The Shay's superb South Stand, reserved for away supporters. Should just about be big enough for Hereford's massive away support.... Photo © Shaymen Til We Die

And it's a big welcome back to Halifax Town FC, relegated back to the Conference only four years after their promotion to Division Three at the end of the 1997-98 season. During their brief sojourn back in the Football League the Shaymen finished 10th, 18th, 23rd and finally 24th, a four-season record of mediocrity which neatly encapsulates their history over the years as both a League and non-league club. Even die-hard Halifax fans would admit that on the whole that history is undistinguished at best, downright mediocre at worst, with only the occasional blip in the form of promotion to relieve the monotony, always followed a couple of seasons later by relegation back to whence they came. It's depressing enough writing about it, it must be purgatory actually following it, season in and season out. No wonder they say it's grim up north....

As a club in the Conference, Halifax are virtually starting out from scratch again this season. Huge financial problems led to the club being put into administration last season, a state of afairs which meant that new manager Chris Wilder wasn't able to make any signings until a couple of weeks from the start of the new season. "So what?" I hear you exclaim, "He would still have last season's squad to call upon, even if they were so crap as to be relegated from Division Three...." But that's where you would be wrong gentle reader, because, with the exception of two players who Halifax were attempting to sell for cash, every single man jack of the squad were released at the end of last season leaving Wilder in an unenviable position - no players, no money for transfer fees and not much to offer in wages either - the similarities to the position Doncaster Rovers found themselves in when they first came down to the Conference are obvious, albeit through different causes.

The older West Stand. Photo © Shaymen Til We Die

Halifax play at what is easily the best and most imposing stadium in the Conference - The Shay has a curent capacity of nearly 10,000, set to rise to approximately 14,000 when work on the new main stand is completed. The ground is shared with Superleague side Halifax Blue Sox (who the hell thought that name was a good idea?) but unfortunately for the football club the only times it's likely to be anywhere near full are when the oval ball is being passed around - and then only if the Bradford Bulls or Wigan or whoever bring a decent away support. So far this season the football club are averaging around the 1,500 mark.

Prediction corner: Thanks to some nifty footwork in the two weeks before the start of the season Halifax have a full squad to choose from, including the likes of ex-Newcastle player John Beresford, plus other experienced defenders Stuart Elliot and Sean McAuley amongst others. At the time of writing the Shaymen have begun the season exactly how you'd expect a team of comparative strangers to begin - inconsistently, a good result followed by a heavy defeat and vice-versa. They'll almost certainly be too good to go down, but neither will they be consistent enough to make the play-offs - expect a season of mid-table relative comfort, something most Halifax fans will welcome with open arms after the trials and tribulations of the last 12 months. Final position: 13th.

Follow signs for Leeds, until such a time as Halifax is signposted.

Leave at either Junction 24 (Halifax) or Junction 25 (Brighouse), whichever appears first (this will depend on your direction of travel). Note; Despite J25 being signposted Brighouse, it is a shorter journey than continuing to J24

On leaving the motorway follow signs for Halifax.

The Shay is signposted from all major routes into Halifax. If all else fails head for Eureka Children's Museum (which is extensively signposted) and follow signs for The Shay from there.

Local Pubs :

Coming soon.

Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You :

After a few pints of Tetley's or real John Smiths your own mother wouldn't understand you. But you might as well have a few drinks anyway, they reckon all Zummerzet folk talk funny up there. Mutual incomprehension rules...

Top-Tip :

It's a bit like going to Donny - so don't hang about, get in, get 3 points, get out.