HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS have sold their 20 percent stake in the stadium they have played at since 1994, with Huddersfield Town Football Club taking total control of the entire 53-acre site, which along with the venue, they want to develop.

It’s suggested the Rugby League club, who have plans to build their own 8,000-capacity ground nearby, have netted between £5m and £10m under the Accu Stadium deal, with Kirklees Council transferring their 40 percent share to Huddersfield Town.

Giants owner Ken Davy is in the process of buying The Shay in neighbouring Halifax to use as a temporary home for his team until a new stadium can be built.

But because The Shay, which will continue to be used by Halifax’s Rugby League and football clubs, must be upgraded to meet the necessary requirements, the Giants will spend another season at the Accu, which at 24,500, Davy believes is too big for his team’s long-term needs.

His target location for a new stadium is the vacant former gasworks site near the Accu.

But that land is controlled by the council, who see it a key part of their Station to Stadium Enterprise Corridor, which has the University of Huddersfield’s National Health Innovation Campus at its heart.

And with continued economic development and new jobs in mind, they are unwilling to release it.

Huddersfield Town’s 300-year lease deal (Kirklees retain the freehold) was formally signed while the club’s American owner Kevin Nagle was in the country last week.

Nagle has invested substantial sums in repairs and upgrades, and the football club sold stadium naming rights to Huddersfield-based components firm Accu.

He said: “From day one, we identified the Accu Stadium as a potential jewel in the crown of the club, and began talks almost immediately to explore the possibility of taking control and ownership for the first time in our history.

“We knew that this wouldn’t be easy, but having the ability to shape the future of our club’s home is hugely important to us.

“I would like to place on record my thanks to Kirklees Council, Ken Davy and Huddersfield Giants for working alongside us to make this a reality. It wouldn’t have been possible without the input and hard work of all three parties.”

Davy added: “This is good news after such a long time to finally get this agreement sorted to the benefit of all three parties. We will remain, as I have already said, at the Accu Stadium in the 2026 season.”