Good afternoon, and welcome to you all. Well, today’s our big day. Nearly forty of us will assemble for the annual Supporters Club Sponsored match. As we have previously announced, our special guest today is Alex Smith, Town’s popular goalkeeper from the late sixties and early seventies. Alex is bringing a friend, Albert Lord, who served between the sticks for Southport in 1965.
We also have in attendance Dave Large, son of Frank. A biography of Frank’s career (including his time at the Shay, of course) has recently been released “Have Boots, will travel”, the title of which tells us that Frank played for a few Clubs in his time. Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Burchall, who join us today to celebrate their platinum wedding anniversary. To save you having to look it up, this is seventy years together, and where else would you choose to go but the Shay? We also welcome our main sponsor, Darren Playford of DJ Decorators and his family. It goes without saying that we are grateful to Daz for his continued support, and we wish him well in recovering from his recent illness.
The bucket collection today will be a charity event, the proceeds going to the Stroke Association. Thanks to everyone who contributes today, and those who gave to the Overgate Hospice collection on Tuesday.
Today, our extract from the “Halifax Town AFC Official History Handbook 1892 to 1922/3” is entitled “A Great Defence”, and bears a certain similarity to our current situation:
A big effort was made in 1914-15 to win the Midland League Championship, our final position being fourth. After being beaten by the odd goal in three in a FA Cup-tie at Castleford on Sept 28th, the team went through undefeated up to January 1st, five of the consecutive games being played without a single goal being registered against them, the opponents being Grimsby Town Res, Bradford Res, Lincoln City Res, Hull City Res, and York City. For this achievement, we were largely indebted to the magnificent defence of Suter (goal), and Birtwhistle and Parton (full-backs).
Don’t forget that we are now collecting in the ticket stubs (and money) for our annual raffle, which will be drawn at half-time during the Wrexham fixture on Easter Monday, April 22nd. Please pass your takings to the bucket collectors at any of the final four home games and thank you for your help.
See you soon, Kit.
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