No bad feelings from Harvey over Halifax exit

Jim Harvey thought he had done enough to prolong his status as FC Halifax Towns manager (
Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe). — Jim Harvey thought he had done enough to prolong his status as FC Halifax Towns manager ( Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe).

Harvey, 58, guided the Shaymen to victory in the FA Trophy final on Sunday, but was subsequently told he will not have his contract renewed after it expires at the end of the season, with assistant Tommy Miller also leaving following the club’s relegation.

Harvey said: “I am very disappointed I will not be staying on.

“It is entirely down to the chairman, but I would have thought the results I achieved would have been good enough for me to stay.

“All I can say is I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working there.

“I got on really well with the chairman (David Bosomworth), and Bobby Ham and Stuart Peacock. I don’t have any bad feeling towards them.”

Defender Hamza Bencherif has joined Wrexham.

Former Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer is among several candidates likely to be interviewed this week for the vacant post at Rotherham United.

Coventry City boss Tony Mowbray has also been strongly linked with the position, with representatives of ex-England manager Steve McClaren also understood to have contacted the club, although a deal is thought to be unlikely.

Millers’ chairman Tony Stewart has confirmed that the club have received a number of “high-quality” applications” and is likely to take his time before deciding on Neil Warnock’s replacement.

Doncaster Rovers have signed former York City promotion hero Matty Blair to complement last week’s capture of Tommy Rowe. The 26-year-old joins from Mansfield, having turned down a new deal to join Rovers.

Middlesbrough have freed three players, including former Leeds United defender Jonathan Woodgate, 36, along with Rhys Williams and Damia Abella.

Meanwhile, the Teessiders are set to make their first pre-season signing after reaching an agreement with Ajax to sign Danish winger Viktor Fischer for £3.8m.

Boro are also being strongly linked with a move for former player James Morrison.

York City have made their third signing in the space of two days by bringing in Stoke City left-back Ben Barber on a two-year deal following on from the signing of fellow full-backs Shaun Rooney and Alex Whittle.