Halifax Speedway (The Shay)   The Shay Grounds, Shaw Hill, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 2YS Action began in 1949 and lasted until 1986 Prior to action from 1949 at the Shay, Halifax was introduced to Dirt Track racing at Thrum Hall between 1928-1930     Dave Younghusband  Eric Boocock  Halifax Badges  Kenny Carter     The Shay From The Air 1970s     Ex- Halifax promoter Reg Fearman sent me this pic of the Shay taken when he was there in the 1970s.  Halifax had a big fast track the envy of lots of other teams but sadly Halifax Speedway did not have a long history.     The Shay 2011.   Reg Fearman says: Hi John.  On the latest items on your website in the A-Z under Halifax, someone suggests resurrecting Halifax, I think not, at least not at The Shay.  The old pits are in the left hand corner and the speedway office behind . The first corner now has a stand as does the top bend. John says: No chance for speedway around this pitch.  Halifax devotees need to look elsewhere for a new speedway venue in or around the town, mores the pity as the Shay was a great asset to British Speedway. Thank you Reg and it must be hard for you that none of your many tracks are operating today.   Another Shot of the Shay     Good Evening John, Is this photograph of the Shay (Halifax) circa 1960s of any interest Regards, Tom Roe         Andrew Gallon's Photos     2015   2016   2017   Andrew Gallon says: Hi John, A couple of pictures of The Shay, as it is now, with the speedway track removed, the ends squared off and three new stands erected.  The 2015 view shows the stadium in its scenic setting.  The 2016 view is of The Shay's new east stand, which occupies the site of the back straight. It's taken from a position above what would have been the second turn. The 2017 view is taken from a spot which would have been midway between the first and second turns, looking down on what used to be the starting gate. As part of the alterations, the football pitch was moved several yards west, covering what was the home straight and a narrow standing area for spectators. This released space for a much larger east stand occupying the site of the back straight and the former patrons stand. As others have remarked, owing to the revamp, there isn't any chance of speedway returning to The Shay.  Kind regards, Andrew         Halifax 62 Yarmouth 21   Courtesy of Graham Gleave         1949 Halifax Bulletin

The following scans are from a bulletin/booklet commemorating the birth of speedway at the Shay which opened it's doors for the first time on 6th April 1949.  The "bulletin" was sent to me by Les Brewer when he and his partner were going through his partners fathers effects.  I thank Les for sending it and I have reproduced it here for all to see.

So! 1949 Halifax personnel  in the above image can you name them for me please?  John

Colin Greenwell says: The guy with the specs is Eric Langton (Team manager) Rode a lot for Belle Vue pre war. The one guy I know for certain is Arthur Forrest..(third one in from the right). I would say that is captain Vic Emms in the centre. Now will do some thinking. The guys look so much different in suits etc..!!

John says: I suppose those pictured will be the 1949 team? However, I may have seen their names but I cannot put the names to the picture.  Hopefully someone can.  My mate Reg Fearman is away in Florida right now so he is not at the end of me emailing him.  I suspect as it is 1949 when Reg was riding he would know these guys.

So can you help before Reg comes back from holiday?  By the way Reg Fearman is now 80  John

Steve Baker says: Hi John, I have some names for the Halifax 1949 bulletin. The two inset pics are Bruce Booth (promoter) and Eric Langton. The main pic, left to right, Al Allison, Eric Smith, Eric Mason, Bill Crossland, Vic Emms, Jack Dawson, Arthur Forrest, Jackie Hughes and Jock Sheard.

The rest of the bulletin/booklet follows in it's entirety below: -

All Halifax fans will be pleased to see this bulletin.  An early bit of Dukes memorabilia and below is the programme from the first ever match at the Shay.

Courtesy of Marcus Stokes

Halifax Book
Courtesy of Colin Greenwell
Colin says: This is a scan of a paperback book I have on Halifax.
John says: The book must cover the earlier Halifax track at Thrum Hall which ran 1928 to 1930 as well as The Shay from 1949, which is covered on this webpage.  The book cover is a reproduction of The Shay's first meeting programme and doesn't it look great?
Halifax Car Sticker
Courtesy of Tom Roe
Halifax Badges
1949	1969	1970
1971	Year Unknown	Year Unknown
Year Unknown
Wattie Dunlop's Badges
1974	1974	1976
1977	1978	1979
1980	1981	1982
1983	1984	2011
Arthur Forest
Arthur Forest, or Forrest (I have seen his name spelled both ways) rode, age 17 for Halifax in their opening season 1949. He stayed with Halifax (1949-51), Bradford (1952-57) and Coventry (1958-59). Forest started his career with the Halifax Dukes in the National League Division Three. In his opening season aged just seventeen he scored nineteen maximums (unbeaten by an opponent) from fifty meetings. The following season the Dukes rode in National League Division Two, but Forrest carried on from the previous season, actually raising his average. Whilst with the Dukes he was called up to ride for England at only eighteen years of age.  After a third season with the Dukes in 1951 he joined hometown club, the Bradford Tudors in 1952
Halifax "Jumbos"
1965 Halifax
This side was transferred from the recently closed down Middlesborough when Reg Fearman moved his operations from Middlesbrough to Halifax
1966 Halifax
1966: Dave Younghusnand, Bob Jameson, Maurice Morely (Team Mananger), Tommy Roper, Eric Boocock. Kneeling, Bert Kingston, Eric Boothroyd and Denis Gavros.
The Shay Grounds
Dave Younghusband
Dave Younghusband was born in Weardale, County Durham on the 4th May 1938.  Dave could have gone to either Newcastle or Middlesbrough, his two local tracks.  Newcastle lost out and Dave joined the Bears.  he stayed at Middlesbrough until Reg Fearman pulled out at the end of 1964.  Reg moved his entire Middlesbrough side to Halifax and Dave went with Reg.
Dairy Festival Winner Dave Younghusband flanked by close rivals Newcastle Diamonds Ole Olsen and Ivan Mauger
England 1967 England 1968 Dave riding the high line around the Shay, look at the packed crowd Dave Younghusband England v Sweden 1971 Dave Younghusband 1971       1970 Halifax Dukes     John says: I can see Dave Younghusband, Eric Boothroyd, Colin McKee and Eric Boocock. Help please with the rest John Phil Masters (Weymouth) says: Dave Younghusband, Les Sharpe, Eric Boothroyd team manager, Alan Jay, Terry Lee, Colin McKee, Greg Kentwell, and on bike Eric Boocock, captain.       Belle Vue v Halifax     Belle Vue v Halifax, Dave Younghusband leading       Halifax v Glasgow     Halifax v Glasgow 1968, Dave Younghusband leads
Halifax Badges
Scans from Russell Earl
Bert Kingston
Bert Kingston & Bob Jameson
Eric Boothroyd Arne Pander Dennis Gavros Alan Jay Dave Younghusband Greg Kentwell Les Sharpe with Eric Boocock (capt) on machine
1968 Halifax
1968 Saved from a Speedway Star, courtesy of Nigel Robinson
Alan Jay
Alan Jay son of a famous father Wilf Jay
Eric Boocock
Courtesy of Steve Cummins
Eric Boocock was born in 1945 in Dewsbury, Yorkshire.  He started his career in speedway with Middlesbrough Bears in 1961 remaining at Middlesbrough until 1964 when their track closed moving with Reg Fearman to Halifax for 1965.  He stayed with the Dukes until retiring in 1974 at the ripe old age of 29!
Steve Magro says: When Eric Boocock started out riding with Middlesborough in 1961 who was to know he'd be one of speedway's most astute administrators (at the time of writing this in 2011) 50 years later?
Today Boocock is team manager and co-promoter for the Sheffield 'Tigers' in the British Premier League; he's had national positions too, guiding England to World Team Cup championships.
A former world finalist and British Lion, Boocock was British Champion in 1974. He is perhaps best known as captain for the Halifax 'Dukes', where he stayed for most of his career.
Since then he's managed speedway teams such as Belle Vue, Long Eaton and Hull. In 1976 he also helped Peter Collins win the Speedway World Championship by stripping, cleaning and rebuilding his clutch between heats in the final, and by keeping away an attempt by the Polish contingent to put off Collins in making irrational protests over his fuel. Happy 50 years Eric!
Kenny Carter
Kenneth Malcolm Carter (born Halifax 28 March 1961 – died 21 May 1986), was a world class English rider. He rode for Newcastle Diamonds (1978), Halifax Dukes (1979–85) and Bradford Dukes (1986)
In the lower league riding for Newcastle in 1978 he was a sensation at 17 years old.  He rode in a number of world finals and was much better than his fifth places in the finals suggest.  Kenny was a volatile character and fiercely patriotic.  His sometimes on camera feud with the much cooler tempered American Bruce Penhall was a popular talking point.  Kenny's death in 1986 was a major shock when the news broke.  He had fatally injured his wife Pam and then turned his gun on himself.
Glyn Morriss sent the above picture.  He says: Kenny Carter leads from Hans Nielsen, I think Neil Collins? not sure of other Dane at the Shay 80's
John says: Looks like an International England v Denmark in front of a big crowd at the Shay Halifax
Peter Baldwin says: The England v Denmark picture:  1982 Carter leading Nielsen, Chris Morton in blue and Preben Eriksen in Y/B.
Photo from Glyn Morriss he says: Lada Classic indoor meeting at Wembley arena early 80's Kenny Carter and Hans Nielsen
Kenny Carter In Vojens Denmark
Glyn Morriss says: Here are two photos of Kenny on July 25th 1981 Vojens, Denmark, Inter- Continental Final Kenny  in the pits area before the start of the meeting  finishing in  fourth  place and  securing his  World Final debut at Wembley.
Kenny Carter Models
Glyn Morriss says: Regarding my models of Kenny Carter, hours went in to constructing them, trying my best to capture his brilliance.  I gave the entire collection to the late great Ian Thomas who was going to auction them off on behalf of the Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund.  I hope they found good homes
John says:  I have seen a few model speedway riders but none with the professional look of Glyn's, Kenny Carter set.  I like the 2 Union Jack action figures and the Bruce Penhall & Kenny Carter standing figures.  Thank you Glyn for sending them and yes I hope Ian Thomas managed to get them auctioned before his untimely death.
Halifax 1981 (The Shay) Programme Board
Andrew Gallon says: Halifax (1981) - used at The Shay during my formative years watching the Dukes
Halifax Pits
Courtesy of Glyn Morriss
Glyn Morriss says: Ian Cartwright at far left, Kenny Carter centre and Chris Morton No 6
Name The Rider
This photo was taken by Helen Jobson in 1984, can you identify the rider John Paul Burton says: The Dukes rider from 1984 is Doug Wyer. Steve Baker says: Hi John, the Dukes rider picture sent in by Helen Jobson is Doug Wyer.
The End!
The speedway promotion and the football club landlords had financial differences culminating in a parting of company. The Dukes pulled out at the end of 1985, they relocated to Bradford.  Halifax should be a team that someone should invest in and bring back.
Three Photographs of the Shay follow, taken by Andy Green in 1987 at a Grasstrack club meeting: -
The track was still there and rideable by the looks of it.  Has anyone been there more recently than 1987 email me if you have any photos or information John
If you have photographs programmes or badges and are able to scan them please get in touch John
The contents of the site are © and should not be reproduced elsewhere for financial gain. The contributors to this site gave the pictures and information on that understanding.  If anyone has any issue or objections to any items on the site please e-mail and I will amend or remove the item.  Where possible credit has been given to the owner of each item