Galpharm Stadium
 |
|
| Full name | The John Smith's Stadium |
|---|---|
| Former names | McAlpine Stadium Galpharm Stadium |
| Location | Stadium Way, Huddersfield, HD1 6PG, England |
| Coordinates | 53°39′15″N 1°46′6″W / 53.65417°N 1.76833°WCoordinates: 53°39′15″N 1°46′6″W / 53.65417°N 1.76833°W |
| Owner |
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Huddersfield Town Huddersfield Giants |
| Operator | KSDL (Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd.) |
| Capacity | 24,500 |
| Record attendance | 24,129 (football) 24,126 (rugby league) |
| Field size | 115 x 76 yards |
| Surface | Grass with Under-soil heating |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1994 |
| Opened | 1994 |
| Tenants | |
|
Huddersfield Town (1994–present) Huddersfield Giants (1994–present) |
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The Kirklees Stadium (known as the John Smith's Stadium due to sponsorship), is a multi-use sports stadium in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, England. Since 1994, it has been the home ground of football club Huddersfield Town and rugby league side Huddersfield Giants.
During planning and construction, the stadium was referred to as the Kirklees Stadium. It was built by Alfred McAlpine, designed by HOK Sport and was awarded the RIBA Building of the Year award for 1995,
The decision to build a new stadium for Huddersfield Town was made in August 1992. Construction began the following year and it was completed in time for the 1994–95 season, enabling the club to move to its new base after 86 years at Leeds Road.
When the stadium opened only the two side stands (the Riverside and Kilner Bank stands) were ready. The South Stand was opened in December 1994. Construction on the North (Panasonic) Stand began in 1996 and it was completed in 1998, bringing the overall capacity of the stadium to approximately 24,500. The estimated cost of construction was £40 million.
The record attendance at the stadium is 24,129 for an FA Cup fifth round match between Huddersfield Town and Manchester City on 18 February 2017. The record for a rugby league match is 24,126 for an Ashes match between Great Britain and Australia on 22 November 2003.
Initially, the stadium was owned by a consortium made up of Kirklees Metropolitan Council, Huddersfield Town A.F.C. and Huddersfield Giants in a 40:40:20 proportion. Following the purchase of Huddersfield Town F.C. from the administrators, Ken Davy became chairman of both sports clubs, which are owned by companies he controls. The present ownership of the stadium is Ken Davy's company, Huddersfield Sporting Pride owns 60% and Kirklees Metropolitan Council 40%. The current Managing director of the stadium company is Gareth Davis who succeeded Ralph Rimmer in 2010. On 24 December 2009, Huddersfield Town announced that 40% of the shares owned by Huddersfield Sporting Pride would be transferred to the football club, owned by current chairman Dean Hoyle, but the deal was delayed due to a rent dispute between Davy and Hoyle. The deal was finally completed on 3 September 2013.
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