Shaymen aiming to add to the misery as relegated Rovers follow path of old foes

FC Halifax emerged from the ashes of the old Halifax Town in 2008 in the Northern Premier League’s Division One North.

Within five seasons, FC Halifax Town had secured three promotions and were back in the top flight of non-league football, where they had been when the old club was wound up. In total, the Shaymen have been out of the Football League for 12 years.

In their last season in the then-Division Three, they lost 2-0 
to Bristol Rovers in February, 2002. Rovers were playing their 82nd consecutive season of League football, a proud run they would extend to 94 before it finally came to an end in May.

Today, the two teams meet for only the second time in 40 years, not even as equals, with FC Halifax Town having overtaken Rovers in the pecking order.

Halifax have made the perfect start to the season, Bank Holiday Monday’s nerve-jangling win over Lincoln City their fifth successive victory to start the season.

They sit proudly at the top of the Vanarama Conference with maximum points, a status that makes a mockery of their part-time status.

Rovers, by contrast, are suffering a hangover from their relegation, and languish in 16th with just one win and five points to their name.

Halifax manager Neil Aspin has a full squad from which to choose.