Terriers are sole stadium owners

LANDMARK DEAL AFTER YEARS OF DISCUSSIONS

- By ABIGAIL MARLOW

Accu Stadium is now owned by Huddersfield Town

HUDDERSFIELD Town now owns Accu Stadium after reaching a landmark decision after years of discussions.

The club will take full operational control of the venue and surrounding 53-acre site with immediate effect.

The deal, announced yesterday, sees Huddersfield Town become the venue's 100 per cent shareholder. Until this point, the stadium - formally known as John Smith's Stadium - has been managed by Kirklees Stadium Development Limited, with shares previously held by Kirklees Council (40%), Huddersfield Town Association Football Club (40%), and Huddersfield Giants Rugby League Football Club (20%).

The agreement marks the conclusion of long-running discussions between the three parties.

Huddersfield Town says the agreement will enable it to deliver its plans to invest in the stadium.

In recent years, the council made it clear it no longer wanted to be involved in the business side of the stadium. However, it will be keeping the freehold which will ultimately protect the future usage of the site. A 300-year leasehold agreement has been signed.