FC Halifax Town were formed in 2008 when the club’s predecessor, Halifax Town AFC, was buried by huge tax debts after nearly a century of existence.  The old club had jogged along mostly in the third and fourth tiers until their demise.

The new club began life in the Northern Premier League Division One North (eighth tier) and climbed quickly, securing three promotions to reach the National League by 2013. They spent just one season back in the National League North in 2017, and have since been regular contenders, reaching the play-offs in three of the last four seasons.

The club are known as the Shaymen — they play at The Shay Stadium, a ground they share with the Halifax Panthers rugby league team.

John McGrath arrived at The Shay shortly after the end of the 2025/26 season, after Adam Lakeland went to take up the reins at Morecambe. This will be McGrath’s first time managing in the English fifth tier. He came to Halifax from Buxton Town, where he took the Bucks to the National League North playoffs in both seasons that he was in charge. Prior to that, he had managed Mickleover for eight years.

As a player, McGrath was a midfielder. He made over 200 appearances for Burton Albion, playing for the Brewers in both the Conference and in League Two. He also played in the Football League for Kidderminster Harriers, Doncaster Rovers, Shrewsbury Town and York City, and earlier in his career made three Premier League appearances for Aston Villa. He also played for numerous non-league teams, including Dagenham & Redbridge, Tamworth and Alfreton Town. He also received five caps for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s.

While an eighth-place finish in last year’s National League, with 70 points and 20 wins,  didn’t represent a terrible outcome of the season for Town, it did fall rather short of pre-season expectations – and the 11-point gulf between them and the entry to the play-off matches granted to the seventh-placed Rovers highlights that gap between desire and achievement. A goal difference of +3 for Halifax, compared with those of between +15 (Scunthorpe Utd) and a stunning +73 (champions York City) recorded by the teams that finished above them, also demonstrated that difference in class.

It is perhaps not surprising then, that at season’s end the Shaymen found themselves looking for a new manager, although this came about following the appointment of the incumbent, Adam Lakeland, appointed only a year earlier, to take charge of and hopefully turn around Morecambe, newly relegated to the National League North. The incoming gaffer in West Yorkshire was  John McGrath, whose previous and only managerial appointment was at Buxton Town – where he had led the team, in two successive seasons, to the play-offs in the National League North.

There have been quite a few ins and outs over the summer. Those on the way in include attacking midfielder Zak Hilsenan from Grimsby Town, right-winger Conor Douglas from Leeds Utd U-21s, centre-back Mackenzie Maltby from Sheffield Wednesday U-21s, central midfielder Tayt-Lemar Trusty from Eastbourne Borough and centre-forward Conor Carty from Waterford FC. Centre-forward Amari Morga-Smith arrives from Kidderminster Harriers, where he scored 51 goals over five seasons (including 18 in each of the last two seasons, in both cases in the sixth tier) – the question is, at the age of 37, how will his proven goal-scoring prowess work at this higher level?

The Shaymen were most recently in Nailsworth early in January 2026. While the Shaymen went ahead in injury time at the end of the first half, a brace from  Ricardo Rees – making his first appearance for Rovers after signing from Merthyr Town – in the second half got us the result we wanted, leaving Rovers in 3rd place in the table.

Forest Green Rovers F.C. – The New Lawn, Another Way, Nailsworth, Stroud, GL6 0FG

Parking is available in the adjacent school car park, just a short walk from the stadium. Spaces cost £15 per car and must be booked in advance by calling 0333 123 1889 (Monday, Thursday and Friday at 11am to 2pm) or by emailing reception@fgr.co.uk.

Alternatively, you can use the Park and Ride service from Renishaw (Bath Road, Nailsworth, Stroud, GL5 5EY). It opens at 12:30pm on matchdays and costs £5 per car (card only).

If parking on surrounding streets, please be considerate of local residents.

The Rovers Raffle – organised by the Supporters Club to subsidise away travel, ground improvements, Women’s, Academy teams etc. Tickets cost £1 each (cash or card accepted) with winners announced at half time or check winning numbers here – Raffle Results – Forest Green Rovers Supporters Club

Fan Zone – Fan Zone to the right of the ground entrance, behind the North Stand. Open to home & away supporters. The Fan Zone has a food truck, bar, toilets and a large marquee with picnic benches and live music from about 1:30pm.

The Green Man  – Normally home fans only,  serves food and drink. Opens 12pm.

Gym Bar – Open in the East Stand, and open to other home supporters after the match.

Club Shop – Opens 12pm. TNL is a cashless stadium. To find out about hospitality and events, please email hospitality@fgr.co.uk.