FC Halifax Town claim they still hold Will Harris' player registration despite Hartlepool United unveiling
FC Halifax Town claim they still hold Will Harris' player registration.
Hartlepool United pulled off a major coup with the unveiling of Will Harris on Saturday, beating off stiff competition from several clubs to land his signature.
Yet, within minutes of his arrival being announced at The Vic, his former club FC Halifax Town took to social media to claim they still hold the player registration for Harris. Harris had arrived on a free transfer at Pools but their National League rivals are insistent that a one-year option was exercised within the FA timescales and that they hold the player registration for Harris.
The Mail approached Pools for comment but the club declined, however it’s understood that as far as Pools are concerned, Harris is their player and will form part of Lee Clark’s squad for the 2026-27 campaign - with the relevant approvals in place. It remains to be seen the next steps though, with FC Halifax adamant on their stance.
The statement from FC Halifax Town read: “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.”
Slightly earlier in the day, Pools announced Harris had signed a two-year deal. Harris told the club website: “As soon as Pools’ interest became serious, this was the place I wanted to come. Chris [Maxwell] 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.
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“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.”
The Pools players return to training at Maiden Castle on Monday. The former Sunderland academy frontman caught the eye of a number of potential suitors throughout last season as he enjoyed the most productive year of his career by plundering his way to 22 goals in 43 league appearances.
Harris spent time within the youth set-up at Hebburn Town before enjoying spells within the academy systems at Burnley and Sunderland. Harris joined Gateshead following his release from the Black Cats during the summer of 2022. A free transfer move to Spennymoor Town and a loan spell at Scunthorpe United followed before Harris found a home with Halifax last summer.