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    Hartlepool announce signing of Will Harris, leading to Halifax disputing the move

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    Hartlepool announce signing of Will Harris, leading to Halifax disputing the move

    Hartlepool announce the signing of Will Harris, leading to Halifax disputing the move in a brief statement issued on social media.

    After a season where he scored 27 goals in 48 appearances for the Shaymen, he has made the decision to join Hartlepool, who have beat EFL and other National League sides for his signature.

    FC Halifax Town have since responded however, saying: “Contrary to a recent announcement from another party, FC Halifax Town can confirm it holds the player registration for player, Will Harris.

    “A one year option was exercised for an additional contract year, for which the player has been informed within the normal administrative process of the FA and importantly within the FA timescale for 2026.”

    Pools have also signed Chris Popov and Owen Hampson in recent days, with Corey McKeown, Brooklyn Ilunga, Jack Nolan and Jordan Hugill also additions at the club this month.

    Adam Smith also extends his contract with the club as both player and First Team Goalkeeping Coach, while Adam Clayton joins as Assistant First Team Head Coach to Lee Clark, with his backroom team also including of First Team Coach Gary Liddle.

    The club said in a statement on their website: Hartlepool United is delighted to confirm the signing of Will Harris from FC Halifax Town.

    The 25-year-old striker has agreed a two-year contract at Victoria Park until June 2028, with the Club holding an option to extend the agreement by a further year through to June 2029. The deal is subject to the relevant approvals.

    The South Shields-born forward arrives following an outstanding campaign with Halifax, scoring 22 goals in 43 National League appearances as the Shaymen secured a place in the National League play-offs.

    His performances attracted significant interest from clubs across the National League and Football League before he completed his move to Victoria Park.

    Harris progressed through the youth systems at Hebburn Town and Burnley before signing his first professional contract with the Premier League club.

    Following senior loan spells with Nelson, Colne and Warrington Town, he joined Sunderland in September 2020, making his professional debut in the EFL Trophy before going on to make three League One appearances for the Black Cats.

    A loan spell with Barrow provided further Football League experience before Harris joined Gateshead in 2022, where he made 30 appearances in all competitions and helped the club reach the FA Trophy Final at Wembley.

    Harris joined Spennymoor Town in the summer of 2023, scoring 17 goals in 77 appearances across two seasons before earning a move to Halifax ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

    Standing at 6ft 2in, Harris enjoyed the most productive season of his career at Halifax, establishing himself as one of the National League’s leading goalscorers.

    A powerful centre-forward, he combines strong aerial ability, intelligent movement and effective hold-up play with an instinctive eye for goal.

    Speaking after agreeing terms with Hartlepool United, Will Harris said: “I’m delighted to be here. As soon as Pools’ interest became serious, this was the place I wanted to come.

    “Chris made it clear how much the Club wanted to bring me here and that meant a lot. We had some really good conversations about where the Club is heading and the role they believed I could play in it.

    “I’ve worked hard to get myself into this position and I feel I’m joining at the right time in my career. Last season gave me a lot of confidence, but I’m hungry to keep improving, keep scoring goals and help this football club achieve what it’s capable of.

    “You only have to look at this football club to see where it wants to be. There’s real ambition here and I wanted to be part of that. As a player, those are the sort of challenges you look for.

    “I’m looking forward to getting back in next week, meeting the lads and getting straight to work in pre-season. That’s where everything starts and we’ll all be focused on preparing properly for what’s going to be a big season.

    “I’ve played at Victoria Park before, so I know what the supporters are like and the atmosphere they create. It’s a brilliant place to play football and I’m looking forward to having them behind me this season.

    “I’ll give absolutely everything every time I pull on the shirt and hopefully I can repay the faith the Club has shown in me with goals and, most importantly, success for Pools.”

    He also said: “Finally it’s all sorted. It’s been going on for a couple of weeks and I’m just delighted to finally get it over the line. It’s been a long time coming really.

    “I think from a personal level and a footballing level it works for me.

    “It’s a place where I like the project and I like what I’ve been told about the club moving forward. It’s a club that’s got a lot of ambition and they want to kick on. That fits into what I want to do with my career as well.

    “On a personal level, I’m quite local, only half an hour down the road, so everything just fit for me.”

    On last season: “I got the opportunity to showcase what I could do week in, week out and it was probably my best season personally in terms of games, goals and appearances.

    “I think it all just fell into place for me with the trust that the manager at Halifax put into me.”

    Asked what Hartlepool fans can expect from him: “Goals, work rate… lots to be fair.

    “I think I offer more than just goals. I’m a very hard-working player, a very humble player and I’ll always do the hard yards.

    “If the chances come, I’ll take them, but first and foremost it’s goals and hard work.”

    On linking up with Jordan Hugill: “Yeah, it’s a great opportunity for myself.

    “He’s someone I’ve watched throughout his long career. I’ve already had a chat with him and we’ve spoken about the partnership that hopefully we’re going to have moving forward.

    “I’m really looking forward to learning a thing or two from him.”

    On looking ahead to the new season: “I can’t wait.

    “There was a great atmosphere the day I scored here for the opposition.

    “I’m looking forward to the shoe being on the other foot now and hopefully scoring quite a few for the Pools fans.”

    Lee Clark, First Team Head Coach at Hartlepool United, said: “Will had an outstanding season last year and his goalscoring record tells you everything you need to know. To score 22 goals in the National League is a terrific return and it’s no surprise so many clubs were interested in him.

    “He’s a natural goalscorer, but there’s much more to his game than that. He gives us a real focal point, he’s strong, works tirelessly for the team, links play well and is always a threat in and around the penalty area.

    “We’ve already strengthened our attacking options this summer and Will complements those players really well. Every attacking player brings something different and having that variety gives us more ways to win football matches over the course of the season.

    “He’s coming into the best years of his career, he’s hungry to improve and we’re looking forward to helping him do that. We’re delighted to welcome him to Pools and I’m really looking forward to working with him.”

    Chris Maxwell, Head of Football Operations at Bromby & Partners, said: “Will was one of the standout players we identified during our recruitment planning and securing his signature quickly became a priority for us.

    “When a striker produces the numbers he did last season, you know there’s going to be significant interest. I’m particularly pleased we’ve been able to complete this signing because we believe Will has all the qualities to make a real difference for Hartlepool United.

    “Strengthening our attacking options has been one of our key objectives this summer. We wanted to add goals, quality and genuine competition across the forward line because those are the qualities every successful team needs. We believe Will complements the attacking options we’ve already brought to the football club and gives Lee another outstanding option in the final third.

    “From our earliest conversations, it was clear that Will wanted to be at Hartlepool United. He understands the ambition of this football club, recognises where we’re aiming to go and is determined to play his part in helping us achieve it. That made him an outstanding fit for Hartlepool United and we’re delighted to welcome him to the Club.”

    @CalTalksNL tweeted: “Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous signing. Harris, Popov & Nolan as attacking options… that is scary. There is a risk with Harris tho. Only had one good season at this level. But if he kicks on, crikey… 🤯 This is an absolute shambles – the entire situation. Harris evidently wants the move. He thinks he gets the move. Halifax dispute the move. I’d suspect they’ll get a fee from Hartlepool eventually but reality is, I’m certain he starts for Hartlepool next season – not Halifax. Put it this way – someone at Halifax has mucked up big time. Released players without telling them, manager left for a team in the league below, Adetoro option triggered then released, JTC uncertain future and now this. It’s an absolute disaster. Money is the only reason they’ve put a statement out. If their aim is to keep Harris, they may as well give up.”

    Here’s how fans reacted as Hartlepool announce the signing of Will Harris, leading to Halifax disputing the move…

    @HUFC_UTP: wheres all the halifax fans now 🤣🤣

    @millan_baxter: A signing at 10 a signing at 2 ….. does this mean Harrison male at 6 👀👀👀

    @JackHUFCC: @SkyBetLeagueTwo HELLOOOOO

    @RossMcbeath92: Few defenders and a decent keeper away from being right up there. So refreshing to see this 🙌🏻 Season tickets sales will be on the up with this type of ambition. Get a nice quality shirt out n the clubs back 😍

    @1908pools: “Hartlepool United we sign who we want”

    @JackHUFCC: GIVE US THAT TITLE 😍😍

    @Pools1908: That’s more than a statement! Whoever was involved in him coming needs a pay rise 🔵⚪

    @ConorSammon100: Nolan, Popov and now Harris. This lot are going for it 😳

    @ThePoolsPod: This could get very messy. Question I would ask is, if the player didn’t think he had a clear case with regards to the extension drama, why would he even risk the possibility of signing for another club?

    @wlshlws: You know how we could have avoided this entire mess? Taking up the option before the (apparent) end of his contract. End of the road for Bosomworth now, surely. If that clown has any shame he’d be putting the club up for sale tonight

    @Nwrighty18: The fact you even let it get it a point where it can be disputed id an absolute disgrace, time to resign DB you are no longer fit to run a professional football club. #bosomworthout



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