Flint Town United: Former Blackpool, Rochdale, and Sheffield United defender joins after free transfer exit
Harrison McGahey has found a new club after leaving the Cymru Premier champions The New Saints. (Pic by Craig Thomas/FAW)
Flint Town United have continued strengthening their squad with the signing of a former Football League defender who previously played for clubs including Blackpool and Sheffield United.
The Silkmen saw nine players leave the Essity Stadium over the summer, leaving manager Lee Fowler with the task of rebuilding ahead of the 2026/27 Cymru Premier campaign.
Flint narrowly avoided relegation on the final day last season at the expense of Bala Town and have since brought back two former players as part of their rebuild.
With the league now expanded and an additional relegation place introduced, Flint face increased pressure to recruit effectively to avoid another battle at the bottom.
Flint Town United sign former Football League defender
Fronting up their business is the signing of Harrison McGahey, who joins from The New Saints, putting pen to paper on a two-year contract.
The 30-year-old’s deal at Park Hall is set to expire at the end of the month, after which he will link up with his new teammates at Flint Town United. McGahey was a regular feature in the TNS backline, making 36 appearances across five competitions as they secured further domestic success.
During his time in Wales, he lifted two league titles, a League Cup, and a Welsh Cup.
Before joining The New Saints, McGahey built an extensive Football League career with Rochdale, Scunthorpe United, Oldham Athletic, Sheffield United, Tranmere Rovers, and Blackpool.
He made more than 130 appearances in League One, primarily with Rochdale, while also featuring for Sheffield United and Scunthorpe United.
Former Bala Town pair head to Flint
Arriving alongside McGahey is Bala defender Harry Dean, who, despite relegation, will have benefited from his first taste of senior football. He left Wrexham last summer and was immediately handed an opportunity at Maes Tegid.
The 20-year-old right-back made 29 appearances across three competitions, the vast majority of them as starts.
Another player with top-flight experience heading to Flint is centre-forward Joe Malkin. The 27-year-old returns to Wales after a spell in England with Vauxhall Motors.
Malkin first played in Wales when he joined Connah’s Quay from Nantwich Town in 2022, where he scored six goals in 23 appearances. He moved on a year later, spending several seasons with Bala, making 71 appearances in total, scoring eight goals and adding three assists. During his time there, he also featured in UEFA Conference League qualifiers and the Scottish Challenge Cup.
