SCRFC Adds Former Nine Stripes George, Halley

Two former York United midfielders have been recruited by the Simcoe County Rovers ahead of the 2023 League1 Ontario season.

The Barrie-based club, which reached the playoff stage in its debut campaign last year, has confirmed the acquisition of former York United talents Javier George and Ijah Halley.

George, a Guyanese international, had joined York United as a late-season addition in 2021, making his CPL debut in a derby match against Forge FC that October. He had also previously been an emergency call-up for the team during an injury crisis last year, though he wasn’t called of the bench during that period.

The five-foot-ten midfielder is a native of New Amsterdam, Guyana, and has made four appearances for the Golden Jaguars, last featuring in a friendly against French Guiana in April 2022.

The 22-year-old is no stranger to League1 Ontario, having previously suited up for childhood club Toronto Skillz FC. He had also spent shorter stints with both the TFC Academy and French fifth division side Stade Beaucairois.

Ijah Halley will join the Rovers after making twelve appearances for Scrosoppi FC last year, tallying up three goals in that time. At one point the former Toronto FC Academy prospect had been York United’s youngest-ever signing, making twenty appearances for the Nine Stripes over a two year period before entering free agency.

Known for his speedy runs on the flank, he’ll offer the Rovers versatility as either a winger or a full-back.

The Barrie-based club has seen a number of its players step up to the professional level, like Ethan Beckford (Cavalry FC) and Kahlil John-Wentworth (Vancouver FC), amongst others.

The schedule for the upcoming League1 Ontario season is expected to be released in the coming weeks.