FC Halifax Town has a series of rivalries that are significant for the club and its supporters. These rivalries are important for the club’s identity and the sense of community among fans. The matches against rivals are more than just for points; they are an expression of local pride and footballing tradition.
These rivalries are often referred to as ‘West Yorkshire derbies’ and include Bradford Park Avenue, FC United of Manchester, and Huddersfield Town.
FC Halifax Town’s Rivalries
Burnley
The significance of FC Halifax Town’s rivalry with Burnley dates back to the 1980s when Burnley dropped into the Fourth Division, leading to a series of intense matches and the development of a fierce rivalry. Despite not meeting frequently, Halifax fans still consider Burnley as one of their biggest rivals and reference this rivalry in various chants. This historical rivalry adds an extra layer of excitement and passion to matches involving FC Halifax Town and Burnley.
The last match between the two teams took place in the 1991-1992 season, with Halifax Town losing 1-0.
Bradford (Park Avenue) AFC
The rivalry between FC Halifax Town and Bradford Park Avenue is rooted in the shared history of the two clubs. Both clubs have a common heritage, as they were all part of the Bradford sporting scene in the early 20th century. Bradford Park Avenue was formed in 1907, and the ground was established in 1880 as the home of Bradford Rugby Club. The club enjoyed great success as a Rugby League club, defeating Salford in 1906 to win the Northern Union Cup.
However, there was also a demand for Association Football, and Park Avenue played host to both sports. This common heritage is why the three clubs share the traditional colors of red, amber, and black, which are still used by the Avenue club as their second strip. The current club colors of green and white were adopted first in 1911, continued throughout the club’s stay in the First Division of the Football League from 1914 until 1921, and were again used in the late 50’s and early 60’s.
Huddersfield Town
The rivalry between FC Halifax Town and Huddersfield Town stems from the close proximity of the two towns, being just 8 miles apart. Despite rarely meeting on the field due to Huddersfield usually being in a higher division, the fans still consider this rivalry significant. This geographical closeness and historical context have contributed to the intensity of the rivalry between the two clubs, even though they have not faced each other frequently in competitive matches.
FC United of Manchester
The rivalry between FC Halifax Town and FC United of Manchester has evolved over time. Initially, the rivalry was more intense, with FC Halifax Town viewing FC United of Manchester as a significant competitor. However, over time, the rivalry has declined and has become more of a friendly one. This is likely due to the changing dynamics of the football landscape and the evolution of the relationship between the two clubs. Despite the decline in intensity, the rivalry still exists and is a part of the history and culture of both clubs.
Rochdale
The history of FC Halifax Town’s rivalry with Rochdale dates back to well over 100 encounters in the Football League, forming a significant rivalry due to the Yorkshire-Lancashire connection between the two clubs. This rivalry, similar to the Burnley rivalry.
The rivalry with York City became prominent when they were the only Yorkshire teams in the Conference Premier, highlighting regional competition.
Other
The rivalry with York City became prominent when they were the only Yorkshire teams in the Conference Premier, highlighting regional competition.
Rivalries with clubs like Guiseley and Chester, though varying in intensity, show the evolving nature of football rivalries and contribute to FC Halifax Town’s football culture, demonstrating the club’s longstanding connections in English football.