Halifax Panthers announce controversial new home in temporary move

Halifax Panthers will play their next five home games at Odsal, the home of their bitter rivals Bradford Bulls, the club have confirmed.

Fax are unable to play at The Shay at present with a new hybrid pitch being laid ahead of Huddersfield Giants’ temporary switch to the ground next season. Huddersfield owner Ken Davy has paid for the development which is designed to help bring the ground up to Super League standards.

However, it means that Kyle Eastmond’s Panthers are homeless until the work on their pitch is complete, with no pitch to play on. The club have been left with no choice but to play their next five home games elsewhere then, and Odsal is where they will be based until September.

The Panthers will play games with Oldham, Toulouse Olympique, York Knights, Sheffield Eagles and Hunslet at the ground, with a return to The Shay scheduled for September 7.

The situation is far from ideal of course, but it’s a needs must situation for the West Yorkshire club, with CEO Damian Clayton explaining the move.

“Our first plan was to keep things local – using a community venue like Siddal, to stay connected to our roots and keep disruption to a minimum,” Clayton wrote in a statement. “The facilities at Siddal are excellent, and they’ve hosted Championship sides in the Challenge Cup before. That said, operational rules differ for Championship games, and we were working closely with the RFL to gain the necessary authority to proceed for at least 2 games there.

“Unfortunately, the RFL declined to authorise those fixtures – a decision we didn’t receive formally until late last Friday. Added to that, feedback from the John Smith’s Stadium made it clear there was no appetite to host any of our games. That combination forced us to enact the contingency plan we’d been preparing in parallel.

“We’ve worked hard to find an alternative that offers the best balance of stability, commercial viability, and proximity to home.

“And so, after careful consideration, we’ve just this morning secured approval from the RFL to play our displaced fixtures at Odsal Stadium.

“I know this won’t sit well with everyone. There’s a fierce rivalry between our clubs, and that history runs deep. But I also need to be honest: off the pitch, the support we’ve received from Jason Hirst and Tracey Erby at Bradford has been exceptional – just as the Bradford club did when they collectively – and individually – stepped up to support us during last year’s financial difficulties.

“This isn’t about rivalry. It’s about what’s best for Halifax Panthers right now.”

Bradford Bulls CEO on welcoming Halifax Panthers to Odsal

Bulls CEO Jason Hirst explained the decision to welcome Bradford’s biggest rivals into their home, too: “Having received an approach from Halifax Panthers with regards to a ‘temporary home’ whilst development works on their pitch are completed, we were delighted to be able to offer Bartercard Odsal Stadium as a venue to host their ‘home’ fixtures.

“This opportunity not only offers the Panthers a facility that enables them to meet the operational rules required in the Betfred Championship and sponsorship obligations, but it will also provide extra revenue and income into the stadium which will benefit the Bulls moving forward.

“Whilst there is an obvious rivalry that exists on and off the pitch, there is equally friendship and mutual respect between Damian, myself and our two respective clubs. As such, Bradford Bulls feels it is important we work together off the pitch, having also supported Halifax during their recent financial troubles.

“Doing so, not only benefits both clubs, but also the wider sport of Rugby League, so rivalry aside, we are proud to recognise and support the bigger picture and collaborate with Halifax during their hour of need.”