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History
Halifax Town FC have made their home at the Shay Stadium for some 83 years, but the history of the area the stadium now occupies can be traced back much further - many centuries in fact.
The Shay lies on the south side of Halifax, about a quarter of a mile from the town centre. Today, as you travel along Skircoat Road past the stadium, it is hard to imagine the scene here some hundred years ago and more.
This area of Halifax has changed beyond all recognition. Once there were beautiful green fields with houses including a Georgian mansion lying thereon. The peaceful Caygill's Walk (so named after one of the Shay Estate's early owners) ran through the area; the setting could have been miles from anywhere.
The change in landscape has been dramatic. From this pleasant scene to corporation tip and finally now a sports stadium with a busy A-road to the side. The three maps below show at a glance the transformation of the Shay Estate.
Caygill's Walk can be clearly seen in 1852 running to the west of what would become the stadium. The 1907 map shows nothing on the Shay site - after Skircoat Road had been constructed nothing was left but waste land. But by 1933 the Shay Stadium is very much prominent.
Click on the maps to zoom in.
More on the history of the Shay Estate:
Thanks to Halifax Town historian Johnny Meynell for allowing us to use this modified version of his 'History of the Shay Estate'.
Before moving to the Shay Stadium in 1998, Halifax RLFC played at Thrum Hall in the north-west part of town. Built in 1886, Thrum Hall played host to the rugby club for 112 years. A brief history of Thrum Hall is available on this website here, with thanks to Halifax RLFC historian Andrew Hardcastle.
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