FC Halifax Town fans are gearing up for the new season and many attended the first Open Day at the Shay on Sunday afternoon.

The fans may be seeing their side three divisions below last season but optimism is high and many are looking forward to the new season more than previous years.

The official website caught up with some of the supporters at the Open Day to find out their views on the upcoming season and predictions for the Opening match of the Unibond North season against Bamber Bridge next weekend.

Town fan Lawrence Short who has been a fan for 42 years told the website,

"This is the first time since the playoff season that I am really looking forward to the new season. I would be happy to see us make the playoffs this year. There is an excellent atmosphere around the club and I am really impressed with the vibes since Jim Vince took over as manager. I just hope the fans don't expect too much and I think we'll find the start to the league difficult and will lose 1-0 next weekend. "

Martin Bishop said, "The appointment of Jim Vince this summer has been inspirational and I hope the pressure doesn't get to the players too much. We will win 3-0 next weekend."

Chris Wrigglesworth told us, "I am really looking forward and hopefully there will be plenty of interest with fans coming down to watch us. Preseason form looks good and we'll carry that into next weekend's match with a 2-0 win."

The optimism of Martin and Chris was shared by lifelong fan Phil Asquith who has been supporting the club for the last 45 years. He stated, "This is the first time in 6/7 years that I have been this excited prior to the start of a season. Jim Vince has put together an excellent group of players and I think it will be tight for the first few games but I am confident that Jim Vince will get it sorted. Town 1 Bamber Bridge 0. "

Former Town director Richard Harrison also shares the enthusiasm for the forthcoming season. He said, "I am optimistic and this is the best thing that could have happened to the club this summer. It probably should have happened five years ago. Town 3 Bamber Bridge 0

Rob Woolhouse and Richard Parker told us "We are both looking forward to seeing the club going forward as a unit and we can start to enjoy it again and see us play attacking football. "

Terry Sunderland aka Chadders jumped off his fence and told us, "I am very upbeat about the new season and what I can have seen in preseason will stand us in good stead. We will have a good season and I hope people come down to support us with bums on seats. Town 2 Bamber Bridge 0".

Peter Chafer has supported the Club since 1953 and has seen many up's and down's during the years. He told us, "I am excited and everybody is behind the team. Everything is now looking impressive and the only way is up. We won't get promotion by September and it will be after Christmas when it starts to come together. The fans need to cheer and support the team every game not just the Bamber Bridge game. Town 1 Bamber Bridge 0".

Former HTST Committee Member George Probets told us, " I am really looking forward to the new season, everything is positive and we have should have a strong enough squad. Town 2 Bamber Bridge 1. "

His son Adam said, "I am hoping for a successful season and after what I have seen in preseason it's possible. Jim Vince has got us playing attacking football with a good squad. I am really excited. Town 3 Bamber Bridge."

Eamomn Cassidy has supported Town for 40 years. He said, "I am more positive now than ever before and the club is moving forwards and not backwards. Town 2 Bamber Bridge 0."

Peter Barraclough who has been a fan for 25 years said, "I am looking forward to the new season more than any other. There will be new places to go and I will be looking to go to every game which I haven't done in the past.Town 2 Bamber Bridge 1."

Preseason has looked promising, we have a good squad and the Open Day has been a great effort, said Steve Ramsden. His prediction - Town 2 Bamber Bridge 0."

George Skirrow told us, "I am very much looking forward to the season. I am so happy to have a team and to see us play. Town 3 Bamber Bridge 1."

Janet and David Marshall were both equally looking forward to the new campaign.Janet said, "I am excited as we have a team. Looking forward to going to new grounds, meeting new folk and will have travelling fans in numbers. Jim Vince and the players were mingling after the game, everyone is friendly and the players want to play for us. David said, "I am really looking forward as it's a new start. Potential is sky high and we have new grounds to visit but it won't be a walkover this season Town 2 Bamber Bridge 1. "

Vic Calvert has supported the club for 51 years and he said, "Looking forward a great deal. It will be difficult but we finally have a level playing field with other teams. We have played well in preseason so far. Town 2 Bamber Bridge 0."

Graham Townsend said, " I am looking forward to the new season more than ever. This is a new beginning; new chances to move the club forward and see us have some success. "

Kim Metcalfe said, "I am looking forward and I am so pleased we still have a team to support. The Open day is brilliant and it's a great way to get the kids involved. Town 2 Bamber Bridge 0. "

Keith Barraclough told us, "Our new Directors have obviously done a large amount of work behind the scenes and if they club's official messageboard is anything to go by then the enthusiasm for the new season is very high. All the teams in the league are relatively near so we should have a good following for all away games.If the results on the field can match the work going on off it then we can look forward to a march up the leagues. "

It's not just the adults who are looking forward to the new season, nine year old Paige Bird-Metcalfe told us, "I am really excited about the season and going to get to know the players."

Three year old Jake said, "We are going to do well and I will be cheering them on."

The first game is FC Halifax Town vs Bamber Bridge - Sat 16^th Aug, 3pm at the Shay. Come and support us.