McGrath refuses to call crisis-hit Gateshead a banana skin
Thursday 8 October 2026 · By Chris Lanyon
FC Halifax Town manager John McGrath has warned his players not to underestimate bottom club Gateshead when they visit The Shay on Saturday, despite the turmoil at their opponents.
The Shaymen go into the game in good form. Last Saturday’s 2–0 win at Solihull Moors means they have lost only once in their last six league matches, and they are now 13th on 17 points from 12 games, three points behind seventh-placed AFC Fylde.
The win at Solihull came against former Halifax boss Chris Millington, now in charge of Moors. Cruz Allen pounced on a defensive mix-up on 55 minutes, and five minutes later Tommy McDermott curled in a free-kick to make sure of the points.
Gateshead, meanwhile, are in crisis. Players and staff have not been paid their September wages, and the club sacked manager Lee Cattermole on Sunday. They are bottom of the table with four points from 12 games.
McGrath is taking nothing for granted. “If we start talking about banana skins then it becomes a banana skin,” he told the Halifax Courier. “We’re at home, where our form is good.” He also offered sympathy to Cattermole. “It’s not nice to see a fellow manager lose his job,” he said.
There is encouraging team news for Halifax. Midfielder Tayt Trusty and centre-back Mackenzie Maltby are expected to be available, though Zak Gilsenan is not expected to feature. Winger AJ Warburton missed the Solihull game for personal reasons.
McGrath has indicated that he does not expect to add to his squad in the short term. “I’m not expecting any ins,” he said. “With the National League Cup, and the FA Cup coming up, we’ll probably hang fire.” He believes his group will “get stronger as the season goes”.
That is a reasonable expectation. McGrath was appointed from Buxton on 19 May, after Adam Lakeland left for Morecambe at the end of April, and has been building his own side. Halifax finished eighth last season, and their defensive record this term, with 14 goals conceded, is among the best in the Enterprise National League.
After Saturday, Halifax host South Shields in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round on the weekend of 17 October. South Shields were runners-up in the National League North last season, so it promises to be a competitive tie.
The league then resumes with a trip to Southend United on Saturday 24 October, before Barrow visit The Shay on Tuesday 27 October. Both opponents are in good form, so the Gateshead game represents an important opportunity to bank points.
McGrath is right to be wary. Teams in crisis can sometimes produce unexpected results, and Gateshead’s players will be keen to show what they can do in difficult circumstances. But with home advantage, a settled squad and momentum on their side, Halifax will fancy their chances of moving closer to the play-off places.
The Shay sits on the south side of Halifax, a short walk from the town centre and about five to ten minutes from Halifax railway station. Home of FC Halifax Town — the Shaymen — and shared with rugby league side Halifax Panthers, it is a proper dual-use Yorkshire ground: part modern stand, part terrace, part historic relic. Official capacity is 10,401, with just over 5,000 seats and a similar number of safe-standing places on the North and South ends. Visiting supporters usually find it compact, a little quirky, and easy to navigate once you know which side of the hill you are on.
Address for most purposes is The Shay Stadium, Shaw Hill, Halifax, HX1 2YS. Sat-nav users often do better with HX1 2YT. By car, leave the M62 at junction 24 and follow the A629 towards Halifax; the ground sits off Skircoat Road / Shaw Hill. Street parking nearby fills quickly on Saturdays, so allow extra time or use town-centre car parks and walk in. From the station, leave the car park, turn left, and the ground appears on your right within half a mile. Turnstiles typically open an hour before kick-off. Buy in advance where you can; matchday prices often rise by a couple of pounds on the gate.
Away allocation changes with the size of the travelling support. The usual football home for visitors is the Skircoat Stand on the west side, along Skircoat Road: covered seating, a good racket when full, but several roof supports that can spoil the view if you sit behind a pillar. It is the oldest part of the ground — a section of roof came from Manchester City’s old Hyde Road in the 1920s — and it does not run the full length of the touchline. For smaller away followings you may instead be placed in a section of the East Stand. For bigger games the North Stand terrace behind the goal can be opened exclusively for away fans. Always check your club’s allocation before you travel; do not assume you will be behind a goal.
The East Stand is the main stand: a single-tier all-seater opened in 2010, holding around 3,500–4,000, with hospitality boxes, bars, food points and function rooms underneath. Views are generally unobstructed. Opposite, the Skircoat side feels older and tighter. Behind the southern goal is the South Stand, a covered terrace used by home supporters and the Spring Hall end. The South Stand Bar on the concourse (capacity about 200) is the social heart of that end and is often open to all fans when segregation allows. The North Stand, a 1990s terrace built so the old club could regain League status, has frequently stood unused for football in recent seasons, though rugby fixtures use it more often.
Food and drink inside are typical lower-league fare: pies, burgers, hot dogs and chips from kiosks, plus the South Stand Bar if you have access. Town-centre pubs are a short walk if you prefer a pint before the turnstiles. The pitch is a hybrid surface used for both football and rugby; floodlights are the traditional pylon type. Atmosphere is honest rather than manufactured — Halifax crowds are not huge by Football League standards, but the bowl-like setting on the hillside can carry a song well when both sets of fans are in voice.
Practical notes for visitors: keep an eye on which stand your ticket specifies, because entrances differ — East Stand turnstiles on the main side, South Stand turnstiles at that end, and West/Skircoat access has historically been via the north-west corner. Cash and card arrangements vary by fixture, so carry a little cash as backup. Under-16 and concession prices are usually available; juniors may be matchday-only. The club and council share the site, so signage can mention conferences and rugby as well as the Shaymen. If you have time after the game, Halifax Piece Hall is a short stroll into town and makes a better landmark than most Saturday away days. Check fchalifaxtown.com for the latest prices and allocation before you set off.