National League rivals Solihull Moors and Harrogate Town swapped players on Friday with Mitch Hancox joining Town on loan and Sam Jones heading the other way.
Hancox can play anywhere on the left side, as well as in the middle of the park and will take the number 25 shirt at Harrogate. Like frontman Jones, his loan expires after the festive period on January 5.
Solihull-bound Jones has made six appearances since arriving from Shrewsbury in the summer and scored in Harrogate’s 11- draw at Maidenhead.
Capped by Wales at U19s level, the 28-year-old played for Alfreton Town and Gateshead before earning a move to Grimsby Town in the Football League in January 2017.
Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver welcomed Hancox to Wetherby Road in a club statement.
Weaver said: “He’s a good footballer with a good football brain and an experienced player which I think was necessary to bring in to the group at this moment in time.
“He’s got a very good left foot, is a good talker throughout the game and can help those around him.
“He did very well for Macclesfield in their promotion season under John Askey and his experience of success at this level only the year before last should lend itself to the group.”
The 26-year-old made the move to Solihull in the summer, with a number of clubs chasing his signature. He departs in search of regular football having scored twice in 13 appearances for Tim Flowers’ side this season.
A National League winner with Macclesfield, Hancox kicked off his career at Birmingham City, spending his entire youth career there before going on to make 40 appearances in the Championship.
His time at St Andrews also included a loan spell at League Two Crawley Town before a permanent move to Macclesfield in August 2016.
In his second season under John Askey, Hancox helped The Silkmen into the Football League, scoring seven times in 39 appearances, his haul including a hat-trick away at Tuesday night’s opponents Halifax.
The 2018/19 season saw Town’s newest addition make the move to MK Dons. A campaign blighted by injury prevented Hancox making the impact he wanted but did pave the way for a summer switch to Solihull.
A Harrogate Town spokesperson said: “We wish Sam good luck during his loan spell, and warmly welcome Mitch to the club.”
Images courtesy of @SolihullMoors & @HarrogateTown/Twitter
