The race has commenced to secure the signing of one of the standout names available on a free transfer this summer, and Lincoln City are one of three clubs to table an offer for former Stockport County star Macauley Southam-Hales, according to reports.
The 29-year-old has been with the Hatters since joining from Fleetwood Town in 2020. He has gone on to make 119 appearances for the club and played a key role in their rise to League One from the National League.
Injury Prevents Creative Talent From Fulfilling Potential
There have been countless players who have seen promising careers fall by the wayside due to injury, and that has been the case for Macauley Southam-Hales in recent times.
The former Hartlepool Town loanee quickly became a fan favourite after arriving at Stockport County and played 30 times in their National League winning campaign in 2021/22, but it has been more frustration for the star ever since.
He may have been on course to match his tally of nine assists from right-wing back in the title-winning NL season in League Two, providing two in his opening five matches in the fourth tier. However, injury restricted him to just nine fourth-tier outings in 2022/23.
A serious patellar tendon injury in February 2024 ended a spectacular campaign that produced seven assists in just 21 appearances. No player in the Stockport County squad could match his record of 0.8 key passes per match as the club secured promotion to League One.
It has been a long road back for the player who only returned in November 2024 and went on to score three goals in 17 matches this past season. They included the equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Birmingham City and strikes in wins over Reading and Crawley Town in an impressive 24-day spell in January 2025.
Injuries have robbed EFL fans of seeing Macauley Southam-Hales at his best for long periods, but a fresh start may be the remedy, with Lincoln City one of several clubs after his signature.
Lincoln City Among Three Clubs to Make Offer
Stockport County had announced last week that the player was set to move on after a highly successful spell, with CEO Simon Wilson full of praise for the star:
“Macauley Southam-Hales is one of the best people I have met in my life. I have to say that before we talk about what a brilliant footballer he is.
“He is such a giving person and would do anything for anybody. He parks any personal motive for the good of the group, club, community or cause. His nature, spirit, personality, whatever you want to call it, is infectious, and he makes everyone he interacts with better.
“He is a brilliant footballer who is the epitome of what we wanted from his position. Quick, direct, with quality in his attacking play. Resolute and determined in his defending. Gives the team every last inch of effort.”
It appears that level of praise may be universal as Football League World are reporting that Lincoln City, Wigan Athletic, and recently relegated Bristol Rovers have all offered contracts to the right-back as the race for his signature heats up.
If he can stay fit, he could star in any of those teams and with the Imps and the Latics likely to be chasing play-off spots in the new season, he could play a deciding role in their fortunes.
The news may prompt further clubs to make a move as there are few players of this calibre available on a free transfer this summer. Macauley Southam-Hales may be looking for regular football after the significant run of injuries, and with his role as a wing-back specialised in the modern game, he would be a perfect fit for a large portion of teams in the third and fourth tiers.