Club Overview
Full Name: Football Club Halifax Town
Nickname: The Shaymen
Founded: 2008 (successor to Halifax Town AFC)
League: National League
Ground: The Shay
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire
Colours: Blue & White
FC Halifax Town was formed in 2008 following the collapse of the original Halifax Town AFC. Starting life in the eighth tier, the club achieved three promotions in four seasons and quickly returned to the National League. Today, The Shaymen are one of the most respected and best-supported clubs in non-league football.
Quick Facts
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2008 |
| Nickname | The Shaymen |
| Ground | The Shay |
| Capacity | 14,081 |
| Opened | 1921 |
| Postcode | HX1 2YS |
| League | National League |
| Club Colours | Blue & White |
| Chairman | David Bosomworth |
The Shay is one of the largest stadiums in the National League and has hosted football in Halifax for over a century.
Stadium Guide
The Shay
Ground Information
- Capacity: 14,081
- Opened: 1921
- Surface: Grass
- Address: Shaw Hill, Halifax, HX1 2YS
- Shared with Halifax Panthers Rugby League Club
The Shay is one of the most iconic grounds outside the Football League. The stadium combines modern stands with traditional features and sits within walking distance of Halifax town centre. The famous Skircoat Stand remains the oldest surviving section of the ground.
Record Attendance
36,885 vs Tottenham Hotspur
FA Cup Fifth Round
14 February 1953.
Stadium Highlights
- East Stand (3,500 capacity)
- Historic Skircoat Stand
- South Stand Bar
- Four-sided stadium
- One of the largest grounds in non-league football
Club History
The current FC Halifax Town was founded in 2008 after the original Halifax Town AFC was wound up following financial difficulties. The new club was placed in the Northern Premier League Division One North, three levels below the Conference National where the previous club had competed.
Under manager Neil Aspin, Halifax enjoyed a remarkable rise through the pyramid. The Shaymen won the Northern Premier League Division One North title in 2009/10, followed by the Northern Premier League Premier Division title in 2010/11. A National League North play-off victory in 2013 secured a return to the top tier of non-league football.
The club enjoyed one of its greatest days in 2016 when it won the FA Trophy at Wembley, defeating Grimsby Town 1-0. Halifax repeated the achievement in 2023 by lifting the trophy for a second time after beating Gateshead in the final.
Since returning to the National League, Halifax has regularly challenged for play-off positions and remains one of the division’s most competitive clubs.
Honours
National Honours
- FA Trophy Winners (2015/16)
- FA Trophy Winners (2022/23)
League Honours
- National League North Play-Off Winners (2012/13, 2016/17)
- Northern Premier League Champions (2010/11)
- Northern Premier League Division One North Champions (2009/10)
Club Records
| Record | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Ground Capacity | 14,081 |
| Record Attendance | 36,885 |
| FA Trophy Wins | 2 |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Stadium Opened | 1921 |
Famous Players
- Lee Gregory
- Jamie Vardy (loan spell at Halifax Town AFC)
- Scott Boden
- Matty Kosylo
- Sam Johnson
Lee Gregory remains one of the most celebrated modern players associated with the club, earning a move into the Football League after his goals helped Halifax rise through the divisions.
Rivalries
Main Rivals
- Bradford (Park Avenue)
- York City
- Oldham Athletic
- Rochdale
- Huddersfield Town (historical)
Matches against fellow Yorkshire clubs often attract some of Halifax’s biggest crowds and best atmospheres.
Matchday Guide
Getting There
By Train
- Halifax Railway Station is approximately 15 minutes’ walk from the stadium.
By Car
- Easily accessible via the M62 and A629.
- Limited parking at the stadium with additional town-centre parking nearby.
Food & Drink
- South Stand Bar
- Matchday kiosks
- Numerous pubs in Halifax town centre
- The Three Pigeons pub nearby
Nearby Attractions
- Piece Hall
- Halifax Minster
- Shibden Hall
- Eureka! The National Children’s Museum
What Makes FC Halifax Town Special?
The Phoenix Story
Few clubs have rebuilt as successfully as FC Halifax Town. From the eighth tier in 2008 to becoming an established National League side within five years, the club’s rise remains one of non-league football’s great comeback stories.
The Shay
The Shay is one of the most historic and recognisable stadiums outside the Football League, capable of hosting crowds far larger than most National League venues.
Wembley Success
Two FA Trophy victories in seven years have given Halifax supporters some unforgettable days under the Wembley arch.