Shay Story

FC Halifax Town 2-1 Boston United (National League)

A ground I’ve been trying to get to for an awful long time is the Shay, longstanding home of Halifax Town and of course Halifax Panthers Rugby League which is very big around these parts of West Yorkshire.

Before liquidation in 2008, I always thought of Halifax as a football league club, founder members of the Third Division North in 1921, they stood firm in the bottom two tiers of the league until 1993, following five seasons in the Conference they returned to the league for four campaigns before relegation again, in 2003, and after failing to gain promotion, the clubs finances slowly worsened, before liquidation after ramping up over £2m debt.

The club has since reborn under the ‘FC’ banner and it feels like it’s been heading in the right direction ever since, they took six years in getting back to the fifth tier of the football pyramid and after one relegation setback, which they quickly rebounded from a year after (gaining promotion in 2016/17), they have been in the National League Premier Division for nine years and the last two campaigns, like this one, have been there or abouts in playoff contention, mixing it with those gaining sights on promotion to League Two.

My memories of Halifax probably date back to the time Nottingham Forest played them in the 1987/88 FA Cup third round, I can just about picture the grainy images of a cow patch pitch under yellow lights, Forest in all red winning 4-0 in front of 4,000, the stadium at the time had increased in capacity following restrictions imposed following the recent Bradford stadium fire, the ground back then was used for speedway and had a grey track running around it, nothing like it is today.

The Shay itself actually dates back to the 1400’s, named after the small woods around the vicinity it was largely privately owned land which didn’t actually begin use as a sports facility until 1921, but you feel that ever since it has grown into the towns natural central sporting hub, although uncertainty over its future lies with the council owned facility up for sale with Huddersfield Giants owner Ken Davy said to be keen.

As for Halifax Town, there form has been good in recent weeks under Adam Lakeland, they comfortably beat Anstey Nomads 4-0 last time out in the FA Trophy, I saw them play over New Year where they were impressive in beating Tamworth, they did lose a tight match at Forest Green but are hovering just outside the playoffs and are in a position with intent to pounce.

Things haven’t been going so well for Boston, I watched them a couple of weeks ago get beat 2-1 at home to Eastleigh, they since drew 0-0 at Braintree but that wasn’t enough to save Graham Coughlan his job, former Grimsby Town and Ipswich Manager Paul Hurst returns to the Pilgrims for a second spell, during 2009-2011 he shared managerial duties with Rob Scott before moving on to a decent spell at Blundell Park.

It’s around an hour forty my journey north, as I head up the M1 and west across the M62, coming off at junction 26 I’m on the A58 to Hiperholme, the view over the valleys sometimes stunning, a mixture of mist and sunshine straight ahead but to the south the skies are grey.

The Venue

The Saturday traffic is busy as I hit Halifax town centre, it’s not a place I know much about but feels like it’s a real traditional old working town carved in between the hillsides with road and rail bridges hogging the eyeline around Northgate.

I’m driving over cobbled streets and past sandstone mills before finally arriving at the stadium, it’s unassuming, hidden, set back off the leafy Shaw Hill as I cross the road to walk towards the car park after pulling up on a side street where I parked, the Boston United team coach arriving at the same time as myself.

I await the players and staff to get off the bus before heading into reception, where I tell them my name on the door, ‘up to level three’ I’m told, as I take the lift, before walking out into the open, birds eye view on the pitch down below, the sun now beaming over the stand to my left behind the goal, it’s a lovely football home, big and spacious but intimate, the Shay is carved into the hills that surround it, the Skirkoat Stand opposite is literally carved into a grassy bank, the oldest stand of the lot is apex roofed and propped up by posts, behind each goal, North & South are large covered terraced areas, the stand I’m in is modern, all-seated, views set back but perfect, I’m a good twenty rows up it feels, probably more, as I take my desk besides a local reporter.

Peter Costello has arrived; he used to play for both clubs and is on radio duty today for BBC Lincolnshire. “It’s lovely to be back here” he tells the reporter. “I came here on loan once you know. 1993, one goal, one assist, one red card” Costello continues “I’m from Halifax, I used to come here as a kid, I was here the day they beat Man City in the FA Cup, that must have been 1980”.

I’m earwigging as one of three people inside the ground, but my attention is drawn to my mobile phone whilst watching todays Manchester City side getting beat 2-0 by United in the Manchester Derby.

The crowd does eventually pick up ahead of kick off, not by many though, officially the Shay holds just over 10,000 (I reckon it could double that) but crowds only average around 1,500, which is disappointing, the stand I’m in has a healthy spreading of mainly old boys, dads and lads, watching, seated with a view, to the left there’s a splattering of ultras stood at the back of a very large stand, opposite in the corner of the Skirkoat is around 150 from Boston, whilst the stand to the right of that is empty, but for a large number of flags tied to the terracing barriers.

The Game

There’s breaking news as the Shaymen’s star player Josh Hmami isn’t included in the matchday squad, he’s apparently attracting football league interest, and looks to be wanting away, Halifax look to be 4-3-3 with a workmanlike midfield trio, they start well as Angelo Capello races down their left wing, he centres for Owen Bray who’s free at the back post, the ginger haired forward nodding home down, softly into the corner of the net, for an opener after 18 minutes.

It’s perhaps been a little harsh on Boston who haven’t started badly, their new Manager Paul Hurst has also opted for a 4-3-3 with Ken Aboh and Jordy Hiwula in front of Frankie Maguire who’s given some license to get around the park, they all interchange well and attack with fluidity, non the least on 25 when Marcel Lavinier crosses from the right, the ball falling back to Ken Aboh who blasts a volley goal wards, into the net, it’s his first since signing on loan from Norwich, his first in senior football in fact, I remember seeing him score a fabulous overhead kick for the Canaries U21’s against PSV Eindhoven last season, he certainly strikes a good ball, just 21 years old, I think he has a decent future ahead.

Boston are good value, they should perhaps take the lead on the stroke of half time when Hiwula misses an opportunity saved by Johnson from close range, it’s an even contest between too solid National League sides, both want to try and play and both offer attacking threat, but defences are mainly on top, Hobson and Smith strong at the heart for Halifax, Teale and Gallagher forging a solid pairing for the Pilgrims.

The Score

The home side are front foot attacking the South Stand and win a corner early in the second half. Jay Turner-Cooke’s outswinger is headed towards goal by Will Smith and Cody Johnson sticks out a foot, the long haired midfielder has (again) been brilliant today. I really like him, too good for this level, he’s busy and industrious, he’s also in the right place at the right time to regain Halifax the lead, Johnson running off before doing a golf swing celebration.

There’s a good 30 minutes and more to go, Halifax retreat and let Boston come at them, which is risky manoeuvre, as they don’t look all that convincing to see out the game, too many times they give the ball away, there’s moans and groans from the home support, the biggest culprit is Thierry Latty-Fairweather at left back, he’s not had a great game, after watching him play brilliantly at Carlisle earlier in the season I was shocked to see him not feature at Tamworth, but having watched him today, I’m less so impressed, he looks like he doesn’t fancy the dual, but fortunately Shaun Hobson beside him does.

Ken Aboh sets off through the gears to run through the defence, Hobson keeps up and shifts a couple himself, seeing off the flying youngster to marshal a ball out for a goal kick, besides the two goals, it’s the biggest roar I’ve heard today.

Late on, Boston put balls into the box which are well dealt with, they have a number of corners but can’t convert, Hiwula again misses from close range, before Aboh has a deflected effort flick off the woodwork, the visitors have been the better side, but the hosts take all three points.

The Stars

It’s a day for digging in and those who did so for Halifax shone the most, Cody Johnson brilliant, working hard in midfield, he has power and energy when getting the ball, driving through the centre of the park, wanting to make stuff happen with his will and desire, good work ethic with good quality, he puts an equally solid shift in without the ball and is for me, first name on the sheet for the Shaymen.

Another high up on that list is Will Smith, centre half who is a threat in both boxes, whilst Shaun Hobson is that steady calming presence besides him, with Sam Johnson in goal they have a good defensive spine offering grit and experience, Angelo Capello out left offers them dynamism going forward, AJ Warburton out right is one youngster to watch.

For Boston, a good all-round performance but not the result to match, centre halves Teale and Gallagher did well. On loan from Lincoln City, Oisin Gallagher had been playing in midfield for Boston, but news is his parent club want to see more of him at centre half, and he looked very competent in the heart of defence, he had a bit of a ding dong with Halifax striker Will Harris which I liked, it shows ‘both players’ competitive edge and that they enjoy the physical and mental battle of defender verses attacker combat.

As forward threats go, Boston attacked well down their right hand side, Marcel Lavinier getting forward often from right back, he looks to enjoy bombing on, whilst it wasn’t the day for the likes of Frankie Maguire and Dylan Hill, they still put in their usual shifts running around a lot, Jordan Richards usually unnoticed in midfield, doing the simple things well.

The Pilgrims best player for me was Ken Aboh, he certainly has something about him and with a loan extension I’m hoping to see some more goals from him this season, it was also good to see Arjan Raikhy come on in midfield, loaned out to Morecambe earlier in the season, he’s a neat footballer who’s been given a second chance by the new regime.

The Verdict

With or without Hmami, I still see Halifax as potential playoff contenders, they are solid throughout and have the bits and pieces needed to put a good run or two together, should they lose Cody Johnson though, that would be a bigger void to fill.

Boston’s focus is on survival, under Graham Coughlan I would have backed them, under Paul Hurst it feels a bit start again, he’ll need time to implement his style.

The Shay is a lovely ground, well worth a visit if you’ve not yet been, a busy old town is Halifax, but sadly not enough supporters inside this great football stadium. I would like to see the town rally round their troops more, which will certainly be needed, if they are ever to return to the football league.

The Teams

FC Halifax Town: Sam Johnson, AJ Warburton, Will Smith, Shaun Hobson, Thierry Latty-Fairweather, Will Hugill (Max Wright 78), Cody Johnson, Jay Turner-Cooke, Owen Bray (Florent Hoti 78), Will Harris (David Kawa 87), Angelo Capello (Adam Alimi-Adetoro 90).

Boston United: Rhys Lovett, Marcel Lavinier, Connor Teale, Oisin Gallagher, Alex Lankshear (Matty Carson 71), Greg Sloggett (Arjan Raikhy 79), Jordan Richards, Dylan Hill (Liam Waldock 79), Frankie Maguire, Jordy Hiwula (Kieren Donnelly 84), Ken Aboh.

3:00pm Kick Off. Saturday 17th January 2026, The Shay Stadium (att 1,441).