FC Halifax Town: Fairhurst eager to show what he can do

Waide Fairhurst, then of Macclesfield, holds off FC Halifax Town's James Bolton during a game at Moss Rose. Picture: Mike Glendenning

The 26-year-old joined Torquay last summer but rarely featured for The Gulls after picking up a knee injury in their 3-2 win at Halifax in August that kept him sidelined for three months.

The forward has featured as a substitute in Town’s last two games but is now targeting a start as the next step to getting back to his best.

“I got the injury after I played at Halifax so I never really got going there (at Torquay),” he reflected.

“I woke up the morning after and my knee was really swollen.

“I went for a scan and I’d done my knee ligaments.

“But that’s all behind me now.

“I just need to get minutes under my belt and I’ll get fitter, sharper and stronger.

“I’m happy to be at Halifax and I’m going to work my socks off. Hopefully in the weeks to come I’ll get a start and I can show the fans what I can do.”

Fairhurst left Torquay in late January, but was training with Town ‘a few days later’ with the aim of impressing manager Jim Harvey enough to earn a deal.

He admits he is relieved to have returned to his Yorkshire roots, and believes his new team is capable of lifting themselves away from the National League drop-zone.

“It’s good to be back home with my family as I live in Sheffield,” he said.

“It’s a good club to be at and we shouldn’t be where we are as a club but we’re going to stick together and push on up the league.

“Things went against us last week. The referee gave a penalty which could be given at every single corner and every single free-kick if you’re going to give them.

“I’m very surprised the club’s near the relegation zone. They’ve got good quality.

“We’ve definitely got enough ability to get out of it.

“There’s enough togetherness and enough hard work.

“I’m not worried. Forest Green obviously aren’t a bad team, they’re up there in the table, but you’ve just got to go again for the next game.”

Fairhurst would be interested in extending his stay with The Shaymen, but says his immediate focus is survival.

He added: “My main target is to stay up but then I’d definitely be interested in getting a deal for next season.

“But it’s just important we say in this league for now and I’m sure we will.”