Second part of the Courier / Davy interview. “In the second part of the Courier’s interview with Huddersfield Giants owner Ken Davy, he discusses why the Giants would be moving to Halifax, how the the three clubs can share the Shay and what he wants to happen to the stadium long-term. Ken Davy says he hopes FC Halifax Town and Halifax Panthers will be in a better financial position in future to buy The Shay from him should his plans for the stadium come to fruition. The Huddersfield Giants chairman is hoping to buy the ground from Calderdale Council and instigate a raft of improvements to bring it up to Super League standard so the Giants can use it temporarily while they build a new stadium. Ken Davy. "I don't want to be the long-term owner of The Shay," Mr Davy told the Courier, "therefore when the Giants leave The Shay, which is the absolute intention, I've told both clubs I'd be prepared to offer it back to them and they can either buy it individually or jointly. Ken Davy "Or we might find some other solution, but that's the spirit of what we're trying to achieve." Mr Davy said the buy back price "would have to reflect the improvements" that had been made. When asked what would happen if both clubs were unable to afford to buy the stadium, Mr Davy said: "Hopefully somebody in Calderdale would be able to do so, or perhaps someone would come in to support the clubs, I don't know. "I don't want to be the long-term owner of The Shay but it's impossible to second guess what the situation might be in five years time. "I would hope that, by then, because of what we've done, they would be in a much better position. "Given it would be a Super League stadium, who knows, somebody might come in to support the Panthers and take them into Super League. "FC Halifax may have gained promotion and be in a much better position financially. "All of these things are possible and I think both clubs will benefit in the short-term and in the long-term, also stand to benefit from having a supportive owner of the Shay." When asked about the possibility of selling the ground to a third-party, and if that would involve assurances around both clubs remaining at The Shay, Mr Davy said: "Perhaps the best example I can give you is that when I rescued Huddersfield Town from the administrators, under my chairmanship we won promotion and when it came to selling the club, I rejected several approaches from foreign buyers as I was determined it went to someone locally who understood the club’s importance to the community.” Mr Davy says the Giants are making "significant progress" in their search for where their new stadium will be located. "Every site we look at has various issues so it's impossible to say how or where the new stadium will be," he said. "We have our third or fourth pre-planning application almost ready to go in relation to a site and we keep our fingers crossed. "We're hopeful this one will work." But Mr Davy insists it is currently "impossible to say" a timescale for when the Giants would leave The Shay. "My original objective was for it to only take two or three years," he said. "It's self evident from all the planning issues that it's going to take longer than that. "My guess is five years but that's purely a guess." Mr Davy admits "it would be much simpler and less expensive" for the Giants to remain at the John Smith's Stadium until a new ground is constructed. "But it's just not possible for us to generate the right atmosphere there," he said. "There's just not enough fans in a big stadium. The fact is we rattle. "I want to see that improve as quickly as possible. "And hopefully the availability of better facilities in a nice atmosphere, I genuinely believe it should increase the support of both clubs and that's what we all want to see. "I want The Shay to be a vibrant facility for FC Halifax, the Panthers and the Giants and for it to become a vibrant community space. "The plan is to call it the Calderdale Community Stadium, and that's what it's all about, providing a better experience for everyone. Mr Davy added: "The more use we can get from the stadium, the better. "It's too early to say what events might be held there but I'd certainly hope we'd be able to make it into a vibrant centre for the community." Mr Davy admits there is a chance the move could alienate some Giants supporters. "There is a risk and over the last few months I've been careful to try to explain what the intention was," he said. "More recently I've spelled it out in a bit more detail. "Obviously there are some negative comments but the vast majority of Giants fans have been supportive so I'm hopeful. "We're going to be running special transport from Huddersfield to The Shay. "We probably will have some supporters who are very reluctant to come to The Shay but hopefully it will be a small number. "Because of the better atmosphere and suitability, I would actually hope the support would increase." The Giants chairman insists there would be no cause for concern regarding two rugby league clubs and a football club sharing the same ground. "What's important is that football always has to have primacy, what you might call first pick," he said. "We're very used to dealing with that at the John Smith's Stadium, so the 13 or so matches the Giants play every year isn't going to be a significant issue. "And I know a football club has to have primacy of tenancy, so that's a non-issue for us." Mr Davy says he has no intention of merging the Giants and Halifax Panthers. "Absolutely and categorically, no." When asked what he would say to people who don't approve of his plans, Mr Davy said: "They might care to look at my background and see what I've done for sport in Kirklees and what I'd hope to be able to start to do in Calderdale." The Courier also asked Mr Davy the five key questions that were submitted by the working party group, who have also submitted proposals for the future of The Shay. Here is what he said. 1) What happens to The Shay when the Giants have a stadium of their own? "As I've said, we will offer it back to the clubs invidually and jointly because I have absolutely no wish to be the long-term owner of The Shay." 2) What happens to The Shay if the Giants ultimately don't secure a stadium of their own? "That's such a speculative question and so far from our objective, that it’s completely hypothetical question that we all hope will never arise." 3) How does this impact on the requirements of both the Football League and the Super League that their member clubs must have "primacy of tenancy"? Are the clubs prepared to forgo any chance of promotion in exchange for upgraded facilities? "That question misunderstands the requirements. The football club has to have primacy of fixtures. "There are a number of Super League teams who play in stadiums where football also takes place, so primacy of tenancy is not an issue for Super League, but it is for football so we fully acknowledge that FC Halifax will have that primacy of tenancy. "The second part of the question falls away because it has no relevance, but one of the things I would hope is that FC Halifax, because of the improved facilities and the more robust pitch, are able to achieve promotion. "That's something we'd all welcome." 4) Have the views of the National League and the RFL been sought? "Not by me, because it's not my role. It's difficult to envisage that either organisation would have any issues given the much improved facilities that both clubs would enjoy." 5) Has the council considered what happens to the town's professional sports clubs if this deal goes wrong, or are they unconcerned? "The council are concerned about the future of professional sport in Halifax, which is exactly why we're having these discussions. "It's well known that I'm a very active supporter of sport and that I've invested substantial sums ensuring that sport continues.” End.

This is starting to look a lot less appealing than it did as each interview comes out. It would still be pretty funny if it did go ahead just to see some Town fans reactions, and then even funnier if the ground was then sold on to some new Fax investors when the Giants leave. I can see Town fans hounding Bosomworth out over this and then to be honest I think they will find themselves on a slippy financial slope if that happens.

Another stumbling block for the Davy proposal are the EFL ground sharing rules that prohibit 3 teams of different sports at the same place. Should FC Town ever win promotion they would not be allowed in whilst both Fax and the Giants were playing there without special dispensation. EFL 2024 / 25 handbook page 78. 13.3. Quote: Ground sharing will only be approved at the discretion of the board. The board will ordinarily withhold approval where circumstances where the proposed ground share arrangement would result in the club sharing occupation of the playing surface with more than one other individual team from another sport ( by way of a example a club sharing occupation with one rugby league team would be acceptable but a club sharing with one rugby league team and one rugby union or sharing with two rugby union ( or rugby league ) teams would not. ) End. I wonder if he’s unaware of the limitation of the numbers of teams allowed because in his previous interviews he stated that plenty of other football and rugby clubs shared grounds with no issues and said that he had not sought the views of either the National League or the RFL because he didn’t think it was his role.

[quote="faxcar":21eqcikg]Another stumbling block for the Davy proposal are the EFL ground sharing rules that prohibit 3 teams of different sports at the same place. Should FC Town ever win promotion they would not be allowed in whilst both Fax and the Giants were playing there without special dispensation. EFL 2024 / 25 handbook page 78. 13.3. Quote: Ground sharing will only be approved at the discretion of the board. The board will ordinarily withhold approval where circumstances where the proposed ground share arrangement would result in the club sharing occupation of the playing surface with more than one other individual team from another sport ( by way of a example a club sharing occupation with one rugby league team would be acceptable but a club sharing with one rugby league team and one rugby union or sharing with two rugby union ( or rugby league ) teams would not. ) End. I wonder if he’s unaware of the limitation of the numbers of teams allowed because in his previous interviews he stated that plenty of other football and rugby clubs shared grounds with no issues and said that he had not sought the views of either the National League or the RFL because he didn’t think it was his role.[/quote:21eqcikg] A possible option: The Shaymen could play at Lawkholme Lane or even Brighouse Town while Fax and Giants share the New Shay. Just a thought that might annoy some people perhaps!

[quote="cowfax":3v2bc7n8]A possible option: The Shaymen could play at Lawkholme Lane or even Brighouse Town while Fax and Giants share the New Shay. Just a thought that might annoy some people perhaps![/quote:3v2bc7n8] If we don’t get some news on the rumoured consortium / investment pretty soon it could easily be Fax playing at Brighouse Rangers.

[quote="faxcar":1a1xngb7]Another stumbling block for the Davy proposal are the EFL ground sharing rules that prohibit 3 teams of different sports at the same place. Should FC Town ever win promotion they would not be allowed in whilst both Fax and the Giants were playing there without special dispensation. EFL 2024 / 25 handbook page 78. 13.3. Quote: Ground sharing will only be approved at the discretion of the board. The board will ordinarily withhold approval where circumstances where the proposed ground share arrangement would result in the club sharing occupation of the playing surface with more than one other individual team from another sport ( by way of a example a club sharing occupation with one rugby league team would be acceptable but a club sharing with one rugby league team and one rugby union or sharing with two rugby union ( or rugby league ) teams would not. ) End. I wonder if he’s unaware of the limitation of the numbers of teams allowed because in his previous interviews he stated that plenty of other football and rugby clubs shared grounds with no issues and said that he had not sought the views of either the National League or the RFL because he didn’t think it was his role.[/quote:1a1xngb7] FC will never get promoted. No worries there.

[quote="Faxlore":yzsyxuf0]FC will never get promoted. No worries there.[/quote:yzsyxuf0] I was just supplying some relevant info as a possible stumbling block and who knows, but for them to agree to the Davy Shay deal taking it completely out of their own hands would be crazy and we can all imagine how their fan base would react. How would we feel if we had a board that took that sort of lack of ambition decision? Once they wake up to the rules I don’t think they will do that and expect them to at least consult the EFL about it. The concern of the EFL isn’t about the number of the teams so much but wether the pitch can stand the number of games generated by 3 teams. The very best modern hybrid pitches can take up to 1000 hours, maybe by installing the very best pitch and with it being touted as a temporary arrangement get some dispensation.

Another Courier update. Working party group of supporters say they have "a number of concerns" over Ken Davy's plans for The Shay after meeting with Huddersfield Giants owner By Tom Scargill. Published 20th Jan 2025, 18:23 GMT The working party of supporters who are aiming to secure the future of The Shay say they remain against the stadium falling into private ownership having met with Huddersfield Giants owner Ken Davy. The working party group were first to announce their proposals for the ground, which are for an independent, not-for-profit trust to run the stadium. Mr Davy then announced his plans for The Shay, which would see him buy the ground from Calderdale Council and fund several improvements to bring it up to Super League standard for the Giants to play there until they can find a new home. However, the funding of a new pitch would be through grants and interest free loans to FC Halifax Town and Halifax Panthers, who would be offered the chance to buy the stadium from Mr Davy when the Giants move into their new home. The Shay In a statement, the working party group of supporters said: “On Thursday evening, January 16, two members of the Working Group met with the Huddersfield Giants owner Ken Davy to discuss his proposal for the Shay Stadium. "Also in attendance was Ian Day from Calderdale Council. "The discussions were amicable, open and frank with both sides views over the future of the stadium put across in a constructive and positive manner. "Mr. Davy’s proposals raise a number of interesting points and issues and could bring significant short-term benefits for both clubs and the stadium. "We do, however, have a number of concerns about the proposals and will be putting these to Mr. Davy at future meetings. "When our working party was put together its main aim was to try and stop the Shay from falling into private ownership whilst securing the Shay as a community stadium. "Our position on this has not changed. This is regardless of who it is and should not be seen as a slight on Mr. Davy. "We are open to a compromise which would welcome Mr. Davy’s investment whilst the ownership of the Shay and the security of its current tenants are protected. End.

Concerns or not, unless they can put together a viable plan to take on the Stadium fairly quickly, it's going to be Ken Davy who gets it. I can't see a happy ending for any party involved. It'll be a massive cluster....thing.

Tbh I'm at the point of what will be will be . Obviously if some shaymen March to the townhall and hoddie is interviewed crying on look north that'd be an added bonus .

https://windinguppetitionsolicitors.co. ... %20records. In an article about the ongoing Tax issue that will be coming up next Thursday it also mentions the Fax consortium working towards securing the future of the Shay. This was obviously before the Davy proposals but shows that whoever they are as of a couple of months ago they were actively involved with the club and as with the rest of it regarding the tax, the Shay and the new consortium ownership we await further news.

https://windinguppetitionsolicitors.co. ... %20records. In an article about the ongoing Tax issue that will be coming up next Thursday it also mentions the Fax consortium working towards securing the future of the Shay. This was obviously before the Davy proposals but shows that whoever they are as of a couple of months ago they were actively involved with the club and as with the rest of it regarding the tax, the Shay and the new consortium ownership we await further news.

Hope the building company we've just got into bed with,have nothing to do with it..

[quote="Miserybusiness":3dr361pn]Hope the building company we've just got into bed with,have nothing to do with it..[/quote:3dr361pn] Aye, it seems a very random, albeit welcome, sponsorship.

Latest Courier update. Calderdale Council says they have sought an up-to-date valuation of The Shay as the future of the stadium potentially nears a resolution. The council is set to consider the two proposals on the table for the future of The Shay at a cabinet meeting on Monday, March 17, with Huddersfield Giants owner Ken Davy and a group of Halifax Town supporters behind the contrasting plans. The working party group would like to see a not-for-profit trust run The Shay, while Mr Davy wants to buy the ground and move the Giants in to play there while a new home for them is built. Mr Davy’s proposals include offering to sell the stadium to FC Halifax Town and/or Halifax Panthers when the Giants leave, but this has led many supporters to question what would happen if the clubs couldn’t afford this and the ground ended up in the hands of a third-party. When asked by the Courier whether Calderdale Council could reassure fans that whoever buys the stadium, a guarantee would be given that both clubs continued to play there, a council spokesperson said: “The council has received two expressions of interest in operating the Shay – one from Ken Davy, owner of Huddersfield Giants rugby league club, and one from a group of FC Halifax Town supporters. "Cabinet members will consider these proposals at their meeting on Monday, March 17. "Both proposals will need to demonstrate commitment to ensuring access to the two professional sports clubs in any future lease agreements that are put in place. "Cabinet members will consider these proposals at their meeting on Monday, March 17. "Both proposals will need to demonstrate commitment to ensuring access to the two professional sports clubs in any future lease agreements that are put in place. "Discussions are continuing between the council, the clubs and all the affected parties. The council said there was “no explicit decision” when it announced their intention to dispose of The Shay a year ago about whether this should be by long-term lease or sale, and said that “all options will be considered”. The council also confirmed it has sought an up-to-date valuation of the Shay and that any possible purchase “would involve negotiation, taking into account factors such as any proposed capital investment at the stadium”. However, the council didn’t respond directly to the question of what their valuation of the stadium was. On any other interested parties wanting to potentially counter what is decided by the cabinet meeting in March, the council spokesperson said: “The Shay has been registered as an Asset of Community Value, giving community groups the chance to express interest in acquiring the site. "Once cabinet members have decided on an option for the future of the Shay at their meeting in March, there will be a period where community organisations can express interest in acquiring the stadium, with time to develop a business case that the council would need to consider.” And on any timescales for when the future of The Shay will handed over to whoever will run it in future, the council spokesperson said: “When cabinet has chosen a preferred proposal, the council will develop timescales in partnership with the relevant parties. End.