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History » Modern History
Halifax Town football club, and with it the Shay Stadium, have survived to this day despite, at times, seemingly impossible odds. Exactly whether the club's founders would have bothered had they been privileged enough to see the future isn't clear.
These days the Shay has quickly changed beyond recognition. The two new blocks of terracing at the north and south ends of the pitch have brought the once run-down stadium bang up to date. The Skircoat stand has been turned into an all-seated affair and the East Stand, once completed, will take the stadium's capacity above 10,000 for the first time since the 1970's.
The Shay is no longer just a football ground and is now home to not only Halifax Town, but also Halifax RLFC. The Blue Sox, as they were then known, moved to the Shay in 1998 after their historic home at Thrum Hall had, like the Shay, fallen into a state of disrepair.
Redevelopment has come at a cost, the majority of which has been provided through grants, but it also has to be mentioned that it wouldn't have been possible at all without the coming together of the town's two professional sporting clubs.
This, then, has been the history of the Shay Estate, and later the Shay Stadium.
If there must be a conclusion it is that the Shay and controversy have never been far apart - this is something that will hopefully change one day soon. A new generation of sports fans will grow up in Halifax and it must be hoped that the majority of them look fondly on the Shay Stadium and the clubs that make it their home.
The authour, Johnny Meynell, is always keen to hear from people who can offer additional information or corrections.
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