Take a Tour of The Shay!

The Shay is the home ground of FC Halifax Town (formerly Halifax Town Association Football Club) which is based in West Yorkshire, England. FC Halifax Town are currently in the Unibond Northern Premier League Division One (North) which is step 8 of the English football pyramid. Halifax Town (nicknamed The Shaymen) were formed in 1911 and were founder members of the Third Division (North) in 1921. The Shaymen lost their Football League status in 1993 but won the GM Vauxhall Conference in 1998 and were promoted back to the Football League. Halifax were relegated to the Nationwide Conference again in 2002 but came close to winning promotion back to the Football League via the play-offs in 2006. At the end of the 2007/08 season Halifax Town narrowly escaped relegation from the Conference but were declared bankrupt shortly afterwards. FC Halifax Town was formed in the summer of 2008 and took its place in the Unibond Division One (North) at the start of the 2008/09 season.

Here are a few photos of The Shay, home to The Shaymen since 1921.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

            

 

The view of The Shay from the North Stand. On the right is the Skircoat Stand. Straight ahead is the South Stand which is used for home and away supporters. To the left is the yet to be completed East Stand. The changing rooms are housed beneath the East Stand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

                 

                          The Skircoat Stand. Currently the main stand at The Shay and the only seated part of the ground.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

                Inside the Skircoat Stand. The stand was half standing, half seating until 1998 when it was made all seating.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                              The view of the back of the Skircoat Stand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The South Stand. This is the standing area for both home and away supporters. It used to be the away end until someone realised that it was the only part of the ground which had room for a bar!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The half-built East Stand. This part of the ground has been like this for several years now. It was started when The Shaymen were still in the Football League. Relegation meant that its completion was put on hold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The North Stand. This used to be the away end and is now disused. It provides an excellent view of the pitch and also gives ample protection from the wind and rain!

 

 

 

                                                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                      The back of the South Stand. This is the standing terrace and houses the aptly-named South Stand Bar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Weavers restaurant on the main car park. It used to offer hospitality to club sponsors and officials but is now closed and awaiting demolition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               The back of the East Stand. The Players' entrance is the the hole in the wall in the centre of the picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The view of The Shay as the players enter the ground. Judging by the the visitor in the top right of the picture it would seem that The Shay is a popular hunting ground for the local moggies!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                   The corridor underneath the East Stand. The away changing rooms are on the left.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           The players' tunnel. The home changing rooms are on the left of the picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     The main car park. Parking is also available at the Skircoat entrance although that is mainly for disabled supporters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                The Shay on a freezing cold Tuesday night in January. Where else would you rather be?