Maybe we should merge with Bradford, name the club “West’s” based on the geography and look for a site for a nice new ground somewhere in the Shelf / Brighouse area to mitigate any border issues, pool fan base / resources etc etc.

All stadia problems solved, all IMG boxes ticked for both clubs. Super League here we come for us all.

I've said this before, but for one reason or another the Shay simply hasn't worked for Fax. Regardless of what the "official" capacity is, it's a 20k stadium, far too big with 2 stands permanently empty. It'll probably be cheaper starting a new 10k stadium from scratch somewhere on the outskirts, far cheaper to run and more suited to RL.

I'd be open to this merger. We could try a club name that would be recognisable but that isn't currently in use. As Bulls and Panthers are both in use and there's already a Wests Warriors...maybe something like "Halifax RLFC" for the new merged club name might work?

The Bradford contingency could well have a issue with the name proposal with only Halifax in it although if keep heading in the current direction we might be merging with Siddal and in that scenario the name Halifax won’t be in use so could be available.

Haliford Northern Blue Fax Machines?

W*nky West’s then when we were away at Fev they wouldn’t know what to sing without seeming to be supporting us.

At least so far I haven’’t been banned or received any death threats for suggesting it, as of 2024 and beyond with the RFL & IMG it’s the only way to be as sure as you can be to make progress into the 12.

Fans Forum Audio uploaded. Rent question is at 55 minutes in. https://youtu.be/NPhmo3u3_do?t=3339

Fans Forum Audio uploaded. Rent question is at 55 minutes in. https://youtu.be/NPhmo3u3_do?t=3339

I still think developing ovenden park could be an answer. the rent at the shay is just too high with no bar income . The dining package is just becoming a joke . it might be a case of start again on a low stadium and build to needs . We have ended up in a place that just doesnt give a business chance to thrive . You cant exist without income from your own bar .

Totally agree. Like I said in an earlier post, the Shay is far too big for Fax and Town. I can't see the Skircoat stand ever being used again and we don't even open the North Stand for the Bulls anymore.

The Council could raise a few million selling the Shay and split it 3 ways between themselves, Fax and Town. We could then move on to develop our own self contained smaller stadium and start a new era.

Im not sure how I would feel about moving to a new home. Let us not forget however, the Shay was redeveloped to such a size at the request of the rugby club, who then went on to not pay a penny towards it.

The biggest problem though would be finding the right location for a new stadium. Ovenden Park is a no go...even if the facilities were upgraded, it wouldnt pass planning due to a) a lack of parking and b) the traffic created on a matchday. Lowfields would have been ideal, but thats pretty much full up.

Calderdale has a very uneven landscape, with limited flat spaces empty. Youd also need good public transport links.

I think we are both stuck with the Shay and its a case of finding a way to work together

The Shay is a gold mine waiting for someone to utilise it to it's full potential. Any other rugby/football club would kill for a facility in such a prime location. Talk of going elsewhere is poppycock and shows a total lack of imagination and ambition.

We struggle to attract people to watch now. Moving to an out of town location wont help that where getting to the ground becomes more difficult for both home and away fans. And for a lot of fans those who make an afternoon of it, a shortage of local ale houses.

A winning side with a chance to get into Super League and lower admission prices are among the things needed to get people through the turnstiles wherever you play and since neither of them are likely to happen it looks like the best we can hope for in the short to medium term is to be a competitive side who plays an exciting brand of rugby and to stabilise the finances.

If we had the money to build a new stadium then we wouldn't be in this position in the first place. Its absolutely ludicrous to suggest anything along those lines.
Even if we did have the money Ovenden Park is a horrendous location, couldn't even support an amateur RU team , limited road access, no parking, nowhere near train station.

Does being near the train station make any difference? How many fans catch the train to the Shay? They're always on bloody strike anyway and if they aren't then the trains are either late or cancelled!

Is it possible to knock down Asda and rebuild Thrum Hall?