Baby Shay is a blessing for Halifax Town

Was Baby Shay a secret blessing for FC Halifax Town's win at Wembley?

The infant was born just before the team’s historic victory win against Grimsby Town in the FA Trophy final - and capped a remarkable week for new mum Rhiannon and her football mad family.

Shay Charlie-Graham Chopping’ was named in honour of ‘The Shaymen’ of FC Halifax Town and also as a tribute to her late brother, Charlie, a huge Town fan, who tragically passed away last year at the age of just 17.

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Miss Ingham, 27, from Sowerby Bridge, said she had to endure a painfull labour for six hours before her baby arrived at Calderdale Royal Hospital weighing in at a healthy six pounds eleven ounces.

Cyle Chopping and Rhiannan Ingham, with their baby Shay Charlie-Graham Chopping, named after the ShaymenCyle Chopping and Rhiannan Ingham, with their baby Shay Charlie-Graham Chopping, named after the Shaymen
Cyle Chopping and Rhiannan Ingham, with their baby Shay Charlie-Graham Chopping, named after the Shaymen

“We named him after my brother, who was a big Halifax Town fan, and thought it was quite fitting.”

Over 10,000 FC Halifax Town fans led a round of applause in memory of Charlie in the 17th minute of the FA Trophy final at Wembley.

The tribute was supported by fans of the Mariners and Shaymen alike in honour of the teenager and to comemorate other fans that never had the chance to see Town’s first appearance at the national stadium.

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Rhiannon’s father, David Ingham, said he was delighted at the new arrival of his grandson.

Cyle Chopping and Rhiannan Ingham, with their baby Shay Charlie-Graham Chopping, named after the ShaymenCyle Chopping and Rhiannan Ingham, with their baby Shay Charlie-Graham Chopping, named after the Shaymen
Cyle Chopping and Rhiannan Ingham, with their baby Shay Charlie-Graham Chopping, named after the Shaymen

And he said of his son, Charlie: “It was his dream to go to Wembley to see Halifax Town. He once said to me, ‘Do you’ll ever think we’ll make it to Wembley?’ .

“I said maybe in your lifetime not in mine.”

FC Halifax Town also tweeted their congratulations to the family and Shay’s grandfather, Mr Ingham.

The club’s Twitter account said: “Congratulations to Dave Ingham and family on the birth of Shay Charlie from everyone at @FCHTOnline.”

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