UK Stadiums: The Shay Stadium, Halifax, Yorkshire
The Shay in Halifax Yorkshire is the home ground of FC Halifax Town and the Halifax Panthers rugby league team. The ground began life in 1921 and is now owned by the local Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council.
Stands
The ground has four stands. They are the North Stand (presently unused), the East Stand, the South Stand and the Skircoat (West) Stand - the oldest stand at the stadium and when open is for away supporters. Manchester City sold a section of the roof from their old Hyde Road ground to Halifax Town in 1923 before the club's move to Maine Road. This was then re-erected at what is now the Skircoat (West) Stand.
The East Stand holds 4,000 fans giving a unobstructed view of the playing area and holds banqueting suites, bars, food areas and hospitality boxes.
The highest attendance at The Shay is 36,885 in 1953 recorded in the 5th round of the FA Cup against Tottenham Hotspur.
Club & Stadium History
Nicknamed 'The Shaymen' the club was formed in 1911 and have spent the majority of their existence in the lower tiers of the English Football League. Despite financial struggles and limited success, the club has enjoyed some memorable moments, including promotion to the Third Division in 1998 under manager George Mulhall.
However, mounting debts led to the club being wound up in 2008. Out of its ashes, a new club - FC Halifax Town - was formed and began life in the Northern Premier League. Since then, the reformed club has steadily climbed the football pyramid, reaching the National League and re-establishing itself as a competitive side.
Players & Managers
Notable figures in the club's history include striker Geoff Horsfield (46 goals in 74 games between 1996 and 1998), who later played in the Premier League with WBA, and Neil Aspin, a successful manager who helped guide the new club through its early years from 2009 to 2015. Interestingly Jamie Vardy had a brief but significant stint at Halifax Town in the 2010-11 season, scoring 26 goals in 37 appearances and winning the club's player's player-of-the-year award before moving to Fleetwood Town and then eventually becoming a Premier League winner with Leicester City.
Capacity
The ground has a capacity of 10,401 with 5,108 seated and 5,293 declared as the safe standing capacity for the North and South stands. The capacity stood at 16,500 until 1985 and the Popplewell report following the Bradford City stadium fire in May, 1985.
The playing surface is hybrid grass suitable for both football and rugby league laid in 2025. The pitch is lit with pylon floodlights. The East Stand can be booked for conferences and events, parties or memorials.
Honours
Halifax Town A.F.C. (1911-2008)
Honours
Football League Third Division North Cup: Winners (1) - 1933-34
Football League Fourth Division: Promoted - 1968-69 (3rd place)
Football League Third Division Play-Offs: Winners (1) - 1997-98 (promoted via play-offs)
FC Halifax Town (2008-present)
Honours
Northern Premier League Division One North: Champions (1) - 2010-11
Northern Premier League Premier Division Play-Offs: Winners (1) - 2012-13 (promotion to National League North)
FA Trophy: Winners (2) - 2015-16, 2022-23
Access - Getting There
The ground is a 10 to 15-minute walk south of Halifax Station.
By car the town is 40 minutes from Leeds on the M621 and A58. From Manchester take the A664 and M62. Driving time is about 1 hour, 20 minutes. Huddersfield is a 20-minute drive south on the A629.
Halifax Station has trains to Bradford, Leeds, Brighouse, Huddersfield Station, Sowerby Bridge, Blackpool North and Manchester Victoria. There is also a train through to Chester Station in Chester.
There are also regular services to London King's Cross via Wakefield Kirkgate, Pontefract and Doncaster.
National Express and local buses leave from Halifax Bus Station on Winding Road. There are long distance buses to Victoria Coach Station in London. There are more local buses to Brighouse, Burnley, Claremont, Huddersfield, Leeds, Ripponden, Siddal and Todmorden.
Address: Shay Syke, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 2YS, UK
Tel: 01422 341222
Nearby Hotels
Some recommended places to stay in Halifax include The Imperial Crown Hotel at 42-46 Horton Street, the Shibden Hall View at Hough House a bed and breakfast situated in a historic building or the New Hobbit Hotel out in Sowerby Bridge.
See here for a listing of accommodation in Halifax to suit all budgets.
More UK Stadiums
Kirklees Stadium (John Smith's Stadium)
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