That's why I suggested developing existing grounds such as Ovenden RU (never been there, just guessing it's developable). Don't agree with your view that being a town centre stadium is an advantage ... on the contrary it tends to put folk off as car parking is a nightmare as the Council has made sure the centre is a no go area. Like to think away RL fans enjoy their away day at the Shay .... that's if we had any!

Just think as a Fax breakaway a bit like Brexit. Not popular with many but better in the long run as we'll grow stronger through independence and not have to depend on unreliable partners. It's all about having confidence and self belief.

Doesn't the athletics stadium have enough land to develop it. It's roughly 45 seconds away as well!

Could have had one stand along the side nearest the road but they built something there, both ends have no space (bus garage at one side and registery office, likely a listed building at the other) and the side furthest from the road backs onto the railway.

TonyFax mentioned Siddal, but access would prevent planning permission from ever been granted, they can get 1000 up there already and it makes the area terrible for parked cars etc.

Siddal also are probably closer in terms of relationship to Huddersfield now than Halifax, I believe the Giants train there and I know they host scholarship games there also.

Plus people have this grand idea of what a stadium should look like, when the reality is that Sheffield's latest home is what new RL grounds are going to look like if any more get built, a single stand containing most amenities. And many people wouldn't like that

Not necessarily, Brew. Salford and Warrington both built tidy RL stadiums and Wakey are developing their existing ground which should also become a nice compact RL stadium. It depends who you jump into bed with .... Sheffield are nomads who don't seem to have a choice.

Good point about Siddal. It was just a suggestion as to how there are available spaces scattered around and I've always felt strongly about the shortcomings of the Shay in particular its central location. Thrum Hall was a couple of miles from the centre (on the top of the hill at that) but always proved more popular.

The proof is in the pudding, we're getting poor crowds despite the hard work put in by the directors in giving kids free tickets and laying on entertainment. It's quite disheartening to be standing in the thinly spread South Stand looking across at empty seats in the East Stand and entirely empty North and Skircoat stands. It's as if everyone is expecting crowds to suddenly get better, but tbh even if we were sitting in 2nd place I reckon the crowds will be the same. Just a general observation

An out of town ground won't increase attendances. I agree with Bubba, yes the Shay has some flaws but it is central, close to amenities and accessible via car or public transport for both home and away fans.

It's also more than adequate for championship rugby and lower league football and I'd say better than some SL grounds.

The idea of Spring Hall track is also a no go as this now houses Ravenscliife School.

Why is this being talked about. We are at the Shay and staying there. Yes the west stand needs to be pulled down and redone with proper toilet facilities but over all it’s a good ground east stand is comfortable to sit and great views of the pitch (never Been in the south or north stand. ) the playing Surface always looks good (except after the football season)

This thread was about SG we have lost some but when the season started everyone agreed it was going to the closest competition for some years. We are still in the play off positions and still allot of the season to go.

The crowd at the season opener was 2,150 or something similar against Sheffield who hardly brought the fifty. Not great but a decent figure to build on. The problem being we didn't build on it due to poor results, Widnes/Barrow. A missed opportunity. I disagree about The Shay's location, most sports teams would kill to have a town centre site in the heart of the community, just ask anyone who's club have moved out of central locations. As for the future of the ground how about this, the council see The Shay as a millstone around it's neck whilst I see it as a fantastic amenity for sport and fitness for the young people of Halifax and District. Give the ground to the two clubs presently incumbant there and safeguard it for sport in Halifax. Everybody wins. P.S. Even our green 'friends' from Tod and Hebden would be welcome lol!

The Shay! FCHT, HP, ground share and seemingly that is where the cordiality ends, It seems there has been sniping by both sides since the move from ThrumHall some 25 years ago, Fax ( Blue Sox as was) did not want to be there, but regularly drew crowds of circa5000, the football club was on the wane and did not have the same crowd pull, hence a little jealousy.
Added to this the Almighty Council could not decide how to finish the rebuild.
Possible solution as mentioned previously, the council hand the running of the ground to Halifax Sporting Club, both having 50% ownership, get both sets of directors round the table, they are grown adults (allegedly), working together for the common good, share marketing ideas and common resources, and drive both clubs forward as a united venture,
Will it work, not a snowballs chance in hell.

It won't work if you don't try it!

Halifax Town were promoted to football league in 1998 with similar if not greater crowd averages of 5k.....

Really? I could have sworn I attended Town's last ever football league match against Hereford in the 80s.

Hereford was 1993,promoted back 1998 and relegated again 2002.