FC Halifax Town
Full name | FC Halifax Town | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Nickname(s) | The Shaymen | |||
Founded | 2008 | |||
Ground | The Shay | |||
Capacity | 14,081 (5,830 standing) | |||
Chairman | David Bosomworth | |||
Manager | Chris Millington | |||
League | National League | |||
2022–23 | National League, 11th of 24 | |||
Website | Club website | |||
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FC Halifax Town is a professional association football club based in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. They currently compete in the National League, the fifth level of English football league system, as of the 2023–24 season.
They replaced
History
Formation
Huge tax debts buried
Northern Premier League (2008–2011)
The club's first game under the new name FC Halifax Town was a friendly defeat against Tamworth on 19 July 2008.[4] The Shaymen's first competitive match came in a 3–0 loss to Bamber Bridge.[5] FC Halifax's first ever season was filled with inconsistency: ending outside the play-off positions in 8th place.[citation needed]
In April 2009,
Halifax started the 2010–11 season in the
Conference North years (2011–2013)
During pre-season, star-striker
The 2012–13 season was the club's second consecutive season in the 6th tier. The season was defined by successful cup-runs and another promotion. In the
National League years (2013–)
The
During pre-season,
The Shaymen's third season in the
Harvey was replaced by North Ferriby United manager Billy Heath. Town made an immediate return to the National League, finishing in 3rd place. Halifax met Salford City in the play-off semi-final, drawing 1–1 (winning 3–0 on penalties).[27] In the play-off final, Halifax beat Chorley 2–1 after extra time in front of nearly 8,000 fans.[28]
Halifax's return to the
In 2018, it was announced that FC Halifax would become full-time.[32] During pre-season, Jamie Fullarton was replaced with Pete Wild.[33] This time though, the positive start to the season didn't end like in previous seasons. By March, the COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the season.[34] The final league position was decided on a points per game decision, meaning Halifax would end up in the play-off positions. However, the Shaymen lost 2–1 in the play-offs to Boreham Wood.[35] Halifax finished the following season in 10th place – four points outside the play-offs.[36] Due to the recent coronavirus pandemic, the vast majority of fixtures were played behind closed doors during 2020–21.[37]
In the 2021–22 season, FC Halifax posted their highest ever league finish of 4th place, qualifying for the play-offs.[38] In the play-off eliminator, they lost 2–1 at home to Chesterfield.[39] At the end of the season, Pete Wild left for EFL League Two side Barrow.[40] Wild was replaced by Chris Millington.[41] Under Millington, FC Halifax finished 11th and won the 2023 FA Trophy final at Wembley, defeating Gateshead 1–0.[42][43]
Club identity
Period | Kit Manufacturer | Home Shirt Sponsor | Away Shirt Sponsor |
---|---|---|---|
2008–2009 | Vandanel | Grand Union Railway | Halton Group |
2009–2010 | Doodson Broking Group | ||
2010–2011 | Polyframe | ||
2011–2012 | |||
2012–2013 | |||
2013–2014 | Sondico
|
MBi Consulting | |
2014–2015 | Adidas | ||
2015–2016 | MBi Consulting | Integro Doodson | |
2016–2017 | Northern Powerhouse Developments | GB Architectural Cladding Products | |
2017–2018 | |||
2018–2019 | |||
2019–2020 | Core Facility Services | Nuie Bathrooms | |
2020–2021 | |||
2021–2022 |
Halifax Town's traditional colours are blue and white. The club doesn't have any particular, identifiable style and as such there can be quite a change of style season upon season. For the majority of Halifax Town's existence the club has opted for blue shirts, blue shorts and blue socks with various different styles on the shirt. This rhythm was interrupted between 2011 and 2014 as in the 2011–12 season the kit was blue with black trim as opposed to white, between 2012 and 2014 the club wore blue shirts, white shorts and blue sock; in the 2019–20 season the kit was blue with golden trim before moving back to a blue kit with white trimmings for 2020–21, which continued into 2021–22. As Halifax Town (AFC) the kit was also variable, including full blue, blue with white shorts, blue and white stripes and in the 1970s the kit included orange and even full white kits with orange[44] Away kits have no set standard or style nor colour and can come in a wide range of styles, such as the 2019–20 away kit which was orange with light blue trim which was exchanged for a pink and black kit or a gold and white shirt with hints of burgundy with burgundy socks and shorts in 2020–21, even the 1996–97 white away kit with purple trimmings or, finally, the black and white 2011–12 away kit with lime trimmings.[45]
Ground
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2023) |
FC Halifax play at The Shay, which has a capacity of 14,081 (5,830 standing).[46]
Rivalries
Club | Last Match | Season |
---|---|---|
Bradford City |
L 2–1 | 2014–15 |
York City | D 1–1 | 2023–24 |
Huddersfield Town |
D 0–0 | 2001–02 |
Rochdale |
D 2–2 | 2023–24 |
Burnley | L 1–0 | 1991–92 |
According to a survey conducted in 2003, Halifax's three main rivals are
Other rivals include
When Halifax were demoted to the regional leagues some of the smaller local clubs tried to form competitive rivalries but none of them really took off. The biggest of these rivalries was arguably with
Records and statistics
Player records
- Most league goals in a season – 29: Lee Gregory, (2013–14)
- Most league goals in total – 89: Lee Gregory, (2010–14)
- Most goals in a season – 40: James Dean, (2009–10)
- Most goals in total – 102: Lee Gregory, (2010–14)
- Most goals scored in a single game by one player – 4: Lee Gregory, v Gloucester City (15 September 2012), v Worcester City(2 March 2013)
- Most league appearances – 302, Sam Johnson (2015–16, 2017, 2017–)
- Most appearances – 348, Sam Johnson (2015–16, 2017, 2017–)
- Fastest goal – 25 seconds, Gloucester City(15 September 2012)
- Oldest player – Nigel Jemson, aged 39 years and 258 days v Chorley (25 April 2009)
- Youngest player – Andrew Villerman, aged 17 years and 179 days v Newcastle Blue Star (21 March 2009)
- Oldest goalscorer – Nigel Jemson, aged 39 years and 251 days v Trafford (18 April 2009)
- Youngest goalscorer – David Brooks, aged 18 years and 59 days v Aldershot Town (5 September 2015)
Team records
As of 15 May 2022[38]
- Highest league finish – 4th in National League, 2021–22
- Highest attendance – 8,042, v Bradford City, FA Cup 1st round, 9 November 2014
- Lowest attendance – 295, v Retford United, Northern Premier League President's Cup, 16 December 2008
- Lowest league attendance – 778, v Warrington Town, Northern Premier League Division One North, 16 September 2008
- Highest average attendance – 2,141, 2019–20 season
- Highest league win – 8–1, v Ossett Town, 18 January 2011. 7–0, v Hinckley United, 5 March 2013
- Worst league defeat – 0–7, v Grimsby Town, 13 October 2015[50]
- Most goals in a game – 9, v Ossett Town, 18 January 2011, v Braintree Town, 14 November 2015, v Ossett Albion, 8 November 2016
- Longest league unbeaten run – 19, 2 March 2010 – 24 August 2010
- Most league games won in a row – 10, 18 September 2010 – 16 November 2011
- Most league games without winning – 12, 3 April 2015 – 29 August 2015
- Most league games lost in a row – 8, 11 April 2015 – 18 August 2015
- Most league games drawn in a row – 6, 7 March 2015 – 24 March 2015
- Most consecutive league clean sheets – 7, 15 March 2014 – 15 April 2014
- Most clean sheets in a season – 21, 2021–22
Players
Current squad
- As of 26 March 2024[51]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Club officials
- Source:[52]
Board
- Chairman: David Bosomworth
- Directors: Bobby Ham, Stuart Peacock
- Associate Directors: Pete Hemingway
- Club secretary: Tony Allan
- President: Robert Holmes
- Vice-president: Geoff Cope & Lester
- Honorary Vice-presidents: Kemp & Queenie
Management and backroom staff
- Source:[52]
- Manager: Chris Millington
- Assistant manager: Andy Cooper
- Goalkeeping coach: Paul Oakes
- Physiotherapist: Aaron Scholes
- Doctor: Donald Young
Managerial history
- As of 27 May 2022
All competitions except West Riding County Cup
Name | From | To | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Win % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jim Vince | 2 July 2008 | 9 April 2009 | 46 | 22 | 10 | 14 | 47.83 |
Nigel Jemson (Caretaker) | 9 April 2009 | 25 April 2009 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0.00 |
Neil Aspin | 28 April 2009 | 17 September 2015 | 332 | 178 | 78 | 76 | 53.61 |
Gareth McClelland (Caretaker) | 17 September 2015 | 1 October 2015 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0.00 |
Darren Kelly | 1 October 2015 | 17 November 2015 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 20.00 |
Jim Harvey (Caretaker) | 17 November 2015 | 22 December 2015 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 60.00 |
Jim Harvey | 22 December 2015 | 24 May 2016 | 29 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 41.38 |
Billy Heath | 24 May 2016 | 31 January 2018 | 88 | 38 | 23 | 27 | 43.18 |
Neil Young (Caretaker) | 31 January 2018 | 20 February 2018 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 33.33 |
Jamie Fullarton | 20 February 2018 | 15 July 2019 | 65 | 20 | 27 | 18 | 30.80 |
Steve Nichol and Nathan Clarke (Co-Caretakers) | 15 July 2019 | 24 July 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
Pete Wild | 24 July 2019 | 26 May 2022 | 139 | 65 | 28 | 46 | 46.76 |
Chris Millington | 28 May 2022 | Present | 32 | 10 | 7 | 15 | 31.25 |
Honours
FC Halifax Town's honours include:[38]
League
- National League North (level 6)
- Play-off winners: 2017
- Play-off winners:
- Northern Premier League (level 7)
- Champions: 2010–11
- Northern Premier League Division One North(level 8)
- Champions: 2009–10
Cup
- FA Trophy
- West Riding County Cup:
- Winners: 2012–13
Notes
References
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- ^ "FC Halifax Town Clockwatch: Friday November 28". Halifax Courier. 28 November 2008. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Halifax fail with demotion appeal". BBC Sport. 12 June 2008. Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ "Good first home show from Lambs". Tamworth F.C. 19 July 2008. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
- ^ "The highs and lows of FC Halifax Town's previous opening days". Halifax Courier. 1 August 2018. Archived from the original on 26 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
- ^ "Neil Aspin signs FC Halifax contract extension". BBC Sport. 12 August 2014. Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
- ^ "FC Halifax Town 0 Wrexham 1: Aspin so proud after late goal heartbreak". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 6 September 2020.
- ^ The Evo-Stik League Northern Premier – News | www.evostikleague.co.uk Archived 5 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "FC Halifax 0–4 Charlton". BBC Sport. 13 November 2011. Archived from the original on 18 September 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Halifax Town vs Gainsborough Trinity 0–1". Soccerway. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Halifax Town vs Guiseley 1–1". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Form and head-to-head Halifax v Brackley". Sky Sports. 12 May 2013. Archived from the original on 27 April 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
- ^ "Neil Aspin signs FC Halifax contract extension". BBC Sport. 12 August 2014. Archived from the original on 8 April 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Cambridge 5–1 Halifax". BBC Sport. 11 August 2013. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Form and head-to-head Halifax v Wrexham". Sky Sports. 13 August 2013. Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Cambridge United 2–0 FC Halifax Town". BBC Sport. 4 May 2014. Archived from the original on 5 September 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Lee Gregory: Millwall sign FC Halifax Town striker". BBC Sport. 17 June 2014. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "FC Halifax Town 1–2 Bradford City". BBC Sport. 9 November 2014. Archived from the original on 25 May 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "National League Table & Standings". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ "Neil Aspin: FC Halifax sack boss after one win in 10 games". BBC Sport. 17 September 2015. Archived from the original on 5 September 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Grimsby Town 7–0 FC Halifax". BBC Sport. 13 October 2015. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "FC Halifax Town 1–7 Cheltenham Town". BBC Sport. 3 October 2015. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "FC Halifax Town 3–6 Braintree Town". BBC Sport. 14 November 2015. Archived from the original on 11 September 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2015.
- ^ "Darren Kelly: FC Halifax Town part company with boss after 47 days". BBC Sport. 17 November 2015. Archived from the original on 11 April 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "FC Halifax Town 1–1 Macclesfield". BBC Sport. 30 April 2016. Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "FA Trophy and FA Vase Finals". BBC Sport. 22 May 2016. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "FC Halifax Town 1–1 Salford City (3–0)". Salford City F.C. 7 May 2017. Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "FC Halifax Town 2–1 Chorley". Halifax Courier. 11 January 2017. Archived from the original on 15 June 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Jamie Fullarton: Halifax appoint former Notts County manager". BBC Sport. 20 February 2018. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Tables – The Vanarama National League Table". Archived from the original on 21 November 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2020.
- ^ "FC Halifax Town 1–0 Morecambe". BBC Sport. 20 November 2018. Archived from the original on 9 July 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ Sam Elliott (1 June 2018). "It's Full Steam Ahead For Full-Time FC Halifax Town!". Vanarama National League. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
- ^ "Pete Wild: FC Halifax Town name former Oldham Athletic boss as manager". BBC Sport. 25 July 2019. Archived from the original on 25 May 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Coronavirus:National League cancel remaining matches in 2019/20 season amid COVID-19 pandemic". Talksport. 22 April 2020. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Boreham Wood 2–1 FC Halifax Town". BBC Sport. 17 July 2020. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "National League Table". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 29 March 2022. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
- ^ Oliver Osborne (2 October 2020). "National League Statement Commencement Of 2020/21 Season". Vanarama National League. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Club Statistics". FC Halifax Town. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
- ^ "FC Halifax Town 1–2 Chesterfield". BBC Sport. 24 May 2022. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ "Pete Wild: Barrow appoint former Halifax boss as manager". BBC Sport. 27 May 2022. Archived from the original on 2 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ Tom Scargill (28 May 2022). "FC Halifax Town appoint Chris Millington as new manager". Halifax Courrier. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ "FC Halifax Town". Football Club Database. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
- ^ Luke De Costa (21 May 2023). "FA Trophy final: FC Halifax Town 1–0 Gateshead: Shaymen win competition for second time". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 26 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- ^ "Halifax". Kit classics. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015."
- ^ "Halifax Away Shirts". Archived from the original on 2 August 2021.
- ^ Tom Scargill (7 July 2023). "Every National League stadium ranked by capacity and how FC Halifax Town's Shay Stadium compares to Southend United, Oldham Athletic, Chesterfield and every other club in the division". Halifax Courier. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
- ^ Football Fans Survey, ""Rivalry Uncovered – The results Of The Largest Ever Survey Into Club Rivalries" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2012."
- ^ "Rochdale v FC Halifax Town Head-to-Head Record". Footy Mad Head-to-Head. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015.
- ^ "S. Johnson". Soccerway. Perform Group. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- ^ "Grimsby 7–0 Halifax". BBC Sport. 13 October 2015. Archived from the original on 16 October 2015. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
- ^ "First team". FC Halifax Town. Archived from the original on 10 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Who's Who". FC Halifax Town. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
External links
- Official website
- FC Halifax Town at GSA
- ShaymenOnline.org (statistics archive)
- FC Halifax Town at the Football Club History Database