Fresh from the Summer Festival of Football on the Isle of Man, Radcliffe continue their preparations for the upcoming 2025/26 National League North campaign by welcoming Halifax Town to the Neuven Stadium.

The Boro return to Greater Manchester following a 2-1 victory over Altrincham on Friday night, and an agonising penalty shoutout defeat to Fleetwood Town after a 0-0 draw at The Bowl.

The Opposition

The Shaymen are entering their ninth campaign in the National League and could now be viewed as staples of the division, always seeming to find themselves in and around the play-off positions.

Last season, Halifax finished sixth in the league to earn themself a play-off place with high hopes, but were defeated in the Quarter Final by eventual winners Oldham Athletic by four goals to nil.

Halifax’s pre-season preparations have seen them play three games before facing the Boro, securing two victories against Clitheroe and Macclesfield respectively, whilst also playing out a 1-1 draw with Bradford Park Avenue, scoring seven and conceding only one goal. The Shaymen will provide another big test for Bernard and Jonno’s men in this packed pre-season schedule.

Ones To Watch

A player to keep an eye out for in a Halifax shirt is new signing Josh Hmami, who followed manager Adam Lakeland to Yorkshire from King’s Lynn Town, and may be a familiar name to Boro fans after playing against Radcliffe last campaign. The former Accrington Stanley, FC United and Southport midfielder helped King’s Lynn reach the play-offs last season, contributing with 13 goal involvements in 42 appearances.

Another midfielder to look out for is Florent Hoti, who has previous experience from higher levels of English football, as well as a spell with multiple clubs in Scotland. Joining from Tranmere back in the summer of 2023, Hoti has established himself in the heart of the Shaymen’s midfield with a lot of games under his belt after his arrival, he’s also contributed with a couple of goals so far in Halifax’s pre-season games.

Last Time Out

Tuesday 23rd July 2024 – Radcliffe 1-0 Halifax Town

This time last year, almost to the day, the two sides last faced each other in another pre-season fixture in preparation for our inaugural National League North season. It was a header from a corner by new signing at the time Brad Roscoe that saw the Boro leave the Neuven Stadium victorious. 

Radcliffe started the brighter of the two outfits as Halifax grew steadily into the game over time, forcing a couple of saves out of Mateusz Hewelt and also hitting the crossbar.

Brad Jackson came close to doubling the advantage early in the second half when he struck the post after cutting in from the right-hand side and attempting to find the far corner with his left foot.

The game ended on a sour note with Isaac Modi having to be stretchered off, but the result stayed the same and Radcliffe added another win to the board.

Matchday Information

Date: 22/07/25
Time: 7:45pm kick-off
Location: Neuven Stadium

Adult: £10
Concession: £7
U16: Free

Tickets can be purchased online here.

Can’t Attend The Game?

Listen to live kick-by-kick commentary on Radcliffe Radio, click here to tune in from 7:40pm.