Ken Davy pulls out of buying Halifax’s The Shay

June 1, 2026

HUDDERSFIELD owner Ken Davy says he won’t be buying Halifax’s The Shay Stadium, because “a small minority” of officials, fans and councillors don’t support him

The Shay had been promoted as a permanent home for the Giants even though it is not in the birthplace of rugby league but that plan has gone up in flames.

The struggling Super League club is leaving their current home, Accu Stadium, at the end of 2026.

Davy said: “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 six percent 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.”