West Riding fans urged to get behind Halifax

The Shaymen will face Grimsby Town on Sunday, May 22 in the club’s first appearance at Wembley.

It promises to be a memorable day for Halifax, who will be looking to emulate the feat of holders North Ferriby United to keep the Trophy in Yorkshire hands.

Chairman David Bosomworth is hoping “the entire West Riding” will get behind Halifax ahead of their big day out in the capital, as does director Bobby Ham after seeing the club the pair formed in 2008 out of the wreckage of the old Halifax Town make history by seeing off Evo-Stik North outfit Nantwich over two legs.

Ham, a former professional footballer, told The Yorkshire Post: “We are in unchartered territory, even for the old football club. In 105 years, no football team from Halifax has played at Wembley.

“No one knows how many supporters we might take. There has been a lot of apathy around the town lately, mainly because of how we started the season. It proved to be very difficult for everyone.

“But now there is a real buzz about the place. Our supporters appear to be in ecstasy. I was at the FA Trophy final last year with Dave (Bosomworth) and it is wonderful to think we will be involved.”

Halifax’s average league attendance this season stands at 1,472, an identical figure to that registered by the club in 2014-15.

A crowd of 3,009 watched last Saturday’s second leg, which finished 2-2 to give Jim Harvey’s men a 6-4 aggregate triumph.

Asked how many fans he thought the Shaymen would take to the national stadium for a final that will be preceded by the FA Vase showpiece between a reformed Hereford and Morpeth Town, Ham replied: “I have always said that if we ever got to Wembley, I could see 10,000 fans coming with us. I still believe that.

“Right back to when I was a player, Halifax Town were often seen as people’s second team in West Yorkshire. Leeds, Bradford and Huddersfield fans all seemed to have a soft spot for the club, probably because they never saw Halifax Town as a threat.

“It would be wonderful if those fans would come along to Wembley to cheer us on.”

Bosomworth echoed his fellow board member’s thoughts, adding: “It would be great if the entire West Riding could get behind us. Grimsby are likely to have a bigger fan base, even if they have already been to the play-off final by then. It would be great to take a large number of fans.”

Last season’s Trophy final, which was won by North Ferriby on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw against Wrexham, was watched by a crowd of 14,585. Around 3,500 of those came from the East Riding village.

Predicting this season’s attendance is complicated by the Vase final taking place on the same day, not least because Hereford – like Halifax, formed out of the ashes of the old Football League club – are expected to be backed strongly.

A crowd of 4,683 watched the first leg triumph by the fledgling club at Edgar Street, while last weekend’s return at Salisbury saw Hereford fans again travel in good numbers.

At the moment, it is also difficult for Halifax to try to forecast what reaching Wembley could be worth to the club in financial terms.

Club officials will learn more at a meeting with the FA early next month, including what share of the gate the finalists can expect,

Until then, putting a figure on what the Shaymen might bank is difficult. The Yorkshire club have, though, already earned £42,000 in prize money with a further £25,000 guaranteed if Halifax lose the final or £50,000 if they can repeat North Ferriby’s success and lift the Trophy.

Considering the Shaymen’s playing budget this season is around £400,000, this represents a considerable boost to the coffers.

Chairman Bosomworth said: “It isn’t like the FA Cup in terms of bringing in the finances, but every little helps. We are all desperate to increase our income in the National League. Sixty four clubs share a central payment of £2m, which works out at around £41,000 each.

“Compare that to the £700,000-£800,000 that clubs relegated from League Two will get next season in parachute payments. That is double our playing budget.

“We are set for a meeting in early April to find out what will be involved. We will have a better idea after that meeting what the club can expect to earn in financial terms.”

On reaching the 2015 final, then North Ferriby chairman Les Hare revealed the club might make a loss on the Wembley trip due to the costs involved with staying down south for two nights and other expense such as new suits for the team.

Bosomworth added: “I can understand North Ferriby’s concerns but, until we learn more from the FA, we won’t know what the case is for us.”