Exclusive: Huddersfield Giants owner Ken Davy makes big stadium claim in bid to emulate rival

Huddersfield Giants owner Ken Davy says the club’s plans to build a purpose-built new stadium will galvanise rugby league in the birthplace of the sport and boost his hopes of turning the club into a top-four Super League force.

In an exclusive interview with Serious About Rugby League, Davy spoke in detail for the first time about his ambitious plans to leave the John Smith’s Stadium for a new home for the Giants.

It follows a surprise announcement by Davy at the Giants’ end-of-season awards night that he was leading the search for a new home for the Super League outfit.

“Our objective is to move to a new purpose-built stadium and dedicated home of the Huddersfield Giants in the shortest possible timeframe,” Davy told Serious About Rugby League.

“And we are determined to make sure that our ambitious vision for the future of the Giants becomes a reality.

“That’s because as much as the John Smith’s Stadium is a wonderful arena, it is just not viable for the Huddersfield Giants.

“I say that because it has always been too big for the Giants and we are looking to develop a stadium with an initial capacity of 7,500 or 8,000.

“At the moment, the reality is that it’s a challenge to create a genuine atmosphere that reflects the enthusiasm for the Giants among our fiercely loyal fans.

“We’ve been stagnating at the John Smith’s Stadium and a place the Huddersfield Giants and Giants supporters can call home will really invigorate the club and rugby league in Huddersfield as a whole.

“Our plans will pave the way for the ideal facility for the club and our fans and it would provide us with the springboard to grow as a club and to expand the stadium.”

What could Huddersfield Giants’ new stadium look like?

While Davy is keeping his cards close to his chest in terms of finance and timescale, it would appear that he is keen to follow the example of Super League rivals.

“There are a number of excellent Super League stadiums and for me, the St Helens ground would be a really good example to follow and Salford’s isn’t bad either,” Davy added.

“Huddersfield has a special place in the rugby league history books because the town is the birthplace of the sport.

“We will ensure that the Giants have a home that its supporters and Huddersfield can be proud of.

“We’ve had a tough season and it’s a been a challenging time but we’re determined to make sure the Huddersfield Giants are a top-four Super League club that is consistently challenging for honours.

“That is our long-term goal and a new stadium for the Giants will be a crucial part of that strategy.”

The Giants currently have shared the John Smith’s Stadium with Huddersfield Town football club since its opening in 1994.

It is currently owned by Kirklees Council (40%), Town (40%) and the Giants (20%) through Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd.

Town owner Kevin Nagle is understood to be close to completing a deal to take control of the John Smith’s Stadium.

And Kirklees Council wants out of stadium ownership and with Town chairman Kevin Nagle and Davy left to agree a way forward.

Giants missed out on first-choice location for new home

Davy also revealed that he has been on the lookout for a new home for some time.

“We first started to talk about a new home for the Giants two years ago and we’d identified what we thought would be an ideal site and were very hopeful,” Davy continued.

“But unfortunately, we missed out on that location as it was snapped up for other purposes so we had to start our hunt again and we’ve now narrowed the list of potential locations to three sites.

“We’ve had positive discussions with our local authority, Kirklees Council, and we’re actively progressing those plans and we hope to be able to say more in due course.

“I can’t be any more exact than saying ‘due course’ because negotiations on matters that are as significant as building a new stadium are always going to be complex.”

It has also been announced that Davy has returned to the Giants chairman’s office.

It follows a four-year hiatus during which he spent a couple of years as executive chairman of Super League with out-going club chairman Keith Hellawell taking on the role of club president.

“My enthusiasm and passion for the club are undimmed and I’m really looking forward to driving the club forward.

“I am confident our supporters, the people of Huddersfield as a whole, our commercial partner and sponsors will rally behind our plans which will galvanise our club and rugby league in the area.”