FC Halifax Town: “We’ve not just come here to coast” - Summerfield eyeing promotion with Halifax

The midfielder left Wrexham over the summer after two seasons at the Racecourse Ground, and overlooked interest from elsewhere to join The Shaymen.

“With the season finishing how it was, it was a strange summer,” he reflected.

“The season in this league finished abruptly and it was a waiting game.

“It was a very strange time for all players. I’ve kept in contact with a lot of boys over the summer and everybody was in a strange situation.

“But as soon as I met the gaffer, it was a great meeting, and at the end of it, I came away from it really happy, with a smile on my face and excited about getting it done.

“Not just in football, but in life, if you go somewhere you’re wanted, and they know about you and think you’re a good footballer or worker or whatever, to be wanted, know a lot about you and be so positive about yourself as a player, it was really nice to hear.

“Just the way they were talking and brought the vision for the club, I was right on board straight away.”

Devonian Summerfield, 32, started his career at Plymouth, coming through their youth system and making his debut for them in 2005 in the Championship, before going on to make more than 70 appearances for them in the second tier.After loan spells at Bournemouth and Leyton Orient in League One, he joined League Two side Cheltenham in 2011.

Two seasons back in League One at Shrewsbury followed before two seasons at York in League Two.

He then joined Grimsby, where he spent two seasons in League Two. His time there included a loan spell at Macclesfield before moving to Wrexham.

He has amassed more than 450 senior appearances, and has played in the League Two and National League play-offs.

“I’ve enjoyed it everywhere,” he said. “I’ve been brought up to play football and I love the game, so wherever I’ve played I’ve given it my all.

“I’ve had good and bad times at each club, that’s football, there’s ups and downs, but I’ve enjoyed it.”

Summerfield will turn 33 in December, but has no doubts he can deal with the rigours of a compacted National League season.

“For me, age is nothing. I know I can still do a job,” he said.

“I’m enjoying my game, I know I can play and I can conduct myself well enough to play week-in, week-out.

“I’m enjoying football as much as I was back then.

“You’ve got to be consistent, not just in the National League but every league I’ve played in.

“You have to be consistent and willing to work hard week-in, week-out on a Saturday and a Tuesday, and Monday to Friday.

“You’ve got to grind results out and carry on what you do during the week. I know I’ve been here a short amount of time but we’ve got a great set of lads and hopefully we can build on a good season.”

Summerfield insists it was no surprise to him that Halifax finished in the play-offs last term.

“Not really no. I’ve known Nath (Clarke) a few years now and he spoke highly about it ever since he’s come here,” he said.

“Whenever I’ve played Halifax over the last few years they’ve been tough games, and it was no surprise they were up there.”

And Summerfield, who lives in Manchester, is thinking big in terms of what Wild’s new-look Town can achieve this season.

“We’ve all come here to get the club promoted,” he said.

“We’ve not just come here to play games or coast in the league.

“We’re here to have a vision and get promoted.

“From day one, we’re working day-in, day-out to get this club promoted.”