Fans young and old, chanting "Save our Shay", united in the procession from the ground to Halifax Town Hall ahead of the meeting to discuss the proposed sell-off.
In a majority of 37 votes to five, councillors agreed to spend up to ?100,000 on detailed structural, technical and financial appraisals as well as a more robust business plan to be drawn up by the stadium trust.
Trust chief executive Geoff Butler believed the deal paved the way for the partly built east stand to be completed by March 2007.
"We intend to make progress as quickly as possible so that we have a stadium everyone can be proud of," he said. In November, Calderdale Council offered to make a loan to the trust to complete the stand but at a special meeting last month suggested selling the stadium to a private developer.
The furious public reaction spurred council leader John Ford (Con, Skircoat) into putting another resolution to last night's special meeting.
"Claims that the council has a vendetta against the sports clubs could not be further from the truth and I hope we are now in a situation where they and the trust can get on with what they want to do," he said.
Liberal Democrat leader Michael Taylor (Calder Valley) said the council had the bare bones of an idea from the trust about how it would like to see the Shay developed and the details were needed very quickly.
Stephen Baines (Con, Northowram-Shelf) said the agreement should ensure for the first time that there were fully costed proposals.
Paul Rogan, one of five councillors who voted against the deal, said people believed a stadium was desirable but council tax payers should not have to pick up the bill.
Geoffrey Wallace (BNP-Illingworth and Mixenden) also voted against the proposal, saying it did not go far enough.
Trust chairman Roger Simpson said there was no point spending ?100,000 on appraisals if the council was not committed in principle to approving a 125-year-lease.
The issue of loans and leases to the ground is still to be thrashed out.
Liz Ingleton (Lib-Dem, Greetland and Stainland) said: "Given the political balance of the council, the trust will have to take what it can and rely on the goodwill of the council to take it further."
Labour leader Helen Rivron (Ovenden) said members had come a long way since December 14 when selling the Shay was on the agenda.
"But at least the council as a whole seems to be behind the idea of a community stadium, which is viable and in which the trust has a key stake."
March organisers were delighted by the support. Police estimated the crowd in excess of 1,000.
Fans, who had earlier gathered at the Shay and walked through the town centre, were in good spirits, carrying banners, chanting and singing.
"It was absolutely amazing and we had more people waiting on the town hall steps for us to arrive,'' said organiser Ian Griffiths.
He handed Coun Ford a letter urging councillors to support the Shay Stadium Trust in its efforts to develop the ground.
Councillor Ford received the letter with chants of 'Ford Out' echoing in his ears.
Derek Lister, 69, of Copley, Halifax, has been following Halifax RLFC for 65 years and he hoped commonsense would prevail.
"It's not only about the sports clubs but the offshoot benefits as well,'' he said.
Bradford Bulls supporter Kirsty Edwards, 18, of Tong, Bradford, said she decided to join the march in the interests of rugby league.
"If Halifax were unable to continue playing at the Shay then that is important to us,'' she said.
Leeds Rhinos fan Charlotte Smith, 15, of Farnley, Leeds, said it was important the team didn't disappear or be forced to play out of town.
"We want Halifax in Halifax,'' said Charlotte, who also joined the march to the town hall via Union Street South, Union Street, Westgate, Market Street and Crossley Street.
Mr Griffiths said the outcome of the meeting meant more talking. "But let's hope there is another resolution quickly,'' he said.
Councillors on the march included Joyce Cawthra (Con, Brighouse), and Kay Barret (Con, Ryburn) who both said they were behind the supporters for a community stadium.
And Fax fan Rob Bell, 31, of Ovenden, Halifax, warned that supporters were determined to win the day. "We won't back down from this – no way,'' he said.

source: http://www.halifaxtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=700&ArticleID=1309107