When looking at the England's fifth tier, from a neutral point of view fans tend to look at the likes of Barrow and Boreham Wood when it comes to an underdog story defying the odds, but one team who have surprised pundits is West Yorkshire side Halifax Town.
The Shaymen have excelled under current boss Pete Wild, who expertly manufactured a memorable 2-1 victory over then-Premier League side Fulham when managing Oldham Athletic last season. Currently being sat 6th in the National League and contesting a high-demand play-off position, one man who has enjoyed a healthy spell at the Shay Stadium is the hard-working Josh Staunton.
Staunton spoke on the Halifax squad's quality, saying: "I am confident with our group of players we can have a real go at the play-offs, if they go ahead. We have shown countless times this season we can perform against any team in this league, we just need to be firing on all cylinders.
"I don't see any reason why we won't be challenging at the right end of the table again next season. Maybe if we can continue to strengthen, and try to reduce the odd bad performance we can hopefully compete again."
Staunton went on to applaud his gaffer, Pete Wild on the manager's positive effect on the team: "I think the gaffer has been excellent for me personally, he has trusted me to do different roles for the team. Earlier on in the season I was playing deeper and then in the latter parts I was more box to box and higher up the pitch, which was new to me.
"I think the gaffer has brought more freedom to the group which we have benefited from and there is a real strong camaraderie within the group."
The newly found midfielder continued to speak on his new role and how he had adapted to feel comfortable within it: "At the start of the season I was playing as more of a holding midfielder which has become a lot more natural to me. As the season went on I ventured further and further up the pitch which was a bit of a journey into the unknown, but I felt like I had my good games as well as my bad ones and on the whole was doing a decent job for what the team required.
"I have grown a lot more confident in my ability to play in midfield, at the start it was a bit of a struggle with much less time on the ball and people tackling from 360 degrees rather than everything being in front of you as a defender. To be honest, I feel confident in both positions now and feel I've grown a lot and learnt a lot about both positions this season."
Whilst Staunton has had the honour to represent Halifax, he's had even better; captaining the England 'C' team: "When I was chosen to captain the England 'C' team it was probably one of the highlights of my career so far. It was a huge honour to lead the team out in your countries football kit. But when the game started it was business as usual! "There were some very good players in that team, players such as James Hardy who we've already seen at Halifax. The team was filled with good players, who in their own right would all add something to the team."
Before starring for the Shaymen, Staunton was part of the unlucky Woking FC side who suffered relegation to the National League South. After just one season in the sixth tier, the Cards bounced straight back with an immediate title win and have contested a mid-table finish in the National League this season: "I was delighted to see Woking bounce back on the first attempt, it was a club I hold fondly in my heart, full of great people who didn't deserve to be relegated.
"It was good to see them crowned champions to come back up, it's a high the club deserved after as we as the players let the club and its fans down the season before." Staunton went on to describe how his former Woking team-mate Damon Lathrope has influenced his career: "I don't tend to set too many long-term targets anymore. I changed my mind set on that when I was playing with a good friend of mine, Damon Lathrope, at Woking who unfortunately suffered a career ending injury. It made me realise that football can be taken away from you in one second.
"Instead of focusing on 10-15 matches ahead, I try to put all my focus and energy into being the best I can be in the upcoming game, without getting caught up in thinking I'm not hitting long-term goals. Of course, I have aspirations of hopefully getting back in league football at some point, but hopefully that will be with Halifax!"
Moving back onto Staunton's career up North, the versatile stalwart explained his decision to move away from family down south to fight for the Shaymen: "At first it was a big decision to leave home and move four hours away to play football. It was a chance to remain in full-time football with a big club like Halifax and it was one which I thought gave me the best chance to push on my career.
"I feel moving away and becoming independent has made me grow a great deal as both a player and a person. And I've made some great friends along the way!"
One of the joys of the National League is certainly it's recognised stars earning moves to the EFL; and above. With the likes of Chris Smalling, Michail Antonio and Danny Ings all making their way to the highs of English football from non-league, its clear that the route is possible for the likes of Staunton. Even from Halifax, who are recognised for their part in the inspiration Jamie Vardy story, have helped, creating a Premier League victor and a prolific England international. Staunton spoke on Vardy's success story and even backed a fellow Shayman to replicate Vardy's footsteps, stating: "Of course, it makes us all feel like we have a chance of gaining recognition and moving up the leagues! At the moment I'd probably say Devante Rodney fits that mould best, he is young, strong, quick and can finish so he has a promising future."
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