The Shaymen Are Coming To Town!
by John Mead.
The long awaited start to life in The National League begins this Saturday with the visit of F C Halifax Town.
It will be, much like the majority of the season, the first time the two sides have ever met. So, who are F C Halifax Town?
The West Yorkshire side were reborn in 2008-2009 after going into administration and losing their League status. They started their new life in the Northern Premier League Division One North and the following season recruited Neil Aspin, a legendary defender who played over 200 games for Leeds United, before moving to Port Vale, where he notched up over 300 appearances. Under the guidance of Aspin their rise has been staggering.
Last seasons 9th placed finish in The National League was the first time Mr Aspin has not guided his side to either a promotion or a play off challenging place. They won the Northern Premier League Division One North and the Northern Premier League in successive seasons.
They immediately made their presence felt in the Conference North. In their first season 2011-2012 they finished 3rd, before losing in the play offs, only to win a close Play Off Final the following season against Brackley Town to join the fifth tier of National Football.
Remarkably The Shaymen finished their first season in fifth spot, their success in part to striker Lee Gregory who netted 67 goals in three seasons. Their chance of promotion above where they finished life as the former club in just six seasons went with a defeat to Cambridge United in the play off Semi Final, which also signalled the departure of Gregory to Millwall.
With the Town and the club hungry for success Aspin has bought in nine players since May and they have had an impressive pre season. Their only defeat came at the hands of League One Oldham Athletic and that was a narrow 1-2 defeat. Their last outing as they prepare for the seasons opener at Meadow Park was an impressive 2-0 victory against Division two side York City.
We are expecting a bumper crowd for this historic occasion and the Townsfolk are asked to come out and support the boys in their numbers as we embark upon our historic journey!
Boreham Wood v F C Halifax Town.
Saturday August 8th, kick off 3pm.
