FC Halifax Town bolster defence with 13th summer signing after Woking win
FC Halifax Town have completed the signing of Carl Maguire, the club’s 13th arrival of the close season, as manager Luke Haigh urges his Brighouse side to string together longer spells of quality football. The National League neighbours locked horns in a pre-season clash on 2026-04-25, when Halifax ran out 1-0 winners at Woking to extend their recent winning run to two games.
Haigh admitted he wasn’t sure what calibre of side Halifax would field that day, watching John McGrath put his full squad - including first teamers and trialists - through a heavy-duty training block before kick-off. He opted for a cautious approach against a Halifax XI packed with trialists and youth-teamers, and was left underwhelmed by Brighouse’s patchy patches in the 2-1 away win at Malt Shovel. “If we can play below par and still come away with a win, I suppose that’s not a bad sign,” Haigh said.
Why Maguire’s move boosts FC Halifax Town’s title push
Carl Maguire arrives at The Shay from Brighouse’s youth ranks, where he helped the club reach the FA Youth Cup first round back in 2011. Luke Haigh described him as a “quality left-back who gives us balance, experience, and leadership,” adding: “Brilliant in the dressing room, great with the younger lads, and I’m delighted to have him on board. He might not be the biggest, but he’s tenacious, loves defending one-on-ones, and never shirks a challenge.”
Maguire becomes the 13th summer arrival at FC Halifax Town, a haul that underlines the club’s ambition to push on after finishing eighth in the National League last term with 70 points from 46 games. The Shaymen scored 69 and conceded 66, leaving them three goals adrift of a positive goal difference and 38 points behind runaway leaders York.
Brighouse boss Haigh plots revival after mixed pre-season
Brighouse’s pre-season has been a mixed bag. After the 2-0 reverse at home to FC Halifax Town, Haigh’s side responded with a 2-1 win at Malt Shovel and a 4-1 thrashing of Greetland. “We had a 25-minute spell I was pleased with at Malt Shovel and versus Greetland that spell was 40 minutes,” Haigh noted. “I’ll be looking for those better spells to get longer as pre-season progresses and we move toward the start of the league season.”
The Brighouse boss is still chasing three or four more additions before the campaign restarts, with the club set to face Rochdale Sacred Heart in a pre-season friendly on Saturday. Maguire’s arrival gives Haigh another experienced head to slot into his reshaped backline as the new campaign edges closer.
League standing (final 2025 table - new season not yet under way): 8th in National League, 70 pts, 20W-10D-16L from 46 games, recent form WLDDW. Goals this season: 69 scored, 66 conceded (+3 goal difference). Title race: 38 points behind leaders York. Last result: Woking 0-1 FC Halifax Town (2026-04-25). Recent form (last 5): 2W-1D-2L (WWLLD, most recent first); on a 2-game winning run.
