This 28,000 seater stadium was built to replace the old Leeds Road stadium.
During the construction, Paul Fletcher was able to persuade the local authority and Huddersfield Town FC, that it would be beneficial for all concerned to invite Huddersfield Giants rugby league club to share this new venue and effectively ‘save two clubs with one stadium.’
There was much opposition, many saying ‘it would never work.’ Huddersfield Town FC and Huddersfield Giants Rugby Club have happily shared the (now called) John Smiths stadium since 1995, without concern.
The stadium cost circa £30million when constructed and was voted ‘Building of the Year’ in 1995