FC Halifax Town: Rivals are stealing a march on us, says Wild

Boss Pete Wild says Town’s National League rivals are stealing a march on The Shaymen as the wait for a conclusion to the season goes on.
Football - FC Halifax Town v Bromley. Town manager Pete Wild.Football - FC Halifax Town v Bromley. Town manager Pete Wild.
Football - FC Halifax Town v Bromley. Town manager Pete Wild.

Halifax and the other clubs near the top of the National League are still waiting on how promotion from the division will be decided, with the league understood to be awaiting what happens in the Football League.

And as the delay continues, Wild says the rest of the National League clubs are able to press ahead with their plans for next season, while Town cannot.

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“We’re at a disadvantage for doing well,” he said. “Most clubs have now told their players, and are actively seeking players they might want to pursue.

“We can’t do any of that. So the longer it goes on the longer we’re hampered, and we’re getting hampered for having a successful season.

“Obviously our job is 12 months a year but there is no down time to take yourself away from football to revitalise yourself to go again.

“I’m not getting the violin out, far from it, but there’s going to be no down time from football. It’s just going to be a continuous process for staff and players, because they need to sort out what’s next.
“There’s more to life at the moment than football, I totally get that, but it doesn’t take away the frustration of getting your own shop in order.”

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Wild says he will speak to his out-of-contract players as soon as a decision is made over whether the play-offs go ahead.  

Salford have announced they will not be offering a new deal to Town’s on loan striker Devante Rodney, but Wild says the forward will still be able to play for Town in any play-off games.

“His contract won’t end at Salford until the end of June, so it won’t affect anything in that respect,” said the Town boss.

“I spoke to Salford in depth over a number of things, obviously I’m sure Devante won’t be short of offers from league clubs, so it’ll be an interesting summer for him.”

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Asked what would happen with Rodney if the play-offs were in July, Wild said: “They’re all ifs, buts and maybes but in terms of all player contracts, at all levels, we’re under the assumption it’s the last competitive game, so it should be fine.”

Wild admits the wait over any decision about the play-offs is beginning to get tiresome.

”Having worked for the FA for a lot of years, getting things ratified by committees is not a quick process,” he said.

”The longer it’s left, the more tedious it gets. I think everybody just wants to know where they’re up to now.

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”I think everybody, by the week, is losing passion in what’s going on. Until we know that, we’re completely in the dark.”

On his plans for those players who are out-of-contract this summer, Wild said: “Us wanting to keep them is one thing. Them wanting to commit with what’s on the table is another thing.

“In terms of what we can offer, because of this crisis, there’s isn’t going to be big money knocking around. We’re not not going to be able to throw silly money at it, so the players will have to agree to the terms we want.

“Yes, we would like to keep a substantial amount, but whether they want to stay with us is the million dollar question.”

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Wild says bigger clubs could be sniffing around some of his squad after their successful season.

“You’re a victim of your own success in many ways, but we’re quite clear in who and what we’re prepared to offer,” he said.

“That’s not being derogatory, that’s real life in terms of what budget we’re going to have next year and the ramifications of having no income throughout this pandemic.”

One player out-of-contract is defender Michael Duckworth, who is recovering from a shoulder injury.

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“He’s progressing,” said Wild. “He can do a lot of straight-line running.

“If we did come back for the play-offs, he’d probably be able to do some non-contact stuff.

“But that’s probably where it starts and ends for him at the moment.”

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