Former Sunderland prospect would benefit from Hartlepool United move as striker race intensifies

A former manager of reported Hartlepool United transfer target Will Harris is not surprised by the interest being shown in the FC Halifax Town striker.

Pools have already made a positive start to their summer recruitment plans after boosting their attacking options with the signings of experienced striker Jordan Hugill and former Morecambe forward Jack Nolan, who scored 19 goals for the Shrimpers as they fought an unsuccessful battle against relegation from the National League. Further creativity has been secured in the form of Spennymoor Town’s attacking midfielder Corey McKeown and versatility down the left-hand side after a deal for Bromley’s Brooklyn Ilunga was completed.

Work over further new additions is ongoing and a goalkeeper and striker are both believed to be high on the agenda for head coach Lee Clark and recently appointed head of recruitment Chris Beech as they look to further strengthen the squad ahead of the return to pre-season training later this month. Pools are one of several clubs to be linked with a move for Shaymen striker Harris after he scored 22 goals in 43 National League games last season - and former Spennymoor Town manager Jamie Chandler, who signed the former Sunderland and Gateshead striker during his time with the Moors, believes a move to Victoria Park would work for player and club.

He told The Mail: “It has been great seeing how well Will has done at Halifax this season and it’s no surprise to see so many clubs showing an interest in him given the number of goals he has scored. He was probably a little bit unlucky when we had him at Spennymoor because he was playing alongside Glen Taylor and Glen is the main man at Spenny - and rightly so given what he has done for the club.

“There was never any doubting Will’s talent and attitude and I think he has probably thrived from being handed the responsibility of being the main man in attack at Halifax and it’s brought something out of him. There’s obviously a few clubs keen and you can see why Hartlepool would be interested in him given what he has done this season so I think that move is one that could work for Pools and Will.”