Former Swindon Town defender Grant Hall has ended his search for a new club by signing for Isthmian League Premier Division side Whitehawk.
The 33-year-old has been without a club since leaving the County Ground in May, where he was one of ten players released at the end of last season.
League Two 
Fresh Start in Sussex
Hall endured an injury-hit spell during his single campaign with Swindon, managing just 14 League Two appearances. Although he returned to fitness in time to make a substitute appearance against Milton Keynes Dons on the final day, he was among those let go as the Robins reshaped their squad.
After considering retirement, the former Queen’s Park Rangers defender has opted to continue playing part-time. The move takes him closer to his Brighton base, while also bringing him back to a club he knows well. Hall previously turned out for Whitehawk on loan from Brighton as a teenager, and his family also has strong links, with both his father and brother having represented the non-league side.
Whitehawk currently sit mid-table in the Isthmian Premier and will look to Hall for leadership in what is a youthful squad.
Holloway’s Backing
Former boss Ian Holloway, who managed Hall at QPR, has long praised the centre-back’s qualities. Speaking earlier this year, he encouraged Hall to stay in the game.
“Whatever he does in the future – I still believe he should get his [coaching] badges, stick in football, and play for as long as he can, whether that is league football or non-league football, I don’t know.
“He deserves a send-off, I had him before at QPR, and he is a beautiful footballer. Some centre-halves are horrible and ugly, but Grant was the nicer side of things, a Will Wright, so to speak.”
Slow Market for Former Robins
Hall is not the only departure from Swindon to face a slow summer. George Cox, Tariq Uwakwe, Pharrell Johnson and Anton Dworzak are all still searching for new clubs. Jake Cain has joined Morecambe in the National League, Saidou Khan moved abroad to Club Africain in Tunisia, Sean McGurk signed for South Shields,
Jack Bycroft became a back-up goalkeeper at Exeter City, while Nnamdi Ofoborh found a new home at Barnet, where he has established himself as a regular.
Writer’s View
Hall’s switch to Whitehawk reflects both his desire to keep playing and the reality facing many experienced professionals after release. Injuries hampered his impact at Swindon, but his quality and know-how remain clear.
Whitehawk may prove an ideal environment for him to contribute on the pitch while easing into the next stage of his football journey.
