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THE OFFICIAL FC HALIFAX TOWN PROGRAMME

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FC HalifaxTown v CHESTER FC Thursday 25 April 2013 - Kickoff 3.00pm

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Boardroom Notes FC Halifax Town The Shay Stadium Shay Syke Halifax HX1 2YS Tel: 01422 341222 Fax: 01422 349487 web: www.fcht.co.uk email secretary@halifaxafc.co.uk Chairman David Bosomworth Directors Bobby Ham Stuart Peacock Associate Directors Peter Hemingway Pete Stajic Club Secretary Hayley Horne Accountant Clem Rushworth IPFA President Robert Holmes Vice President Geoff Cope & Kemp Manager Neil Aspin Coach Lee Nogan Goalkeeping Coach Karl Lenaghan Kit Man Ian Helliwell Club Physio Therapist Dan Stolworthy Groundsmen Graham Osbourne Mark Hans Website Editor Kelly Gilchrist Media Team Adam Cheshire Matthew Shaw, Joe Smith, Liam Norcliffe, Mark Ridgway, Alan Dale, Alex Bradin, Lewis Wood-Thompson and Peter Taylor Publishing RWR Graphics, Leeds FC Halifax Town Ltd Company Number 06557378 Principal Shareholder: David Bosomworth Articles contained in this programme are sometimes provided by third party correspondents and may not necessarily reflect the views of FC Halifax Town Ltd

CONGRATULATIONS to Chester FC! We must start tonight's programme notes by saying a hearty well done and congratulations to Chester on their wonderful season and taking Blue Square Bet North by storm. Reminiscent of our achievement in the Unibond North One campaign exceeding 100 points and scoring over one hundred goals, but doing it two divisions higher up is no mean achievement. Whilst Chester FC are no strangers to promotion having achieved three on the trot with their current Manager Neil Young, the Manager himself has also had promotion success with Colwyn Bay, so our paths have crossed before. In fact Neil has managed to gain four promotions in five seasons which is outstanding and so it will be straight in to the Football League at the end of next season, so no pressure there then?! The record is all the more outstanding in that they have only lost one game during the season whilst they were striving for the automatic promotion place and the Championship. Yes, they have lost recently to Guiseley and Solihull Moors but everything they set out to achieve this season has been sealed and delivered, so why shouldn't the player's minds be on the beach!! We are as always delighted to welcome their Chairman Chris Pilsbury, fellow directors and committee, Neil Young and his team and whilst not as many as may have been envisaged earlier in the season, a reasonable following of the Chester faithful. What a shame that tonight's game has nothing riding on it except for pride, but it should still be an enjoyable game. Congratulations to Neil and his team for securing a play-off spot, after the home draw with Guiseley. Whether we finish fourth or fifth is in the main immaterial, although a fifth place means that we cannot enjoy a home final, should we be successful in the semi-final, it will definitely be away if that does happen. Without doubt, this has been a most difficult season, as a result of the back log of fixtures, mainly due to the welldocumented pitch issues, but also the two cup runs in the FA Cup and the Trophy, not to mention away cancellations of a varying nature. We move on and prepare ourselves for two great games in the playoffs and enjoy them. That is what we are all in football for, games with something at stake, bigger atmospheres, a buzz around the place and if any success comes along

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the way embrace it, if it is to be disappointment, face it, dust ourselves down and move on! Of course it was disappointing to go to Altrincham with eight changes or more, but the lads have had to have a rest. Four weeks of four games a week is insane and efforts should be made to avoid this situation going forward, as we have not been alone. Why can we not start the season at the same time as the Premier division? It provides the opportunity for a Saturday game and a midweek game when the kids are on holiday, the weather is pleasant and the grass is in good nick. Any teams with runs in cups or added issues with pitches or other matters, have a too tight a schedule to manage, but it is difficult for all. Please keep your eyes peeled for information relating to tickets for the semifinals, as there will not be a lot of time between the last placings being known and the games taking place. We do know that Guiseley have been informed there is a ground restriction of 2,400 by the police and their secretary has confirmed we will be allocated 1,000 tickets. There may be an opportunity for season ticket holders to have first option to secure their tickets, but it will only be a 24 hour window and we will announce once our opponents are known. Brackley are still to confirm what their plans are, as we go to press for tonight's programme. At half-time we will be making presentations to three local charities, who are beneficiaries of three donations as part of our progress in the FA Cup and the FA Community Trust. They are Halifax Children's Welfare League, Halifax Street Angels and Halifax Smart Move, who all receive a share of ÂŁ2,000 which supplements other charitable donations during the season, we hope they will be able to put the funds to good use and also enjoy their evening with us. We are also delighted to announce the appointment of Steve Nichol, who has recently joined the Club and he will have a specific development role as Director - for Community, Junior and Youth Football. As always, enjoy this evening's game. Let us hope we remain injury free in readiness for the play-offs and those players nursing bumps, bruises or fatigue enjoy the chance to recuperate a little. Please respect our visitors and of course the match officials. COME ON THE SHAYMEN!

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FC HalifaxTown

Managers Notes Good evening and welcome to The Shay for our final home game of the regular league campaign, as we host champions Chester. They've had a great season and I wish them – and their manager Neil Young - all the best in the Conference Premier next term.

“Pleased we're over the line” And we are still in the hunt in joining them next season after securing our play-off spot last weekend. I was really pleased that we got over the line on Saturday because this week's run of games – fellow promotion hopefuls Altrincham away on Tuesday, champions Chester tonight and Stalybridge Celtic away on the final day – is really difficult. Going into those games knowing that we still needed a point would have added to the pressure, so it was such a big relief. I must give our players tremendous credit because they played away at Oxford on the Tuesday and then away at Harrogate on the Thursday and I thought that we would have been heavy legged against Guiseley. We started quite defensively in the first half because I thought if we kept it tight at the back then we could have a go at them for the last 45 minutes. So it was always my intention to make a couple of changes at half-time. But overall the players did not show any tiredness and they played at a high tempo. We looked tired in the second half against Corby the other week but generally we have done well and come on strong in most of the games in these past few weeks. That is testament to the players. As long as you have a lot of heart under your shirt, then you can keep getting results. And our captain, Danny Lowe, leads by example on this front. An ever-present this season although after I did say to him that if we got the point against Guiseley then he could have a rest against Altrincham and he certainly signed off with a good game. I had him at Harrogate, and I have now watched him develop into a tremendous captain. He is a top bloke, he has matured, and he has got better and better as the season has gone on. There are probably more captains who are vocal but he sets the example with his performances. As I say, I wanted to keep it tight in the first half but we gave away a soft penalty just before half-time. They did have a bit of possession but they weren't getting in behind us, so it was a bad goal to give away. It was a soft goal and it is just unfortunate that James Knowles has had a difficult start to his career

here. But he is experienced, he is not a young lad and it won't affect him. The penalty we conceded in the game previous away at Harrogate - was a harsh decision. Sometimes you do get them sort of decisions but, although the referee we had is a genuine bloke, I had to disagree with him on that one. And we certainly don't want to keep conceding penalties – James' foul on Seb Carole against Guiseley was the third penalty in four games that we had conceded. But it would be nice if the opposition teams started taking penalties like we do…and started to put them over the bar and into the stand! But they seem to always go in the top corners, which we don't seem to be able to do. Conceding penalties is something that we need to avoid going into the play-offs.

“Players are not pampered” But we made the double substitution at half-time with Adriano Moke and Alex Johnson coming on and they gave us a lift. We had more impetus going forward, we were able to get closer to the opposition and not let them pass the ball and it was a fantastic goal from by which we equalised just three minutes after the restart. I enjoyed watching that goal. I was really pleased for Lee Gregory because he has put a shift in every week without getting the goals, so he thoroughly deserved that goal. It was a lovely finish and it will give him confidence going into play-offs. The 1-1 draw extended our unbeaten run to six games. Prior to Guiseley, we picked up a hardearned point at Harrogate. When we played them at home I thought we deserved the three points on the night, despite us giving them a two goal head start. Last Thursday, Harrogate played some nice stuff in the first half, although as I've mentioned, I did think they were lucky to get the penalty. In the second half, therefore, we had to chase the game and I would have liked us to have created more chances than we did but the conditions did not help. It was a very tricky pitch, with some areas that were soft and some that were hard and uneven, so it was a difficult surface. I would never set out a team to get a draw but if you would have offered me a point before that game, then that would not have been a bad result. But it was a difficult night for football, on the back of a very long trip from Oxford. Even I felt tired at Wetherby Road. But it's the players that are putting

in the effort. After getting in late from Oxford they will have been up early for work before making their own ways north to Harrogate. These players are not pampered – it's not as if they had a coach to travel on. They had to drive through the rush-hour traffic and some arrived late. Over the last few weeks, we have shown a lot of character, a lot of desire and I am proud of their efforts. They just need to keep going now and carry it on. The character at Harrogate shown through and we got the equaliser through James Bolton's third goal in four games. If he had told me that he could score goals I would played him earlier! He is a good character, he has played right-back which is a position he has never really played before, he's played in midfield and he has chipped in with some valuable goals, so you could not have asked for more - especially from someone who is on loan.

“Heart under their shirts” This is our last home league game of the regular season, so I want to say thank you all the fans for all the support you have given to the team. I have felt for the fans because we have had a stop-start season. When we weren't playing, Chester were winning all their games and that deflated a lot of people because they wanted us to be in that position. However, my players have given 100% and I always say that if the players do that then they will support you. There is still a lot of football to be played and it is all about finding form at the right time. But when you look at the fixtures we had remaining, it was never going to be easy getting into the play-offs. I am just delighted that we are there. A club of this size should be getting into the play-offs but it is still a great achievement. It is now about who gets that fourth spot, and Tuesday night's game at Altrincham could have proved a good indication as to who will eventually get it. If we want to get it then we will have had to beat them. Aside from who gets fourth, this is probably the first season where I can relax going into the last couple of games or so because the outcome isn't as vital compared to previous years. The play-offs, as we all know, will be different. All I will say is that in the play-offs you just have to take who you get. But whoever it is, we are a match for anyone. Support the lads tonight, Neil

FC HalifaxTown

Captains Column

THE LOWE DOWN The objective was to get into the play-offs as soon as we couldâ&#x20AC;Ś And it is a case of mission accomplished. It was decent to get into those play-offs after the Guiseley game. Finally! It has been a tremendously hard season, injury and pitch wise. We wanted to do it and we did on the back of another very tough week. That made it even more pleasing. And for our efforts, especially over the last few weeks, we definitely deserve to be in the playoffs. The amount of games we have had to play, back-to-back, has meant that it has been really hard to get up for work in a morning. I have never known a season like it. I certainly haven't played as many games in a short amount of time as I have done in the latter stages of this season. After playing in every game as well, my body is in absolute bits. Most of the other lads are feeling the same. We got in from Oxford at 2.30am last Wednesday morning and then I was up for work at 6.00am. It hasn't been ideal. And that's an understatement! But it's something we knew that we had to do. We have had to roll our sleeves up and get on with it and we managed to achieve what we initially set out to do. On the subject of playing in every game, these notes were

written before the Altrincham game on Tuesday, so hopefully I got a rest! I would absolutely love to play in every single game of the campaign as it would be a really nice record but you have got to be more sensible than that. I haven't missed one single game, or minute, of any league or major cup game this season but now I need to start thinking about myself. I think I am due a well deserved rest! It's now about getting into the right condition for the play-offs. Even though I haven't been fresh, I still think I've been able to maintain my standard over the last few weeks. But before the play-offs I need to have a little bit of a rest so I can be in the best possible shape because they will be big games and I want to continue with the standard that I am playing at. I don't want all this week off though. Hopefully I will have had a bit of a rest on Tuesday and maybe I'll play some part tonight against Chester and against Stalybridge on Saturday. It would have been nice to have finished it off by playing every single minute of the league season, but it would not be sensible. Even the lads on loan are giving it everything. Adam Jackson was thrown in at the deep end on Saturday against Guiseley. He hadn't even played for us but he did really well in the first half before the Gaffer made his attacking substitutions. Young James Bolton has come in and he has been class. He's already scored three very important goals for us as well, which is an added bonus. You have just got to take your hat off to all of the squad. It's easy to look at the table and say, “Oh, FC Halifax Town have got loads of games in hand. They'll easily get into the play-offs.” But you have got to win

those games in hand and get the points on the board. And with the games coming thick and fast, it makes it that bit trickier. And although our fans are really passionate, it has been hard to gee yourself up going into games. The lads have got other lives outside of football as well that are just as important, but credit must go to the lads because they all look after themselves. They are all good lads. We all want one thing and that is to get out of this league. So tonight we welcome deserved champions Chester and you have just got to take your hat off to them. Of course we wish it was us in their position but, in fairness, you are never going to get two teams who will run away with the division like that. You could argue that they haven't had the problems we have experienced, but that isn't their fault. Their job was to go out and win as many games as they could. The record that they set, the points tally they mustered and the goals they scored – everything is credit to them. Their manager – Neil Young – has done a tremendous job and he has got the best out of them on the back of two other promotions. The fact of the matter is that Chester have been better than everyone else this season and the points show it. I take my hat off to them and I hope they do well next year. Hopefully we can join them in the Conference Premier. We definitely deserve to be where we are currently, having secured a guaranteed spot in the play-offs. But we want to finish it off. Give all the lads your support tonight as we continue our preparations for the play-offs, Danny Lowe

FC HalifaxTown

Match Report

FC HalifaxTown 1 Gregory (48)

By Adam Cheshire

Day:

Saturday

Date:

20 April 2013

Competition: Blue Square Bet

Guiseley AFC J Wilson (39 pen)

Venue:

The Shay

Attendance:

1598

Town Extend Unbeaten Run To Secure Play-Offs FC Halifax Town continued their excellent late season form to gain the point they craved against Guiseley to seal their playoff spot. Lee Gregory's 20th league goal of the season ensured the Shaymen made it six league games unbeaten and guaranteed an extension to the regular season in what turned out to be a competitive West Yorkshire derby. The Lions, with second place in Blue Square Bet North firmly sealed, had plenty of possession in the first half against a Shaymen side who were set up by Neil Aspin to be content in trying to keep it tight at the back. The afternoon, however, could have got off to the perfect start for Aspin as Gregory and Dan Gardner combined fluently in Guiseley's box, but Steve Drench prevented early elation for the home side.

Official Website Man of the Match:

Danny Lowe

At the other end, it was a back-line led superbly by captain Danny Lowe, but there was nothing the ever-present skipper could do with the visitors' chances in the first half. Former Leeds United man Seb Carole tested Town goalkeeper Matty Glennon from range before Gavin Rothery curled a shot inches wide from the edge of the area. Guiseley's pressure paid off when James Knowles crashed into Carole in the area, allowing Josh Wilson to score his fifth goal in four games from the spot on 39 minutes. A double substitution rejuvenated Town at the start of the second half with Adriano Moke and Alex Johnson being introduced and Aspin got an instant reward when Gregory steered in Scott McManus' fabulous cross from the left. Gardner then went on a raiding run down the same wing and crossed for Moke at the far post. Despite having time and space, the former York City failed to compose himself and flashed his shot over the bar. Former Town man James Walshaw then shot straight at Glennon before McManus headed over Gardner's free-kick.

After The Match …with Alex Johnson “The first-half performance was poor but we did a lot better in the second half. But we are into the play-offs now and that is the main thing. It is good to have finally confirmed it. We have had a lot of games in-hand and the players are tired but we have got there and we can be happy with that.”

FC HalifaxTown

Match Report

Guiseley AFC

J Wilson (39 pen)

By Adam Cheshire

Day:

Saturday

Date:

20 April 2013

Competition: Blue Square Bet

FC HalifaxTown 1 Gregory (48)

Venue:

The Shay

Attendance:

1598

Official Website Man of the Match:

Danny Lowe

FC HalifaxTown

Spotlight On The Shay's V FC Halifax Town welcome champions Chester to The Shay this evening, in a game that may not be destined to dramatically alter the Blue Square North final standings, though could still prove to be a highlight of the season. It hardly needs stating the dominance that Chester have imparted on this league throughout 2012-13. Just three Conference North losses in 40 matches (with 33 of those victories) should be enough for any side to claim the divisional title. If there is a perfect time to play Chester, a time when they may actually feel vulnerable, it is now. The club is in the middle of their worst run of the season, albeit a run that has lasted just two games so far. Guiseley beat Neil Young's side by two goals to one in Yorkshire before Chester lost their unbeaten home record, falling to a 1-0 defeat against Solihull Moors. Not that any of this should matter. Chester had the title in the proverbial bag a long time ago and emphatically secured a third successive promotion in their three years of existence, since reformation in 2010. It is only this year that Town's path has crossed with Chester's. Even though meetings between the two new clubs have been limited to this year only, some sublime footballing action has been produced. As a result of the pair's first meeting of the season, on September 5, three sides then sat on top of the Blue Square North table, all having won six out of six matches. Unfortunately for Town, they were not one of them, becoming the latest victim to the trio's tenacious

start. Town went down by two goals to one at the Exacta Stadium in a ferociously high-tempo match, which brought some of the best football out from either side that the Blue Square North is likely to see. The home side took a two-goal lead thanks to Ben Mills, who, on loan from Macclesfield at the time, slotted home his sixth of the campaign. The striker has since joined on a permanent basis, afforded thanks to donations from the Chester fans, though has now joined Altrincham on loan. Later in the match, Nathan Jarman's cross was not dealt with as the ball fell to Dave Hankin on the edge of the area, who had time to place into the bottom corner of Matty Glennon's goal. Town's reply was not long in coming, though, as they fed on the electric atmosphere inside the Exacta Stadium to produce some high voltage football of their own. It was a small spark of sublime play by Jon Worthington, who made amends for an earlier horror-miss, to thud the ball into the back of Martin Fearon's net from all of 35 yards. The defeat seemed harsh on the Shaymen, but they were to get their revenge in the FA Cup, after a 1-1 draw at the Exacta, which included two stunning strikes. Since Town had gone nearing 450 minutes without conceding, a special goal is all that looked like beating Glennon. Antoni Sarcevic duly obliged, thumping the ball into Glennon's top corner from all of 35 yards. It took something special to break Town's deadlock of 450 minutes, but Simon

Visitors: CHESTER FC Hackney â&#x20AC;&#x201C; who has since moved on to Stockport County and was on as a second half substitute â&#x20AC;&#x201C; topped Sarcevic's effort. After Jason St Juste's low cross, the ball bounced out to the midfielder who, on the volley, smashed in off the cross bar. Town won the replay 3-1 in a match which included all the ingredients of another enthralling fixture. There was even a third red card in three matches between the sides, as the visitors had Michael Powell sent off in the first half. Not that this detracted from the quality of football on offer, or the night as a spectacle. Town went ahead inside five minutes as Worthington ran late into the box, in time to

side-foot the Shaymen into an early lead. Lee Gregory then doubled that advantage, placing home Town's second against the man-light Chester. The visitors did grab a goal back, through Marc Williams, though Town made sure of their FA Cup progress thanks to a third strike, courtesy of Chris Worsley, who somehow managed to squeeze his effort around John Danby and his near-post. If past meetings are anything to go by, tonight's duel could go down as one of the Blue Square North's all-time greats, and Town will hope they can draw on some home advantage. Joe Smith

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Player Profiles: JOHN DANBY - GOALKEEPER John returned to Chester in the close season to start his second spell at the club. John joined Chester City in 2006 after spending five seasons with Kidderminster Harriers. hed-22

In four seasons with City he clocked up 133 appearances including a two season spell without missing a game as part of a run of 128 consecutive appearances breaking a club record that had stood for more than 40 years. John was a regular in the Eastwood Town side last season before returning to the Blues in the Summer of 2011. ANTONI SARCEVIC - MIDFIELDER Antoni Sarcevic joined Chester FC in November 2011 from Crewe Alexandra, having previously enjoyed a successful spell at the club a year earlier, helping Chester to gain promotion to the Evo-Stik Premier League.

JOHN DANBY

Sarcevic, originally started off with Manchester City, and from there joined Woodley Sports in 2009 where a good season led to a move to League 2 side Crewe, where he made 6 appearances scoring once for the Railwaymen. In October 2010, Neil young drafted in Sarcevic, and he scored 2 goals in 7 games, and became a favourite with the Chester fans, before departing back to Gresty Road, but Young did sign Antoni on a permanent basis in November. ASHLEY WILLIAMS - MIDFIELDER Ashley joined Chester from Airbus UK Broughton in January 2011. Ashley is a Chester lad and was with our Centre of Excellence until he joined Manchester City at the age of 11. He spent 8 years with City playing alongside the likes of Micah Richards and helped them reach the FA Youth Cup final.

ANTONI SARCEVIC

A Wales under 23 semi pro international, Ashley joined Airbus from Vauxhall Motors in 2008 and since then had been attracting the scouts to watch his performances DAVE HANKIN - MIDFIELDER Dave Hankin joined Chester FC in May 2012, having signed from Kidderminster Harriers. Hankin is no stranger to the North West having featured for Stalybridge Celtic prior to joining Kidderminster, and enjoyed a great season there in 2009. The 27 year old midfielder started his career at Preston North End before then joining Evo-Stik League 1 North side Clitheroe. He then had a spell at Bamber Bridge before joining Stalybridge. 路DOMINIC COLLINS - DEFENDER Dom joined Chester in June 2012 from Northwich Victoria, following a string of impressive performances in the Evo-Stik Premier League. Neil Young moved for Dom following two very strong performances against Chester, using his strength and pace to make life difficult for the Chester forwards.

ASHLEY WILLIAMS

While predominately playing at Centre Half Dom is also able to fit in at right back. One of the noticeable strengths of Collins is how vocal he was organising the defence while playing for Northwich.

Chester FC GEORGE HORAN - DEFENDERChester born George signed for his hometown club despite competition for his signature fro clubs in the Welsh Premier League. George's previous clubs include, Rhyl, Connahs Quay Nomads and Droylsden. He scored 27 goals in 288 games for Connahs Quay and made 145 league appearances for Rhyl aswell as another 10 in Europe. A consistent performer George was selected in the Welsh Premier League managers' Team of the Season four years running between 2006 and 2009. George was voted Player of the Season after he captained the side to promotion last season. IAIN HOWARD - MIDFIELDER A left sided player Ian played for Flixton and then joined Ashton United in 2007/8 and was voted Players' Player of the Season in his first campaign there.

DAVE HANKIN

A favourite with the fans for his high work rate Ian made over 100 appearances for the club before switching to Chester last season when he quickly established himself as a favourite with the fans.

CHESTER FC

MARC WILLIAMS - STRIKER Marc Williams signed for Chester FC in February 2012, following his release from Kidderminster Harriers. Williams, born in 1988, is a former Welsh Under 21 striker, and previously spent 6 years at Wrexham, where he netted 17 times during his career at The Racecourse. Marc moved on from Wrexham to join Kidderminster in 2011 following a successful loan spell at Aggborough. Neil Young then moved to sign Williams from the West Midlands club in February 2012. MARTIN FEARON - GOALKEEPER

路DOMINIC COLLINS 路

Martin signed from Lancaster City in June 2012 to provide competition for regular number one John Danby. Fearon had been at Clitheroe prior to Lancaster and has previous experience at Football League clubs, Accrington Stanley and Burnley. MATTY MCGINN - MIDFIELDER Matty McGinn joined Chester on a permanent deal in September 2011, having initially arrived at the Club on loan from Southport. Matty had three spells at the Sandgrounders, starting in the reserves at Haig Avenue, before departing for Runcorn FC Halton, however, he returned for a second spell before then heading to Burscough. McGinn returned back to Southport and claimed the Players' Player of the Year award last season, and was well known for his ability with set pieces, and during his one month loan spell with Chester FC, he netted 6 goals in 7 games, 5 penalties and a free kick. NATHAN JARMAN - STRIKER Nathan Jarman became a Chester FC player in May 2012, signing from Blue Square Premier side Alfreton Town.

GEORGE HORAN

The 25 year old striker was the leading scorer for Alfreton, so it was an

History: Chester FC So, where did it all start? Grab a cuppa and read all about the history of the Club... Well, in 1885, Chester Football Club was originally founded as an amalgamation of Chester Rovers and Old King's Scholars, and home games were initially played at Faulkner Street in the area of Hoole. Chester FC played just friendly matches for the first five years before joining the Combination League in 1890, and five years later the Cheshire Senior Cup became their first trophy, followed by a move three years later in 1898 to The Old Showground, also in Hoole. Just 12 months later however, the club werer forced to disband when the ground was lost to a housing development. The new century saw the club return though, and in 1901 the club were housed in Whipcord Lane, and that would turn into a successful venue for Chester FC, as they clinched the Combination League there in 1909 after finishing runners up for the preceeding five seasons. Chester also entered and won the Welsh Cup in 1908 after they defeated Connah's Quay, a Cup they also went on to win in the 1930s & 40s. In 1910, Chester were elected to the Lancashire Combination, and were founder members of the Cheshire County League once the First World War had ended, when they necame founder members of the Cheshire County League. 1931 was a major year

in the Club's history, when new manager Charlie Hewitt - appointed just a year earlier, guided the Club in to the Football League for the very first time, in place of Nelson FC. The 1930s saw Chester's biggest ever FA Cup win (5-0 over Fulham in 1933 & 1935), and in 1936 recorded their record victory, a 12-0 win over York City, which still remains the Club's biggest victory to date. Chester won the Welsh Cup for the second time in 1933, beating Wrexham at Sealand Road, however World War Two then intervened with the Club's prgression. Chester's record attendance was set in 1952, when Sealand Road was packed to the rafters for an FA Cup tie against Chelsea, where the official attendance was quoted as 20,500. By the time the lower divisions were merged in 1958, the Club had won another Welsh Cup, and the Club were placed into Division Four. The 1960s saw the start of the successful post war period, with South African Peter Hauser oversaw quite possibly the most exciting season for Chester FC, where all five forwards managed to score over 20 goal, with 119 goals being scored in total, although amazingly that season Chester were never promoted. The 1970s then saw arguably the most successful period in the Club's history, when Chester FC made it to the League Cup Semi Finals, dumping out League Champions Leeds United at a packed Sealand Road, where over 19,000 crammed in to see the Blues win 3-0 in front of the BBC Sportsnight cameras in what is regarded as one of the biggeste ever shocks in the history of the League Cup. They also disposed of Newcastle United en route to the Semi's where they eventual lost 5-4 on aggregate to Aston Villa over two legs. That season also saw manager Ken Roberts guide Chester FC to their first Football League promotion, with the Blues going up courtesy of goal average in one of the tightest ever ends to a season.

Anfield of course. A big change took place in 1983, when the Club became known as Chester City, with the addition of 'City' lasting for a period of 27 years, and 'City' would experience a promotion just 3 years later, when the likes of Stuart Rimmer - who would go on to become the Club's record breaking goalscorer - were guided by manager Harry McNally into the Third Division, in what was a succesful time, that also saw Chester beat their local rivals Wrexham in two Cup competitions. In 1990 though, the bad times for the Club really started, with the Sealand Road ground being sold without the Club having anywhere to play, but the Club brokered a last minute deal to play at Macclesfield Town's Moss Rose ground for 2 years, and McNally would perform wonders to keep the Club in the 3rd Division. Two years later, the Club would return to its home City though, and the Deva Stadium was opened up, with Chester winning the first League game there 3-0 against Burnley. However, the Club suffered a relegation in the first season back, but bounced back the folloiwng season under a new manager, Graham Barrow, one of the Club's most popular figures. Sadly though, Barrow was forced to quit the Club after problems with the owners at the time, and the Club slid straight back into Division Four.

years, relegated on the final day of the season in 2000 after a 1-0 home defeat to Peterborough United. Smith managed to stay around until the start of the 2001 season that saw the Blues struggling in the lower reaches of the Conference, and at this point Smith handed the reigns to Stephen Vaughan, who would become the man to eventually lead the Club into Liquidation in 2010. It all started well enough though, with Chester City gaining promotion back to the Football League having won the Conference Championship in 2004, where the spectacular partnership of Daryl Clare & Darryn Stamp netted 50 goals. Just when Chester fans thought it was safe to enjoy the Football League again though, manager Mark Wright walked out on the Club on the eve of the new season, and City just managed to avoid relegation that season to keep hold of their Football League place. But several years of chopping and changing Managers eventually led to the Club dropping back in to non league football in 2009, when Darlington condemned Chester to relegation, and this time City would never get back to the League.

Chester City's problems worsened under the ownership of Mark Guterman, who put the Club into Administration in 1998, after manager Kevin Ratfcliffe had done his best to get the Blues promoted, but a Play Off defeat to Swansea ensured that the Club would fall back rather than go forward.

In May 2009, the Club was then placed into Administration for the second time, resulting in a 10 point deduction, which was increased to 25 points when the Conference imposed their own penalty against the Club.

Just when fans thought it couldn't get any worse, American Terry Smith then purchased the Club, and his erractic ownership saw the Blues lose their Football League place after 69

The Vaughan Family then controversially reclaimed the Club from Administration in July 2009, but the football authorities were not impressed by this, and the FA revoked the

FC HalifaxTown

We've Met Before You'd be hard press to find a trio of games more entertaining than the three that Chester and FC Halifax Town have shared already this season. Blood, sweat and tears have already been shed as Chester edged the league game and Town progressed in the FA Cup. Pre-season talk was all about these two, and the 3,000+ attendance at the Exacta Stadium back in September is sentiment to the size of these clubs; a crowd that wouldn't look out of place in the Football League. Naturally the old clubs met numerous times over the years, but the three meetings this season suggest that both sides have even better days yet to come. A sunny evening where the fans were a county apart, literally, is our first destination. Town fans parked up in the car park on English land, before moving over to Wales for the away end as the visitors played the better football, but were the losing side. Uncharacteristically poor defending from the Shaymen allowed Ben Mills to stroll in and fire Chester ahead, cue eruption around the Exacta. Neil Aspin's men reacted and had much the better chances, before Dave Hankin rolled in a second to stun the visitors. Those who thought it was over were proved wrong however, as Jon Worthington fired in a stunning first goal for the club, before Jamie Rainford came within a whisker of silencing the boo-boys on the return to his old stomping ground, but it ended in disappointment. The two sides had barely caught their breath back before the luck of the draw meant the

sleeping giants would lock horns again in the FA Cup. This time a sunny afternoon, and clashes between supporters only intensified the atmosphere as both went hell for leather for the win that would set up a trip to Lincoln City. Again FC Halifax played some great football, but could do nothing about Antoni Sarcevic's wonderful curling effort into the top corner. This time they wouldn't have the last laugh however, as the Shaymen hit back to earn a replay. As the game ebbed away Simon Hackney unleashed an unstoppable drive into the top corner, the only moment of note from the midfielder in a Town shirt. That draw ensured a replay, this time at The Shay where things would be much more different. Worthington was at it again, firing the Shaymen ahead early on before Lee Gregory doubled the lead after the break. Marc Williams stabbed home soon after to make things interesting, but, unlike the previous two meetings, Town took their chances. Chris Worsley strolled in and bent home a third to seal the win and set up a clash with the Imps. Can the two blues conjure up a fourth classic in one season tonight? I for one certainly wouldn't be surprised. Mark Ridgway

FC HalifaxTown

Two Points In 50 Hours: The Shaymen Shout's Adam Cheshire examines the best bits from Town's two worthwhile points in two quick-successive away games at Oxford City and Harrogate Town last week… The Venues: Court Place Farm, versus Oxford City, Tuesday 16 April, attendance 282 CNG Stadium, versus Harrogate Town, Thursday 18 April, attendance 698

to be a masterful move as Gardner sets up James Bolton to cancel out Oxford's early opener before firing home from the penalty spot to put Town in front 80 minutes: Gardner, who is in his element, produces a magical pass to release Alex Johnson who is wrestled to the ground in the penalty. Town are aghast when the referee fails to award their second spot-kick of the night

Oxford City: Townsend, Benjamin, Stonehouse, Malone, Gunn (Learoyd 63), Willmott, Stanley (McNish 63), Ford, Barcelos, Cook (Basham 74), Bell

90 minutes: Town, who haven't been troubled in the game's latter stages, concede a soft free kick out wide, which is headed home by substitute to Adam Learoyd to prevent the Shaymen from coming back to West Yorkshire with all three points

Subs Not Used: McEachran, Joyce

What Was Said?

FC Halifax Town: Glennon, Pearson, McManus, Bolton, Knowles (Gardner 33), Lowe, Worsley, Williams, Glover (A Johnson 62), Gregory, Needham (St Juste 80)

Dan Gardner: “We should have come away with three points but we didn't get the decisions. I was 60 yards away from the incident involving Alex and I could tell that it was a penalty, more so than the first one.”

The Teams:

Subs Not Used: Senior Harrogate Town: Da Veiga, Bloomer, Merris, Bolder (Elam 40), White, Killock, Metcalfe (Chilaka 56), Bolland, Larkin, Woods (Allan 79), Clayton Subs Not Used: Radcliffe, Hull FC Halifax Town: Glennon, Bolton, McManus, Worthington (Knowles 63), Pearson, Lowe, Worsley, Williams (A Johnson 76), Glover (Seddon 46), Gardner, Gregory Subs Not Used: Senior, Jackson The Results and Scorers: Oxford City 2 (Barcelos 11 Learoyd 90) FC Halifax Town 2 (Bolton 58 Gardner 68 pen) Harrogate Town 1 (Bolder 21 pen) FC Halifax Town 1 (Bolton 64) Key moments @ Court Place Farm: 33 minutes: Neil Aspin senses a moment of inspiration and calls Dan Gardner from the bench to replace James Knowles. It proves

Sean Williams: “I think Alex should have had a penalty. If that's given and we score then it is game over. But Oxford were still in the game at one goal down. But we'll move on because I think our changing room has got the best set of players in the league. We have a lot of ability and always look to play at a top standard and we know we can beat anyone over two legs in the play-offs.” The Gaffer: “Sometimes you are biased as a manager, but everybody in the ground could see that we should have had a second penalty. Also, it was a soft free-kick he gave for their second goal which they equalised from. I felt we did enough in the game to win the game and we showed good character to come back in the second half.” Key Moments @ the CNG: 21 minutes: After a cagey opening, on a difficult night to play football, the home side look to get their stalling promotion-bid back on track when the referee points to the penalty spot. It's a contentious one from the

On The Road With FC Halifax Town Shaymen's viewpoint as James Bolton dives in front of a goalbound Harrogate attempt from a mere two-yards away. It is deemed deliberate handball – although the referee keeps his cards in his pocket – and Town concede their third penalty in four outings. Adam Bolder sends Matty Glennon the wrong way from 12 yards. 64 minutes: You just can't keep this boy out of the headlines! Bolton – yes, the defensive James Bolton on loan from Macclesfield – nets his third goal in four games to get Town back on terms. Prolific! It's a true striker's finish as well. He makes a great run into the area to meet Lee Gregory's chest-down and side-foots into the corner, via Harrogate's goalkeeper Jose Da Veiga, who should have done better. 90 minutes: It's windy, it's raining, it's cold and we have two physically and emotionally drained teams still giving it their all as they both strive towards the play-offs. They both want a winner but it's the Shaymen who come the closest to nicking it in dramatic style. Alex Johnson provides the cross and Gregory loops a header goalwards. But no! Inches wide. That was the play-offs in the bag. It left Town just needing one point against fellow Yorkshire rivals Guiseley… What Was Said? Matty Glennon: “I am disappointed tonight. I am also disappointed that we did not win on Tuesday because we should have won

that game. Tonight's a better draw than Tuesday and we will take this, which is a decent point. We did very well in difficult conditions, the pitch was similar to the one at The Shay but we coped with it and still managed to play our style of football. I think it was a penalty, the ball has struck his arm, the referee has given it but I was happy that we managed to come back.” The Gaffer: “To be perfectly honest, of course you look at it and say we would like the point as quickly as possible but realistically I have to look at Saturday and think about the legs within the squad. I need to think about making a few changes but also send out a team which can get a result. There is no way I can keep playing the same team.” The Shaymen Shout Verdict: On two different nights Town could have come away with all six points. Debatable decisions go against the Shaymen again but they stretch their unbeaten run to five games – whilst continuing their exceptional away record in 2013 – as they close in on the play-offs. Adam Cheshire

FC HalifaxTown

Commercial Corner Good Evening and a warm welcome to the Chairman, Board, Management, Players and fans from Chester FC. I do hope that you enjoy your visit to the Shay and have a safe journey home after the game and of course a very warm welcome to all our sponsors, supporters, staff and the players for these evenings match. Our Match Sponsors this evening are Crosslings Ltd; Lee White is a lifelong FC Halifax Town fan and a regular sponsor of games at FC Halifax Town. Crosslings are a National Company with Lee being based in Brighouse branch, Crosslings are Trade suppliers of Plumbing, Heating, Sanitary, Tools, Engineering and Fluid Control Equipment, thanks for your support Lee and I hope that you have an enjoyable evening with us. As well our Crosslings Ltd, I would also like to welcome Mark Prentice and Guests from Arkoni Ltd who are our Associate Sponsors for this Evenings match and to our Home Kit Sponsors Doodson Broking Group who have guests dining with them this evening. Our Match Ball Sponsors are The Venue Halifax, as you will be aware The Venue have taken over from EMC in providing the catering down here at The Shay and this is there first Sponsorship of FC Halifax Town, thank you to Nigel & Adrian for your kind support. We have two mascots joining us this evening, Eloise Lloyd & Leon Murphy. Eloise is 9 years old today (Happy Birthday to you) and attends Woodhouse Primary School in Brighouse, Eloise has two brother and two sisters and FC Halifax Town are her favourite team, her favourite colours are Blue and White and she loves sweets and has a Guinea Pig called Princess. Leon attends All Saints Catholic College in Huddersfield, he is a defender for Warley Rangers under12's and a lifelong FC Halifax Town fan, his favourite player is Scott McManus. A big welcome to Eloise and Leon and I hope that you and all our other Sponsors have a great evening with us at The Shay this evening. The FC Halifax Town Annual Golf Day, the golf day will be taking place on Thursday 13th June 2013 at Bradford Golf Club (Top 10 Yorkshire Golf Club); there will be various course prizes up for grabs. Again teams are selling quickly for what again is a

very popular event, to book a team of four or individually then please contact me on 07852 207622 or by e mail nigelwalker@fchalif axtown.com If you would like copies of the flyers or posters to support the event to put around your workplace, pub or local golf courses then please get in touch with me and I will get some sent out to you. The End of Season Presentation date is being finalised and will be announced along with the Guest Speakers very shortly. FC Halifax Town have produced a new Corporate Brochure which outlines all the areas that FC Halifax Town are involved in, this is a very comprehensive Brochure and also covers the various ways you can get involved on the Commercial side whether that is being a Full Match Sponsor, Associate Sponsor, Matchball Sponsor, Mascot Sponsor, Celebration Package Sponsor, Having a Matchday Dining Experience, Matchday Executive Box Hire, Ground board Advertising, Programme Advertising, Coaching Diamonds, The FC Halifax Town 'Locals', Player Shirts Home/Away, Play the Squares, Sportsman's Dinners, End of Season presentations, Golf Days and Website Sponsorship opportunities. Commercial Opportunities come in all sorts of shapes and sizes to get involved in, I am available to discuss anything that FC Halifax Town can offer on the Commercial side of the club should you require any further information or details then please phone me on 07852 207622 or email me at nigelwalker@fchalifaxtown.com and I will be happy to put together a package together that will suit your needs. Let's get behind Neil, Lee, Helli (Yellow), Karl & Dan and all the lads and cheer them on three points, let's make some noise and be that 12th man, our support is vital to the lads on the pitch. Onwards & Upwards, Come on Shaymen Nigel

FC HalifaxTown

Play The Sq uares ®

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Help the club fund needed supplies in the physio room.

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By getting your name in a square for £10 you are helping the club fund the supplies needed in the physio room - call Nigel Walker on 07852 207622

FC HalifaxTown

Web News

With Kelly Gilchrist

Welcome to the final home league match of the season against Blue Square North Champions Chester FC. Earlier on in the season, there was plenty of banter when the two sides met between Jeff Banks and me when we played each other three times in the league and cup. Think it's fair to say at the time it was honours even, but I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to everyone at Chester FC on a tremendous season and let's hope that we are successful in the playoffs and we face each other again in the Blue Square Premier next season. One Club who will not be in the Blue Square Premier next season will be Stockport County, who were relegated from the Conference last weekend. I have already had Phil Brennan, their web editor on the phone asking about the Blue Square North and there is talk about job losses at Edgeley Park. Not an ideal situation at all for Stockport, however he is more confident about the future following our chat and we will be in regular contact going forward. As we go into our final home league match, we prepare to say thank you and good luck to our current crop of students who have done another great job for us this season. Their deadline is tomorrow to hand in their portfolios but they have committed to stay with the Shaymen until after the play-offs, which they are under no obligation to do which is great to see. The service has improved again during the season, yes we have had a few issues here and there with the camcorder, filming positions etc but overall we have brought you all the action from over the season. The lads will have clocked up many thousands of miles watching and covering the Shaymen which has also included 15 hour days with the trips to Dartford and Oxford in midweek. Their commitment has been amazing and I'm sure they will do well with their placement marks. It is always sad to see the students depart

and this year is no different. We build up a really good bond between the team and we provide them with a great insight into the world of the media and we wish them all well for their futures. However the search for the 2013/14 Media Team is just about complete and offers have been made to 8 students from the University of Huddersfield to join us next season. The Open Days have been a tremendous success and I think it is fair to say that the quality of students overall has been higher than in previous years, making this the most difficult year for making decisions on who to offer placements to. However the decisions have been made and at the time of writing, we are just awaiting their confirmation that they are happy to accept a placement with us next season. They will be invited to the home leg of the Blue Square North play-off and they will work as a team to provide us with coverage from the game. Once the season is finished, we will be working on the plans for next season on how we continue to improve the service and how we can try to eliminate a couple of the issues that we have had during the last few months. If you have any ideas on what you would like to see the Media Team do next season, then please feel free to get in touch by emailing yourviews@halifaxafc.co.uk and we will see what we can do. We still have the Stalybridge Celtic league game on Saturday prior to the play-offs and we will bring you all the latest news as usual from the game. See you at Bower Fold on Saturday.

FC HalifaxTown

Supporters Club It is appropriate to commence these notes by congratulating our team on successfully securing a play-off position following last Saturday's draw here at the Shay against Guiseley. A special mention here to captain Danny Lowe who put in a splendid performance and was deservedly announced as Man of the Match by the sponsors. I would suspect that, given the sheer consistency of his performances throughout the season, Danny will receive a fair number of votes for the coveted Supporters Club 'Player of the Year' award, the initial voting for which will have been made available to all supporters entering tonight via either the East or South Stand turnstiles. Another chance to register your vote will be in the same manner at the home leg of the Play-Off Semi-Final. Our visitors Chester arrive here tonight already confirmed as Blue Square North

champions after a truly remarkable season. As football supporters, we should all salute what they have achieved and wish them well in the Blue Square Premier. I have to say that the corresponding league fixture last September at the Exacta Stadium was as good an advert for non-league football as you would wish to see. Fingers crossed that our paths will cross again next season! Thank you to all those of you who have responded so positively to the 'Tour de Farce' fund raising initiative, details of which have also been included in our recent Newsletter. For obvious reasons, the Supporters Club need to maximise income from this event so, if you have not had the opportunity to do so as yet, there is still time. Best of luck to Dan Colbeck, Chris Neatby and Stewart Heaton tomorrow afternoon as they embark on their journey.

FC Halifax Town and Kershaw’s Garden Centre Present an Evening with BBC Radio Leeds Gardening Expert

Joe Maiden Open to Question / Bedding and Veg Plant Sales / Demonstrations

Friday 24th May 2013 at Belgrave Social Club, Claremount Road, Halifax Doors open 7pm Limited supper availability available

FC HalifaxTown

Tickets £5 Available from George on 07713 800790 and Kershaw’s Garden Centre, Halifax Road, Brighouse HD6 2QD. Tel 01484 713 435

FC HalifaxTown

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2012 - 2013 PLAYER SPONSORSHIP

2012 - 2013 PLAYER SPONSORSHIP WHY SPONSOR A PLAYER? YOUR SPONSORSHIP, will help cover the cost of some of these vital items. In return, we can offer the following: your name against the player's photo in the programme, a photograph of you with your favourite player, end of season shirt presentation duly signed by the player of your choice and discounted tickets for you and guests to the excellent 'End of Season PLAYERS AWARDS NIGHT', rich in entertainment. For more details or to sponsor a player contact

Nigel Walker on 07852 207622

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FITUK About FITUK FIT UK Training & Education was founded in September 2009, initially trading as Fitness Industry Training UK. The intention was to develop new and innovative approaches to vocational training provision within the active leisure sector. FIT UK's aim was to provide a full range of high quality vocational training qualifications for individuals entering the fitness industry, in a format that could be tailored to meet the specific needs of the client using a mixture of distance learning packages, telephone support, and traditional face-to-face delivery. In the first 12 months of trading over 250 learners trained with FIT UK Training & Education, with learner success rates of 92%, well above the national average. In September 2010 FIT UK Training & Education secured funding from four major UK colleges, enabling us to provide a range of fully and part-funded work based learning programmes on a national basis. Building on the success of the first year, a further 430 learners trained with FIT UK Training & Education in the 2010/11 academic year with success rates remaining well above the national average at 88%. Courses:

LEVEL 2 Sports, Recreation and Allied Occupations: Activity Leadership This qualification is relevant for those involved in the planning, delivery and evaluation of activity sessions. Candidates will learn: · The underpinning knowledge specific to their chosen activity · How to contribute to a work team · How to plan, teach and evaluate an activity session · How to promote safety in the activity environment *Candidates are required to complete five mandatory units and two optional units to achieve the full NVQ.

LEVEL 3 NVQ DIPLOMA IN PERSONAL TRAINING This qualification underpins the role of a personal trainer and is aimed at learners already working within the health and fitness industry. It allows learners to prove competence through demonstration of their knowledge and skills when working with individuals and groups of clients in a work-based personal training setting. The qualification may also appeal to employers who wish to upskill their work force so they are fully competent in the workplace. Learners will cover: · Anatomy and physiology including: - the heart and circulatory system - the respiratory system - structure and function of the skeleton - musculoskeletal system - postural and core stability - the nervous and energy systems and their relation to exercise ·Designing, managing and adapting a personal training programme ·Motivating and communicating effectively with clients ·Programming safe and effective exercise for a range of client ·The health benefits of physical activity and the importance of healthy eating ·Applying the principles of nutrition to support client goals as part of an exercise and physical activity programme Planning, marketing and selling services to clients Health, safety and welfare

FC HalifaxTown

The Shaymen Shout's..... With the end of the regular season in touching distance and the play-offs on the horizon, the Shaymen Shout's Alan Dale and Mark Ridgway host their very own 2012-13: Nearly End of Season Awards Ceremony …

Goal of the Season – Dan Gardner, Dartford away, FA Trophy quarter-final replay With the Shaymen netting over 100 goals in all competitions it goes without saying that there are a few contenders amongst them. Alex Titchiner hunting down Altrincham's goalkeeper, before squeezing home a strike from the tightest of angles stands out, as does Liam Needham's perfect curler into the top corner of Gloucester City's net after Gareth Seddon's 'Maradona turn.' However, one goal stands alone, Dan Gardner's pearler at Dartford in the FA Trophy is worthy of a strike from the higher divisions, cannoning off the post after a neat drop of the shoulder. Take a bow, son. Save of the Season – Matt Glennon, Chester away, FA Cup third qualifying round Naturally Matty Glennon has pulled off a number of world class saves, clawing thunderbolts out of the air effortlessly. The one that sticks in the memories was when he clawed away a Chester effort out of the air as it headed into the top corner. Funniest Moment – Gareth Seddon at Vauxhall, post-match Neil Aspin was going through his usual post-match interview with Chesh, when commotion occurred from the away dressing room. “Go on Gaffer, wooo!” There could only be one guilty culprit, as everyone turned to see a disrobed Gareth Seddon in the background. Kelly Gilchrist had fun editing that video for Shaymen Player!

Awards For The Season Best Tackle – James Knowles, Bradford Park Avenue, Easter Monday Making his debut against his former club, James Knowles hunted down ex-team mate Alex Davidson as he ran clean through. After rounding Matty Glennon, Davidson was about to knock it into an empty net before Knowles put his body on the line to save his team. Best Away Ground – Sincil Bank, Lincoln City, FA Cup fourth qualifying round It has been a fruitful season for impressive ground visits, the usual Gloucester City and Boston United trips are always enjoyable. This season the 'home game' at Rochdale was arguably the best stadium other than The Shay, whilst the atmosphere at Chester for two fabulous encounters was second to none. However, in terms of away ground, and from a press point of view, Lincoln City pips it from our FA Cup trip in October. Town, despite their efforts, couldn't quite finish the job on the Sincil Bank turf. Worst Haircut – Danny Lowe, Bradford Park Avenue, Easter Monday A shaved head for the West Yorkshire derby with Bradford Park Avenue was one the captain will regret. Worst Beard – Alex Johnson Ginger beards are simply a no-go. Best Opposition Player – Duncan Watmore, versus Altrincham, Saturday 6 April Antoni Sarcevic is a player who stood out for Chester and he scored a world class strike in the FA Cup tie.

Likewise, Michael Woods of Harrogate Town is a former-Chelsea man and this showed in our two meetings with them this season. However, the main man is Duncan Watmore, who outshone Alty's 40 plus goal hero Damian Reeves as he set up all four of the visitors' goals in their 4-3 win at The Shay. Game of the Season – FC Halifax Town 3-4 Altrincham, Saturday 6 April Unfortunately all of the nominations for this category have ended in a Shaymen defeat. Chester away back in September could have gone either way, similarly to Dartford away in the FA Trophy. Both Bradford Park Avenue and Guiseley games were good for the neutral, but it has to be the goal feast that was Altrincham at home when Town fell to a heart-breaking 4-3 defeat. New Alarm Award – Jason St Juste It's hard to dislike Jason St Juste, but he has had his team-mates' blood boiling on more than one occasion when he has failed to make the coach for away trips on time and has therefore had to meet the lads at a later point. Fine!! Worst Interview – Lee Gregory After bagging a hat-trick at North Ferriby United, you'd expect Lee Gregory to be full of talking, but the FCHT Media Team were left disappointed when the best he could muster was “my goals were good.” Awarded by Alan Dale and Mark Ridgway

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Toulson: Consistent right-back Ryan Toulson has enjoyed a successful season for FC Halifax Town during the 2012-13 campaign. The Shaymen have built a reputation for their resilient defensive line - with Toulson integral to this - which has seen them concede the secondleast amount of goals in the league, behind deserved Champions Chester. However, there is one personal triumph that stands out for the defender - his first goal for the Shaymen. Since re-signing at the beginning of last season, Toulson had come close on a number of occasions to grabbing that allusive goal in the blue and white of Town. But he made it a Christmas to remember this season when he finally broke his personal deadlock against his former club, Gainsborough Trinity, on Boxing Day. “I don't know, you think about it and the lads have a little bit of banter about it,” Toulson reflected. “But you always think that one day it will come and it did, and to be fair it got us a good result, so I was very happy with it.” He added: “Looking back, the ball came from midfield, it came out wide and I took a touch and just thought that I was going to hit it. “I struck across it and it flew in the far corner off the post. It was such a great feeling.” It had become somewhat of a dressing room joke as to where Toulson's first goal was going to come from.

Lucky Boots Here To Stay? score. The funny thing is though, I had just bought some new boots before the game, so that increased the banter with the rest of the lads. They were all saying it was because of the boots! “To be fair, I have stuck with those same boots ever since, but unfortunately another goal hasn't followed. Hopefully it might do over the next, potential, five games!” Goal scoring is never expected for a defender, but Toulson has previous attacking nous as he started out as a striker in his younger days. So how did a young forward make the transition to becoming an astute full back later in his career? “Well it was when Chris Wilder came in,” he revealed “I was a young lad here at Halifax and did well in the youth team and ended up training with the first team and it just went from there. “When you get in the first team you just play where the manager wants you to, but looking back it did me well as I progressed from the youth team to playing for the first team. “When I was playing in the youth team I was a striker and got a few goals under my belt, but as I got older I ended up in that right back position and it has stuck ever since.”

And the defender has regularly admitted that his fellow team-mates would poke fun at his inability to find the net, but he knew that the desired goal would one day come.

But now, after serving a three-match suspension, can Toulson's lucky boots help keep Town's defence firm or perhaps, at the other end, can they have a direct kick in firing the Shaymen to play-off success…?

“Despite the lads having their banter, deep down, you always think that you will eventually

Lewis Wood-Thompson

FC HalifaxTown

Community Group

Welcome to today's game. At the Guiseley game the final of the Primary Schools 5-a-side took place between Parkinson lane and St Chad's. It was a closely fought competition and the winners were St Chad's School. Freddy Fox and I have visited the school to present the cup at a celebration assembly. Once again thank you to Sovereign Healthcare for their continued support of this event. Congratulations to the team on reaching the Playoffs. Let's all get behind them and cheer them on to further success. Pam Burton (Community Chair)

FC HalifaxTown

Joe ‘Blogs’

JOE ‘B 2012/13: Bizarre but brilliant…

Having beaten off the close competition, with the rain pouring down its scaly body, a triumphant red dragon roars in victory. If you were to use a metaphor which best describes the bizarre but brilliant 2012-13 football season, this is the image you should choose.

It is a tad random, I agree, but think about it. The close competition represents the incredibly tight divisions we have been treated to. The pouring rain acknowledges this winter's crazy weather, which has affected the Shaymen more than most in the country. And the red dragon? Wales has enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in its footballing existence. Weather watch There have been many mentions of the weather this season. So bad has it been, in fact, that the weather/football relationship has blossomed to the point that it challenges that of the formers associations with cricket. Never before during the winter months have we looked nervously to the heavens during the week, knowing that a couple of heavy downpours could put the weekend's sporting action in doubt.

week.

Of course the soggy nature of The Shay's turf has done little to help Town, who, as a team that likes to play a passing game and press the opposition hard, had to cope with a playing surface intent on ensuring an untrue run of the ball, which at the same time sapped out what energy was left in already weary legs. Welsh wonders

For the first time next season, England's top flight will feature in it two Welsh teams. After Cardiff City's Championship title win, they will join the Premier League and partner Swansea City as the division's Welsh representatives. It follows a remarkable season for Swansea, who many thought would suffer in their second year of top-flight football. Instead, they have consolidated their Premier League status in a typically pleasing aesthetic style. The Swans have flourished under the guidance of Michael Laudrup, whose side also claimed the Capital One Cup in February, something that, according to the Mirror, will only speed up the departure of the Dane. “Laudrup has been a breath of fresh air at the Liberty Stadium,” it reported, “but a source close to him said: 'Michael wants to see the Swansea job through but it is known within the club that he will only be staying for two seasons and then going somewhere else. He is that type of guy.'” Even if he were to leave this summer, Laudrup would leave Welsh football in a good place, as, even further down the pyramid, every Welsh club seems to be enjoying success of some sorts.

JOE ‘B That feeling should be reserved for the summer. Who would have thought that a few spots of rain would force The Shay's ground staff into action, dragging across the pitch large covers akin to the ball boys during a shower on Wimbledon's Centre Court?

It has meant, as we all know, a backlog of fixtures. It almost seems the norm now that the Shaymen will be playing three matches per

Wrexham recently defeated Grimsby on penalties at Wembley to claim the FA Trophy and finished the season comfortably in the Blue Square Premier play-offs, as they look for a Football League return.

BLOGS’ The level below that, in Town's division, are Colwyn Bay, who admittedly have had a generally torrid season, though whose fortunes have changed dramatically in recent weeks thanks to the appointment of a former Chelsea defender as player/manager.

After beating Oxford City by three goals-to-one a couple of weeks ago, Colwyn moved out of the Blue Square North relegation places for the first time since January. It marks a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for the Welsh club, who at one stage looked destined for demotion.

However, newly-installed player/manager Frank Sinclair has brought about fresh hope for his side, who last Saturday went on to beat Working by two goals-to-one in Cumbria to move a point clear of the drop, having played a game less than Corby Town, who are sat below them. It is by no means hyperbolic to describe Bay's run, which, at the time of writing (before Colwyn's Monday night fixture versus Bradford Park Avenue), stands at four straight wins, as astonishing. They are merely another team from across the border who have caught the Welsh bug for footballing success. It must be quite contagious, as, of course, even our visitors this evening have enjoyed unrivalled success this season, winning the Blue Square North at a canter. As a club which straddles the border between Wales and England, they are at least half Welsh.

The Championship is probably the best example. With two games to go, any one of ten sides is still not mathematically safe from dropping into League One alongside Bristol City. It means that even Ipswich Town in 14th are still not yet safe. It is something of a pattern that is repeated in League Two, where, going into the final round of matches, any two of seven clubs have the chance of a drop into non-league football.

Just two points separate AFC Wimbledon in 23rd and Torquay United in 18th, with Aldershot Town, who are currently adrift of safety at the bottom by three points, also in with a shot of survival – albeit a long one. In fact our league, the Blue Square North, in terms of final league standings, has probably been one of the most boring in the country. All the play-off teams were mathematically confirmed last weekend and Chester, our visitors tonight, had the title on pre-order since Christmas until collecting the accolade nearly three weeks ago. No matter. The three games that Town and Chester have played out this season have all been memorable; perhaps another match of that ilk is on the cards tonight. Joe Smith

BLOGS’ A fitting finale

What better way to round off a stunning season than a frantic finale in which more clubs than ever before have the possibility of relegation, promotion or another shot at promotion via the play-offs?

2013 2014 Fixtures List Day

Date

Saturday Aug-18 Tuesday Aug-21 Saturday Aug-25 Monday Aug-27 Saturday Sep-01 Wednesday Sep-05 Saturday Sep-08 Saturday Sep-15 Saturday Sep-22 Saturday Sep-29 Saturday Oct-06 Tuesday Oct-09 Saturday Oct-13 Saturday Oct-20 Tuesday Oct-23 Saturday Oct-27 Tuesday Oct-30 Tuesday Nov-06 Saturday Nov-10 Saturday Nov-17 Saturday Nov-24 Wednesday Nov-28 Saturday Dec-08 Tuesday Dec-18 Wed Dec-26 lWed Jan-01 Tuesday Jan-08 Saturday Jan-12 Saturday Jan-26 Saturday Feb-02 Wednesday Feb-06 Saturday Feb-09 Saturday Feb-16 Tuesday Feb-19 Saturday Feb-23 Tuesday Feb-26 Wednsday Feb-27 Saturday Mar-02 Tuesday Mar-05 Thursday Mar-07 Saturday Mar-09 Saturday Mar-16 Tuesday Mar-19 Saturday Mar-30 Monday Apr-01 Wed Apr-03 Saturday Apr-06 Tuesday Apr-09 Thursday Apr-11 Saturday Apr-13 Tuesday Apr-16 Thursday Apr-18 Saturday Apr-20 Tuesday Apr-23 Thursday Apr-25 Saturday Apr-27 Apr-30 May-04 May-12 Tuesday May-14

Opponent

Bishop's Stortford COLWYN BAY WORKINGTON Bradford Park Avenue OXFORD CITY Chester FC Hinkley Utd GLOUCESTER CITY ABBEY HEY FA Cup 2nd Qfy Rnd Histon Chester FA Cup 3rd Qfy Rnd CHESTER FA Cup 3rd Qfy Rnd - Replay BOSTON UTD Lincoln City FA Cup 4th Qfy Rnd

H/A Result Position Venue

A H H A H A A H H A A H H A LINCOLN FA Cup 4th Qfy Rnd Replay H Brackley Town A Liversedge WRCC A VAUXHALL MOTORS H Cammell Laird FA Trophy 3rd Qfy Rnd A DROYLSDEN H ALTRINCHAM FA Trophy 1st Rd H Albion Sports WRCC A Worcester City A MAIDSTONE UTD FA Trophy 2nd Rd H GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY H Gainsborough Trinity A SOLIHULL MOORS H CHELMSFORD CITY FA Trophy 3rd Round H DARTFORD FC FA Trophy 4th Round H Corby Town A Dartford FC FA Trophy 4th Round Replay A HISTON H Droylsden A Gloucester City A STALYBRIDGE CELTIC H Vauxhall Motors A Ossett Town WRCC A WORCESTER CITY H HINCKLEY UTD H HARROGATE TOWN H Solihull Moors A BRACKLEY TOWN H Colwyn Bay A Workington A BRADFORD PARK AVENUE H Guiseley A ALTRINCHAM H BISHOP'S STORTFORD H CORBY TOWN H Boston Utd A Oxford City A Harrogate Town A GUISELEY H Altrincham A CHESTER FC H Stalybridge Celtic A Play-Off Semi-Final 1st Leg H Play-Off Semi-Final 2nd Leg A Play-Off Final Guiseley WRCC Final A

2-1 0-1 5-1 1-1 3-1 1-2 2-0 5-0 6-0 1-0 1-1 3-1 1-2 0-0 0-2 0-0 7-0 4-0 1-0 4-1 5-2 2-0 1-0 2-1 3-1 0-3 0-0 3-0 1-1 5-1 2-3 3-3 6-0 2-1 0-0 3-1 1-0 5-0 7-0 1-2 3-0 0-0 3-0 1-0 0-1 1-1 3-4 1-1 2-0 2-1 2-2 1-1 1-1 0-2

6 11 6 5 5 5 4 4 5 4 5 5 5 5 5 6 7 6 6 4 6 6 5 7 4 7 6 8 9 7 7 8 7 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 5

Woodside Park Shay Stadium Shay Stadium Horsfall Stadium Shay Stadium Exacta Stadium Greene King Sta Shay Stadium Shay Stadium Bridge Road Exacta Stadium Shay Stadium Shay Stadium Sincil Bank Shay Stadium St. James Park Clayborn Shay Stadium St Peters Road Shay Stadium Shay Stadium Horsfall Stadium St. Georges Lane Shay Stadium Shay Stadium Northolme Std Shay Stadium Shay Stadium Shay Stadium Steel Park Princes Park Stdm Shay Stadium Butchers Arms

Referee

S Daly P Dermott A Greenwood A Holmes S Oldham R Johnson M D'Aguilar P Graham P Dermott R Kendall A Tankard M Coy M Bristow C Kavanagh S Stockbridge D Rock M Connell A Greenwood M Parry M Ackerman A Miller J Waters M Dexter M Coy I Hussin R Wigglesworth M Parry S Stockbridge M Evans A Young C Breakspear I Turner G Fyvie Abbey Business Std A Hopkins Spotland Stadium G Johnson Rivacre Park R Johnson Ingfield M Dwyer Shay Stadium M Coy Shay Stadium N Sharp Shay Stadium R Wootton Damson Park M Walsh Shay Stadium A Miller Llanelian Road M Parry Borough Park G Johnson Shay Stadium A Tankard Nethermoor M Wrigglesworth Shay Stadium M Dexter Shay Stadium M Walsh Shay Stadium R Jones Jakeman's Std L Betts Oxford City Std A Quelch CNG Stadium A Greenwood Shay Stadium S Lucas Moss Lane L Metcalfe Shay Stadium Bower Fold Shay Stadium

Valley Parade

Attendance

622 1328 1167 1614 1172 3112 522 1291 936 478 2613 1514 1530 1940 1418 522 278 858 301 1332 885 123 1032 747 1515 906 979 1137 921 439 805 1188 643 303 1037 251 117 1275 900 1133 331 1361 331 481 1611 1137 1437 926 838 1069 262 698 1598 990

Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Senior Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Senior Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Senior Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon Glennon

Toulson Worsley Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Kelly Worsley Worsley Bolland Bolland Kenny Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Kenny Toulson Pearson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Toulson Pearson Toulson Toulson Pearson Bolton Bolton Jackson

Needham Needham St Juste St Juste St Juste St Juste St Juste St Juste St Juste St Juste St Juste St Juste St Juste McManus McManus McManus St Juste McManus McManus McManus St Juste Hanbury St Juste St Juste McManus McManus McManus McManus McManus Kelly McManus McManus McManus McManus McManus McManus Hanbury McManus McManus McManus McManus McManus Mcmanus McManus McManus McManus McManus McManus McManus McManus McManus McManus McManus St Juste

Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Bolland Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Needham Bolland Hogan Hogan Hogan Kelly Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Hogan Messer Hogan Hogan Hogan Pearson Pearson Pearson Pearson Pearson Pearson Pearson Williams Needham Bolton Bolton Worthington Jackson Hogan

Substitutes

Scored ( )

Jarrett Jarrett Jarrett Jarrett Jarrett Jarrett Jarrett Jarrett Jarrett Jarrett Jarrett Jarrett Hackney Bolland Bolland Jarrett Bolland Jarrett Bolland Jarrett Jarrett Bolland Worsley Jarrett Jarrett Jarrett Needham Needham(2) Needham Needham Needham Platt Needham Needham Needham Needham Qualter Needham Moke Needham Needham Needham Needham Needham Needham Knowles Needham Knowles Knowles Knowles Knowles Pearson Pearson Knowles

Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Qualter Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Marshall Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Wysocki Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Lowe Toulson

Worthington Worthington Worsley Worsley Worsley Worsley Worsley Worsley Worsley Worsley Worsley Worsley Worsley Worsley Worsley Worsley Hackney Worthington Worthington Worthington Worthington Abidaki Worthington Worthington Worthington Worthington Worthington Worsley Worsley Williams Worsley Worsley Worthington Worthington Worthington Worsley Collins Worsley Worsley Worlsey Worthington Worsley Worsley Worsley Williams Worsley Worsley Worthington Worsley Worsley Worsley Worsley Worsley Abidaki

Marshall Marshall Marshall Marshall Marshall Marshall Marshall Marshall Marshall Marshall Marshall Marshall Marshall Marshall Marshall Marshall Johnson A Marshall Jarrett Johnson A Needham Worsley Needham Needham Needham Bolland Marshall Marshall Marshall Platt Marshall Marshall Marshall Marshall Marshall Williams Abadaki Williams Williams Williams Williams Williams Williams Worthington Knowles Williams Williams Needham Williams Williams Williams Williams Knowles Needham

Johnson Johnson Johnson Needham Johnson (2) Johnson Johnson Johnson Johnson (2) Johnson Johnson Johnson Johnson Worthington Worthington Worthington Johnson D Titchiner Titchiner Titchiner (3) Johnson Igiehon Johnson Gardner Worsley Needham Gardner Gardner Gardner Gardner Gardner (2) Gardner (1P) Titchener Titchener Titchener Titchener Johnson (A) Titchener St Juste Titchener St Juste Titchener Gregory Titchener Titchener Gregory Moke Gregory Titchener Titchener Glover Glover Williams Glover

Gregory Gregory Gregory Gregory Gregory Gregory Worthington Gregory (4) Gregory Gregory Gregory Gregory Gregory Gregory Gregory Gregory Gardner (2) Johnson Marshall Marshall Gregory Gardner(Pen) Gregory Gregory Gregory Johnson (A) Gregory Gregory Gregory Gregory (3) Gregory Gregory Gardner Gardner Gardner Gardner Gregory Gardner Gardner Gardner Moke Gardner Gardner Gardner Glover Gardner Gardner Gardner Gregory Gregory Gregory Gardner Gardner Johnson

Seddon Seddon Seddon (2) Seddon Seddon Worthington Seddon Worthington Worthington (2) Worthington Worthington Worthington Worthington Seddon Seddon Seddon Seddon (2) Seddon Seddon (P) Seddon Seddon (3) Johnson(Pen) Seddon Sedoon (2) Seddon Seddon Seddon Seddon Seddon Seddon Seddon Titchiner Seddon (3) Seddon Seddon Seddon St Juste Gregory (4) Gregory (3) Gregory Seddon Gregory Seddon Seddon Gregory Worthington Gregory Seddon St Juste Worthington Needham Gregory Gregory Seddon

Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Glennon Senior Senior Senior Senior Halton Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Stewart Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior Senior

Worsley McManus Worthington Worthington Worthington Qualter Gregory McManus McManus McManus McManus McManus McManus St Juste St Juste Bolland McManus Gardner Needham Gardner Gardner Thomas Gardner Worsley Gardner Gardner Bolland Bolland Nogan Marshall St Juste St Juste St Juste Qualter St Juste St Juste Thomas St Juste Needham St Juste Gardner St Juste St Juste St Juste St Juste Glover St Juste Toulson Glover Glover Gardner (1P) Knowles Glover Pearson

St Juste St Juste Needham Bolland Bolland Bolland Bolland Bolland Qualter Bolland Qualter Qualter Qualter Hackney Hackney Hackney Jarrett St Juste St Juste Worsley Worsley Messer McManus McManus Johnson (A) Gregory Johnson (A) Abadaki Abadaki Worsley Abadaki Seddon Gregory Gregory Gregory Gregory Igiehon Johnson (A) Toulson Seddon Worsley Seddon Titchener Gregory Gardner Titchener Titchener (2) Titchener Seddon Needham None Seddon Seddon Messer

Qualter Qualter Qualter Johnson Needham Needham Needham Needham Hackney Hackney Hackney Hackney Bolland Qualter Titchener Gregory Gregory Johnson Johnson Toulson Wysocki Bolland Bolland Bolland Worsley Worsley Kelly Kelly Johnson Kelly Kelly Platt Platt Moke Moke Halton Moke Johnson (A)2 Moke Titchener Moke Moke Glover Moke Moke Knowles Moke Bolton St Juste St Juste Jackson Moke Wysocki

Rainford Rainford Rainford Rainford Rainford Rainford Rainford Hackney Abidaki Seddon Seddon Seddon Gardner Johnson Johnson (A) Hackney Gregory Kelly Stewart Johnson (A) Qualter Marshal Marshall St Juste St Juste Moke Worthington Williams Williams Williams Williams Johnson (A) Pearson Titchener Pearson Johnson (A) Johnson (A) Johnson (A) Bolton Jackson Bolton Jackson Jackson Johnson (A) Johnson (A) Johnson (A) Johnson (A) Johnson (A)

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FC HalifaxTown

CLUB STATS Team Name 1 Chester FC

Pts

101

103

2 Guiseley

3 Brackley Town

4 Altrincham

5 FC Halifax Town

6 Harrogate Town

7 Bradford P A

8 Gainsborough Trinity

9 Solihull Moors

10 Gloucester

-8

11 Oxford City

12 Vauxhall Motors

-5

13 Workington *

-8

14 Worcester City

-4

15 Boston United

-4

16 Stalybridge

-8

17 Bishops Stortford

-16

18 Colwyn Bay

-22

19 Histon

-25

20 Corby

-26

21 Droylsden

118

-75

22 Hinckley *

141 -108

Player Name Matt Glennon Ryan Toulson Danny Lowe Liam Hogan Jason St Juste Chris Worsley Dale Johnson Gareth Seddon Lee Gregory Paul Marshall Liam Needham Jamie Rainford Jon Worthington Connor Qualter Phil Bolland Scott McManus Simon Hackney Osebi Abidaki Alex Titchiner Phil Senior Sean Kelly Alex Johnson Dan Gardner Jake Kenny Ghorji Hanbury Josh Messer Benny Igiehon George Wysocki Sylbert Stewart Sean Williams Tom Platt Adriano Moke Sean Collins Matthew Pearson Danny Glover James Knowles James Bolton Adam Jackson

APP 51 41 50 35 20 39 16 32 40 28 30 31 2 10 33 2 3 15 3 3 6 24 2 2 2 1

17 2 3 1 12 4 8 4 2

SUB

15 7 3 9 8 1 3 6 1 2 4 7 7 3 6

1 5 11 22 23 1 5 1 9 1

14 8

2 3 11 1 5 12

1 1 1 1 3 1 8 3 4 2 1

Shaymen Enjoy Home and Away Games Match Highlights, Interviews and much more in High Quality 1MB Widescreen Flash Video Stream from your PC or MAC

visit www.shaymenplayer.co.uk for full details. FC HalifaxTown

FC HalifaxTown

MASCOTS Leon Murphy Leon attends All Saints Catholic College, Huddersfield. He is a defender for Warley Rangers under 12's A Lifelong Halifax Town fan and his favourite player is Scott McManus

Eloise Lloyd Eloise will be 9 years old on the 25 April 2013 (the day of the Chester Match). She attends Woodhouse Primary School in Brighouse. She has 2 brothers & 2 sisters. Her favourite Football team is Halifax Town. Her favourite colours are Blue & White. She has a pet Guinea pig called princess & loves sweets.

wicked*† *as in good † as in bad

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FC HalifaxTown

ON REFLECTION… WITH MARK BOWER Former FC Halifax Town captain Mark Bower reflects on his current Guiseley side's 1-1 draw with the Shaymen last Saturday, whilst also looking forward to another potential meeting (or two!) in the forthcoming end of season play-offs… Q. Firstly Mark, your former side recorded the required point to get into the playoffs against your current employers, in that competitive 1-1 draw; how important was it for FC Halifax Town to secure their end of season finale going into a hectic concluding week of the regular campaign? “It was a big result for FC Halifax in that they can now, if they want, rest a few players in this final week of the season going into the playoffs. They've played a lot of games over the last few weeks and their efforts have been rewarded. So it was an important point for them but it was also a decent point for Guiseley. Coming to Halifax is always a difficult place to visit and I think the result shows just how tight it could be in the play-offs. Games between the teams up there in the play-offs have been quite close this season, so I think, at the minute, it's difficult to pick a winner.” Q. In terms of the game itself, do you agree that it was hard to tell which team

FC HalifaxTown

had faced two midweek away trips and which team hadn't played for a full week? “Yeah, Halifax certainly finished the game really well. It was similar to our game versus Chester the week before. Prior to that game we had played on the Tuesday and the Thursday and we finished really strongly against Chester and we ended up winning the game. The same happened at The Shay. We were the better side in the first half and perhaps there was a bit of stiffness in the Halifax lads' legs. But once they came out in the second half, they got the early goal and they started to put us under pressure. We probably still had the better of the chances but I think a draw was the fairest result.” Q. You've known that Guiseley were guaranteed second spot for at least a couple of weeks; has that altered anything in terms of mentality and personnel leading up to the play-offs? “Well firstly we're very happy with second place but we've got a points tally that, in any other season, would have probably won us the league. But we've known for a long time that second was the best we could have hoped for because Chester have been unbelievable. It's unprecedented the number of points they have got so you have got to take your hats off to them. As you allude to though, it has been a strange few weeks for us knowing that we were going to finish second. We had mixed the squad up a bit but now, as we prepare for the play-offs, we've had more of a settled side and formation and now we are solely focussed on that first leg of the semi-final play-off next Tuesday, whoever it turns out to be.” Q. Well it's either Town or Alty for you in the semi-final. Have you got a preference of who you want to face? “Correct, it now simply boils down to FC Halifax and Altrincham versus either Guiseley or Brackley and it will be interesting to see which way round it turns out to be. I don't think you can really choose who you do or don't want to play as it is all very even. I think whoever plays Brackley has got the slight advantage given that

they will have to travel all the way up here, or to Altrincham, on a Tuesday night. But you can't pick or choose who you want to play. I'm sure every team will go into the play-offs thinking they have got every chance of winning.” Q We all know about the heartache – and pulsating joy – that comes with the playoffs. From your point of view, how satisfying would it have been for both Guiseley and the Shaymen to have gained promotion from the Blue Square Bet North this season? “I said at the start of the season that it would have been nice if both Guiseley and FC Halifax could have got promoted but unfortunately it is not going to be that way. I say that because I am still fond of this club. I've still got friends here and I had a very good year here. It was a successful, and very much enjoyable, time in my career. It would be nice to play each other in the final as I'm sure it would be a great one-off game of football. Obviously I play for Guiseley so I hope it's us that do get promoted but, in all honesty, I know how good FC Halifax are – they played really well at our place at the start of April and they deserved to win - so I would probably prefer to avoid them in a one-off final!” Q. And finally Mark, the reason both clubs can't achieve promotion this season is due to the runaway leaders, Chester, taking the league by storm. Surely, as you alluded to earlier, everyone in this league must take their hat off to them? “We played Chester early in the season and we had both won our first six games. They beat us comfortably 4-0. They have just been relentless. When I played for Halifax two seasons ago with the likes of Vardy representing us we were really good, but Chester have smashed that points total in the league above and that just shows how good they have been. There's not a lot anyone could have done about them this season.” Mark Bower was talking to Adam Cheshire

FC HalifaxTown

SHAYMEN SHOUT'S

SEASON STUDY

The season has been extended for FC Halifax Town after their Blue Square Bet North play-off place was confirmed last Saturday against Guiseley after a 1-1 draw. Here, the Shaymen Shout's Liam Norcliffe takes time out to reflect on a gruelling 201213 campaignâ&#x20AC;Ś August Neil Aspin's team picked up seven points from their opening four matches which included a 2-1 success on the opening day of the season at Bishop's Stortford. The trip down south did not start as planned but Town came from behind in the second half to secure three points courtesy of an equaliser from Lee Gregory an own goal by Sean Francis. The beginning of the home campaign ended in a frustrating 90 minutes, however, as they succumbed to a disappointing 1-0 loss to Colwyn Bay. Former FC Halifax player Kevin Holsgrove struck the winner from 20 yards. The Shaymen did not let their first defeat affect them though as they smashed five goals past Workington with Gareth Seddon scoring his first two goals for the Club. An indifferent opening month finished with a 1-1 Bank Holiday stalemate at Bradford Park Avenue with Seddon making it three goals for the season. His afternoon ended early though after receiving a red card. September The second month of the season saw the Shaymen win five of their six games with only a 2-1 defeat to eventual champions Chester the only negative. The run of wins also included a 6-0 win over Abbey Hey in the FA Cup second qualifying round.

The month began with a 3-1 defeat of Oxford City with summer signing Dale Johnson scoring two goals and Paul Marshall adding a goal of the season contender. Gregory then crashed in a first-half hat-trick, in a four-goal haul for the striker, as Town beat Gloucester City 5-0 at The Shay. October October was an exciting Cup month for FC Halifax and it started with back-to-back games against Chester in the FA Cup third qualifying round. After Town secured a 1-1 draw at the Exacta Stadium courtesy of Simon Hackney's stunner, they triumphed three days later on home soil, 3-1, to secure a trip to Lincoln City in the next round. At Sincil Bank, Aspin's men had by far the better chances to win the game but after failing to put the ball in the net, they were outplayed by Lincoln in the home replay as the Conference Premier side scored two goals without reply to earn the right to play Walsall in the First Round proper of the prestigious trophy. FC Halifax also began their West Riding County Cup adventure by hitting local team Liversedge for seven without reply. November Town continued their Cup exploits into November as they recorded five straight wins in all competitions. First of all, Cammell Laird proved to be tough opposition but they eventually lost out 1-0 with Seddon slotting home a decisive second-half penalty in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy. Fellow Blue Square Bet North side,

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Altrincham, were then sent packing from West Yorkshire after Seddon scored a record-breaking hat-trick inside three-andhalf-minutes in a 5-2 demolition in the FA Trophy first round. Albion Sports were defeated 2-0 by a youthful Shaymen outfit at the Horsfall Stadium in the WRCC, as Town progressed to the semi-finals. With regards to the league campaign, the home supporters were treated to a comfortable 4-0 win over Vauxhall Motors, a game in which Dan Gardner made his longawaited league debut, as did Alex Titchiner and Alex Johnson, who both found the net. That was followed up by Town scoring four goals again, with Titchiner scoring a secondhalf hat-trick against Droylsden. Dale Johnson netted the other after a fine solo run to heap more misery on his former club. December December was a frustrating month for the squad due to the adverse weather conditions having an effect on The Shay pitch, meaning only three matches could be played in total, with a lot of games being rearranged for March and April. The three games that Town did play, they won all three. Seddon's second-half header was enough for all three points down in Worcester. Seddon continued his excellent form by hitting a double against Maidstone United in the FA Trophy - which included a last gasp winner at the far post â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to continue his trend of notching in every round. His form was rewarded on Boxing Day when he received the Blue Square Bet North Player of the Month, with Aspin picking up the Manager of the Month before the Boxing

Day encounter with Gainsborough Trinity at The Shay. Ryan Toulson scored his first goal in Halifax colours and created two more as Town supporters celebrated Christmas with a 3-1 win. January The weather continued to hamper the Shaymen in the New Year with only four matches being called on in the opening month of the new calendar year. The league campaign in 2012 did not get off to the best of starts with a 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture against Gainsborough Trinity on New Year's Day. One week later, Jason St Juste missed a 99th minute penalty against Solihull Moors in a goalless draw in West Yorkshire. Two positive performances restored some pride for Town as they saw off Blue Square South team, Chelmsford City, 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which included Liam Needham's first goals for the Shaymen. Dartford were the opponents in the quarterfinals and, despite going down to ten men when Chris Worsley was shown a red card, they still managed to take the lead through Gregory. However, the away side equalised in the second half meaning that if Town were to head into the semi-finals, they must win away from home against a team challenging for the play-offs in the Conference Premier. February The Shaymen hit the ground running in February as Gregory hit another hat-trick in the 5-1 away win at Corby. Confidence was high going into the long trip to Dartford and a brave performance was almost enough but they lost out by the odd goal in five.

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SEASON STUDY continued Aspin's free-scoring team put six past Droylsden with Seddon claiming three and a goal for Gardner from the edge of the box against his former side. But with The Shay turf struggling to function properly, the Club decided to move the scheduled home clash with Stalybridge Celtic to Rochdale's Spotland ground. The uniqueness and abnormality of the day seemed to have an affect on both sides, who fought out a tedious goalless draw. FC Halifax finished the month by reaching the WRCC final after a 1-0 win at Ossett Town, where they will play Guiseley at Bradford City's Coral Windows Stadium. March The final two months of the season were always going to be the most testing for the Town squad as they began to play three games a week which would eventually rise to four a week as the season could not be extended. The month got off to a flyer as Town racked up 13 goals in back-to-back home matches as they beat Worcester City 5-0, with Gregory adding another four to his tally. That was followed up with a 7-0 thumping of lowly Hinckley United with Gregory finding the net on three occasions, which made it 22 goals for the season for him. Harrogate Town had not read the script however in the next home match and they raced into a 2-0 lead at The Shay before Gardner pulled one back, but it was not enough as they suffered a rare defeat. FC Halifax finished the month with four clean sheets and three away wins at Solihull Moors, Colwyn Bay and Workington.

April Although the Shaymen were firmly placed in the play-offs, if they were to stay there, they would need a monumental effort with nine matches in 20 days. April did not start well either as Bradford Park Avenue took all three points on Easter Bank Holiday Monday with a 1-0 after former Town player Richard Marshall hit a shot past Glennon from 25 yards. Toulson was sent off with the scores level at 0-0 meaning that he would have to sit out three matches later in the month. Town then faced games against two teams who were in and around them in the league in the form of Guiseley and Altrincham. Gardner levelled in the second half to earn the Shaymen a deserved point at Nethermoor, before Altrincham edged a seven-goal thriller, 4-3, at The Shay with the league's top scorer, Damian Reeves, making it 35 goals for the season and the league's hottest property, Duncan Watmore, creating all four of the Robins' goals. The Shaymen recorded two important successive wins at home to Corby and away to Boston United. Loan star Alex Titchiner scored the winner â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a fabulous individual effort - in Lincolnshire in his last game before returning to parent Club Fleetwood Town. Two successive away draws at Oxford City and Harrogate Town meant that Town only needed a point at home to Guiseley to confirm their play-off place and they duly got it when Gregory turned in an accurate McManus cross to take a share of the spoils. May Blue Square Bet North Play-Off Winners?... Liam Norcliffe

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COACHING

Diamonds

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ROBERT HOLMES & COMPANY With Best Wishes to all at The Club and especially to our great supporters. Here's hoping we have a successful and memorable season. Bob Holmes Club President

Best Wishes to all at the Club for a great season.

With Best Wishes to all at FC Halifax Town from

Bob Willis MBE

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To the Directors and all at the Club, Go for it. Best of Luck

Good Luck, Good Fortune and many happy times.

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AWAY FROM THE SHAY 1: Pick of the Bunch in Blue Square Bet North As FC Halifax Town look forward to the Blue Square Bet North play-off stages, the Shaymen Shout's Alex Bradin turns our attentions to the bottom of the table and speculates on who faces the dreaded drop… There are a number of fixtures that catch the eye this coming weekend, but the most intriguing fixtures are in the lower reaches of the table. Corby Town take on Gainsborough Trinity at home and the Steelmen will be wary that they can still face the drop if other results do not go in their favour. Corby, at the time of writing, currently sit one place above the drop-zone in Blue Square Bet North. Gainsborough go into the match with nothing to play for, having failed to recreate their fantastic form of last season, which ultimately resulted in play-off final heartache. The two sides could not be separated when they met earlier in the season. Corby took an early lead but they could not hold on and ended up drawing 2-2. Corby's form of late has been a little inconsistent, however, they have taken the recent scalp of promotion hopefuls Brackley witch an emphatic 4-2 victory away from Steel Park. Conversely, at the other end of the spectrum, they suffered a crushing and embarrassing defeat to bottom placed side Hinckley United, losing 6-3. Corby do boast a striker in the divisions' top scorer's charts, as Josh Moreman has 12 goals to his name this year, with 11 coming from open play and one from the penalty spot. Gainsborough's form is not much better despite their league position. They have played some of the higher placed sides in the league in recent weeks, namely Chester FC, Brackley and Guiseley and they have failed to take any points from them, so there is no reason why Corby cannot cause an upset on the last day of the season to ensure they remain in the division. Bradford Park Avenue host a Histon side on the last day of the season, knowing only a win will do in their fight against relegation, although their recent form is far from ideal.

FC HalifaxTown

Bradford Park Avenue are at the right end of the table but unfortunately, more due to the Shaymen's and Altrincham's fine late form, can't make the play-offs. They have fire-power in their side, with Richard Marshall having scored sixteen goals this year which could prove crucial in this game, and it promises to be an entertaining finish to the season at the Horsfall. Last week was a tremendous week for a Colwyn Bay side who won three times in eight days to boost their Blue Square Bet North survival chances. They were looking to continue their excellent form – which, after their 2-1 success at Workington on Saturday took them out of the relegation zone – earlier this midweek at Bradford Park Avenue but their final match is against Gloucester on Saturday. And, although they will be keeping an eye on other games involving the teams around them, they need a win themselves just to be on the safe side. To say they have been in a blood and thunder relegation battle is an understatement but a win on the last day of the season could save them from the drop. They will be keeping an eye on Bradford Park Avenue vs Histon, and will be hopeful that Bradford can aid them in their battle. Gloucester, who are aiming for a top-half finish, were 2-0 victors the last time these two side met, so, with that in mind, the Seagulls will want to use home advantage to seek revenge, and to secure their Blue Square Bet North safety. All fixtures on the last day of the season, Saturday 27th April 2013 Altrincham vs Droylsden Boston Utd vs Brackley Bradford PA vs Histon Colwyn Bay vs Gloucester Corby vs Gainsborough Guiseley vs Hinckley Utd Oxford City vs Bishop's Stortford Solihull Moors vs Workington Stalybridge vs FC Halifax Vauxhall Motors vs Harrogate Town Worcester vs Chester Alex Bradin

FC HalifaxTown

@NOTNEILASPIN CLUEDO During the winter months of this season FC Halifax Town may not have seen too many games due to postponements but something that was ever-present was the Twitter account @NotNeilAspin. A parody account based on the Town manager himself, it took the social media world by storm, entertaining the Town fans and players alike. The inside knowledge expressed in some of its tweets lead us to believe that the account must be ran by a member of staff or a player at FC Halifax Town.

comes to things like social media and I can't understand the attraction.” Adam Cheshire Where and what with: In the press box on his stilts. Why? The Shaymen Shout's very own Chesh is a major suspect because he spends a lot of time interviewing Neil post-match for Shaymen Player and gets an inside into his thoughts. He is also a bit of a quiet character which raises suspicion that it could be him. He was very quick to deny his link to the account when interrogated, saying: “I do have an intimate relationship with Neil Aspin but it is only on a professional basis.”

he Shaymen Shout's Alan Dale and Mark Ridgway investigated and narrowed it down to five key suspects: Neil Aspin Where and what with: In the dugout with his woolly hat. Why? The manager is a suspect as the account does have his name and face to it. He is also known to have been a major character in the dressing room during his playing days and would have likely played a prank or two throughout his career. It is also a way for Neil to release his hidden banter and to be able to relate to the players despite his advancing years. Shaymen Shout verdict: Despite the account being under his name it is unlikely to be Neil as he is known to be not be a fan of Twitter and other social media . Way back in October he was quoted as saying on the club's official website: “I'm very much old school when it

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Shaymen Shout verdict: Despite a lot of evidence suggesting that he is a prime suspect, Chesh only actually joined Twitter himself last week (@Adam_Chesh). He has no idea how to use it yet which suggests that he would be unable to produce the kind of content that @NotNeilAspin was best known for. Gareth Seddon Where and what with: On the catwalk promoting Herbalife Why? When you think of potential suspects that could be behind @NotNeilAspin the first name you think of is Gareth Seddon. Sedds is the self proclaimed banter king of the dressing

room. The Town striker is always the one cracking the jokes and playing the pranks, meaning the account would be right up his street. If you follow him on Twitter you would also know that he is an addict of the social media site and has the technical skills to be able to do it. Shaymen Shout Verdict: Sedds is undoubtedly the lead suspect in this case and as mentioned earlier is the first name on everyone's mind when thinking of who is behind @NotNeilAspin. However he was often the butt of the jokes from the account and it would be unlikely that he would hurt his own image like this. Phil Senior Where and what with: On the bench with his quiz crown Why? Phil Senior is a key suspect in this case. He has shown that he is very witty and knowledgeable as the reigning Shaymen Shout quiz champion. Phil also has a lot of time on his hands to be able to tweet whilst sat on the bench during games and spends time with Neil in the dugout, enabling him to know his thoughts and actions. As a goalkeeper he is also very good with his hands and is a competent tweeter.

Shaymen Shout Verdict: Senior definitely has the potential to be behind @NotNeilAspin. However he styles himself as a respectable family man and school teacher. The obscenities seen from the account means that it is unlikely to be him. Nigel Walker Where and what with: In the function room with the away shirt sponsor Why? FC Halifax Town's commercial man Nigel Walker is a dark horse to be behind @NotNeilAspin. Nige is known to also be a heavy twitter user and likes to be included with the banter that happens at the club. He has travelled on the coach with the team several times this season and knows plenty about what is going on in the dressing room. He was also very quick to brand Gareth Seddon as the key suspect when asked about his involvement. Shaymen Shout Verdict: Nige doesn't have much of an argument when it comes to being accused of being the man behind @NotNeilAspin. Not many have labelled him as a suspect but when it comes to inside knowledge of the club and being friendly with players and staff, not many could argue against him. The Shaymen Shout may not have narrowed it down to one key suspect but we are going to let you come to a conclusion yourselves. Whether you think it's one of these five suspects or anybody else, let us know your thoughts on Twitter @FCHTOnline.

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Locals Relax and Enjoy

Locals

Listed here are local pubs, clubs, restaurants, café’s etc who are helping raise much needed funds for the Club. Please show your support and when calling in tell them that you are a supporter.

THE PLUMMET LINE. We are an all-year-round friendly pub, with a brilliant atmosphere. We cater for all ages, weather you’re wanting a Sunday lunch with the family or a few drinks with the lads after work. Our food menu has a wide range of dishes, not to mention our fantastic ‘burger and drink’ deals, Our quiz on a Monday night is quite competitive, with a chance to win a gallon of beer. We even have two SKY boxes and a freeview box, meaning that we can show up to three sports at once, with SKY Sports and ESPN, not to mention our two big screens.

19-21 Bull Close Lane, Halifax, HX1 2EF. Tel 01422 353620 plummetlinehotelhalifax.co.uk Sky Sports 6 screens • Disco THE VILLAGER PUB •• Full Karaoke • Families Welcome

Peel Street, Wilsden, Bradford, BD15 0JE. Tel 078100 10043

McDONALDS Market Street, Halifax: 01422 348269 409 Bradford Road, Brighouse: 01484 714874 & Salterhebble Hill, Halifax: 01422 321943

SYHIBA RESTAURANT 57 Wharf Street, Sowerby Bridge, Halifax, HX2 2AF - Tel 01422 835959

LORD NELSON INN - Traditional Family Pub Luddenden, Halifax, HX2 6PX. 01422 882176. thelordnelsonukcom@gmail.com

THE RING O'BELLS - COUNTRY PUB & RESTAURANT 212 Hilltop Rd, Thornton, Bradford, BD13 3QL

T: 01274 832296 www.theringobells.com

Open 7 days a week for Lunch & Dinner

Pubs, clubs restaurants, cafes, etc can advertise in The ‘Locals’ for as little as £100 plus vat. Please call Nigel Walker on 07852 207622 to discuss this great opportunity to promote your pub or club.

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TEAM SHEET CHESTER FC

FC HalifaxTown

Matt GLENNON

John DANBY

Ryan TOULSON

Martin FEARON

Scott McMANUS

George HORAN

Matt PEARSON

Matty McGINN

Liam NEEDHAM

Paul LINWOOD

Danny LOWE

Dominic COLLINS

Chris WORSLEY

Lewis TURNER

Sean WILLIAMS

Iain HOWARD

Dan GARDNER

Lee GREGORY

Gareth SEDDON

Phil SENIOR

Jason St JUSTE

Jon WORTHINGTON

Alex JOHNSON

Adriano MOKE

Nathan TURNER

James KNOWLES

Brendon DANIELS

James BOLTON

Sean MILLER

Adam JACKSON

Marc WILLIAMS

Danny GLOVER

Nathan JARMAN

Liam HOGAN

Tony GRAY

Osebi ABADAKI

Ben MILLS

Dale JOHNSON

Lee TRUNDLE

Referee: Glen Hart 4th Official: Joseph Copeland

Ashley WILLIAMS Wes BAYNES Joe ORMROD Antoni SARCEVIC Jordan GRACE Dave HANKIN Scott BROWN Danny WILLIAMS

Assistant: Assistant:

Mark Foster Philip Yates

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