Grayson reveals plans for Fax’s anniversary project
Halifax Panthers’ chairman Dave Grayson has officially launched the club’s ‘150 years anniversary project’ - which sees a number of fantastic events planned throughout 2023 to mark the historic occasion.
Some of the highlights include a celebratory game between past players and masters, a red carpet film night, a curriculum project for school children, a souvenir book launch, a special heritage kit launch, as well as several notable dinners throughout the year, while more are still set to be revealed.
Grayson, who began his new role in October following the club’s takeover by a five-man consortium, said of the exciting plans: “I did a presentation at the Batley game and I finished with one of my favourite phrases - ‘it is very important to look to the future but never forget your past.’
“This 150 years is all about celebrating that past. It’s a great opportunity to reach out to people who have perhaps lost touch a little bit with us.
“I am looking forward to the roadshows and going out on the road in Calderdale as it’s not all going to be based at The Shay. Yes, we will have the special dinners but we want to get the brand out there and get people to real
ise the history we have.
“I want to get out into the schools with a history project and do something for the younger end. We have tried to touch all age groups.
“It’s not just getting the 80s team in for an event or the 2010 Grand Final winners team in.
"That’s great, and we will do those types of events, but I want us to go from a different angle as well as a conventional one.”
Grayson’s tenure as chairman has seen Simon Grix’s side win all three of their home games so far this season, against Sheffield, London
and Batley, although they have failed to record a victory on their travels as yet after defeats at Featherstone and Widnes.
However, he is hopeful Fax’s home form will continue to bring the crowds in at The Shay. He said: “It was always going to be a tough start and Featherstone are going to do that to most teams and Widnes are always a tough team to beat over there. John Kear is a wily old coach who has done a good job with those guys.
"But we’ve got six points out of a possible ten and I am quite happy with that."