login into php from html

hello i am pretty new to php but have managed to install it and get it running on my webserver which was a fun learning experience in itself.
My problem is i want to go from a html template to the php members site using the login block a lot like the one on this page but no matter what i have tried i cant get it to work any one who can help please do it is realy holding me up now lol after 2 weeks of trying i am ready to give up and just hyperlink to the index.php but this is not as proffessional as i would like it to be
all help is greatfully and thankfully received

ta in advance

 

first off, what exactly is the site going to focus on..or rather whats its subject?

 

the website is written and the user group is written all i need to do is use a simple login form on the html page to send me to the php or rather just to allow users to enter user name and password to enter the user group