HUNGRY BYRNE IS BACK IN BUSINESS

NEILL BYRNE says football’s Covid hiatus has been the perfect reminder of how much football is loved – and the FC Halifax Town new boy says it will be even better when fans are back too.

- Matt Badcock

The Shaymen kicked-off their National League campaign yesterday with a 2-0 win against Dagenham & Redbridge and travel to fancied Stockport County on Tuesday before ending the first week on the road to Boreham Wood.

It’s a tough start on paper but Byrne, who joined Pete Wild’s side from AFC Fylde a fortnight ago, couldn’t be happier that competitive football is back.

“You can have as many pre-season games and training, but you just want to get back into that competitiveness of games and that routine of Saturday-Tuesday,” Byrne told The NLP.

“You miss it. You want to get back into that routine and fight for three points. I’ve missed that competitive side – we haven’t had that for more than six months. You can’t replicate that competitive edge and for the majority of people it brings out the best in you.

“It will be a different season but I think everyone is desperate to get back out there and enjoy their football.