SDS76 is now in the post and should be with members, subscribers and one off purchasers on Tuesday. A further update to the SDS website this afternoon will include the Contents 'sneak preview' on the Archive pages.
In this issue, we assumed that Halifax Town 1911 would be liquidated by the time the publication dropped through peoples letter boxes and that preparations would be underway for the phoenix club to be formally accepted into the Northern Premier League Division One North on 24 June. All quite logical assumptions, I hope you would agree, but it seems that even now things are not that simple. We have included a 'Stop Press' note with each issue to state this point. Over the next few days we expect some clarification around this and will update this site accordingly when the information is received.
SIMON DENTON
The Chairman of Halifax Town Supporters Trust, Allan Baker, has responded to the statement agreed by the meeting of SDS members and posted on this website yesterday. We would like to thank the Trust chairman for the prompt and detailed response, which can be seen by clicking on the link here. We look forward to sharing a response from the Consortium in due course.
SIMON DENTON
On the afternoon of 1 June a group of SDS members met in central London to have a bit of a social and discuss matters concerning Halifax Town. We put together the statement below which summarises the way that we feel and hopefully represents what many other members are thinking. If any members have something else to add then please feel free to do so.
Also, we would like to point out that the following statement in the Courier that was included in the resignation communication from HTST Board members Pam Burton and Roger Bottomley (below) is factually incorrect with regards to the Shaymen Down South organisation: "We do have to recognise that certain board Members and we understand Shaymen Down South are more than anxious to have the 'fan-owned' concept as plan A." Personal opinions expressed by individual members have unfortunately been taken as representative of the whole organisation. At no point was this ever meant to be the case.
Statement from a group of SDS members
We, the undersigned, urgently request that the Consortium and the HTST Board commence an open and honest dialogue with specific regards to re-establishing Halifax Town at the highest level of professional football possible.
With the AGM deadlines upon us within a matter of days, we believe that all supporters require precise information so that the current divides that are evident on both internet messageboards and within the fan base as a whole can be repaired. We can then hopefully all move forward as one. At there moment there simply isn't enough information in the public domain for anyone to understand where the club is currently at.
We request that the Consortium and the HTST Board provide this information by 4 June. This will help ensure that there is sufficient time for the most appropriate plan to be actioned. The answers to the following questions would also be appreciated from both parties, where applicable.
* Has an appeal been lodged against the demotion of Halifax Town from the Conference? If one has, what are the implications if the appeal fails?
* Based on the work you have done so far, what level of the football pyramid do you expect Halifax Town to be reformed at?
* What deadlines are you working to?
* Are you prepared to work with all the Supporters' organisations going forward and if so in what capacity?
'Plan A' and 'Plan B' do not need to be mutually exclusive. Now is the time to bring all Halifax Town fans back together as one.
GARETH LLEWELLYN, MATT WRIGHT, LAURENCE BALL, NICK O'REILLY, BRIAN BYLES and SIMON DENTON
The venue for this event will be the Coal Hole, 91 Strand, London, WC2R 0DW (click the postcode for a street map). This is convenient for Charing Cross and Embankment which should cover most journeys into central London. Apologies for those who are unable to make it because of the location or the late notice - if members would like to make an annual close-season meeting a regular occurrence, please let us know and in future we will endeavour to arrange one in good time.
All are welcome, both SDS members and non-members, both Halifax supporters and those of other clubs. We hope to see you there.
In the midst of all we currently find ourselves in, why not indulge in a spot of 'light relief'? The most recent issue of the Shaymen Down South fanzine (#75) is now available online in the SDS Archive.
Because of recent and ongoing events (of which readers of this website will no doubt be crucially aware), although we hope to go to press with Issue 76 at the end of May, this is not yet certain. Any further information will be posted on this website as soon as we have it. Thanks as always for your continued support, and let's hope that whatever happens in the coming weeks, those of us Down South continue to spend our 'hard-earned' travelling up to Yorkshire to see our team.
MATT WRIGHT
17/05/08 - And still we wait.... Two questions for those that still have blind faith in the Consortium. Why do you think.......
a) They didn't pay off the old CVA before taking the club into administration?
b) They haven't yet liquidated Halifax Town 1911?
I guess we may find out in time. I just hope we like the answers when we find out. If we don't go down the fans route this will be the second opportunity we have let slip by in 9 months to break the mould that has shackled the club for many of the last 97 years. If this ends up to be the case, I really hope the Consortium prove to be worth waiting for!
In the meantime, we are making available what could turn out to be a very poignant piece of memorabilia. We have an exclusive copy of what is more than likely the last ever goal scored by Halifax Town as we know and love it. Our accredited photographer was in the right place at the right time to capture the moment as you can see from the low resolution link (click the photo) at the top of the home page. We hope that Charlie and the Supporters' Club don't think we are muscling in on their territory, in the end it doesn't matter who raises the funds as long as it is for the good of Halifax Town in whatever shape or guise it goes forwards in.
The print is available in A4 size and will be printed on quality 240g/m2 glossy photo paper. It will be posted in a hardbacked envelope. To make the print affordable to all Town fans we are only asking for a minimum of £5 per print. The print will also be available shortly on Ebay but at a higher price. Postage will be £1.50 for any number of prints.
To make ordering even easier we can now accept payment directly into the SDS account. So, if you have internet banking, you don't have to leave the comfort of your computer chair! Please e-mail the SDS address if you want details of this payment method. You can still order by cheque payable to Shaymen Down South. The mailing address (and email address) is on the Contacts page.
Hopefully, in August, we can follow this up with the first ever goal scored by 'Halifax Town 2008'.
SIMON DENTON
15/05/08 - A Letter to the FA.
14/05/08 - So the waiting continues....
I really am at a loss with regards to the blind faith in the Consortium shown by a majority of the Trust Board, the Supporters' Club Committee and many people on the internet message boards. We have been sailing on a rudderless ship for the past 18 months and now that it has finally run aground there is still the willingness to keep up the support when, not for the first time, there is an alternative offer on the table. 'Fortune Favours the Brave' but unfortunately there don't seem to be too many brave people willing to stand up and be counted at this juncture.
How can people blindly put their trust in a Consortium that has seemingly finished off the destruction of the 97 year old club we all so passionately care about? It defies all rational logic.
The faith may turn out to be justified but so far all I can see to date is that a further 21% of the match day fan base has disappeared and we are staring at a needless demotion of a minimum of two leagues.
Come on Consortium - start to show us at least a modicum of respect and tell us what your real plans are. Then, perhaps, we can reciprocate, make an informed choice and move on as one.
The words of George Bernard Shaw spring to mind here - Take care to get what you like or you will be forced to like what you get.
SIMON DENTON
12/05/08 - So, no official news yet from the Consortium. Should we be surprised? Probably not.
Things need to be sorted quickly, not only from the position of the FA, NPL, WRFA etc, but also to bring together the various supporters' factions that seem to be be occurring. If we don't move forward as one then we don't stand a chance.
To be honest, my patience with the consortium has all but run out. I am now really warming towards the fans club option and having read the excellent piece of work by Paul Holroyd - check out the link from the Our Plan message on www.theshaymen.net - it makes me realise that it is a realistic option.
Ok, this effectively means a step 4 start, at best, but this is a unique opportunity to get it right. The key to going forward is to be able to stay at the Shay. I have already suggested 'pound a day to play at the Shay' which has been included in the above document. 120 fans pledging £1 a day is not unrealistic and would cover the Shay Stadium rent commitment.
We, the fans, have been treated so badly over the last few years and it's got to the point where enough is enough. A fans club won't be easy. To be on a par with Harrogate Railway and Salford City isn't an easy concept to deal with and we will have no divine right to instant success. Rome wasn't built in a day and we will need to build slowly but surely this is preferable to the Nero option that has brought us to where we are today?
SIMON DENTON
11/05/08 - As many of you will have seen in today's NLP there is now an urgency to get 'a club' sorted out for next season. There is what is likely to be the first of many meetings this afternoon (Sunday) and the various Halifax Town media will no doubt be updated soon after.
The message boards are showing that there is a will to move forward although when I got back from Wembley yesterday and read the following from one regular poster I didn't know whether laugh, cry or find another brick wall to bang my head against!
Could we see a democratic club, where everyone has the chance for membership and balloted on important issues, with the Supporters Trust/Club joining forces to be at the helm of operations. Non-membership gets you no vote, but if you want a say in how your club is run then membership is a must. Fees for membership obviously to be discussed, but with a targeted fan base of at least 500 supporters, at £10 a year, nets the club £5,000, just to have a say. Anyone got similar views, or anything better than that?
Anyway, moving on.... funds are going to be needed more than ever over the coming weeks and months and it is well known at Halifax Town, although not often commented on, that in the past SDS members have contributed significantly to all forms of club fundraising over the years. There will no doubt be other initiatives on the horizon but in the meantime I would really like to get last season's financials sorted which would give us in excess of £5k in the bank ready and waiting.
Martin and Jonathan will shortly be sending out Goal-O-Meter updates but if subscribers would like to pre-empt this and settle up front then that would be great. The total number of eligible goals for the season is 71. (League 61, FA Cup 2, FA Trophy 8). Hopefully subscribers can work out what they still owe from this. Similarly, if the 'Sponsor Owt' monies could be sent in as soon as possible then that would be appreciated. If anyone needs any help working out their sponsorship then please get in touch.
For anyone who is familiar with internet banking we have now set up the SDS account so that you can pay funds straight into it. This is a quick, free and secure way of making payments. Anyone wanting to use this facility should send an e-mail to the SDS address and I will forward on the details.
Further updates will be made on this site over the coming days and weeks. Thanks for your continued support.
SIMON DENTON
Thinking practically, the first thing we need is a statement of intent from the Consortium. Are they in or are they out. We also need to decide whether or not we want them in. When (if?) the liquidation is officially confirmed we have as much right as they do to form a new club, although without any reasonable backing we would realistically be looking at step 5 and below. With the Consortium there is the potential for step 3, although this is by no means guaranteed.
Things are going to have to move quite quickly if we are going to meet the deadlines for whichever league, if any, it is appropriate to apply for and we will look to keep this site as updated as possible over the next few days and weeks.
In the meantime, there is the opportunity for you to think about what you can do to make sure that the name of Halifax Town continues. Are you in or are you out?
SIMON DENTON
If you wish to complete your own collection, you should be able to download them all from the website - but please be aware that we have bandwidth limits too, so please don't try to get them all at once otherwise the site may become unavailable, if this happens please wait at least an hour before trying again. However, we will shortly be making available a CD containing all the issues we will be removing from the website, which will be available to purchase. Thanks for your patience and continued support for the fanzine, and the website.
This is where we need your help. In order to do this, subject to responses, we will be introducing a 'Setanta Spot' page to complement Brian's Beer Trail. If you know of any pubs in your area which will be showing Setanta matches (and you can get them to show Town when we're on, of course!) or if you subscribe to Setanta and are willing to welcome nearby members around to watch the match at your home, then please email the Webmaster at sdswebsite@shaymendownsouth.co.uk.
Application forms for membership of Shaymen Down South or subscription to the print fanzine are still available here.