"Firstly, it's not correct that we asked for a Boxing Day fixture against Scunthorpe," stated Pearson.
"We've known right from the start that we're not allowed to play Scunthorpe on Boxing Day and the police said very early on that they would not allow the game to go ahead.
"I was looking for a fixture against a team from the north east which we've achieved in Hartlepool and I'm delighted to have them.
"We will take on Scunthorpe earlier in the season and the game will be played at Boothferry Park.
"I think we will learn from last season's mistakes. The team will be fitter and more applicable to the third division and we're very confident of gaining promotion."
But Mr Pearson, haven't we heard all this before?