LIVE BLOG: FC Halifax Town Q&A with David Bosomworth, Chris Millington and Andy Cooper
Stay tuned for all the updates throughout the evening from the event.
FC Halifax Town Q&A LIVE
Open day/events/away travel
DB: “John Williams was trying to get an end of season awards thing going but it was difficlt because of the pay off run. I’m sure there will be plans to do something. We never have involvement with the coaches (to away games). Big difficulty trying to book coaches then you find there isn’t a break even point. That will become even more difficult this season. Our travel costs are going to be difficult. We don’t have the man power to deal with it as a club, unless it’s a really big games where you could be guaranteed a full coach.”
Style of play
CM: “My vision for the team is much more on the front foot. We want to move the ball well, be possession based but what you’ll see is individuals who have frightening ability in 1 on 1 situations. The strikers are lads who can hold on to the ball and help us get up the pitch. We struggled to get out of our own half in games but that’s an area we’ve looked to address.”
Reserve team
DB: “Matches do go on all the time behind closed doors. We’ve entered our u19s in a reserve league but the maagement of the league wasn’t good so I’m not sure that’s an option for us. We do played games behind closed doors where you can play fringe players.”
CM: “The plan is to make sure there’s a very robust programme of friendlies for lads not getting regular minutes, and help the younger players play against tough opposition who will challenge and stretch them. Nt just under 23 games or against teams that might not replicate the challenges they’ll experience. We have a game on Monday at Carrington against a Man United first team 11. They’re the types of challenges that will make the players better and keep stretching us.”
Cooke/Clarke
CM: “I’d love to take credit for Tom, but the truth is in some cases it’s just timing. Some of the credit has to go to Tom himself, he wants to be here. It was a conversation with Nathan, we’re in contact on a regular basis, and he floated the idea of it he was available, would I be interested. You’d be mad not to be when he can add so much as a player, as a man, as a proud Haligonina. He wants to be here and represent this town.
“Jamie is an exciting young prospect. He is going to have to keep working and improving, and at times be patient but he’ll figure this seaon and I think you’ll enjoy watching him.”
CM: “Jay as a lad, his character, his ability, his dedication, his resilience were what got him where he is. There was definitely an effort when we came in to make sure there was a pathway open to young players. It’s something we want to become better at. It’s a real passion of mine to make sure we do everything we can to provide these lads with the support they need.”
Youth team
DB: “We’re looking at Sam Essien, who we’re going to offer something to. There is a gap between u19 level and first team. With Jay, he went out to 2 or 3 clubs, but that is crucial to what we’re trying to do, the more players we can bring through from the youth team the better. We’re increasing the number of students goin through the college each year. It’s hard work bringing the right quality of players in at the beginning.”
DB: “I do like the play offs because it creates the interest for longer in the season. But if there were 2 definites and then a third place that would be ideal. Then we can try for 4!”
Promotion places from NL
DB:” That would be nice. I do feel we’ve reached the stage where the top half of the NL would acquit itself very well in L2. There is a bit more pressure for 3 up 3 down but whether it materialises who knows. Wrexham’s 14th season in this league and they’ll be hot favourites. “
Competitors
CM: “Every time I see a signing I think’ that’s an interesting one’. The big spenders, Wrexham will be in and around it, Chesterfield have shown they have a system of play and have recruited well. Other usual suspects of Solihull and Notts Co will be in and around it, then there’s the surprise packages that might come out of the chasing pack. We’ll be striving to be right up there. We’ve put together a squad capable of being right up there.”