Shaymen back in the spotlight with TV tie

The Conference North side were handed the plum game in the first round draw but it was only yesterday that ITV confirmed it will be shown live on Sunday, November 13, kick-off 12.30pm.

Halifax will receive a broadcast fee of £67,500 and can look forward to a cash windfall from a crowd that is expected to top 5,000.

For Ham, however, the biggest plus of welcoming League One leaders Charlton to The Shay is that it will thrust the reformed club back into the spotlight.

He said: “We were all thrilled with the draw anyway but the game now being shown live by ITV is the icing on the cake.

“In terms of the club’s profile, it pushes the net much wider than has been possible and will make people aware about what is happening at Halifax Town.”

The fledgling club were born out of the ashes of Halifax Town, who went under in the summer of 2008 after years of financial struggle.

Since then, the Shaymen have won two promotions and are now mid-table in Conference North.

Ham added: “The income will be a big boost for the club. We started with the intention of getting back to the Football League.

“It won’t be easy but we will continue to try and do it step-by-step, on strong foundations. As a board, we have always said our hearts would not rule our heads. That won’t change. The buzz in Halifax since Sunday’s draw has been fantastic.”

The other two first round ties selected for live broadcast are Morecambe v Sheffield Wednesday, which will be shown on the Sunday by ESPN at 3.15pm, and Saturday lunchtime’s Newport County v Shrewsbury Town tie.