"Pools are extremely confident they have acted appropriately" - Hartlepool United reporter's view on the Will Harris transfer saga

Halifax insist star striker Harris, who scored 22 league goals last season, is their player and under contract for the forthcoming season.

But Harris was unveiled as a new signing at the weekend by Hartlepool, and was pictured training with them this week.

The dispute revolves around whether Town triggered the option on Harris’ contract in time, with Halifax insisting they did and have acted in accordance with FA rules, but Hartlepool adamant this is not the case and that he was effectively a free agent.

With no end in sight to the stand-off, we asked Robbie, who covers Hartlepool for The Monkey’s Uncle website, for his thoughts.

What is Hartlepool's position on this?

Hartlepool's position is slightly less clear than Halifax's given that Pools haven't published a club statement of their own, while head coach Lee Clark hasn't addressed the situation in the media. Yet our understanding is that Pools are extremely confident they have acted appropriately and that Will Harris will be a Hartlepool United player next season. The club appear to have made significant progress in terms of their football operations since Landon Smith completed his takeover of the club from controversial former owner Raj Singh on New Year's Eve, hiring Bromby and Partners, a specialist football consultancy firm, and appointing Chris Beech as their new head of recruitment. Were Pools proven to be in the wrong somehow, it would be a major blow to the new image the club are working hard to cultivate. Yet this is an altogether different Hartlepool United to the version we became used to under Singh, one that is far better financially resourced and much more self confident. If Halifax want to challenge Pools, I would expect the club to come out swinging.

What stance is Harris and his representatives taking?

It's telling that Harris was pictured with the Pools squad on their return to pre-season training on Monday. The fact that Pools have been almost bullish online and on social media when it came to his announcement and arrival would suggest to me the club are confident; it would certainly be embarrassing were they forced to backtrack at all. Harris and his representatives appear to maintain that Halifax triggered the clause in his contract after his initial deal had expired, therefore rendering it meaningless and allowing him to leave as a free agent. Harris was born in South Shields, spent time on trial at Victoria Park in 2022 and counts the likes of Sunderland, Gateshead and Spennymoor Town among his former clubs. It's understood that the chance to return to the North East was a big factor in convincing him to sign for Pools. It's a complicated situation and the waters are certainly muddy, but all the noises we're hearing would suggest he's here to stay.

Do you expect Harris to play in Hartlepool's first pre-season game?

Unless the FA intervene in any way, I would expect so. Pools are serious about pushing for promotion back to the Football League next season and the hope is that Harris will be fundamental to that. Were Pools to leave him out, that would strike me as an admission that something isn't quite right; if not of guilt, then at least of concern. I can't see it happening.

What are the likeliest next steps?

As far as Hartlepool United are concerned, it's full steam ahead. Having struggled for goals last season, Harris is one of a number of high profile new signings the club have made in order to rectify that alongside the likes of Jack Nolan, who found the net 19 times in 40 games for Morecambe, Chris Popov and Jordan Hugill. We'll have to see how the situation develops but Pools will be prepared to defend their position in the strongest possible terms, especially given how important Harris is likely to be to their promotion hopes next season.

What is the most likely outcome?

Personally, I find it hard to see a scenario where Harris would return to Halifax no matter the outcome of the debate. I would think Halifax will push for some sort of independent tribunal or arbitration process in the hope that a verdict in their favour would entitle them to a fee and, possibly, some form of compensation. Whatever the case, I'd think this will have to be sorted out one way or the other before the start of the season. If Harris begins the campaign leading the line for Pools without some sort of resolution being reached, then that would surely complicate the situation ever further.