Bosomworth’s dream is within touching distance
THE DREAM of the Football League is back within reach for FC Halifax Town chairman David Bosomworth.
The club has been through relegation, promotion and a win at Wembley since they were this close to Bosomworth’s burning ambition, when they lost to Cambridge in the 2014 play-off semi-finals.
But manager Pete Wild, appointed just 10 days before the start of the season, has steered a squad expected to struggle to within three games of glory.
The first hurdle is a trip to Boreham Wood on Friday, July 17 (7pm).
“We want the name of Halifax in the Football League, that’s where it needs to be and it would be a great fillip for the town,” said Bosomworth, who formed the club in 2008.
“We set out in the Unibond League that our objective was to get to the Football League and it would be a wonderful way to finish the season if that was achievable.
“We accept it’s a tough ask but at least we’re in with a chance.
“We played in the play-offs against Cambridge United, won the home tie and sadly lost the away tie when Neil Aspin was manager.
“Wouldn’t it be nice - if you keep knocking on the door, perhaps it eventually opens at some point.
“We’ve had a good 12 years trying to get into this position and we’ve managed to win the FA Trophy and had promotions.
“But this would mean the most of all. It would be a wonderful achievement for the club if we can get into the Football League. It would be great.
“But no-one’s underestimating the task, even in the first game.
“We’ve got three away games and it will be tough, but we’re in with a chance.
“We’ve bought the ticket, so let’s see if we can win the prize.”
Bosomworth accepts Town are up against some big spenders in the play-offs, but is bullish about the club’s chances.
“We’re the underdogs financially and if you look at the squad, maybe certain squads are stronger than ours in terms of depth,” he said.
“But we’ve shown ourselves to be more than capable of being first, second and third in the league table.
“You don’t get there if you haven’t got a level of ability and skill in your squad.
“I’m sure no-one’s looking forward to playing us.”
When asked how he will feel watching the Boreham Wood game, Bosomworth said: “I’ll probably feel as horrible as I felt at Brackley (during the 2013 Conference North play-off final) and during the play-off final against Chorley at The Shay (the Conference North play-off final in 2017), or even at Wembley (the FA Trophy final in 2016) until Scott McManus put the ball in the net.
“That last 10 minutes was probably one of the longest in my football memory.
“You only really enjoy it afterwards, whether it’s the drive home or having a meal in the evening, then you think ‘oh god that was fantastic’.”
Not many behind the scenes at The Shay could have anticipated promotion being within reach this season, and Bosomworth wants the club to seize the unexpected chance that’s in-front of them.
“As much as you invest funds into it and the supporters spend their hard earned money watching - there’s also an incredible amount of time invested into the club,” he said.
“You meet some great people along the way, you work with some great people, you have challenges and all sorts thrown at you.
“But you have to try and grasp opportunities when they present themselves.
“We’ve got a squad of 20 players and I’m sure every one of them will give it their best shot.
“Perhaps we owe the TV cameras an exciting game after the disappointment of the Ebbsfleet performance as well.
“It would be absolutely fantastic if we could do it.”
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