Ken Davy visits ‘The Shay’ pitch development

Huddersfield Giants owner and Chairman Ken Davy has visited the Shay to assess the new pitch developments in operation.

Ken announced his vision, earlier in the year, to build a purpose-built stadium facility for the Giants in Huddersfield. He also announced his intention to buy the Shay as a temporary home for the Giants until this was achieved. However, there is a certain amount of work that would need to be done to bring the stadium up to Super League standards, part of this work would be installing a new pitch.

With the two clubs operating out of ‘The Shay’ being unable to fund the pitch renovations needed should three clubs ultimately use it, Ken has provided an interest free loan to ensure the pitch is ready in time even though there are no guarantees the Giants will be playing at the Stadium.

Our chairman visited the Shay on Tuesday to assess the progress of the pitch and said:

“I’m absolutely delighted that work is going on as everybody had hoped. But of course, the reality is it wouldn’t have happened without my willingness to provide interest free loans, which are both long-term to the two clubs. There’s no secret about this, it’s been well publicised, but both clubs have said that despite the pitch being in a dreadful state, the funds were simply not available to do the work. There has been welcome funding from the Football Foundation which has been a massive help but the application for the funding wouldn’t have happened If I wasn’t providing the loans. There is some risk attached. We’re working very hard to try and ensure we are able to get to the Shay, but it’s not a guarantee. I’m not an expert on these matters but I think the latest date we could find out is in October. It does create a potential problem in terms of getting the other work done for the 2026 season to meet the full Super League requirements. It’s something we’re working on now to see if we an find a way of getting the work done. But again, it’s not a guarantee”

Pictured at the Shay Left to Right - Damian Clayton MBE - CEO Halifax Panthers, Alan Chappelow - Chappelow Sports Turf, Ken Davy OBE - Chairman Huddersfield Giants, Dr Richard Earl - Independent Specialist.