Huddersfield Giants face uncertain change of plan on John Smith’s Stadium takeover

Huddersfield Giants could face reported uncertainty over the John Smith’s Stadium.

That is down to the fact that Huddersfield Town chairman Dean Hoyle is now reconsidering plans to take ‘effective control’ of the stadium put on the table by former chairman Phil Hodgkinson.

A new structure was set to be devised with a community trust taking over control of the stadium, with a rolling 25-year lease awarded to Huddersfield Town.

That would mean that Town could make money from all stadium activities such as bar sales and food to pop concerts, conferences and events, whilst a hotel was also being touted as a potential build across from the stadium, with the Giants becoming tenants of the football club.

That being said, the rugby league side would have had to loan over £10 million to the football club for repair and maintenance work.

“All parties anticipate the deal will be concluded before the end of this year,” said Hodgkinson in a previous interview on BBC Radio Leeds.

“What that looks like is the football club will take over the running of the stadium. The stadium will be put into trust and the football club will be given a 25-year rolling lease. The Giants will become a tenant of the football club and pay rent.

“The Trust will provide an initial sum to the football club on favourable terms, I think we’re talking in the region of about £10 million to £12 million, which will be invested in the stadium.”

Hodgkinson added: “Rather than us paying rent, we’re being paid rent, and the rent that we’re paying is being invested back into the stadium to create something better for the football club and the rugby club, who will get the benefit of all this as well.”

However, Hodgkinson has since resigned from the club’s board of directors following financial problems with his other businesses, as 25% owner and former chairman Hoyle – who is currently trying to buy back the remaining 75% of Town – taking over the day-to-day running of the club.

Currently interim chief executive, Hoyle was present at the  All Together Town meeting alongside club and fan groups including Huddersfield Town Supporters’ Association (HTSA) and Huddersfield Town Disabled Supporters’ Club.

Hoyle ‘cautioned that the previously reported proposal had not been in the best interests of the club’. The minutes add: “The club is, however, engaged in negotiations with Kirklees Council (KMC) and the Huddersfield Giants to find a long-term solution that balances the interests of all shareholders. One of the most pressing matters is to ensure that capital expenditure requirements for the next five years are met,“ Examiner Live reported.