We have all had time to reflect and make our judgements regarding the fall and fall of Halifax Town Football Club. Our life in the wilderness years will seem all that more difficult to swallow the second time around when we consider that we should not be in this position at all.

The writing was on the wall not long after Bracewell was appointed. His strict regime down at the Shay did nothing to motivate the players and if it were not for free-falling Barnet, we would have been relegated a year ago.

Bracewell unfortunately kept his job (probably because of his contract) and made some signings, which would lead, in part to our financial instability. Long term contracts high wages from poor signings was sanctioned by the Board who were hoping that Bracewell could turn things around. It was not long into the season that Bracewell’s continual failings proved unbearable and he thankfully walked.

Redfearn/Parks wanted long term contracts, so Little was appointed. An impossible task, without money and only Bracwell’s outcasts to work with he failed to capitalise. Redfearn could not change things around at the end.

Who do you blame? Bracewell for his failings, the Board for backing him, Little for trying or Redfearn for his indiscipline. You cannot help but feel some sympathy for Bob Walker who just over a year ago thought that Town was in good hands. Bracewell has a lot to answer for but in the end it is the players who should shoulder the blame.

Inconsistent performances from Jules, Mitchell and Stoneman in particular, poor goalkeeping throughout and an undisciplined team undermined everything. The one player who really stand out to me as typical of Halifax Town over the past year in terms of non achieving, non trying and in the end no goals is Steve Kerrigan.

Some say he had an injury (so he should not have been playing), others say he had bad luck. In over a year (April 2001) and including five friendly games, I cannot remember him getting close to scoring, never mind actually scoring a goal (which is what he is paid for). For our ‘star’ striker not to score a single goal in over a season is appalling and this is highlighted in our scoring record over the season.

Yes, you can blame Bracewell/Little/Redfearn. You can blame the Walker/Kniveton partnership even the supporters for not turning up. It is the players who have to perform and provide some measure of entertainment to attract the fans. The players who have to perform to secure points in the league.

If only one of the Managers realised that we needed a goalscorer early in the season urgently (like Jamie Burt for next to nothing); things might have been different.

Everybody mentioned is a bit to blame but Steve Kerrigan is the one who stands out for me and I hope he is not allowed to wear a Town shirt again.

Martensite.