Top club announces intention to leave home of 30 years for new stadium
Huddersfield say it will stop them 'rattling'
HUDDERSFIELD want to stop ‘rattling’ at their current stadium – by building their own.
The Giants currently only attract about 6,000 supporters to matches, just 25 per cent of the capacity at the John Smith’s.
So chairman Ken Davy has announced they will get their own, smaller, facility – possibly as soon as in the next three years.
The former gas works site close to the current ground or their former home at Fartown – which has been undeveloped since it closed in 1992 and the stands demolished – are possible sites for what will be about a 9,000-capacity venue.
And Davy, who has come back as chairman, said: “It will take all the two or three years to achieve this but we’re going to build our own stadium for the Huddersfield Giants.
“We all know that we rattle in a 24,000-seater stadium, with 7,000 or 8,000 fans – now we’re down to probably half that.
“We need to build back up again. We can do that and we’ll do that even more effectively in our own stadium – a home for the Huddersfield Giants.
“We will be a fitting home for the birthplace of the great game of rugby league.”
Huddersfield finish a wretched 2024 season with Thursday’s visit of Castleford at the ground they have played at since 1994.
However, it has been increasingly emblazoned with Town banners and bedecked in blue and white since American Kevin Nagle took over of the football club.
And Davy pulled no punches as he added: “The club is probably at its lowest point that it’s been for some years.
“While I don’t have a magic wand, I do have a clear objective and a three-year plan to achieve that. We won’t go from the cellar to the penthouse overnight. It will take time, but we have a very clear plan.
“I want us to once again become one of the leading Super League clubs and to go from strength to strength, not just a flash in the pan success.
“It won’t be an easy task, it’s no secret the finances of Super League are dire, to say the least – 11 clubs last year lost over £21 million.”