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Halifax has had a long association with motorcycle sport dating back to 1928 when it was introduced locally at the then Halifax Cricket Club. It reappeared again in 1938 at Thrum Hall.
On the 8th February 1949 construction began on a new speedway track at the Shay Stadium. An agreement had been reached between the Football Club and the Speedway team and on April 6th 1949 the first match took place between Halifax and Yarmouth.
Major R. E.Austin, The Commanding Officer of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, officially opened the track at the April meeting. The team name and logo were taken as recognition of the relationship between Halifax and the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment.
The average attendance over the years 1949 and 1951 was 5,000 but with ever increasing overheads, high council rates and taxation levels the Promoters decided to call it a day.
In 1965 speedway was re established at the Shay Stadium.
In 1966 the season was set alight by “The Dukes” who went on to do the double and win the British League Championship and Knockout Cup.
In 1974 Eric Boocock was crowned British Champion and in the eighties Halifaxs’ own, Kenny Carter set the speedway world on fire with his exceptional style and performance.
International and Individual meetings were a regular occurrence at the Shay as it was deemed to be one of the best tracks in the Country. The Dews Trophy often witnessed attendances in excess of 7000.
Sadly the “Dukes” left the Shay Stadium after their final match on 26/10/85. In 1986 they relocated to Bradford. Unfortunately the supporters did not follow the Bradford team and a few years later the team folded.
In 2003 after watching Sheffield v Rye House, former Halifax Junior Dukes rider Lyndon Hayes love of speedway was rekindled. Soon he had decided it would be his mission to return speedway to Halifax.
By June 2004 Halifax Dukes was incorporated as a company and various sites around Halifax evaluated. To assist with a possible planning application a DVD was produced and 2 Junior Meetings staged.
After an absence of 19 years Halifax Dukes returned to action at Craven Park, Hull.
The match also saw the return to the saddle of local lad Wayne Carter, other members of the team on the day were David Speight, Ross Parker and Benji Compton. The result was Hull Angels 12 Halifax Dukes 12.
Next up was a visit to local rivals Sheffield, representing the team again was Wayne Carter, David Speight, Benji Compton with the addition of Michael Mitchell, replacing the injured Ross Parker. The Dukes triumphed, Sheffield Prowlers 18 Halifax Dukes 20.
2005 saw the Dukes field a full complement of riders for a challenge match at the new Scunthorpe Scorpions Raceway. Managed by Halifax Dukes legend Eric Boocock and representing the Halifax Dukes were Wayne Carter, Gary Stead, Ben Wilson, Luke Priest, David Speight, Michael Mitchell and Ross Parker. Honours remained even in the first ever meeting between the teams. Scunthorpe Scorpions 45 Halifax Dukes 45
2006-2009 Saw several further possible locations evaluated, but alas after meetings with the Calderdale Planning Departments, deemed unsuitable.
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