion via the play-offs after a penalty shoot-out win over Torquay.

He spoke to Pools' website about his new deal and said: "I'm really pleased to have signed - it really wasn’t difficult for me or my family at all.

"Coming back permanently a year ago, I was determined to play a part in helping get this club back to where it was when I left all those years ago in 2012.

"As players and staff, we worked ever so hard for near a year to make that a reality and seeing the scenes of Bristol and the parade I hope it’s made what has been a difficult time recently for everyone a little brighter.

"Being in the Football League is all I’ve known this football club to be. It’s had difficult times over the years since, so to get the chance to play and represent Hartlepool again in League Two is an opportunity I’m grateful to the manager and his staff for."

Carlisle will renew their rivalry with Pools on Saturday, August 28 with a League Two clash at Victoria Park.

Three days later the sides meet again in a Papa John's Trophy group game at Brunton Park.

They meet at Brunton Park in the league on January 8.