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FC Halifax Town v Bamber Bridge: A historic day for the Shaymen
BOSS Jim Vince is expecting a cracking atmosphere at the Shay tomorrow as FC Halifax Town begin their bid for promotion at the first attempt from the Unibond League Division One North when they take on Bamber Bridge (3.0).
There was a time earlier in the summer when it was unclear whether or not there would be a team playing in Halifax this season.
But less than a month ago more than 1,000 turned up to see the club's only home friendly against Bury.
And far more than that are expected to witness the competitive debut of the new side which starts the 2008-09 campaign three divisions lower than it ended the 2007-08 season.
"There is a euphoria around the place and that's brilliant," said Vince. "There will be a big crowd and it is about how we manage the expectations.
"Hopefully the team will perform to the levels we are expecting."
As for winning the league, Vince remains positive but is making no predictions.
"I have to be consistent in my opinion," he said. "As long as we play good attacking football and play to the level we are capable of, with a little luck and hopefully the big decisions going our way at the right time, we have a good chance."
Vince is a man who leaves nothing to chance with the team prepared to tackle not just tomorrow's game but the next eight or nine as well.
"We set targets individually and collectively," said Vince. "And you have to have a strategy
"It is like Formula One. Does the driver turn up, fill the car with petrol and race? No.
"I would like to average two points a game over the season. Last season my team averaged 2.45 points a game and, unusually only finished second.
"Last year my team only lost four home games and that was important.
"We have to make the Shay a fortress."
While most sides in the division have been together since the start of July, Vince has been building throughout pre-season and signings have come thick and fast.
In the past week or so he has strengthened further by bringing in Ashley Stott and Jonathan Smith.
"It is a relatively new team and tomorrow the side that starts will probably not have played together before," he said. "But there will be no excuses."
Vince will not reveal his team until close to kick off, but skipper Tony Barras has been ruled out of the season opener with a knee injury which is due to be scanned today.
That means fellow central defender Steve Payne is set to be handed the honour of leading out FC Halifax Town in their first competitive fixture.
"Whichever team starts, it will be competitive," said Vince. "The fans want to be entertained and we aim to do that."
FC Halifax Town (from): Mawson, Senior, King, Harban, Payne, Adams, Hinsley, Walker, Smith, Clegg, Brown, Morning, Proffitt, Stott, Jones, Ross, Jemson.
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Weather for Halifax
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Fog
Temperature: -6 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
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