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Exclusive: Halifax Panthers Pitch Problems Unveiled! Council Hunts for…
CALDERDALE Council has stated that they are now discussing how to enhance the problematic pitch at The Shay with joint tenants FC Halifax Town and the Halifax Panthers.
This season, the Panthers have played all seven of their scheduled home games; nevertheless, a series of call-offs owing to flooding have affected the football team. In an attempt to save £18 million over the course of three years, the local authorities decided not to operate the stadium, therefore they ended up transferring three matches away from it.
Town moved their National League matches against Barnet and Ebbsfleet United to Accrington Stanley’s Wham Stadium, while Chesterfield’s SMH Group Stadium hosted the matchup with Oldham, amid concerns that the pitch at The Shay would once more be declared unusable.
Frustrated spectators questioned why other venues, including the adjacent Huddersfield, could successfully host both sports and accused the authorities of neglecting to keep the pitch to the required condition.
“We understand how important the condition of The Shay pitch is to enable the sports that mean so much to fans, to Halifax, and to Calderdale’s culture,” said Ian Day, director of public services for Calderdale Council, in a statement.
“We’re still determined to preserve the field in a playable condition, and we’re still doing everything we can to maintain it in between rugby and football matches.
Regretfully, following one of the rainiest winters ever, we had one of the wettest Marchs on record, which has resulted in persistent issues. “We are keeping up our joint investigation into maintenance solutions and longer-term plans for the pitch, and we are preparing our customary intensive improvement works to the surface throughout the summer break in the fixture calendar.”
Since the Rugby League team sold their original ground, Thrum Hall, in 1998, they have called The Shay home. It was renovated starting in the 1990s, and football has been played there since 1921.
