Halifax Town Football Club has appointed the train operator, Grand Central, as its new ‘Official Community Partner’.

Grand Central has operated passenger rail services on the East Coast Main Line from Sunderland to London King’s Cross since December 2007, and from Bradford Interchange via Halifax to London King’s Cross since May 2010.

With deep-rooted links to the communities it serves, Grand Central will work alongside Halifax Town FC to develop projects and partnerships that will further its reach and benefit the local community, and use this partnership to organise community projects and events throughout the year.

The football club hopes that with Grand Central being a nationally renowned brand, it can bring attention to not only the good work that the club does within its local community, but also to a wider audience.

Halifax Town FC is the successor to Halifax Town AFC, which went into administration in the 2007–08 season. The club is currently in the National League, which is the fifth tier of English football, and play at the Shay stadium.

Sean English, Chief Operating Officer for Grand Central, says: “We’re delighted to be working with Halifax Town. ‘The Shaymen’ are a great example of a club that supports and strengthens it local community, and we’re looking forward to helping them take that even further over the next 12 months.”

“As a major station on our Bradford to London route, Halifax is a key community that we are committed to supporting and through the football club, we have a fantastic opportunity to do that.”

FC Halifax Town’s Commercial Director, John Williams, said “We are equally delighted that Grand Central is an official partner at FC Halifax Town. Grand Central is a well-known brand and to have them associated with FC Halifax Town is a testament to Sean and his team. We look forward to working with Sean and his team.”