MBi Shay Stadium – Halifax Town

The ground is set into the side of a hill which gives it an enclosed but very green look. On one side is the relatively new Main (East) Stand. This single tiered, covered, seated stand, has had a chequered history. It was originally constructed during the 2001/02 season, but due to financial problems it was left unfinished for some years, before the work re-commenced in 2009, with the stand finally opening in 2010. The stand is of a fair size, having a capacity of 3,500 and has some corporate hospitality boxes located at the back of it. There are windshields to either side and it has a rather odd look with a large area for wheelchair supporters being incorporated half way up on one side. The stand disappointingly has a shallow angle, meaning that spectators seated at the back of the Stand are situated quite far away from the playing action. The players tunnel and team dugouts are located on this side.

Opposite is the covered all seated Skircoat Stand. This old looking stand has a line of supporting pillars running across the front of it. It was opened a couple of years after the Club moved into the Shay in 1921. The roof of the stand pre-dates this, as it once was in place at Manchester City’s old Hyde Road Ground, which Manchester City left in 1923 to move to Maine Road. The Skircoat Stand doesn’t run the full length of the pitch and has grassy banks to either side. There are also a number of large trees that can be seen on the hill behind it, giving the ground a rural feel. Both ends are good sized covered terraces, both of which were built in the late 1990’s. However, the North Terrace is only open for the bigger matches. One ‘hangover’ from the delays of the building of the Main Stand is that in the South East corner of the stadium there is the steelwork erected for what was going to be a hospitality area, but this was not completed along with the Main Stand.

Away fans are normally housed in the Skircoat Stand on one side of the pitch. Although covered it does have a number of supporting pillars running along the front of it that may hinder your view. Around 1,450 away supporters can be accommodated in this area. Although the facilities in this old stand are basic, the acoustics inside the stand are good, meaning that away fans can really generate some noise from this area.

For Clubs where there is only a small away following (less than 250), then the north section of the Main Stand is allocated. Whilst for games where a large away contingent is expected, then the North Terrace can be opened. Normally a relaxed but normally rather cold (with the wind normally blowing off the Pennines) day out. 

Food available inside normally includes; 1/2lb Cheeseburgers (£5), 1/2lb Burgers (£4.50), 1/4lb Cheeseburgers (£3.50), 1/4lb Burgers (£3), Chickenburger (£3), Large Hot Dogs (£2.70), Small Hot Dogs (£1.70), a range of Pies (Meat & Potato, Steak & Kidney, Cheese & Onion,  all £3.50, served with peas), Pork Pies (£3.50), Cornish Pasties (£3.50), Sausage Rolls (£2.50), Chips and Curry Sauce (£2.50), Chips (£2).

There is a supporters club at the ground, called the South Stand Bar which admits away fans. However, it is rather on the small side, having a capacity of 200 and fills up quickly. If away fans are housed in the Main Stand then alcohol is available albeit in the form of bottles and cans of Carlsberg. Whilst I believe that the Club does not sell alcohol to visiting supporters sat in the Skircoat Stand. Around a five minute walk from the stadium is the Three Pigeons pub on Sun Fold Road. Owned by the Ossett Brewery it is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and normally on matchdays, has a good mix of home and away supporters. Also quite close to the ground, albeit a little tricky to find down some back streets is the Shears Inn. This old pub is located on Paris Gates at the bottom of Boys Lane. It has six real ales on tap and offers food too.

Otherwise, the Shay Stadium is in an easy walking distance of the town centre where there are plenty of pubs to be found. These include a Wetherspoon pub on Rawson Street called the Barum Top, whilst on Winding Road there is the Old Post Office. Mike Finister-Smith recommends the Victorian Craft Beer Cafe on Powell Street, behind the Halifax Victoria Theatre as well as the Royal Oak on Clare Road, which has a good selection of real ale.

From the M62 motorway, take the A629 at Junction 24 and follow the signs for Halifax. The Shay ground is on the right-hand side after about three miles. Parking at the stadium is limited (£5), however, there is some street parking to be had, but only if you arrive early. Otherwise, it is a case of parking in one of the nearby town centre car parks.

Halifax Railway Station is only five minute walk away from the Shay Stadium.  The station is on the Trans Pennine route between Leeds & Manchester. On exiting the station approach turn left onto Church Street. Keep straight on this road, passing the Three Pigeons pubs and you will reach the stadium entrance on your right.

Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets:

Official Programme £3

All Areas Of The Ground (including the away section):
Adults £20
Concessions £17*
Under 18’s £9
Under 12’s £5
Under 7’s £3

* Concessions apply to Over 65’s and Students with current ID.

FC Halifax Town fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website)

For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the 
Level Playing Field website.

Record Attendance

36,885 v Tottenham Hotspur
FA Cup 5th Round, February 15th, 1953.

For an FC Halifax Town Fixture:
8,042 v Bradford City
FA Cup 1st Round, November 9th, 2014.

Average Attendance
2018-2019: 1,553 (National League)
2017-2018: 1,726 (National League)
2016-2017: 1,810 (National League North)

If you require hotel accommodation in Halifax then first try a hotel booking service provided by Booking.com. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Just input the relevant dates and click on “Search” below or on the hotel of interest on the map to get more information. The map is centered on the football ground. However, you can drag the map around or click on +/- to reveal more hotels in the town centre or further afield.

Unofficial Web Site:  Any recommendations?

If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please email me at: [email protected]  and I’ll update the guide.

Special thanks to Russell Cox for providing the photo of the Main Stand. Visit his Wycombe Wanderer ground hopping blog.