FC Halifax Town: Striker Sho-Silva says Town’s team spirit can be their driving force in play-offs

The Halifax striker, who joined the club from Dover last summer, says the camaraderie and team spirit among the squad has been the biggest factor in Pete Wild’s side reaching the play-offs.

And the forward believes that same unity will be a crucial force for Town in the play-offs, which get underway at Boreham Wood on Friday.

“We’ve got a really good dressing room,” he said. “It doesn’t necessarily feel like changing rooms you’ve been in in the past. It’s a real family feel.

“You can go and talk to anyone in the changing room about anything, the boys are encouraging each other day-in, day-out, we’re pushing each other, and we want the best for each other and the team.

“You don’t always get that, and I think changing rooms really carry you over the line in tough situations.

“So just to have a really good dressing room with really bubbly, fun and strong characters, I think that really has been our key factor.

“And Pete has led that with his leadership style.”

The “great dressing room spirit” has become something of a football cliche in player interviews, but Sho-Silva says there is a genuinely strong bond among the Halifax squad.

“I talk about it with the boys all the time,” he said. “Normally you’re in changing rooms where there’s one or two bad eggs, one or two people that don’t really buy into what the club are doing, or get really disappointed or frustrated when they’re not involved, and it can affect the mood.

“But this dressing room’s been top drawer, it’s been definitely one of the best that I’ve played in and one of the most enjoyable seasons so far.”

Sho-Silva says Town deserve the plaudits for their top-seven finish, something that certainly wasn’t on the cards last summer.

“I remember when I signed at the beginning of the season, people were predicting us to get relegated, so to finish in the play-offs is a miracle. I strongly believe that,” he said.

“I think Pete, Milly (Chris Millington) and all the players have done a great job because day-in, day-out we’re working hard and we have this belief within the camp that we can beat any team on our day.

“I think that’s shown throughout the season.

“You don’t just stumble into sixth, you’ve got to be able to grind through, you’ve got to be able to get results when you need them.

“I think all the boys should have a pat on the back because everyone’s written us off, even in the play-offs, I think we’re the outsiders to get promoted.

“So we have that underdog mentality. From the outside people write us off but from the inside we’ve got the heart of champions.”

Town go into the play-off campaign as 16/1 outsiders with the bookies, but Sho-Silva says The Shaymen are good enough to upset the odds.

“Knockout competition is so different to league competition,” he said. “It’s about turning up on the day and having that resilience to bounce back if there’s any setbacks and really give it your all for the 90 minutes.

“Anything can happen on the day but we’ve got more than enough in the squad, more than enough quality which has been shown throughout the season, to really go all the way.”

Town’s supporters have more than doubled the club’s original £20,000 target for their fundraising campaign for the play-offs, something which Sho-SIlva says all the squad appreciate.

“It’s amazing to know that you’ve got people cheering you on and supporting you, not just with their words but with their hard-earned cash,” he said.

“I think the fans have been amazing throughout the whole season and it’s amazing to see that they’ve raised so much to support this promotion push for us.

“I always say that there’s no football without the fans. the hard work we put in behind-the-scenes and on a matchday, it’s for the fans and the club and the town.

“We’re so grateful to the fans and for what they’ve contributed, and throughout the season.”

When asked what kind of game he is expecting at Boreham Wood, Sho-SIlva said: “I’m expecting a good game. For both teams to be in the play-offs, you’ve had a good season, and you’re a good team.

“You don’t just stumble into the play-offs, so it should be a really good contest.

“Obviously with the COVID-19 situation, it’s shaken everyone’s fitness and mentality, so hopefully that’s a bit of a leveller.

“I feel whoever wants it more will come out on top. I’m really looking forward to it.

“The mood in the camp’s good, the boys are hungry, really looking forward to it.

“We’ve got three cup finals to try and get to League Two.

“We’re putting everything into it and making sure we’re ready for it.”

Sho-Silva’s chances of playing were increased when it was announced Devante Rodney wouldn’t be available for the play-off campaign, leaving Town with three senior strikers.

“I’m just grateful for every game I play,” he said. “There’s so many people out there that would swap shoes with me in a heartbeat, so whether it’s a play-off game or the first game of the season, it’s a real pleasure and a delight to be able to just play a sport that you love, and hopefully change some fans’ days or their week.

“It’s a real privileged position, so big games like this, you just want to go out there and enjoy it first and foremost, and just hope you can get the result that you want.

“Even though everyone else is building it up on the outside, there might be pressure, TV cameras, if you lose you’re out, it’s still just another game of football.

“That’s how we need to view it, not put too much pressure on ourselves which might make us think otherwise. Just go out and do what we’ve been doing all season, which has got us this far.”

And should Sho-Silva net the winner on Friday?

“I’d be delighted, but for me it would be just a great thing for the fans, for the players, for everyone involved, for my friends and my family, just to be able to be part of that.
“I strongly believe that you can’t win without your team, the team’s everything, so to be part of that, it would be great, it would be amazing.”