Town fan from Brighouse scoops £20,000 jackpot
One lucky Huddersfield Town fan is £20,000 richer today thanks to Thursday night’s Blue & White Foundation’s £20,000.
For the tenth successive year, the Blue & White Foundation – the exclusive members club that helps to fund the Club’s Academy – held its end of year jackpot draw, with a crowd of over 150 descending on Canalside.
For the first time the jackpot draw was broadcast live on the internet and the big winner was Brighouse’s Linda Carey, who is pictured above with Operations Director Ann Hough and her £20,000 cheque at the John Smith’s Stadium today!
“I was sat watching the news at home when my phone started ringing. I immediately recognised the voice as Karen (Haigh, Town’s Promotions Manager).
“I thought it might be about my son being a mascot, but when she told me I’d won £20,000 I couldn’t believe it; I was shaking, crying and completely speechless – which is not like me!
“I couldn’t sleep all night, but it was a fantastic reason to be sleepless! I’m going to use the money to pay off some debts and buy a new car. The one I have now is about 10 years old and I’m not totally sure how it is still going!”
Linda has been a Blue & White Foundation member since 2008, but admitted that it was a chance meeting with a Town Director that began her interest in football.
“We weren’t really a football family, but I met Sean Jarvis at a party and he kindly gave my kids some scarves and a couple of match day magazines. We started coming to the games and now we come every week. We all love the atmosphere and my son, who is 12, is now absolutely football mad.
“I also joined the Blue & White Foundation around five years ago and I’ve won the odd £10 here and there on the weekly draw, but this is quite a jump!”
Ten runners-up also won £500 prizes on the evening; Andrew Wood, David Noon, Michael Wright, John Poulter, Mark Dunstan, David Brook, Stewart Gill, Richard Bell, Gerald Charlesworth and Geoff Farrell. Happily Gerald and Geoff were in the room on the evening to collect their prizes!
The evening kicked-off just after 7pm, with match day announcer Paul Ramsden taking to the stage to interview several players that have progressed through the Academy before going onto become professional footballers.
Alongside Academy Manager Mark Lillis current First Team squad members Duane Holmes, Matt Crooks, Max Leonard and Ed Wilczynski, several past players returned for the evening; former Club Captain Jon Worthington, current Scunthorpe skipper Michael Collins and Preston North End’s Tom Clarke. Although not an Academy graduate, they were also joined by current Rotherham player and former Town favourite Danny Schofield!
Acoustic guitarist Jacob Crawshaw also entertained the packed Radcliffe Construction Suite, with attendees also enjoying the food provided by Canalside’s catering staff.
The build-up to year 11’s prize draw starts now! If you want to help fund Town’s Academy and stand a chance of winning next year’s jackpot – as well as over £1,000 every Tuesday in a weekly draw – call the Promotions Department on 01484 484146, email lotteries@htafc.com or click HERE to join online!
