Having read through the article I think right now that it is a good thing if Mr Abbott achieved owning the Shay. I do understand and agree some of the things the Soccer lot want. I will add some of what he says with comments

“We want to give long term security to the clubs and would back this up with 99-year leases.”
I think that is a minimum. I would also like something in place that should ever Reactiv/Mr Abbott is forced to sell off the Shay that something is in place that assures Fax/Town are able to continue playing there. I would like Mr Abbott can own 80% and the 2 Clubs 10% free shares in the Shay and also get to have a say in any developments. I would like a safety plan should anything happen to Mr Abbott that he and the clubs have no control over.
I think the Council wont do anything more to develop the Stadium and the South and North Stand needs work and even more so the Skircoat Stand which needs the toilets and seating sorting out ASAP. The ground will end up being wasted. I feel under Abbotts plans the ground will become something better for all. The Soccer lot seem to be happy with this. I think Halifax is a backwater of a town thanks to the Council failing to sort out the Centre of town for Shoppers and tourists. I am of the opinion that if the Shay stays under the Council our sporting teams will suffer and struggle to push on to bigger things and the Shay will end up becoming an old relic like Thrum Hall was which sadly had no place in the modern sporting world.

"Halifax Town’s directors were approached but were unavailable for comment at the time of printing."
Why are they frightened to say anything and why have they been saying no for Abbott to Sponsor them? The Soccer lot are quick to have a go at Mr Abbott, but why are their own club so secretive? Questions should be asked of the Halifax Town club as much as Mr Abbott. What do the Football Club want or even think? The Soccer club seem to be quite happy to sit still and do nothing regarding the stadium. Why?

I think the Football club should also respond to Mr Abbott's claim that he's offered to sponsor their games but his money has been turned down by the club. In current economic climate, I'd have thought someone wanting to sponsor a game or matchball would be welcomed with open arms?

We also know that when Malcolm was in charge of the club shop he offered space to Town and offered to sell for them, they declined.
The club and their supporters seem to have a deep rooted chip on their shoulders, I don't think they will every forgive us for being succesful.
Personally I don't like football, but, would welcome a successful football team in Halifax just like I would like a good cricket team with Halifax as it's name and I might even stretch a point and like a good Rugby Rah Rah team with the name Halifax. (not too sure about that one)

Don't know how they will blame this on Mr Abbott, Town winning 1 nil until 90th minute, lose 2. 1.
See, we do have a lot in common!

Good entertainment their thread, look I want Town to be as successful as they can as it would be great for the Town but some - not all - of their fans are crackers.

When did Tony "sign up" with Fax?

Town fans on their site claiming the only investment. He's made was £35K to set up club in 2008?

I didn't know he was involved then? And they forget he's main share holder now.

They're definitely turning it into a rugby v football thing eh?

Quite sad and desperate really

£100k last year plus everything else, let them throw their teddy out the pram. Pathetic small minded idiots.

These Town fans are small minded prats simple..... Tony was a football fan way before he knew what a rugby ball was and a huge Spurs fan. He literally only got involved in rugby due to his lad playing at Siddal.

How much as Tony invested in Calderdale in the last few years by employing its people, amateur sport, professional sport, sponsorship etc etc. his business was recognised nationally for being a business that goes above and beyond the call of duty by making people's dreams come true.

I just wonder how many of these biggots have friends, family, partners etc working for the Reactiv Group???? This Town versus Fax dynamic is pathetic and I get annoyed when people like Gavin use this issue to feather their own pertard and seem full of their own importance rather than tackling the real issue that lies as resentment within the football club itself.

To be so pathetic as to turn Tonys money away shows the childish and pathetic behaviour we are up against within the football club.

Surely lets see what Tonys plans are properly before we raise any comments or demands. Tony is a reasonable guy and will listen. But oh no Town fans resort to threats, making accusations and bringing his young family into it..???? WTF?

Tony doesn't deserve this and people on remand are even told innocent until proven guilty....?? What has To y done that is so wrong...??

In thus currently climate the clubs need each other, we need to stand tall and together and give the Town something to be proud of. I have to say I am ashamed of how so called fans of a football club can be so pathetic and veil! Passion is one thing but channel it in the right areas and see what happens. Those people trying to organise demonstrations at rugby games etc are merely using the stadium as an excuse to have a go at the rugby club which is absolutely disgusting. I personally want both clubs maximising revenue, being the best we can be in the highest possible division. That way we all win!

I'm astonished at the level of hate that's branded around when both clubs have contributed much to the Town over the years. It's a sad state of affairs when the two clubs in the town can't abide one another how very sad.

Maybe one day we will stand together and have something to be proud of, right now this whole episode is deeply embarrassing and targeting a thoroughly nice bloke whom I know will have very sincere intentions to give something back to his adopted home.

I wish the world had more Tony Abbotts in it.....

One of their latest posts claims that Fax are £250,000 in the red and owe £80,000 in rent!

Where the hell did they get that gem from?

Add that to some of the disgusting and sometimes libelous comments about Tony Abbott and his company and I really do believe it's time that legal action was taken. They have to be made to realise that they can't just hide behind an internet forum using an alias.

I know that most of them would be graded Epsilon Minus intellectually but that's not a valid excuse.

That Mr V in particular is a bilious know nothing no mark. He claims in one thread that the standard of football has got worse as the number of qualified coaches has increased! He'll be one of those that screams all sorts of nonsense at young kids from the touch line!

Got to admire how we react! Think most of us agree we want to hear more from Mr Abbott but don't deny he has both clubs' interests at heart?

Did `nt the Towns Board even refuse money and to communicate with their own Supporters Trust due to certain matters when they took over,so it`s hardly surpising is it?

I'd rather wait until the officials have made announcements. We certainly shouldn't be pontificating on how negotiations are progressing on the strength of words muttered and typed by soccer fans.

Its clear that Fax over the years could and should have done things a bit better. But the same could be said of the Soccer club. But this attitude from a large number of Halifax Town fans on the forum towards the Rugby Club and anybody connected to it is a disgrace. Threatening people and spreading libel etc is just bang out of order. Where is this massive debt that we allegedly have? Where is the evidence we owe loads of rent? No evidence, but plenty of lies spread by the Soccer lot. Saying Tony has no local connections is another thing fabricated by these muppets. Thats why he lives here since many years and has built his company here employing hundreds!

Whoever the mods are on that forum should be ashamed of themselves with the lies and abuse that is allowed to be posted and accepted. People moan on here about our Mods, but I think they do a good job and keep things in check and no such BullSht would be posted as over their. Bubba is such a stuck up idiot and so full of himself. He should be asking questions of his Soccer club instead of helping lead a hate campaign against Tony Abbott and co. He can say its not Rugby v Soccer. But him and his friends on that site have made it such and have once again showed that they are such lowlifes. Its clear there will always be a them and us. The more I hear and read from the fans and how the club deliberately works against the rugby club, the more the gap widens. I wonder why anybody would ever want to have anything to do with the soccer club if they will likely be abused. No wonder the club refuses to speak to the fans

I hope some more details are released in to what Tony wants to achieve and hope that it benefits everybody. I also hope the Council should they decide to sell make sure that something is in place so that Fax (and Town) will never ever be forced out of the Shay. The shay will be a relic in 10 or 15 years time as the council has no money and neither do the clubs. For somebody like Tony to offer to run it , the council must look at it. I hope Tony can take over, but that the right safeguards are in place for the future and that the clubs as well as the stadium and the local community can benefit.

B*llocks to their Forum, How many people are posting 30, 40?
Do we think they are a true representative of Town supporters?
They are like those people who turn up at demonstrations simply because there is a demonstration.
Some bloke who commented in the Courier (something to do with the supporters trust) seems to have a hidden agenda.
I have never placed a bet in my life, but, I bet Town Directors are happy with Mr Abbotts proposal, I bet they are happy to let these clowns cause all the distraction, simply to deflect anger towards them.

Ignore them, it's up to the Council,
To the Council "you know it makes sense"

Personally I think the town fans are turning it into a vendetta against the man
himself Tony Abbott and the way he goes about his business. The fact that Reactiv operates
within the media sector and "cold call"'s people to make their money. Fair comment.
I'm yet to see a millionaire town fan offer to put his money where his mouth is though. oh wait yes I have..T.Abbott.

I see a guy who is willing to try to improve things for everyone using his expertise.
I don't see any of the Town board stepping forward to offer to go 50/50? As a supporter of both
clubs since childhood (I'm 24 now) I always favoured Fax as I played Rugby League as a schoolboy
but I always had one eye on FCHT and wished they'd do well. Spent many an afternoon watching
The Shaymen.

After reading up on the town forum I'm seeing an awful lot of closed-mindedness but then again
I believe Football fans in general are that way out (It took them god knows how long to
get "goal line technology" installed for christ sake). Why so unhappy? Promoted back onto the national stage at last after some dark days and competing against the "bigger teams". Should be jumping for joy!!! Just make sure you take a packed lunch with them prices..

I feel the biggest grievance shaymen supporters have in the argument is the cases at Coventry etc but I just see it as paranoia. FCHT are not Coventry City!! Do you not think If the stand was Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinally finished people might actually find The Shay a pleasant place to spend their time and money with their family and friends? I certainly do. I'd like the Town board to issue a response as soon as possible otherwise this debate could rumble on longer than Nigel Wood's 2x12/3x8 vision.

Finally I just want to say Thank You to Tony and his team for showing my hometown clubs the way forward. keep up the good work.

Now to get behind the teams and make some noise

Oo to, oo to be, oo to be a FAX FAN