The seasoned player has made a triumphant return to Blyth Spartans in the North East region. Greg Halford has come back to join the Northern Premier League club, more than 15 years after departing Sunderland.
Halford initially moved to Sunderland during Roy Keane’s tenure as manager, completing a £3m transfer to the club in the summer of 2007. Though primarily utilized as a right-back during his brief stint with the Black Cats, Halford’s flexibility allowed him to play in various positions throughout his nine appearances for the team. After loan spells at Charlton Athletic and Sheffield United, Halford eventually left Sunderland permanently, making a reported £1.7m move to Wolverhampton Wanderers in July 2009.
Over the next decade, Halford went on to play for Nottingham Forest, Brighton and Hove Albion, Cardiff City, and Aberdeen before transitioning to non-league football in the past two years with clubs like Billericay Town, Hashtag United, and Bishop’s Stortford. Now, he has returned to the North East to join Blyth Spartans as the first signing under interim manager David Stockdale.
In a statement to the Spartans website, Halford expressed his excitement about the move, stating, “I’m really looking forward to being back in the North-East after so long. I can’t wait to work under Stockdale, whom I’ve known for years. Meeting the team and getting started is something I’m eagerly anticipating.”
Stockdale also commented on Halford’s arrival, praising his experience and versatility on the field. He emphasized the importance of having seasoned players like Halford to guide and support the younger members of the squad.
Pending approval from the Football Association and the league, Halford could make his debut for Blyth Spartans when they face Prescot Cables in the Northern Premier League Premier Division on Saturday.
