View source for Thrum Hall

{{Short description|Former rugby league stadium in Halifax, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2015}}
{{Infobox venue
| name                = Thrum Hall
| nickname            = 
| logo_image          = 
| logo_caption        = 
| image               =  
| caption             = 
| fullname            = 
| former_names        = 
| location            = [[Halifax, West Yorkshire]]
| coordinates         = {{coord|53|43|29.55|N|1|53|17.60|W|type:landmark|display=it}}
| broke_ground        = 
| built               = 
| opened              = 18 September 1886
| renovated           = 
| expanded            = 
| closed              = 1998
| demolished          = 
| owner               = 
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| surface             = 
| scoreboard          = 
| cost                = 
| architect           = 
| project_manager     = 
| structural engineer = 
| services engineer   = 
| general_contractor  = 
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| capacity            = 9,832 (before closure)
| suites              = 
| record_attendance   = 29,153 (21 March 1959 v Wigan)
| dimensions          = 
| acreage             = 
| volume              = 
| tenants             = [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]]
| embedded            =
| website             = 
| publictransit       =
}}

'''Thrum Hall''' was a [[rugby league]] stadium on Hanson Lane in [[Halifax, West Yorkshire]], England. It was the home of [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]] for 112 years. The site on which the ground stood is now occupied by a supermarket.

==History==

In 1878, [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]], who had just won the inaugural [[Yorkshire Cup (rugby union)|Yorkshire Cup]], bought a patch of land for £3,000 from a local farmer, Major Dyson, to develop as a new multi-purpose sports ground. It was to be a replacement for their Hanson Lane ground which stood opposite.{{sfn|Delaney|1991|p=77}}

The site measured 55,000 square yards and included a cricket pitch and bowling greens.<ref name=CricArc1/> The rugby stadium was opened on 18 September 1886 by Alderman Riley, who kicked off before the Halifax v [[Hull F.C.]] match. Forward Ernest Williamson scored the first try (his only try for Halifax) and the home side went on to win in front of a crowd of around 8,000.{{sfn|Delaney|1991|p=77}} As Thrum Hall was built on an old hilltop farm, it had a distinctive slope of 4 yards away from the main grandstand touchline.<ref>{{cite book|last1=McGregor|first1=Adrian|title=Simply The Best: The 1990 Kangaroos|date=1991|publisher=University of Queensland Press|location=Qld|isbn=0 7022 2370 0|page=152 A Hex on Halifax}}</ref>

The ground was continuously developed over the next 40 to 50 years and it came to be regularly used as a neutral ground for [[Challenge Cup]] and [[Rugby Football League Championship|Championship]] matches, including the 1914 Challenge Cup final (won by Hull) and the 1912, 1929 and 1930 Championship deciders.{{sfn|Delaney|1991|pp=79–81}}

Thrum Hall was run by trustees from 1921.<ref name="YP29dec2006"/>

The attendance record of 29,153 was set in a third round [[Challenge Cup]] tie against [[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]] on 21 March 1959. By the time of the [[Taylor Report]], Thrum Hall's capacity was reduced to 9,832.{{sfn|Delaney|1991|p=80}}
[[File:Asda, Thrum Hall, seen from Wainhouse Tower - geograph.org.uk - 1385814.jpg|thumb|left|The Asda supermarket that now stands on the site of Thrum Hall stadium]]
Halifax was hit hard by the financial situation of the late 1960s, and 1970s. In 1970, a concert was held at Thrum Hall in an attempt to alleviate these financial troubles. Adverse weather conditions meant that only around 3,000 arrived to watch the 'Halifax Pop and Blues Concert' which made a loss of £6,000.<ref name=RLOH/>

==Other uses==
The adjacent Thrum Hall Cricket Ground hosted four first class cricket matches between 1888 and 1897.<ref name=CricArc2/>  [[Yorkshire County Cricket Club|Yorkshire]] played three [[County Championship]] matches there, in July 1888 against [[Gloucestershire County Cricket Club|Gloucestershire]], August 1889 against [[Middlesex County Cricket Club|Middlesex]] and [[Kent County Cricket Club|Kent]] in June 1897, while they played [[Essex County Cricket Club|Essex]] in a non-championship fixture in July 1894. Kent were bowled out for 74 in their match, with [[Bobby Peel]] taking 8 for 93. Peel also bowled Gloucestershire out for just 89, taking 7 for 39, in a low scoring match which Yorkshire won by 3 wickets.

The cricket ground had a [[Motorcycle speedway|speedway]]  track constructed around the outside of it in 1928 and it was known as the Thrum Hall Grounds by this time. It hosted speedway until 1930 when the new [[Halifax Greyhound Stadium]] was constructed on the site.<ref>[http://www.defunctspeedway.co.uk/Halifax%20(Thrum%20Hall).htm Defunct Speedway – Thrum Hall]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.old-maps.co.uk/#/Map/407448/425405/12/100747|title=OS County Series 1933|publisher=old-maps.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.old-maps.co.uk/#/Map/407448/425405/13/101329|title=OS Plan 1962|publisher=old-maps.co.uk}}</ref>

==Closure==
Halifax sold Thrum Hall for £1.5 million to [[Asda]] for a superstore development in 1998, and moved across town to their present home, [[the Shay]] Stadium. The supermarket chain closed their existing store in Battinson Road, when the new store finally opened after a protracted legal battle in 2004.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lifeline for Blue Sox as sale deal goes through|url=http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/lifeline-for-blue-sox-as-sale-deal-goes-through-1-1988834|access-date=17 October 2017|work=Halifax Courier|date=9 April 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Bulldozers move in to pull apart sports ground|url=http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/bulldozers-move-in-to-pull-apart-sports-ground-1-1987072|access-date=17 October 2017|work=Halifax Courier|date=8 June 2002}}</ref>

The final match to be played at the ground was on 22 March 1998 where Halifax defeated [[Leeds Rhinos|Leeds]] 35–28.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-league-thrum-hall-tradition-ends-after112-years-1151908.html/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220507/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-league-thrum-hall-tradition-ends-after112-years-1151908.html/ |archive-date=7 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Thrum Hall tradition ends after112 years|website=www.independent.co.uk|accessdate=1 December 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Rugby League Test Matches==
The list of international rugby league matches played at Thrum Hall is:<ref>[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/venues/thrum-hall/results.html Thrum Hall at Rugby League Project]</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#bdb76b;"
! Game# !! Date !! Result !! Attendance !! Notes
|-
|1 || 7 April 1930 || [[Other Nationalities rugby league team|Other Nationalities]] def. {{rl|ENG}} 35–19 || 2,300 || 
|-
|2 || 10 April 1937 || {{rl|ENG}} def. {{rl|FRA}} 23–9 || 7,024 || [[1936–37 European Rugby League Championship|1936–37]] [[European Rugby League Championship]]
|-
|3 || 15 May 1948 || {{flagicon|GBR}} [[British Empire XIII|British Empire]] drew with {{rl|WAL}} 36–36 ||  || 
|}

==Rugby League Tour Matches==
Thrum Hall also saw the Halifax R.L.F.C. play host to international touring teams from [[Australian national rugby league team|Australia]] (sometimes playing as [[Australasia rugby league team|Australasia]]) and [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]] from 1907–1994.

{| class="wikitable"
! game !! Date !! Result !! Attendance !! Notes
|-
|1 || 14 December 1907 || {{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]] def. {{leagueicon|Kiwis|16}} [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]] 9–4 || 11,000 || [[1907–08 New Zealand rugby tour of Australia and Great Britain|1907–08 All Golds tour]]
|-
|2 || 5 December 1908 || {{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]] def. {{leagueicon|Australia old|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} 12–8 || 6,000 || [[1908–09 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain|1908–09 Kangaroo tour]]
|-
|3 || 26 December 1911 || {{leagueicon|Australasia|16}} [[Australasia rugby league team|Australasia]] def. {{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]] 23–5 || 10,000 || [[1911–12 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain|1911–12 Kangaroo tour]]
|-
|4 || 31 December 1921 || {{leagueicon|Australasia|16}} [[Australasia rugby league team|Australasia]] def. {{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]] 35–6 || 12,000 || [[1921–22 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain|1921–22 Kangaroo tour]]
|-
|5 || 18 September 1926 || {{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]] def. {{leagueicon|Kiwis|16}} [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]] 19–13 || 13,000 || [[1926–27 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain|1926–27 New Zealand Kiwis tour]]
|-
|6 || 23 November 1929 || {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} def. {{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]] 58–9 || 8,440 || [[1929–30 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain|1929–30 Kangaroo tour]]
|-
|7 || 30 September 1933 || {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} def. {{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]] 16–5 || 10,358 || [[1933–34 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain|1933–34 Kangaroo tour]]
|-
|8 || 2 October 1937 || {{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]] def. {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} 12–2 || 14,500 || [[1937–38 Kangaroo tour]]
|-
|9 || 27 November 1948 || {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} def. {{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]] 10–8 || 6,250 || [[1948–49 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France|1948–49 Kangaroo tour]]
|-
|10 || 20 September 1952 || {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} def. {{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]] 39–7 || 18,773 || [[1952–53 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France|1952–53 Kangaroo tour]]
|-
|11 || 5 December 1956 || {{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]] def. {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} 6–3 || 2,254 || [[1956–57 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France|1956–57 Kangaroo tour]]
|-
|12 || 7 November 1959 || {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} def. {{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]] 17–5 || 8,274 || [[1959–60 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France|1959–60 Kangaroo tour]]
|-
|13 || 29 November 1967 || {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} def. {{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]] 22–2 || 5,285 || [[1967–68 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France|1967–68 Kangaroo tour]]
|-
|14 || 29 October 1986 || {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} def. {{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]] 36–2 || 7,193 || [[1986 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France|1986 Kangaroo tour]]
|-
|15 || 6 November 1990 || {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} def. {{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]] 36–18 || 8,730 || [[1990 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France|1990 Kangaroo tour]]
|-
|16 || 16 October 1994 || {{leagueicon|Australia|16}} {{rlnt|Australia}} def. {{leagueicon|Halifax|16}} [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]] 26–12 || 8,352 || [[1994 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France|1994 Kangaroo tour]]
|}

==References==
{{reflist
|refs=

<ref name=CricArc1>
{{cite web |title=Archive Pictures |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Pictures/10/10500.html|publisher=cricketarchive.com |access-date=25 April 2013}}</ref>

<ref name=CricArc2>
{{cite web |title=Archive Grounds |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Grounds/11/508_f.html|publisher=cricketarchive.com |access-date=25 April 2013}}</ref>

<ref name=RLOH>{{cite web |title=Becoming A Director| url=http://www.rugbyleagueoralhistory.co.uk/subjects/view/becoming-a-director|publisher=rugbyleagueoralhistory.co.uk |access-date=25 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908075320/http://www.rugbyleagueoralhistory.co.uk/subjects/view/becoming-a-director|archive-date=8 September 2013}}</ref>

<ref name="YP29dec2006">{{cite web|url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/fartown-will-never-fade-from-memory-1-2415292 |title=Fartown will never fade from memory |work=The Yorkshire Post|date=29 December 2006|access-date=1 January 2017}}</ref>

}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |title=The Grounds Of Rugby League |last1=Delaney |first1=Trevor |year=1991 |publisher=Trevor R. Delaney |location=[[Keighley]] |isbn=0-9509982-2-2 |url = https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grounds-Rugby-League-Trevor-Delaney/dp/0950998222 }}

{{Halifax Panthers}}

[[Category:Defunct cricket grounds in England]]
[[Category:Sports venues in West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Cricket grounds in West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Halifax Panthers]]
[[Category:Defunct rugby league venues in England]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Halifax, West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Sport in Halifax, West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Defunct sports venues in West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1886]]