FANS FEAR FOR SHAY DEAL

FC HALIFAX Town could lose a shot at the EFL amid plans for a second rugby league club to play at The Shay.

- \Andy Mitchell

Landlords and stadium operators Calderdale Council have agreed in principle to sell the loss-making home of the National League play-off chasers to Ken Davy, the owner of Super League outfit Huddersfield Giants. Davy wants the stadium, also home to rugby league side Halifax Panthers, as a temporary base from early 2026 while seeking a smaller permanent stadium for the Giants in Huddersfield.

A revamp to meet Super League standards includes the replacement of The Shay’s much-maligned pitch with a new hybrid surface, and while Davy has publicly stated that football would be granted primacy of tenure, a three-way share looks likely to fall foul of EFL regulations.

The EFL confirmed FC Halifax have permission to go up under existing circumstances but that talks are taking place over the proposed changes which, if brought in, would require fresh approval.