FC Halifax Town v Bromley LIVE

Johnson; Senior, Keane, Stott; Golden, Hunter, Evans, Galvin; Cooke, Alli, Harker Subs: Cappello, Oluwabori, Cosgrave, Wright, Cummings

A near certainty that Town will be playing 3-4-3, and so is the inclusion of Sam Johnson, Adam Senior, Jamie Stott, Jack Hunter, Tylor Golden, Ryan Galvin and Jamie Cooke. Also pretty likely are starts for Rob Harker and Jack Evans. For me, the biggest question marks are who starts in the middle of the back three (Cummings or Keane) and who is the other number ten (Alli or Cappello) - would appear to be a straight choice between two for both roles. I’d imagine Millington will plump for Cummings and Alli.

Less than 10 minutes until we find out but here’s what I think the team will be:

https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/sport/football/here-is-our-predicted-fc-halifax-town-line-up-for-saturdays-season-opener-against-bromley-4243231

https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/sport/football/were-good-enough-to-go-the-distance-wembley-hero-cooke-optimistic-about-towns-chances-this-season-4242845

Interesting programme notes from the Town boss. Talks a lot about the fans and wanting them to get behind the team and show their support. I’m sure the fans’ response to that would be ‘give us some performances to get behind and we will’. Millington also talks about the fans showing their support to young players and encouraging them, making The Shay a positive environment to play football. Reading between the lines, he seems to be talking about players like Harvey Gilmour, who was heavily criticised by some fans for his performances for a while after joining the club before eventually winning most of the fans around. Millington is aware he has a young squad at his disposal and wants strong support and encouragement for them from the stands. Nothing wrong with that but it’s a two way street of course and the fans need to see things on the pitch to shout about.

“With the young group we’ve got, if we can get a result and make a real statement it will put us in good stead for our upcoming fixtures.”

“I wasn’t expecting to be named captain but I’m buzzing that the gaffer has chosen me. I’m really looking forward to the challenges this new role is going to pose.”

“Be assured of the commitment and hard work of those inside the club to do everything in our power to be successful. If you can match that hard work with passion, positivity and encouragement I have no doubt this will be a season to remember.”

“The development of these players is crucial for the long-term success of the club and it is incumbent on all of us (staff, club officials and most crucially the fans) to make this a fantastic place to play football and a place that supports young players as they develop.”

“Everyone is aware we will not compete with the increasing numbers of financial big hitters in the division but we have worked incredibly hard to secure some fantastic young players for the club who will develop into very good footballers for Halifax Town.”

“We have managed to secure some excellent young players. They have committed to contracts that show a desire to be at Halifax Town and that also secure a core group of players to the club for the next two to three seasons.”

“It was clear from our performances against the top teams that we have the ability to compete with the best in this division and if we improve our performances and results against the teams lower down the table we can expect to be fighting at the top end of the division.”

It’s been another summer of change for Town, with half a dozen first-team players moving on, and a raft of new signings arriving, the latest one being midfielder Jack Evans, whose signing was announced earlier this week. And I’d expect him to be thrown straight into the starting 11 today, along with fellow new boy Jo Cummings at centre-half. I think Florent Hoti, another new signing, would have been a shoe-in to start today had he not picked up an injury a couple of weeks ago. He looks an astute addition. Another strong signing is Adam Senior, on a permanent deal, who will start in the back three today I’d have thought. Ditto Ryan Galvin at left wing back. Others like Andrew Oluwabori and Aaron Cosgrave I’d expect to not be starting and both have points to prove for me. Have shown glimpses of what they can offer in pre-season but may have work to do to force their way into the side.

Another season about to get underway then. More hope and expectation has been built up again over the summer, players have come and gone, and we’re back to see what happens. Ultimately Town left themselves with too much ground to make up last season after a disastrous start, so beginning the new campaign with a win here today would be very welcome, especially with trips to Boreham Wood and Oldham up next. What are their chances? Well, Bromley are never an easy opponent, games against them are never high-scoring, always tight and nip-and-tuck. And Michael Cheek always seems to score. The fence I’m sitting on feels pretty uncomfortable as I’m predicting a 1-1 draw (it always seems to be 1-1 against Bromley) but there are arguments for both sides to win here.

Here we go again! Another season about to get underway. Maybe I’m getting older but it only feels like about three days since we were at Wembley for the FA Trophy final.

Bromley are the visitors for the opening game of the Shaymen’s 2023-24 season. We’ll bring you all the updates as they happen, plus there will be an on-the-whistle match report and post-match reaction from Town boss Chris Millington on the Courier website.