FC Halifax Town: “I think I’ve put together a really exciting squad” says Wild

The past week has seen strikers Jake Hyde and Matty Stenson join the club, as well as midfielders Martin Woods, Luke Summerfield, Reuben Noble-Lazarus and Kieran Green.

Existing squad members Niall Maher, Nathan Clarke, Jeff King, Danny Williams and Jamie Allen have all agreed new deals after their previous contracts expired.

Along with Sam Johnson, Jay Benn and Jack Earing, that gives Wild a squad of 16, including transfer-listed duo Matty Brown and Jacob Hanson, with more signings expected to be announced over the next few days.

“I’m really happy. I’m sat here quite content with the deals that have been done and the deals that will be announced,” Wild said.

“I think I’ve put together a really exciting squad that’s got young, hungry players, non-league experience and Football League experience all in together.

“It was important to have structure, the right characters and the people in the building that want to go to the next level and are fully committed to doing what we want them to do.

“It’s been a good process because we’ve found out who wants to come on this journey and who doesn’t.

“It’s been an interesting process to find out what motivates certain people.”

The Town squad will gather for COVID-19 testing on Friday, August 28 before the first day of pre-season on Monday, August 31.

When asked if all his intended new signings will be in place by then, Wild said: “It won’t be all 20 but we’ll be near as dammit. There might be a couple light, just because I want to see how a couple of people come back in pre-season first.

“But come the start of the season we’ll have 20.”

Wild also said he will have some triallists with the squad during pre-season.

“You’d be daft not to take triallists and have a look, there may be something that comes out of nowhere,” he said.

“It’s important we don’t turn down maybe a hidden gem that might come out of a trial.”

On transfer listed duo Brown and Hanson, Wild said: “They’re still on the transfer list, we’re still working to make sure they get sorted out, but there’s not been any developments.”

Town have already announced friendlies away to Mossley, Guiseley, Huddersfield under 19’s and Curzon Ashton next month, and Wild says there will be another two - one away and one at home.

“There’s a couple that haven’t been announced because they’re Football League under 23 ones and their rules around COVID are still being fathomed out.”

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