Huddersfield Town

Jack Fitt, Charlie Senior, Ryan Blackburn, James Turford, Charlie Horncastle, Luke Sowerby, Harry Crowther and two residents from the Club’s charity partner Hollybank Trust were treated to a ‘money can’t buy’ Directors’ Box experience. 

Prior to the game they ate in the exclusive Lewis James suite before heading down pitch side to have their picture taken with Simon Grayson and a number of Town’s first team stars.

After watching the first-half from the Directors’ Box the children met with pitch announcer Paul Ramsden at half-time and spoke to the crowd about their achievements. 

Two of the children who attended the game were residents at the Club’s charity partners the Hollybank Trust; they are both huge Huddersfield Town fans and really enjoyed the match.

Jack Fitt – Town’s Junior Knight of Yorkshire who has raised almost £2,000 for the Keep It Up campaign in the last two seasons, by doing a bike ride and most recently a walk from Leeds to Huddersfield.

Charlie Senior – goes to Castle Hill School in Newsome and is currently amazing doctors with his progress after he was told he would never walk, talk or see again. He has been doing fantastically well with his mobility and his speech after completing an intensive course of daily oxygen therapy treatments.

Ryan Blackburn – lives in Golcar and did a five mile run in his late Granddad’s memory. Ryan raised £125 for Newsome Nursing Home where his Granddad lived. The home has put the money Ryan raised towards a plaque and to spend on the residents’ activities.

James Turford – lives in Newsome and completed a 50 mile charity bike ride in memory of a fellow cyclist who sadly died from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS). James raised £240 for the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

Charlie Horncastle – is a massive Town fan and had a surprise visit from Jack Hunt, Danny Ward and Andy Booth whilst at LGI recently.

Luke Sowerby – is an 11 year-old, student of Castle Hall School. Along with school friends he played a game of tennis for nine hours in memory of his mother and in support of Kirkwood Hospice. Luke played tennis non-stop from 8am until 5pm in the ‘tennis-a-thon’ in memory of his mother Lynda who sadly died of kidney cancer in 2006.

Harry Crowther – 13 year-old Harry is a great friend of the Club! Harry has an extremely rare genetic disorder known as Atypical Progeria Syndrome, which is a premature ageing disorder. Despite that, he hasn’t let anything hold him back; he was chosen to be an Olympic torchbearer and most recently he won the Special Recognition Award for being the 'Pride of Yorkshire' at the Yorkshire Children of Courage & Achievement Awards 2012.

Town’s tenth child of courage is Bailey Coppack who unfortunately could not make the game, but has shown amazing bravery and courage over the last 18 months as she battles illness; everyone at the Club wishes her well.

Huddersfield Town’s Supporter Partnerships Manager Robyn Deegan spoke with htafc.com after the game:

“It was an honour to have welcomed these courageous children and their families to the game. The bravery that they have shown in each of their different ways is truly amazing and on behalf of everyone at Huddersfield Town I would like to thank them.

“It was a pleasure to have been around them for the day; they were all very charming. They all looked delighted when they got to meet Simon (Grayson) and some of the first team players – I hope they all enjoyed their day out with us!” 

Elsewhere, eight year-old Megan Roberts enjoyed her first ever Town game. As a special treat Megan and her family were invited pitch side before the game to have their picture taken in the dugout.

Furthermore, 40 seven year-olds took part in the Terrier 7’s presentation where Jordan Sinnott, Matt Crooks and Max Leonard handed out gift bags – click HERE for more info about Town’s Terrier 7’s scheme.

Another feat celebrated at the game was the achievements of 175 walkers who trekked to Barnsley last week in aid of the ‘Keep it Up’ campaign. It was the second ‘Walk for Pounds’ event and it is expected to raise a lot of money for Town’s and Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s joint initiative. The efforts of the walkers were applauded at half-time when they performed a lap of honour.

Prior to kick-off midfielder Adam Clayton was presented with a magnum of champagne after being voted the Blue and White Foundation’s Player of the Month for October. BWF member Mark Hoyle is pictured presenting Adam with his award.

Former Town player Chris Hutchings was another of the guests on Saturday. The former defender was the Q&A guest at Canalside before kick-off before visiting the White Rose Club at the Stadium. The former Wigan and Bradford manager also picked the Golden Gamble numbers at half-time.

Club Partner Expect Distribution also brought their new truck down to the ground, showcasing their support for the Terriers!