"I want the best for Halifax Town" - Shaymen boss McGrath on new signings, his squad and his backroom team

Only departures from the club have been announced since McGrath's appointment, with defenders Jevon Mills and Adam Adetoro the latest players to leave the club.

But McGrath says his first additions to the Town squad are pretty much in place.

"We've got two or three who are there or thereabouts," he told the Courier.

"You've got to try and work around players being away on holidays with loved ones, and I've managed to get a little break in as well.

"But they're 99.9 per cent tnrough the door and they'll be announced in due course."

McGrath added: "It's good to have the current squad already there of 11 or 12 and it's really exciting to add new players to coach and new players to gel with the other players, and new players for the Halifax faithful to keep their eyes on.

"It's always exciting when you sign new players and you're building something."

McGrath says he has spoken with 15 to 20 potential signings so far either in person or over the phone.

"I've been on holiday with my family and had phone calls with players, much to the annoyance of my wife and kids!" he said.

"But it's got to be done, they understand.

"It's an ongoing process, I want the best for Halifax Town, I want the best players to represent the style we're going to play, I want the best players to represent the football club.

"I've had conversations with everyone currently at the club as well - they're as important to me as the new ones coming through the door."

On the size of his squad, McGrath said: "I think with the 11 or 12 we've got, and you add eight to that - we'll keep a couple of places in the squad to access the loan market.

"We probably want to run with a squad of 20-22, so we keep competition for places really high but also we keep everybody fresh, because it's going to be a long season."

McGrath says he is hoping to bring some players with him from former club Buxton.

"That's the plan that's currently still in the pipeline," he said.

"I've got my eye on a few from there but there are ongoing conversations and discussions betwene the two clubs.

"We are working our way through it but credit to my chairman, David, who's been on the phone constantly with me, trying to get the deals done."

On whether there had been much interest in any of his existing players, the Town boss said: "That's the nature of football, when you're dealing with really good footballers, you're going to have conversations, links and rumours around them.

"We're preparing for all the current squad to be with us.

"There is rumours going round, I hear them, I get phone calls regarding players, but I've spoken to all the players, not just Will, and they're all fully committed."

Defender Will Smith has joined Morecambe while forward Jamie Cooke has signed for Hednesford.

Speaking before the announcements on Mills and Adetoro, McGrath said of Smith and Cooke's moves: "We offered Will improved terms on his deal from last year, we offered him a good contract to stay but he decided he wanted to be involved in another project with Adam at Morecambe.

"All you can do is offer what you can and it's up to the player to decide if he wants to stay or move on.

"I spoke to him and outlined our plans, he was important to my plans, we made him an offer but he wanted to follow Adam to Morecambe.

"With Jamie, it was a 50-50. A good player, had a few injuries last year.

"I just felt the time was right to move on."

Town's new-look backroom staff is also taking shape, says McGrath.

"We've got my assistant manager in place, Pablo, who is away on holiday and is back mid-June," he said.

"We're in the process of getting a goalkeeping coach, that's ongoing.

"We've identified one so that's currently in negotiations.

"We've sorted out a phyiotherapist just this morning and then it's looking at the analysis and strength and conditioning side of it.

"I've been up to The Shay and spoke to Bettsy (Mark Bett), the kit man, who is going to stay on in his role."