Connor Hall
Hall playing for Port Vale (August 2022)
Personal information
Full name Connor Hall[1]
Date of birth (1993-05-23) 23 May 1993 (age 30)[2]
Place of birth St Neots, England[3]
Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)[4]
Position(s) Defender[5]
Team information
Current team
 Colchester United
Number 5
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2015 Bury Town 74 (5)
2015 St Neots Town 14 (2)
2015–2016 Bury Town 20 (1)
2016–2018 Biggleswade Town
2018–2019 Brackley Town 38 (3)
2019–2022 Harrogate Town 94 (5)
2022–2023 Port Vale 44 (3)
2023– Colchester United 48 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 25 February 2024 (UTC)

Connor Hall (born 23 May 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League Two club Colchester United.

Hall began his career with Isthmian League side Bury Town, playing for the club from 2011 to 2016, apart from a short spell spent with St Neots Town in 2015. He then spent two seasons in the Southern League with Biggleswade Town, before joining National League North club Brackley Town in 2018. He continued his move up the non-League pyramid by signing with Harrogate Town in May 2019. He helped Harrogate to secure a place in the English Football League with victory in the 2020 National League play-off final. This was followed by victory in the delayed 2020 FA Trophy final. He was sold on to Port Vale in January 2022 and helped the club to win promotion out of League Two via the play-offs in four months later. He was sold on to Colchester United in January 2023 for an undisclosed fee.

Career

Early career

Originally from St Neots,[3] Hall attended West Suffolk College.[6] He started his senior career at Bury Town in the 2011–12 season after being encouraged to join the club by Willingham-based coach Dean Greygoose.[7][8] He had a trial at Leyton Orient in 2012[9] and at the age of 21, he was set to sign for Cambridge United after being scouted towards the end of the 2012–13 season, but the deal was cancelled as a result of a groin injury that kept him sidelined for 18 months.[7] He underwent four operations to correct the problem.[10] He missed the entire 2013–14 season, with the club in decline due to financial problems and soon to lose long-standing manager Richard Wilkins, but Hall decided to stay on upon his recovery.[10] He would make 43 appearances in the 2014–15 season, scoring five goals, as the "Blues" finished bottom of the Isthmian League Premier Division.[11]

Hall joined Southern League Premier Division side St Neots Town in the summer of 2015,[12] but he returned to Bury Town on 24 November 2015.[13] He later said that he went to St Neots because they were close to his home but he did not enjoy playing for the "Saints".[7] He featured 22 times for both St Neots and Bury Town during the 2015–16 season, before leaving Bury Town after receiving a higher paid offer from a club closer to his home.[11][14] Bury Town manager Ben Chenery noted Hall's hard work and later said that "he played centre-half, central midfield and left-back for us and was seamless in every one of those positions".[6]

In the summer of 2016, Hall signed for Southern Football League Premier Division side Biggleswade Town.[15] He played in a more advanced position for the club and scored 18 goals over the course of two seasons.[16]

He signed for National League North side Brackley Town in June 2018.[7] He partnered with Gareth Dean in central defence.[17] Brackley finished the 2018–19 season in third-place, with only champions Stockport County conceding fewer goals.[16] Kevin Wilkin's "Saints" qualified for the play-off semi-finals, but were defeated by Spennymoor Town in a penalty shoot-out following a 0–0 draw at St James Park.[18] During his semi-professional career he also worked in a sales job selling medical devices to hospitals.[19]

Harrogate Town

On 15 May 2019, Hall signed for National League side Harrogate Town on a two-year contract; he was the club's first signing of the summer and was described as a "big target" by manager Simon Weaver.[4] He played 33 league games before the 2019–20 season was halted and ultimately decided on goal average due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England, with the "Sulphurites" qualifying for the play-offs.[2] He scored Harrogate Town's second goal in the play-off final as the club would go on to be promoted to the Football League for the first time in their history with a 3–1 victory over Notts County.[20] In response to Harrogate's victory, Hall said "It's a dream come true to play at Wembley, win at Wembley, score at Wembley".[20] He was named as the club's Player's Player of the Season.[16][21] He was the subject of interest from a League One club in the summer, who failed to agree a fee with Harrogate.[3]

He made his Football League debut on 5 September 2020 in a 1–1 draw against Tranmere Rovers in the EFL Cup, in which Harrogate won 8–7 in the resulting penalty shoot-out.[22] He scored his first goal in the Football League on 1 December, in a 5–2 defeat to Scunthorpe United at Wetherby Road.[23] He signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with Harrogate in January.[24] He ended the 2020–21 campaign with 44 appearances to his name as Town finished in 17th-place.[25] On 3 May 2021, he won the FA Trophy with Harrogate in the long delayed 2020 final behind closed doors at Wembley against Concord Rangers; Harrogate won the match 1–0.[26] He remained a key first-team player in the first half of the 2021–22 season, playing 25 games.[27]

Port Vale

On 11 January 2022, Hall joined fellow League Two side Port Vale in a permanent move.[16] He joined the club for an undisclosed fee, signing a contract of undisclosed length, on the same day that veteran centre-back Leon Legge moved to Harrogate from Port Vale.[28] His second goal for the club, a header at Hartlepool United, secured a 1–0 victory and important three points in the "Valiants" automatic promotion push; speaking after the match, Hall praised interim manager Andy Crosby and also stated that "all the staff, and the players as well, the whole club are all as one".[29] He started in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium as Vale secured promotion with a 3–0 victory over Mansfield Town; Michael Baggaley of The Sentinel wrote that his "clearance off the line denied Mansfield a way back into the game" and that he put in a "calm defensive display".[30][31]

He scored on the opening day of the 2022–23 campaign, his League One debut, as Vale came from behind to beat Fleetwood Town 2–1.[32] He was dropped from the starting eleven following a loss of form in September, with Dan Jones playing in his stead, but regained his place the following month.[33] However, he found the commute from his home in Cambridgeshire difficult, leaving director of football David Flitcroft and manager Darrell Clarke to agree to let him depart for a club closer to Cambridgeshire.[34]

Colchester United

On 7 January 2023, Hall signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with League Two side Colchester United after being signed for an undisclosed fee.[35] He served as captain in new manager Ben Garner's first match in charge, a 2–0 defeat at Bradford City on 5 March.[36] He made 21 appearances in the second half of the 2022–23 season, scoring two goals, as the U's achieved their aim of avoiding relegation.[37][38]

Style of play

Hall is a strong, commanding centre-back who is also comfortable on the ball and can play in midfield if needed.[4]

Career statistics

As of match played 8 May 2023
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Bury Town 2011–12[11] Isthmian League Premier Division 11 0 0 0 4[a] 0 15 0
2012–13[11] Isthmian League Premier Division 22 0 0 0 8[a] 3 30 3
2013–14[11] Isthmian League Premier Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2014–15[11] Isthmian League Premier Division 41 5 0 0 2[a] 0 43 5
Total 74 5 0 0 14 3 88 8
St Neots Town 2015–16[11] Southern League Premier Division 14 2 4 1 0 0 4[b] 1 22 4
Bury Town 2015–16[11] Isthmian League Division One North 20 1 0 0 2[a] 1 22 2
Biggleswade Town 2016–17[c] Southern League Premier Division
2017–18[c] Southern League Premier Division
Total
Brackley Town 2018–19[2] National League North 38 3 0 0 0 0 2[d] 0 40 3
Harrogate Town 2019–20[2] National League 33 3 2 0 0 0 6[e] 2 41 5
2020–21[25] EFL League Two 41 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 44 1
2021–22[27] EFL League Two 20 0 2 0 0 0 3[f] 0 25 0
Total 94 4 5 0 2 0 9 2 110 6
Port Vale 2021–22[27] EFL League Two 24 2 0 0 0 0 3[g] 0 27 2
2022–23[37] EFL League One 20 1 0 0 0 0 5[f] 0 25 1
Total 44 3 0 0 0 0 8 0 52 3
Colchester United 2022–23[37] EFL League Two 21 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 21 2
2023–24[39] EFL League Two 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 21 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 21 2
Career total[c] 305 20 9 1 2 0 39 7 355 28
  1. ^ a b c d Cup competitions not specified in the source
  2. ^ 2 appearances and 1 goal in the FA Trophy, 1 appearance in the Huntingdonshire Senior Cup and 1 appearance in the Southern Football League Cup
  3. ^ a b c Statistics at Biggleswade Town are not known and are not included in the final totals
  4. ^ Appearance(s) in the FA Trophy
  5. ^ 4 appearances and 1 goal in the FA Trophy, 2 appearances and 1 goal in the play-offs
  6. ^ a b Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy
  7. ^ Appearance(s) in the play-offs

Honours

Harrogate Town

Port Vale

References

  1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Harrogate Town" (PDF). English Football League. 11 September 2020. p. 33. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d Connor Hall at Soccerway
  3. ^ a b c Apicella, Liam (15 January 2021). "Former Bury player commits future to Harrogate". Suffolk News. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Howell, Rhys (15 May 2019). "Harrogate Town make first signing of summer as Connor Hall arrives". Harrogate Advertiser. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Connor Hall". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  6. ^ a b Apicella, Liam (3 August 2020). "Ex-Bury player on target at Wembley". Suffolk News. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d Badcock, Matt (27 March 2019). "Saints a blessing for Brackley Town ace Connor Hall". The Non-League Paper. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  8. ^ "Connor Hall Profile". www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk. Aylesbury United F.C. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  9. ^ Garnham, Nick (25 September 2012). "No offer received by Bury Town for Connor Hall". Green'Un24. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  10. ^ a b Marston, Carl (5 June 2014). "New signing Connor Hall fit and raring to go at Bury Town". East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h "Connor Hall Profile | Aylesbury United FC". www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  12. ^ Brammer, Chris (11 June 2015). "Bury Town boss Ben Chenery playing waiting game in transfer market". Bury Mercury. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  13. ^ Ridgard, William (24 November 2015). "Bury Town re-sign key midfielder Connor Hall". Bury Mercury. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  14. ^ "Chenery's plans dealt a blow as Hall leaves Bury Town". Suffolk News. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  15. ^ "Ex-Hatter among four new Waders signings". Biggleswade Today. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  16. ^ a b c d Mounteney, Luke (11 January 2022). "Connor Hall signs for the Vale". Port Vale F.C. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  17. ^ "Connor Hall helps Brackley Town to play-offs". Achieve Management. 16 April 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  18. ^ Caroll, Tim (5 May 2019). "Report: Spennymoor 5/5/19". www.brackleytownfc.com. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  19. ^ Baggaley, Michael (26 February 2022). "Port Vale's Connor Hall thriving after career change to football". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  20. ^ a b Howell, Rhys (3 August 2020). "Wembley dream comes true for Harrogate Town hero Connor Hall as Football League challenge awaits". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  21. ^ Robinson, Calvin (11 January 2022). "Harrogate Town promotion hero Connor Hall joins Port Vale". The Stray Ferret. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  22. ^ "Tranmere Rovers 1–1 Harrogate Town (7–8 on pens)". BBC Sport. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  23. ^ "Harrogate Town 2-5 Scunthorpe United". BBC Sport. 1 December 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  24. ^ "Connor Hall: Harrogate defender signs new deal as Mitchell Roberts arrives". BBC Sport. 8 January 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  25. ^ a b "Games played by Connor Hall in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  26. ^ a b Law, James (3 May 2021). "FA Trophy final 2019-20: Concord Rangers 0-1 Harrogate Town". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  27. ^ a b c "Games played by Connor Hall in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  28. ^ "Vale sign Hall as Legge joins Harrogate". BBC Sport. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  29. ^ Baggaley, Michael (18 April 2022). "Connor Hall hails Port Vale supporters ahead of Bristol Rovers". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  30. ^ a b Aloia, Andrew (28 May 2022). "Vale beat 10-man Mansfield to reach League One". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  31. ^ Baggaley, Michael (28 May 2022). "Port Vale player ratings from Wembley win over Mansfield". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  32. ^ Baggaley, Michael (1 August 2022). "Port Vale's Connor Hall rewarded for opening day performance". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  33. ^ "Connor Hall | "We deserved the win"". Port Vale F.C. 22 October 2022. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  34. ^ "Connor Hall completes permanent transfer to Colchester United". Port Vale F.C. 7 January 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  35. ^ Gregory, David (7 January 2023). "U's Snap Up Hall". www.cu-fc.com. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  36. ^ Waldron, Johnathan (7 March 2023). "Connor Hall excited to get to work under new U's boss Ben Garner". Gazette. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  37. ^ a b c "Games played by Connor Hall in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  38. ^ "BBC Essex - BBC Essex Sport, Connor Hall: I knew when I came it was about staying up but next season we need to be challenging at the other end". BBC. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  39. ^ "Games played by Connor Hall in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  40. ^ Freeman, Jay (2 August 2020). "Harrogate Town 3–1 Notts County". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
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