Shay Stadium sale to be reviewed after leadership changes at Calderdale Council
Reform UK took control of Calderdale in the May elections and have been critical of the previous Labour administration’s decision to sell the Halifax ground
Last updated 14th May 2026
The controversial issue of selling The Shay Stadium will be reviewed at the first Calderdale Council Cabinet meeting of the new local government year, say ruling group Reform UK.
Reform UK took control of Calderdale in the May elections and have been critical of the previous Labour administration’s decision to sell the Halifax home of professional clubs, football’s FC Halifax Town and rugby league’s Halifax Panthers.
In a statement on the group’s social media, Reform say: “The Shay will be on the agenda at the very first Reform Cabinet meeting to review Labour’s decision to sell.”
The news comes hard on the heels of confirmation from campaign group Friends of the Shay that they have now engaged legal teams to challenge Calderdale Council’s decision to dispose of The Shay.
Friends of the Shay was formed to challenge the decision to sell and processes, including legally, through Judicial Review.
The then Cabinet’s disposal decision two years ago – to save money in a tough financial climate – was confirmed by Budget council and after talks with the clubs about taking over did not bear fruit, the front runner became an offer from Huddersfield Giants’ rugby league club owner Ken Davy to buy the Shay estate.
Mr Davy wants to base his team at The Shay – where all three professional clubs would play – while a site is identified and built for Giants in Kirklees, but the proposal has worried some supporters as to what would happen if he later decided to sell.
Reform UK say leader Coun Dan Sutherland (Illingworth and Mixenden) has met with the council’s chief executive, Robin Tuddenham, to set out the group’s priorities and new approach to governance.
“We were assured by the CEO that he and his team will work to deliver Reform’s agenda.
“We are committed to working constructively with them to ensure that happens,” say the group.
As well as The Shay, they added other key points of discussion were issues with roadworks “blighting” town centres and “plans to put a stop to pointless committees and focus on taking action.”
Among Reform UK’s pledges in the local elections were to “cut wasteful spending and deliver the lowest possible taxes for hard-working local residents, whilst delivering vital services.”
They also includes pledges on fixing potholes, reversing “anti-car” policies, addressing anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping and to “ensure cleaner parks and streets”.
They pledged to “protect our Green Belt from over-development” and , following the group’s recent motion at full council a pledge to “ensure housing is prioritised for local people.”
Calderdale’s Reform UK group has also pledged to oppose the controversial Calder Energy Park proposals for a giant windfarm on moorland above Hebden Bridge, a decision on which will ultimately lay with national Government.