Brighouse Town went into the 2010/11 season on the back of a promotion and with a proven management team but will start the next one in less settled circumstances.

They began like an express train last August and were threatening to challenge for a second promotion on the trot.

It was very much a tale of two halves as the season unfolded, though, because they dropped like a stone after the turn of the year.

Following their last game of the season – an 11-goal thriller at the Duel Seal Stadium which saw Town lose 7-4 – rumours began to surface that manager Mark Brier was on his way.

Days later, it was confirmed that Brier and his assistant Darren Attwood had resigned.

Brier left Town after a 16th place finish in their first season in the top division of the Kool Sport NCE League.

It will have been significant for the outgoing manager and many of the squad that the club directly below them in the table were rivals Liversedge, who are far more established at this level.

Brier stated that he had done what he was brought in to do and that the time was right for him to move on. As well as promotion under the management duo, a structured reserves, under-19s and full junior section had been formed.

The low point of the season came off the pitch when the club’s facilities were damaged by a suspected arson attack in the first month of the campaign. Secretary Malcolm Taylor described the scene the morning after as ‘just like Old Trafford after the blitz with twisted carcasses of buildings’.

Town were battling against the odds from then on.

The league and authorities were understanding but the knock-on effect and extra costs incurred shackled Town’s greater aspirations.