Ken Davy Statement on Shay Stadium

“Today, 1 June 2026, I have informed Calderdale Council that I will not be progressing my interest in purchasing the Shay Stadium, Halifax.

From the very beginning I made it absolutely clear to the Council, the football and rugby clubs and indeed, the various supporters groups I have met, that I would only continue my  interest in the Shay Stadium, and sport in Halifax in general, if my input and involvement was welcome.

Unfortunately, in the respect of a small minority,  it is abundantly clear that this is not the case. 

This outcome is obviously disappointing. I am however especially disappointed for the wider sporting community of Calderdale, as I had hoped to develop the Shay into a truly multisport centre for the community of Calderdale as a whole, rather than just the around 6% who currently use it to attend rugby or football matches.

The Shay does at least now have the benefit of a new state of the art pitch, which the football and rugby clubs and the Council, assure me would not have happened without my involvement,  and I wish everyone in Calderdale every success in the future.

In respect of the Giants, my withdrawal changes very little. I suspect the Shay would probably still be a rental option for us, given its need for income, and that goes for a number of other sites in and around our area. In addition our challenge to Kirklees Council remains in that we need a permanent site to secure our long term future."

Ken Davy OBE