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FC Halifax Town: Steve feels fans' pain
STEVE Payne was handed the honour of being the first player to skipper FC Halifax Town in a competitive game when he led the side out at the Shay on Saturday.
But the gloss on the former Chesterfield central defender's big day was taken away by Bamber Bridge who left West Yorkshire with the spoils.
Payne was handed the skipper's armband in the absence of club skipper Tony Barass whop sat out the game with a knee injury.
"This is a huge club with a lot of history and it was a proud moment to lead the team out," he said.
"But it was a total disappointment walking back in after the final whistle. It was a sickener.
"There were 1,500 fans and we didn't give them anything to cheer about really."
After a goalless first half, Town looked well placed to kick on after the break and record the win most people inside the ground were expecting.
But they suffered a double setback in side the opening six minutes as Bamber Bridge went into a 2-0 lead and were unable to recover.
"We came out for the second half in an optimistic mood and had the wind taken out of our sails with two sloppy goals in the space of five minutes," said Payne.
"We tried to get back on track with a couple of half chances but there was nothing clearcut and the third goal finished it.
"We know we have let ourselves down, the management down and the fans down.
"We are thoroughly disappointed not to have performed for the supporters."
Payne was unable to put his finger on why Town's players had been unable to rise to the occasion.
But he did not believe that complacency had been a factor in the defeat.
"Hopefully that has nothing to do with it," he said. "If it did we have had a real wake-up call.
"I believe we have had that anyway and now we have to roll our sleeves up and knuckle down tomorrow at Trafford.
"I think it is good that the games come thick and fast because you can wipe out the memory of the previous game.
"Tomorrow gives us the chance to put it right."
And Town's players remain focused on their prime objective - promotion from the Unibond League Division one North at the first attempt.
"We are under no illusions of what we have to do to get out of this league," said Payne.
"And that is ultimately what every team wants to do.
SATURDAY'S Shay crowd of 1,549 was the biggest of the day in Unibond
League Division One North by more than 1,200 - and just 199 short of matching the attendances at all the other games put together.
The next highest gate was 343 for Colwyn Bay's game with Garforth while just 94 saw Wakefield play Woodley Sports.
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Weather for Halifax
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
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