The countdown is well and truly on, with just one day remaining until captain Phil Gulliver leads his troops out at the Shay, to kick-off the new Blue Square Bet North season against FC Halifax Town.

After a summer of change at Corby Town, including a new multi-million pound stadium and almost an entirely new squad since the 2010/11 campaign finished in defeat to Hyde, there is a positivity around the place again as the Steelmen face their first season at Steel Park.  

Only Jordan Spruce, Paul Malone, Phil Gulliver and Steven Towers have survived from the squad that finished last season 13th in the Blue Square Bet North, as manager Graham Drury has sought to strengthen on the pitch. Drury also strengthened his backroom staff with the additions of head coach Paul Holden MBE and player-coach Andy Burgess. 

This new-look side, which includes the returning Chris Mackenzie, Andy Hall and Paul Mayo, will head to West Yorkshire on Saturday to face Neil Aspin's FC Halifax Town. Leon Hibbert is the only injury dount for the Steelmen. 

FC Halifax Town may be new to the Blue Square Bet North, however they have been installed as the bookies favourites to win the title of a third league in as many seasons. 

The club was formed in 2008 to replace Halifax Town AFC who went into administration during the 2007/08 season. 

The Shaymen head into 2010/11 as Northern Premier Division champions. The title victory was the second in successive years for former Harrogate Town boss Aspin, who also lead Halifax to the Northern League Division 1 North title in his debut season. 

Corby Town will need to be wary of Danny Holland, the former Eastwood Town striker who netted twice against the Steelmen in the FA Cup two season's ago. Since leaving the Badgers Holland has continued to find the net with Halifax, scoring 21 goals last season. 

They could be without a number of key players however, with Jamie Vardy, Harry Winter and Lee Gregory all doubtful. 

FC Halifax Town play at the Shay, the former home of Halifax FC, and a stadium which has become a fortress for the pheonix club. Spanning into three seasons, the Shaymen went 30 games unbeaten at the stadium. The run lasted from 18 April 2009 to 20 November 2010.

They won 18 and drew three in the 2009/10 season to seal the Unibond Division One North championship with 100 points and 105 goals. A slow start to the beginning of the 2010/11 season seemed to spell the end of the home run very soon, but Halifax's season quickly took off and they rose to top spot.

The Shaymen's unbeaten run finally came to an end on 20th November 2010, when North Ferriby were 2-0 victors.

Corby Town will certainly have their work cut out to bring three points back down the M1 to Steel Park on Saturday, but it is a challenge that the team, the manager and the supporters are ready for. 

Blue Square Bet Match Odds

FC Halifax Town - 4/9

Draw - 3/1

Corby Town - 9/2

Saturday's Blue Square Bet North Fixtures:

Bishop's Stortford v Colwyn Bay, 15:00
Eastwood Town v Droylsden, 15:00
FC Halifax v Corby, 15:00
Gainsborough v Solihull Moors, 15:00
Guiseley v Hinckley Utd, 15:00
Harrogate Town v Altrincham, 15:00
Histon v Blyth Spartans, 15:00
Hyde v Worcester, 15:00
Nuneaton v Stalybridge, 15:00
Vauxhall Motors v Gloucester, 15:00
Workington v Boston Utd, 15:00