Just been reading the match programme for the England-France game at Leigh. An article lists all the venues in Britain that either England or Great Britain have played at over the years, some 50-odd locations.

Among them on a map, and in a list, is the 'The Shay, Halifax' but there is then no more information or mention in the text of the article.

I cannot recall an international involving these teams ever taking place there (although I did attend the Emerging Nations game between the USA and Italy at The Shay in 2000).

Does anyone know of any instance over the years when England or Great Britain (at whatever level of the professional game) did play at The Shay?

Or is it a case of the RFL (who I assume produced the programme) not even knowing their own history?

As far as I know only Thrum Hall has ever held Internationals involving England/GB. I remember the last one being an U21 game between England and France think in the early 90s. The shay obviously held the Italy v USA game as you mentioned.

I remember watching a BARLA lions game versus PNG one evening in a thick pea-souper of a fog. If I remember correctly, Dave Fairbank was the GB skipper, their John played & Terry Manning all from Elland before the latter two signed pro forms. The late Tim Brook also played of Moldgreen fame, great lad Tim & decent player, did a spot of RL journalism as well.

I was also at the U/21's game, Paul Bonson ( Fev prop ) who later turned to boxing to earn his living had a stormer and I'm almost certain Phil Clarke was the skipper, possibly the late '80's.

Great Britain played Sweden at The Shay in 1968. Strange game though...... all the players were on motorcycles.

Did that Great Britain team include such British Greats as Barry Briggs and Ivan Mauger perhaps

I think there may have been an international baseball match at the Shay once too although I am happy to be corrected.

You are correct Bubba. According to the on line encyclopedia 13th August 1938. an Amateur International between Great Britain and the USA. In the GB team there were several Canadians

Sounds like something that would happen in RL



Could you please post the link where you found the info?

Dunno. Would international speedway rules 2 allow Kiwis to ride for Great Britain?

At the Shay?

The PNG game was at Thrum Hall

England did play France in Halifax in the 1950's, but up at Thrum Hall, not The Shay

Oops, got the date TOTALLY wrong - April 10th 1937, England 23 - France 9 Info from www.com1site.com/FFRXIII/index.php

Oops, got the date TOTALLY wrong - April 10th 1937, England 23 - France 9 Info from www.com1site.com/FFRXIII/index.php

Sorry Bubba I can't send a link but I just entered Baseball at the shay halifax into the google search engine and it came up with details of the 1938 world amateur series. Hope this helps

I have a book somewhere that goes through loads of venues that were used to hold RL internationals. If only I can find the bleeding thing.

Two full internationals have been held at Thrum Hall.

1930 - England 19:35 Other Nations
1937 - England 23:9 France

I can find no mention of games being held at the Shay at all.

Silly me, I do apologise

International Grounds of Rugby League by Trevor Delaney, no record of any games at the Shay

Thanks for all your comments.

Just what I thought, it seems. The RFL did not know the difference between the Shay and Thrum Hall. So much for their grasp of history.....not that the present heirarchy would care in any event.

Hopefully, though, their mistake can be rectified to some degree in the future with an England game being allocated to the Shay...though I don't really hold out much hope.

That's the one I've got. Good read.