FC Halifax Town's preparations for the new season continue on Saturday with a trip to Greater Manchester to face Hyde FC.
Hyde's most notable contribution to football is arguably the worst moment in their history, one which is destined to be a quiz question that puzzles drunken contestants for ever more. The club's 26-0 defeat to Preston in the first round of the FA Cup in 1887 is the biggest win in the competition's history.
Coming just two years after they were formed, it was an inauspicious beginning, but the club recovered and enjoyed success at county level throughout the first half of the 20th Century.
Hyde have now established themselves as a Blue Square North side over the past five seasons, but have come close to both promotion and relegation during that time. In 2007, the Tigers were three points away from a play-off place but two years later, finished just one position above the relegation zone.
Manager Neil Tolson, who made three appearances for the Shaymen in 2003, is beginning his third season in charge of the club and will be hoping to build on the disappointing finishes of 20th and 15th of his previous two campaigns.
Goalkeeper Craig Mawson, who made 55 appearances for Town, signed for Hyde during the summer, joining the likes of former Manchester United youngster Michael Lea and another ex-Town man, striker Ashley Stott, in the ranks at Ewen Fields.
The hosts have already played four pre-season matches, beating Prestatyn Town 2-1, losing to Manchester City 2-0 and Halifax's opening day opponents Buxton 4-1 and, most recently, drawing 1-1 with Irlam Town on Tuesday night.
Neil Aspin's men, meanwhile, are undefeated in their pre-season programme so far after a 5-0 win at Brighouse Town and last weekend's 0-0 draw at home to Droylsden, who will be facing Hyde in the Blue Square North this season.
The trip to the Tigers' enclosure should provide a stern test for Aspin's squad. To see if their unbeaten record can be preserved, be at the Ewen Fields ground for Saturday's 3pm kick-off. If you can't get to the game, the official FC Halifax Town website will be providing an update service on all the action throughout the afternoon.
Tom Scargill
