The Shaymen's Start Is Inspired By The Late Summer Uncertainty

Matty Brown thinks he knows why FC Halifax Town have shocked everyone so far this season.

The Shaymen have started superbly, winning five of their first seven National League matches.

Why their great form is such a surprise is perhaps down to a challenging summer.

Halifax manager Jamie Fullarton left the west Yorkshire in the middle of July. New man Pete Wild was given the job just over a week before the start of the season.

But defender Brown, 29, thinks the difficulties brought everyone closer together.

The captain told us: “I don’t think many people would have thought we would be where we are after seven matches.

“We’re a confident group but after what happened during the summer I don’t think even we could have asked for a start like this!

“We know we have good players but we were probably favourites to be down the bottom and not near the top.

“But when the new manager came in I think it because clear to everyone here that we weren’t going to struggle.

“He walked through the door and commanded the lads' respect straight away. That went a long way with us.

“It wasn’t an easy pre-season but sometimes it can bring a group closer.”

Of course one of the recent National League champions were tipped to go down before going on to win it.

Brown can see similarities with Macclesfield Town but can’t allow his mind to wonder.

He said: “I take the point, but we aren’t thinking about winning the league.

“They have shown it can be done and you can never be certain but that’s not on our mind. It really is one game at a time when they come thick and fast like this.

“We have a fantastic game against Solihull Moors this weekend and everyone is looking forward to that very much.

“They have lost two in a row. I was watching BT Sport on Monday night and their manager Tim Flowers said it was the first time that has happened for over 18 months.

“So it's a really interesting game. After our wins over AFC Fylde and Barrow over the Bank Holiday our confidence is sky high right now. We can’t wait for Saturday.”

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