Huddersfield Giants owner Ken Davy could buy Halifax's Shay stadium in bid to secure its future
The Giants' owner is pledging to plough money into the venue to bring it up to Super League standards.
Last updated 9th Jan 2025
Huddersfield Giants could become a key player in the future of a Calderdale sports ground via a multi-million pound deal.
The future of the Shay Stadium, which is home to Halifax’s professional sides, football’s FC Halifax Town and rugby league’s Halifax Panthers, was thrown into limbo a year ago when Calderdale Council set its budget.
Now the council says Ken Davy, owner of Huddersfield Giants rugby league club in neighbouring Kirklees, has expressed interest in buying the Shay so the Giants can play there temporarily from 2026, while a new stadium is built for them in Huddersfield.
Also, a group of FC Halifax Town supporters has submitted an initial business proposal to run the stadium.
Needing to save money to help balance the books, the council divest itself of costs of running the stadium to save £161,000 per year, and to remove the £500,000 additional annual health and safety costs.
Calderdale says it is due to consider the two proposals at the council’s March 2025 Cabinet meeting.
If approved, Mr Davy’s proposal would see major investment in upgrading the Shay to Super League standard, and would ensure it could continue to be used by FC Halifax Town and Halifax Panthers in the long-term.
The Shay Stadium has been registered as an Asset of Community Value, giving community interest groups the chance to express interest in buying the site.
The FC Halifax Town supporters’ group’s initial proposal to run the stadium would require an ongoing financial commitment from the council, so the Calderdale asked for more detailed information from the group at this stage.
Detailed discussions between the council, the clubs and the prospective buyers will be ongoing until the March meeting, said Leader of the Council, Coun Jane Scullion (Lab, Luddenden Foot).
“We know how much local people value the Shay and the local football and rugby clubs.
“The council is a strong supporter of sports, physical activity and the community spirit that comes from following local teams, so we are committed to the future of the stadium.
“Major financial pressures mean we’re having to make tough budget decisions and can no longer run the Shay.
“In the proposals we’ve received to take on management of the stadium, we’ve seen great commitment to the future of Halifax and professional sports facilities.
“We will be considering all options thoroughly before making a decision in March 2025, once the proposals have been worked up in more detail,” she said.
Mr Davy said it was an exciting prospect, and would involve working with FC Halifax Town, Halifax Panthers and Calderdale Council, on the potential upgrading of the Shay.
“I believe that bringing it up to Super League standard would dramatically improve the match day experience for spectators and encourage more fans to support both FC Halifax and the Panthers.
“From the Giants’ perspective, whilst the upgrading of the Shay would be costly, it could be the ideal interim solution for us whilst we progress plans for a new stadium in Huddersfield,” he said.
Damian Clayton, Chief Executive Officer of Halifax Panthers said the club remained optimistic about the future of the Shay, in collaboration with the other parties.
“We believe the Shay has the potential to evolve into a vibrant community hub, securing the longevity of professional sport played here while promoting diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing.
“Alongside these discussions, we are diligently working to fully substantiate the details within our own Business Plan, ensuring we have a robust contingency in place should further consideration be required.
“We are confident that through collective effort, a sustainable and mutually beneficial outcome can be achieved for the benefit of all,” he said.
David Bosomworth, Chairman of FC Halifax Town, said news of potential significant investment in the Shay Stadium is very encouraging.
“Over the course of the next two months , it is expected more detailed discussions will take place when clarity on any proposals allows decisions to be made.
“Investment during these difficult financial times is hopefully a good news story for the council, the two Halifax clubs and the community as a whole,” he said.
Upgrades under Mr Davy would include a new hybrid pitch with improved surface and drainage quality, which would be more resilient to the weather and would increase reliability for games.
The installation of the new pitch would be supported by the Premier League and external grants, according to the council.
Further upgrades, funded by Mr Davy, would include essential health and safety works, improved toilets, new modern, energy-efficient LED lighting to replace the floodlights, a new electronic scoreboard and electronic digital perimeter advertising.
If Mr Davy’s proposals went ahead, the new hybrid pitch at the Shay would be constructed from summer 2025, and the potential impact of this on Halifax matches is being discussed with the clubs.