ONE of Halifax's greatest rugby league players has thrown his weight behind efforts to transform the Shay stadium.

Ken Roberts was a fearsome prop forward in the 1960s during a glittering spell in the club's history which saw it crowned champions in 1966.

And Ken and his wife, Betty, loved the town so much they have lived in it ever since.

Ken, who was capped by Great Britain and is in the Halifax RLFC Hall of Fame, sees the successful development of the Shay from two angles.

He said a well-run stadium would help Halifax RLFC and Halifax Town progress and attract more fans.

And from a business perspective – Ken is a successful businessman having had interests in pubs, clubs and property – he sees the value of the conference facilities planned for the Shay.

He regularly attends and organises dinners and said conference facilities in Calderdale were limited. Functions catering for more than 200 have to be held out of the district.

"It is a must we have the Shay developed," said 70-year-old Ken, of Savile Park Road, Halifax.

Looking further forward, he said the Shay will be a catalyst for further development in that part of town.

It will follow the successful campaign to provide modern athletics facilities at nearby Spring Hall. Bus garages between the two sporting venues are likely to be redeveloped in the future.

And a multi-million pound development is planned for Shaw Lodge Mills which will include shops, housing and a hotel.

"The Shay is so handy and Halifax is really desperate for conference facilities," said Ken.

"That is where the money is."

He once attempted to provide large conference facilities in Halifax at Dean Clough for 500 people but was told there was no ground floor accommodation available.

"If the Shay is developed and run properly by professional people it will be successful," said Ken.

"The business is there."

He is the chairman of the past players' association and it donated the first £1,000 towards a £1 million appeal to kit out the East Stand.
Ken's love affair with Halifax stems from 1963 after playing for Swinton for eight years.

He was born near Leigh and used to work down the pit before training twice a week.

He finished his career with Salford but never returned to live in Lancashire and for 40 years he has been a successful businessman in the Halifax area.

"Halifax was good to me for business and rugby and I have tried to give something back over the years," he said.

"I just wish we could get a good Halifax RLFC team and get people coming back to watch."

Ken, a father of three with five grandchildren, played with other Halifax greats including fullback Ronnie James, second row Terry Fogerty, centre Colin Dixon and prop Jack Scroby.

His career saw him play 475 first team games with Swinton, Halifax, Rochdale, and Salford.

He toured Australia and New Zealand with the British Lions in 1966.
And while he has fond memories of pulling on the blue and white Halifax jersey at Thrum Hall he hopes to see the Halifax club have further success in the future – with him watching games in the comfort of the East Stand.

• A contract to complete the East Stand is expected to be awarded tomorrow (Thursday April 24).

The plans include a supporters' bar and café, gymnasium, community space for various groups and organisations and concourses for fans at both ends with associated refreshment facilities.