[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.

Courier post. FCTown fans launch petition. FC Halifax Town fans launch petition urging council not to sell The Shay in potential blow for Huddersfield Giants CALLUM WALKER 04/02/2025 FANS of FC Halifax Town have launched a petition urging Calderdale Council not to sell The Shay Stadium in what could be a potential blow for Huddersfield Giants. The future of the ground will go before a council cabinet meeting in March with two proposals on the table. One of those proposals – which has been put forward by FC Halifax Town fans – would see The Shay being run by an independent, not-for-profit trust whilst the other has been put forward by Giants owner Ken Davy, with Davy keen on purchasing the venue. That would see the Giants move to The Shay whilst Davy and the club build their own stadium as opposed to playing out of the John Smith’s Stadium. Davy has also said he will offer the ground back to both clubs for them to purchase once the Giants move out and into their own stadium. One fan who has been at the heart of the petition told the Halifax Courier: “”Hopefully, we will gather the 2,000 signatures required to get a slot at the council cabinet meeting on March 17. “We are not, in principal, against the Huddersfield Giants moving to the Shay on a temporary basis, but this has to be done so as not to endanger the future of either FC Halifax Town or the Halifax Panthers. “The current Ken Davy proposal to loan money to the two clubs to do the pitch remediation, which they will then subsequently pay back to Mr Davy, would put the burden for funding this ultimately on the local clubs and not the Giants. “More importantly, if and when the Giants move back to their new home in Kirklees, the offer to sell the ground back to the two clubs is unlikely to happen as neither club has the financial capacity to undertake such a significant investment. “This raises the worrying concern that once the freehold has been sold to a private company, and the Giants no longer require any use of the Shay, it could well be sold on the open market, potentially leading to the loss of the Shay as a community asset and the end of the the two sporting clubs. “The petition is open to anyone, rugby fans included, who have the same concerns over the future of the Shay, as we would like the council to consider a hybrid approach using the other options for managing the ground on an ongoing basis alongside the Ken Davy proposal, without selling the ‘family silver’. End.

Didn't the petition only have around 100 names on it recently? I think that minority on the Town forum are underestimating how many Town fans are not against the Davy proposal. I'm not sure what the alternative is really, the pitch after last night is a wreck and any adverse weather in the next 2 or 3 weeks could end up with Town having to play more home games away from the Shay and with the SST 2.0 not having the money to do anything about it we are just rinsing and repeating this year after year. Yes the Davy option is a big risk but both clubs are going slowly backwards anyway.

As a major fan of both clubs, I do agree..If nothing else the Davy bid buys time that we may not have otherwise..

The Davy option is the only option as far as I'm concerned, at least the Shay will get the necessary development plus more. The Town consortium doesn't appear to have any clout, and they behave like a bunch of childish school kids on that forum, not the type of folk I'd trust in taking the Shay forward.

Neither of the 2 clubs or the Council can continue with as things are, everybody is skint. I was with ListenUp at the weekend and he was messaged from a source that they were hearing the club was on its booty again. When gently prompted for a bit more info it was all a bit cryptic but with our history I wouldn’t be surprised. Just makes you wonder where the rumoured consortium are though?

Not sure how the Town consortium can run the ground. It's a massive undertaking that would require people with plenty of experience, knowledge and time to devote to it - probably for little or no reward.

The Town fans are right to ask the questions that they have concerns about. I just like others on here don't think there is a better alternative right now then Ken Davys offer risks and all. Plus it does feel like we are going backwards as a club so anything that could give us and the football club a lift would be very welcome.

[quote="faxcar":1y9i3oyf]Neither of the 2 clubs or the Council can continue with as things are, everybody is skint. I was with ListenUp at the weekend and he was messaged from a source that they were hearing the club was on its booty again. When gently prompted for a bit more info it was all a bit cryptic but with our history I wouldn’t be surprised. Just makes you wonder where the rumoured consortium are though?[/quote:1y9i3oyf] The conversation continued, the response wasn't as cryptic as first thought , basically whilst betfred will be sponsoring this weekends game from their side we are struggling to get a match day sponsor which is why it's been mentioned a few times on Facebook this week , the consequences of this means that the players will not receive a match day bonus for the catalan game win lose or draw. On top of that whilst we have obtained new sponsorship deals we have lost some. Also some players are yet to be fully sponsored and the admin are trying to encourage payments to be made . One of the frustrations behind the scenes is that some people are on healthy salaries that aren't necessarily needed but the cutbacks have been made in the playing budget. One positive is that kyle eastmond is having a positive effect on the squad and I've heard this from multiple sources . Hopefully I will be able to attend the fans forum and hope some of these issues are addressed.

I must admit, my own enthusiasm is at an all low and I'm just not interested in attending Saturdays match, especially at 22 quid. I doubt if the club will be attracting any new fans for the coming season, so it's a question of how many existing fans will continue to keep the faith.

[quote="Listenup94":3t37ymfs]The conversation continued, the response wasn't as cryptic as first thought , basically whilst betfred will be sponsoring this weekends game from their side we are struggling to get a match day sponsor which is why it's been mentioned a few times on Facebook this week , the consequences of this means that the players will not receive a match day bonus for the catalan game win lose or draw. On top of that whilst we have obtained new sponsorship deals we have lost some. Also some players are yet to be fully sponsored and the admin are trying to encourage payments to be made . One of the frustrations behind the scenes is that some people are on healthy salaries that aren't necessarily needed but the cutbacks have been made in the playing budget. One positive is that kyle eastmond is having a positive effect on the squad and I've heard this from multiple sources . Hopefully I will be able to attend the fans forum and hope some of these issues are addressed.[/quote:3t37ymfs]Whatever's due to the players needs to be honoured timely and in full..that's a given and any shortfalls need to be addressed by directors at a later stage.What a shambles that Eastmond's good work can be immediately undone by something like this before season has even started in earnest..Not sure what a 50 point beating should attract in terms of financial reward anyway...?

According to the squad announcement every player has a named sponsor. The club whilst being skint and have been appealing for people to get involved with multiple initiatives / pleas the call for players sponsorship stopped when it was filled a couple of weeks ago to my knowledge so something doesn’t add up if their not fully sponsored. Also there was no suggestion that the players weren’t being payed in full as per their basic contracts just bonus related issues for the Cats game?

Further comment from FCTown and their matchday program & Evening Courier. [i:244cdtet] "We recognise that there is concern" - Shaymen address some of the issues regarding the future of The Shay By Tom Scargill Published 1st Feb 2025, 13:22 GMT Updated 1st Feb 2025, 13:40 GMT FC Halifax Town have addressed some of the issues surrounding the future of The Shay in their matchday programme notes ahead of their game with Ebbsfleet United. Writing in his programme notes for today’s home game against Ebbsfleet United, Town chairman David Bosomworth says: "We recognise that there is concern for everyone regarding the future of The Shay stadium and how negotiations include FC Halifax Town. "We are making a brief announcement shortly effectively saying there is nothing more to report at this juncture following the well publicised announcement on January 8. "We can give a brief insight into possible situations regarding the pitch and floodlights, on the basis that nothing is finalised but these are the options/background to possible progress. The Shay "Circa three years ago as a club, we investigated in great detail and came up with a proposal for totally replacing the pitch, including totally new drainage and a hybrid (part synthetic/part grass 5%/95%) to facilitate the playing of rugby and football in the same stadium. "A grant was sought via a football application which would offer 70% towards the cost of the works, with 30% to be provided by other participants, in our case, the Council, the rugby club and the football club. "Having invested £10,000 in professional fees, despite our best efforts it was not possible to progress the opportunity either prior to our 22-23 or 23-24 season due to funding and re-arranging the rugby club fixtures away from The Shay stadium, due to the summer based work. "Within a proposal from the potential buyer of the stadium, if the football club was to put forward and progress the grant application, our understanding is the buyer would manage the financials around the Halifax Panthers playing their games away from The Shay stadium during a 12-14 week period and help with contributions towards the 30% shortfall in respect of rugby contribution. "Floodlights have been a problem for a number of years, not least with two of the pylons being in the wrong position following pitch and stand developments quite a few years ago. "The floodlights are mounted on very old structures, utilising the now more difficult to source ‘metal halide’ hot burn lamps rather than the modern day cool, energy efficient and lower cost LED options. "Less maintenace is required with LED, less CO2 is emitted and you can switch the lamps on and off without any warm up time. "To this end, we are aware of another football based application under the Premier League LED Floodlight Fund which may be applied for, in the quest for our own lighting levels as required by the National League. "They require to be increased as they are currently very close to the minimum accepted levels and may also help contribute to the interested buyer’s requirements for Super League. "Our understanding is the scheme is based on a similar basis to that of the pitch with a 70/30 split and certain specified suppliers to provide quotations. "This is all subject to availability and such an application being progressed. "This is all potentially good news moving forward but there is a lot of detail still to go through, whatever the ultimate solution is to the sale." The Courier has contacted the club for interviews/comments over the future of The Shay over recent weeks but has not been provided with any. [/i:244cdtet]End.

[quote="Listenup94":7yjfvx6l] we are struggling to get a match day sponsor which is why it's been mentioned a few times on Facebook this week [/quote:7yjfvx6l] I know of a few occasions people have been contacted in the week upto a game (as late as Thursday sometimes) asking them to sponsor the match ball or the fixture. Sometimes the reason given is someone has pulled out, but we seemingly rely on the same individuals and businesses to put the cash up time and time again. I went into Halifax Town centre on Sunday, I normally park by that horse statue and walk on because I'm too tight to pay to park, The only mention of Halifax Panthers existing that I saw was the "Next Fixture" board on SKircoat Road (which had already been updated to say Barrow was the next home game, that or they'd never bothered to put the Catalans game on the board) Halifax Town also have very little mention in the town, There are a couple of banners hanging on the front of the courtyard pub, most likely provided by a supporters group and looking fairly weathered. But I saw no other mention of either club anywhere in the town centre. It's no wonder so few people attend games as its hard to know the clubs even existor what they are upto unless you are already a supporter. As far as The Shay goes, I have my reservations about Ken Davy's proposals, but there is no alternative. The council want rid, neither club can take it on so it's going to the open market pretty much, Davy only wanting it temporarily (although for how long and if they ever go back is another issue) means there are potentiallt further problems in 3-5 years time. But as we tend to live year to year, or even month to month, that is an issue for then

[quote="Brew":3tv09ch3]I know of a few occasions people have been contacted in the week upto a game (as late as Thursday sometimes) asking them to sponsor the match ball or the fixture. Sometimes the reason given is someone has pulled out, but we seemingly rely on the same individuals and businesses to put the cash up time and time again. I went into Halifax Town centre on Sunday, I normally park by that horse statue and walk on because I'm too tight to pay to park, The only mention of Halifax Panthers existing that I saw was the "Next Fixture" board on SKircoat Road (which had already been updated to say Barrow was the next home game, that or they'd never bothered to put the Catalans game on the board) Halifax Town also have very little mention in the town, There are a couple of banners hanging on the front of the courtyard pub, most likely provided by a supporters group and looking fairly weathered. But I saw no other mention of either club anywhere in the town centre. It's no wonder so few people attend games as its hard to know the clubs even existor what they are upto unless you are already a supporter. As far as The Shay goes, I have my reservations about Ken Davy's proposals, but there is no alternative. The council want rid, neither club can take it on so it's going to the open market pretty much, Davy only wanting it temporarily (although for how long and if they ever go back is another issue) means there are potentially further problems in 3-5 years time. But as we tend to live year to year, or even month to month, that is an issue for then[/quote:3tv09ch3] Already explained that the banner outside the Shay was put up weeks in advance of our regular season home game against Barrow and they decided not to take it down and put it back up again using social media for both the cup games. On main sponsorships the problem is what exposure are these sponsors getting with no TV deal? Little to none so it's hard to get anyone to shell out even a few hundred quid for nothing in return, I wouldn't would you or any of us? I mean some of us have drawn a line at spending a measly £20. So often that's why it's a last minute thing and not that the club haven't been trying or waited until the last minute not everything is there fault. As it turns out there was reportedly 12,000 people watching on YouTube so that's a possible angle for the club to work to get some sponsors in if whenever we are screened live again. On FC Town, if I saw a poster advertising one of their games the way Fax have been treated by a number of their supporters would invoke various feelings all negative and rather than gain support it would be the exact opposite. Many times I’ve been given and posted all sorts of flyers and seen all sorts of posters but can’t think of one that didn’t end up straight in the bin. Would more advertising in shop windows etc help, possibly and they surely couldn’t do any harm but there is the cost vs return to facture in. My point wasn’t against using them but when they don’t not to launch into a disproportionate slagging off assault on the club as if a few posters would solve all the clubs / larger game issues which require a much broader solution. ( That's even if there is one that everyone would agree to because they haven't found one yet after decades of changes / resets.) What has and is being said from those who knew about the game and didn’t go the reason was the price of admission especially when it was being screened FOC, most if not all of these were Fax or at least rugby supporters so if they choose to do that the number of anyone with lesser interest turning up for the first time on the back of seeing a poster would likely be few in number if any. One person who hadn’t been for a while and turned up without checking posted on the Panther's FB said he was a bit surprised and shocked that it was £25 entrance fee. There’s a lot of factors but. On average. Price seems to be the biggest obstacle and the biggest motivator seems to be seeing a side playing well and having a good chance of winning and if we can get of to a good start hopefully we’ll see a few more turning up. Regarding the Shay it’s pretty reflective of the state of the sporting football and rugby community of the Town and the general financial position of the Councils across the country. From the options on the table the KD one will get the best results the quickest but has the medium / longer issues surrounding his ownership and future of the stadium / clubs to resolve. I’m no legal expert but from all the parties they need to make the security of the ground and clubs as legally watertight as possible and the Council want to make it clearly plain to any future would be chancer that they will never grant planning permission or change of use that doesn’t still guarantee the Shay predominantly remains a sports ground. At least that way even if they sell it and don’t own it they still have a controlling power over what happens to it.

[quote="faxcar":1pzhbvtt]From the options on the table the KD one will get the best results the quickest but has the medium / longer issues surrounding his ownership and future of the stadium / clubs to resolve. I’m no legal expert but from all the parties they need to make the security of the ground and clubs as legally watertight as possible and the Council want to make it clearly plain to any future would be chancer that they will never grant planning permission or change of use that doesn’t still guarantee the Shay predominantly remains a sports ground. At least that way even if they sell it and don’t own it they still have a controlling power over what happens to it.[/quote:1pzhbvtt] Nail on the head and thats been the Working Group's aim from day one. The Council stated their intention of disposing of the Shay and when we came together (last summer) there didnt appear to be any other option on the table. We wanted to avoid the possible worst case of the stadium ending up for sale on the open market. Obviously we see the short-term merits in KD proposal - as a person, his record speaks for itself. Some are of immediate importance (the pitch and certain facilities) whilst others (large screen and digitial advertising) are more beneficial for the Giants. The Working Group doesnt pretend it can quickly resolve these immediate issues. But it is what happens in the long-term i.e. after the Giants return back to Kirklees. Problems may not arise under Ken Davy's ownership, or the next owner. It may be whoever follows them. But, if the Council does proceed with KD, I would be interested in what covenants, etc, could be put in place to provide the long-term security the two clubs need because I understand the options are quite limited.