The 41-year-old put pen to paper on a deal yesterday having won the race to lead the club in their first season following their recent demotion from the Blue Square Premier.

But it was a low profile introduction for the new man with news of his arrival released just after 1am today.

'We received over 15 applications for the position, which was never advertised," said consortium leader David Bosomworth in a statement.

"Certainly very encouraging as we start a new chapter for the Football Club.

"We short-listed four applicants, all with excellent levels of experience.

"All the applicants interviewed extremely well and certainly made the final choice a difficult one.

"However, a second round of interviews confirmed that Jim was the outstanding choice.

Vince, who was on the books of Stoke City, Crewe Alexandra, Altrincham, Witton Albion and Winsford United as a player, resigned as Witton Albion manager last month having been in charge at Wincham Park for two and a half years.

During his time there he took them to the Unibond League Premier Division promotion play offs twice.

But on each occasion their campaigns ended on a disappointing note, losing to Telford in the final in 2007 and on penalties to Buxton in the first round earlier this year

Vince will have to hit the ground running with a little more than six weeks to the start of the league campaign and not a single player yet signed up.

The league fixtures are due to be announced at the start of next week, but Vince already knows who his new team will face in the two major knockout competitions.

They entertain either Vodkat North West Counties League first division Silsden AFC or Northern Counties East League Premier Division Eccleshill in the preliminary round of the FA Cup on Saturday, August 30.

Victory will see Halifax visit either Glasshoughton Welfare, Billingham Synthonia, Morpeth or Ryton in the first qualifying round on Saturday, September 13.

In the FA Trophy preliminary round on Saturday, October 4, Halifax will travel to Harrogate Railway, and the victors will have a home tie against Leigh Genesis on Saturday, October 18.