And after the massive disappointments of the summer, which saw the demise of the old club, there is an enormous sense of anticipation.

Despite having only five weeks to prepare, manager Jim Vince looks to have assembled a squad that will be capable of challenging for honours and putting a smile back on the faces of the supporters who at one stage must have wondered whether they would have a team to watch.

Good news has been in plentiful supply over the past month or so, from the return to the club of Neil Ross, who scored 20 goals last season for Buxton and Ilkeston, to the signing of Ashley Stott from Bangor City, where he scored 30 goals in 59 League of Wales starts.

Defensively the team looks solid with two experienced keepers in Craig Mawson and Phil Senior and the likes of Steve Payne and Tony Barras in front of them.

But it is the attacking options that will excite the Shay crowd.
Jonathan Smith is a player who can clearly influence a game while the presence of three wingers - Junior Brown. Adam Morning and Dorryl Proffitt - shows how Vince wants to play it.

In addition to Ross and Stott, the Shay boss has Ben Jones and Ryan Sugden to call on up front so goals ought to be guaranteed.

Bamber Bridge will be doing their best tomorrow to spoil Town's party.

They finished in the play-off places last season, losing out in the semi-final to FC United of Manchester who went on to gain promotion.

And they will be looking to go one better this time around.

The Shaymen know that a good start is crucial, both for the team's confidence and to encourage the growth of crowds inside the Shay.

Few who have seen them progress in pre-season would argue against them getting what they want tomorrow.

Bamber Bridge played the old Halifax Town side once, back in the 1994-95 season, winning an FA Trophy tie 1-0 at their Irongate home.

• Meet the players

• Unibond League Division One North fixtures