FC Halifax Town: No-one is guaranteed a start, says Heath

Billy Heath has warned his Town squad that no-one is guaranteed a place in the team ahead of their pre-season opener at Brighouse tomorrow (3.0).
North Ferriby United training session before their trip to Wembley. Pictured manager Billy Heath.
19th March 2015.North Ferriby United training session before their trip to Wembley. Pictured manager Billy Heath.
19th March 2015.
North Ferriby United training session before their trip to Wembley. Pictured manager Billy Heath. 19th March 2015.

That is the first of six pre-season games for Halifax, who face Worksop away on Monday (7.30) before playing Frickley away on July 16, Sheffield United at home on July 19, Morecambe at home on July 23 and Accrington Stanley at home on July 30.

Heath says those matches will determine who starts for Town in their first league game away to Nuneaton on August 6.

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“The squad is really competitive,” he said. “The players know if they have a poor pre-season, they won’t start the first game, regardless of who they are.

“People might come to the fore regardless of where they were last season, whether they were in the Conference or played for me.

“It’s down to them to put themselves forward.

“No player is guaranteed a place.”

Heath will field two teams at Brighouse on Saturday by making 11 changes at half-time.

But centre-back Matty Brown is suffering with an ankle injury he is carrying over from last season and may not be involved.

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Heath in unequivocal about what he wants from tomorrow’s game.

“A win. Obviously you don’t want to pick up any injuries and we’re not expecting miracles from the first game back, which isn’t always the best in terms of quality,” he said.

“But we want to win all these games.

“We’re starting from game one, which is Brighouse.

“There aren’t any points at stake but it’s still a competitive game.”

Town added to their numbers this week with the signings of midfielders Matty Kosylo and Nathan Hotte from Nantwich and North Ferriby respectively.

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On Kosylo, who was named as the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League’s young player of the season, Heath said: “It’s a good signing. He’s at a good age and can play in various positions.

“He can score goals too.

“There were a few clubs interested in him. He’s an exciting talent and hopefully he can continue where he left off last season.”

On Hotte, Heath said: “He’s tried and tested at this level. He can also play in different positions, right down the middle of the pitch.

“He played a few times in central midfield for me last season and had a good run in the team at centre-half. He can even do a job up-front.

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“He was captain at Bradford Park Avenue so he’s got good experience.”

Heath said there might be one more new signing to come, but that it would probably be his last.

Midfielder Kingsley James trained with the rest of the squad this week, despite telling the club he wants to leave earlier this summer.