Wembley victories put town’s teams on the sporting map
It's been a year that will go down as one of the biggest in Halifax's sporting history.
The year that the town's two biggest clubs both won at Wembley;FCHalifaxTownliftingtheFATrophyafterbeating Gateshead in May and Halifax Panthers securing the 1895 Cup having edged out Batley Bulldogs in August.
Theclubshaveexperienced Wembley wins previously, but to do it in the same year helped put Halifax on the sporting map like never before.
"It should be something we bang the drum about as a club andatown,thatbothourselves and the rugby club have had that success in the same year," says Town manager Chris Millington.
"If we're astute and we're clever and we work hard to exploit the opportunities it presents to both clubs then there's no reason why it can't give us a next level of success.
"I know there are certain ways we tried to exploit it as a football club in terms of our recruitment and establishing a legacy of players over a longer durationofcontracts.Hopefully that can give us a platform to have more success.
"I think there's definitely a legacyforbothclubsofgoingto Wembley and as we celebrate the cultural heritage of CalderdalenextyearIthinkit'ssomething we can use to build into that period to showcase all the best qualities of the town."
Dave Grayson, Halifax Pantherschairman,alsofeelstheir Wembley win can benefit his club longer-term.
"I've watched the highlights since the game and there's a lot of camera shots on young smiling faces, and at the photo event with the trophy a tiny little tot, who was smaller than thetrophy,wasputalongsideit andIjustthought'we'regetting themessagethroughthere',"he says.
"I so hope it's not just a oneoff - those people come again, they bring their children and they get a bit older and bring their own families.
"That's how I did it and I'm sure many supporters went through that process, and I think we've started that again, I really do.
"I think we've touched that point again and we just need to capitalise on that now and build on it."
Steve Nichol, head of youth development at FC Halifax Town, says both clubs are already doing sterling work in the community, but that this summer'ssuccessescanaccelerate that.
"Congratulations to Chris, Simon and their coaching teams for such an amazing achievement with both clubs winning at Wembley," Nichol said.
"AswellasbeingbasedinofficessidebysideattheShaywe work alongside the Panthers in partnership with Calderdale CollegeandIseefirst-handthe work being done by both clubs to support the development of players and young people in
Calderdale.
"Such success helps to shine a light on the wider work taking place at both clubs and whilst the euphoria of winning maybe short term, it can have a longer-termimpacttoincrease interest, profile and provide a catalyst for ongoing development,engagementandparticipation.
"With the increased visibility and profile due to the successes of both clubs and the role models it generates there will hopefully be more boys and girls dreaming about playing the game and following in their footsteps. "Others may choose to engage in others way, attending fixtures, coaching or volunteering. Such successes can be a catalyst to increase engagement and help to bring people together, encourage people of different backgrounds to interact and ultimately build strongercommunitiesthrough sport."
Chris Wragg, Ryburn United Football Club chairman, feelstheripple-effectofTown's Wembley win can be seen all the way down to the amateur end of the game.
"Without a shadow of a doubt, the recent success for our local professional team is having a positive impact at a grassroots football level," he says.
"With very little effort as a club we quickly filled four full coaches for players, parents andcoachestowatchthegame at Wembley.
"Of course those involved withfootballatallageswillhave their favourite team as a global brand but there is a desire to also support local endeavours and we see this within the membership of Ryburn United FC.
"The demand for player membership from under six upwards continues to outstrip our ability to provide space, we are not entirely sure if this in part can be attributed to the success of Halifax Town but giventheexcitementgenerated fromthesuccessthisundoubtedly has a positive impact.
"Our ability to provide spacesforchildrenisdirectlylinked to the availability of suitable playing surfaces and the willingness of parents and guardianstotakeontheroleofcoach and all that this must entail."
Whenaskedwhatthecouncil or grassroots clubs might do to try and capitalise on the Wembley success, Chris said: "Continue to forge the direct linksbetweenFCHalifaxTown and grassroots clubs.
"We have provided guard of honour and ball boy/girl provision at games for both The Shaymen and the Panthers, and this should be continued.
"Wembley created a real buzz in the town and amongst the football fraternity in Halifax, we felt this in our club and we do see this in our membership at a children’s level.
"This will only become sustainable by building the direct links to grassroots football as described and by ongoing futureinvestmentinthefacilities at the Shay.”