Belfast testimonial run-out for Terriers
Huddersfield Town played its part in a testimonial game for long-serving Crusaders centre back Colin Coates in Belfast this evening.
Anthony Gerrard and Jermaine Beckford scored in a 3-2 win for the hosts, but the evening was all about Northern Ireland international Coates and was played in a fantastic atmosphere at their Seaview ground.
Town travelled to Belfast with a squad of 17 players including midfielder Scott Kay and striker Godwin Abadaki from the Development Squad, as well as under-18 centre back William Boyle, but on the evening the likes of Manager Simon Grayson and First Team Coaches Glynn Snodin and Ian Miller also enjoyed run-outs, whilst boxer Carl Frampton played for Crusaders.
Snodin – who was national team Assistant Manager when Coates was handed his first Northern Ireland cap in 2009 – told htafc.com that the evening was a great success:
“Tonight was all about Colin and I’m delighted we could be involved. They are not massive clubs over here but I’d say around 700 fans turned out tonight and it’s fantastic we could play our part as Colin’s service was recognised. The people from Crusaders love their football and they were very grateful that we came across.
“On the pitch we put on a good show, with our First Team representatives playing the first 45 minutes.
“From our point of view this has been a good team bonding exercise, afforded to us by the international break. It’s only an hour’s flight and it has got everyone together – it’s been a good spell away.
“It also gave us the opportunity to see the likes of Scott Kay, Godwin Abadaki and Will Boyle in a game situation.”
Town’s Squad vs. Crusaders:
Alex Smithies, Ian Bennett; Calum Woods, Paul Dixon, Peter Clarke, Anthony Gerrard, Adam Clayton, Lee Novak, Danny Ward, Scott Arfield, Alan Lee, Jermaine Beckford, Anton Robinson, Jack Hunt, Scott Kay, Godwin Abadaki, William Boyle
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