After years of struggle to remain in it, Halifax are finally enjoying life outside the League.
It’s been 15 years since Halifax Town became the first team to be relegated from the Foot-ball League for a second time, and ten years since mounting debts led to liquidation. This was followed by the formation of a new club who began in the Northern Premier League Division One North. Three promotions in four years were followed by relegation in 2015-16, but the 2-1 win over Chorley in May’s National League North play-off final saw an instant return to the National League.
The club were formed in the town best known for its textiles and building society in 1911, and played their early seasons in the Yorkshire Combination and the Midland Counties League before joining Division Three North in 1921-22. That they finished second bottom and failed to win consecutive matches in that debut season were perhaps indicators that life would not be easy, particularly in a town where rugby league was well established. Few towns of similar population (around 90,000) have managed to sustain both sports. In football, Halifax has always suffered from its proximity to bigger clubs in Bradford, Burnley, Huddersfield and Leeds (let alone Manchester). And although Town occasionally found themselves in the same division as some of these clubs, only another frequent struggler, Rochdale, were considered real (and realistic) rivals.
Denne historien er fra July 2017-utgaven av When Saturday Comes.
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Denne historien er fra July 2017-utgaven av When Saturday Comes.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Pirate Transmission
Broadcasters around the world are paying huge sums to screen football, but they will not be willing to invest if they cannot be protected.
Scandi Drama
Years before it was screened live in the UK, England’s Football League was building a cult following abroad thanks to a visionary broadcaster.
Pot Of Gold
A rare meeting between two local rivals brought FA Cup fever – and a useful financial boost – to one corner of Hertfordshire
Digital Divide
From earnest post-match punditry to being used in actual players’ matchday preparations, the virtual game is becoming increasingly blurred with reality.
Haringey Ladder
The decision to walk off in the face of abuse has shone a national spotlight on a community club with a progressive approach
Bournemouth 0 Norwich City 0
Dean Court may have received a Premier League facelift but against today’s visitors the home team fail to live up to their status, although the low-quality draw they play out is still somehow reassuring.
Room With A View
Hampden Park
Not In The Script
ARSENAL FILM
Out Of Place...
After another unsuccessful qualifying attempt Martin O’Neill is under pressure, while a poor Republic of Ireland squad is only getting weaker
Uncomfortable Truth
At the end of April Sheffield United surprised many people by re-signing Ched Evans, who, following a retrial, has now been found not guilty of the rape charge for which he spent two-and-a-half years in prison.
