We are now six games into the Vanarama National League North season with FC Halifax Town sitting comfortably near the top of the table.
With Bank Holiday weekend upon us, we have the gift of not one, but two games to enjoy! On Monday, Yorkshire neighbours Harrogate Town make the 30-mile trip from North Yorkshire to the Shay, bringing some familiar faces with them
Midfielder Tom Platt only spent a short amount of time with the Shaymen, joining on a one-month loan deal back in January 2013 from York City. Having made his debut in the 5-1 thrashing of Corby Town, Platt only went on to make a further two appearances for Town before returning to his parent club in February.
His time at the Shay came in the middle of 5 separate loan spells to today’s visitors, before joining them on a permanent deal in March of this year.
However, Platt isn’t the only familiar player making the trip back to the Shay on Monday.
Simon Ainge returns to West Yorkshire having experienced two separate spells as a Shaymen player. The first, back in 2008, was a loan until the end of the 2007/2008 season having been signed in the January transfer window.
Halifax Town AFC were spending what was to be their final few months as a football club when Ainge joined from local rivals Bradford City. He made his debut against Rushden and Diamonds and went on to make a further eleven appearances for the Shaymen.
Ainge helped to guide Town to Conference safety by just one point above Altrincham in the final relegation spot. However, after the liquidation and reformation of the club, FC Halifax Town re-started life in the Northern Premier League Division One North as Altrincham were reprieved.
After his release from Bradford City in 2009, Ainge moved to Bradford Park Avenue, Guiseley and then to Luton Town after a successful loan spell. However, new managers at the club forced him onto the transfer list where he was quickly snapped up by the Shaymen who had recently been promoted back to the Conference for the first time under their new name.
His second spell lasted much longer as Ainge made over 50 appearances at the Shay before re-joining Bradford Park Avenue in January of last year.
The final player we look at may not be known to Shaymen fans, although he will be very well known to Town’s very own, Billy Heath.
Wayne Brooksby became somewhat of a hero to North Ferriby United fans as his opener along with Daniel Hone’s winner in the National League North play-off final helped Heath’s side secure promotion to the National League for the first time in their history.
Brooksby also became one of the large group of players and staff to leave North Ferriby following their Wembley win. As he joined Harrogate, five of his former teammates, including Hone, subsequently joined Heath and assistant Mark Carroll at the Shay in the summer transfer window.
There will be live updates of Monday afternoon’s clash with Harrogate Town from the Shay along with player and manager interviews available on the club website and Shaymen Player HD respectively.
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