Terriers Together

If you hear anything at Town matches that makes you feel uncomfortable or you believe qualifies as abusive behaviour, you can contact our report line. You can text the number giving a brief description of what you’ve heard or seen and the stand, row, and seat number where possible.

Let’s kick discrimination out of football – together.

Match day incident supporting number: 0774 1528 949

Email: supporterservices@htafc.com

Kick It Out: 0800 1699 414

Email: info@kickitout.org

You can also report discrimination to Kick It Out via their app or via the online reporting form on their website.

Keep up to date with the organisation’s work at the following:

Twitter: @kickitout and @kickitoutreport

Facebook: @kickitoutofficial

Instagram: @kickitout

Website: www.kickitout.org

The Club believes that the general well-being and welfare of all children, young persons and adults at risk who are involved with the Club in any way, is of paramount importance.

Therefore, the Club will provide a safe setting for any child or young person under the age of 18 or adult at risk. It encourages best practice in safeguarding children and adults at risk matters in a spirit of partnership and openness with all children, adults at risk, their families, and local agencies.

The Club will promote good outcomes in terms of health, development and educational achievement alongside football and sporting excellence. It will encourage everyone working for the Club to recognise the significance of ethnic and cultural diversity.

Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone who has contact with children, young people and vulnerable groups, we provide a positive environment, enjoyable experiences and to protect from harm. The Club safeguarding policy provides details of different types of abuse, guidance on identifying issues and procedures and support for use by staff and volunteers.

Mandatory legislation and best practice underpin the activities which are available at the Club and this policy will help to ensure that responses to activities and issues are consistent considering local authority guidance, law and individual needs across our community.

The Safeguarding and Adults at Risk policies will be evaluated and reviewed annually and will be subject to Board approval to ensure they remain in line with statutory guidance and relevant to the work of the organisation. All other policies and procedures are reviewed regularly to ensure they are in line with current guidance and good practice.

To view the Club's Safeguarding Policy in full, click HERE.

Details for reporting safeguarding concerns are shown below:

Any concerns including Matchday and Club matters: Joe Howson (Joe.howson@htafc.com)

Concerns regarding the Academy: Adam Powell (adam.powell@htafc.com)

Concerns regarding the Foundation: Sunny Freakley (sunny.freakley@htafcfoundation.com)

If you are worried or concerned that a child is at immediate risk of harm then please contact the Police via the 999 service.

Additional information regarding safeguarding can be found here: https://www.kirkleessafeguardingchildren.co.uk/

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The Club believes that the general well-being and welfare of all children, young persons and adults at risk who are involved with the Club in any way, is of paramount importance.

In 2019, the Club formed an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion External Advisory Group (EDI EAG) made up from members of the public who reside in our diverse communities and who act as a ‘critical friend’. The EDI EAG forum provides an opportunity to engage with our independent advisors, and to consult and discuss the impact of Town’s equality work across the local communities surrounding the Football Club and Foundation.

The Group relaunched in 2024, here is more information about the members:

Jai Singh

I am currently a Journalism student at the University of Salford.
Born and raised in Huddersfield, I am a lifelong Huddersfield Town fan and a proud member of the town’s ethnically diverse community.

I am passionate about ensuring that football is a game for all and is truly inclusive. Having personally experienced racism and discrimination at football matches, I am keen to ensure that everyone feels comfortable and has a sense of belonging at Huddersfield Town, which is why I was so motivated to join the external advisory group.

As the youngest member of the group, I can also share my youth perspective and work together with other group members to make Huddersfield Town as welcoming and inclusive of everyone as possible, which I very much look forward to doing.

Phillip Ross

I am an Equality and Inclusion Officer, and as a season ticket holder and fan for 30+ years I am passionate about all things HTAFC and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion so the opportunity to combine the two and have a chance to feed into the Club’s strategy and work in this area was something I was very interested and excited to be involved with.

I am actively involved with fan groups such as the Disabled Supporters’ Club and Huddersfield Town Family Friendly, and the chance to work more closely with the Club on issues of such importance is a really rewarding experience.

I have a particular interest in Disability Equality and raising awareness of the issues that affect disabled people, especially those with hidden disabilities.

Sarah Mason-Dixon

In my professional career I am working as a Customer Experience Manager.

I have always really enjoyed watching any and all sport, but particularly over the last few years the development and visibility of women’s football in this country has been incredibly inspiring. Sport can have such an inspirational effect on local communities, and I'm excited to have the opportunity to be involved in bringing more inclusion to my local area with the football club that sits at its heart.

I'm particularly interested in venue and attendance accessibility, ensuring that all fans and visitors have the same great experiences and that barriers to attendance are broken down.

Graeme Tattersfield

I am a qualified Dentist and Practice Principal at Thornhill Dental, based in Thornhill, Dewsbury.

In 2022, I was invited by Huddersfield Town Football Club to join their EDI External Advisory Group; this followed several years of close association between Huddersfield Town and myself, my family, and Thornhill Dental. Over the years it became apparent that the ethos, values, and principles of myself, my family, and my dental practice closely align with those of Huddersfield Town Football Club.

Having worked in the local community as a general dental practitioner at Thornhill Dental for over 35 years I have a wide experience of many aspects of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Martin France

I am a founding Partner of SPARK Opportunity and a Management Consultant. Formerly, I was the Grocery Sales Director for Mars Wrigley UK.

I have a strong belief that community and sport have a huge role to play in improving all aspects of inclusivity, diversity, and belonging. I have joined Huddersfield Town’s EDI External Advisory Group to bring my industry experience to help the group and the Club make the progress they want to make in all aspects of equality, diversity, and inclusion, but also to learn as much as possible from my colleagues on the group.

I am particularly interested in social mobility and psychological security and hope to provide guidance to the Club on its endeavours relating to these themes.

Terry Lodge

I am a recently retired diagnostic radiographer. I spent 20 years working for the NHS in clinical practice. Educating and training students and staff has always been important to me and so I became a clinical educator. I then moved into full time health education.

As an undergraduate preregistration programme leader, I was heavily involved in increasing the diversity of our student body. It was a privilege to work with students and staff to ensure everyone, from any background, had an equal opportunity to thrive and enable them to work effectively for the communities they serve.

After completing a part-time Masters degree in Diversity Management, I saw the advertisement for the EDI External Advisory Group; this seemed like a perfect opportunity for me to give back something to the football club I have supported since I was thirteen years old. I share the Club’s goal to make watching and supporting Huddersfield Town enjoyable and inclusive for everyone.

As time rolls by, I have become increasingly interested in how watching football can continue to be inclusive for older supporters.

Ayesha Ahmed

I am the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Manager at Anthony Nolan.

As someone who is passionate about both EDI and football, I believe in the transformative power of the sport to unite and inspire communities. Football should be a place where everyone, regardless of their background or identity, feels a sense of belonging and has equal access to opportunities. I am particularly interested in supporting efforts to increase the representation of marginalised communities, especially women and ethnic minorities, within the football industry. I am eager to offer my insights and knowledge to help embed anti-racist and inclusive practices and create a safe and welcoming environment for fans, players and staff at HTAFC.

My particular areas of interest are race equality, intersectionality, and anti-racism.

Brodie Spencer

Commenting on his role as Terriers Together Ambassador, Brodie said:

“I wanted to be a Terriers Together Ambassador to get a connection with the fans and the local community. I think that’s very important as a football player, as important as the on-field stuff.

"It means a lot to me to give back to the local community and get out and meet different people. The Club have always made it clear to us how much the fans mean to them. Without them, I know that a lot of what goes on within the Academy wouldn’t be possible, so they’re incredibly important to me.

"I’ve been fortunate not to face any discrimination personally, but I’ve had teammates who have, which makes becoming an Ambassador even more important to me. The last thing I would want would be for someone to come to a game and feel uncomfortable or unwelcome. No one should feel like that. Huddersfield Town is a family, we’re all about being together.”

Francis Hurl

Commenting on his role as Terriers Together Ambassador, the young 'keeper said:

"As a young player making my way through the ranks at the Club, I feel that it is important that I understand and play an active role in the work that goes on within our local community.

"There is so much hard work that goes on behind-the-scenes, a lot of which people don't see but it impacts lives and is a force for good.

"Football clubs have such a powerful place in the heart of the communitiesthey serve and as footballers we have a responsibility to play our part in delivering the message of inclusion and being part of a collective."

The ‘Terriers Together’ Inclusion Room is a safe space in which different groups of supporters can attend our home fixtures and feel confident that their individual needs will be catered for.

We recognise that not all supporters are able to attend matches if they have no alternative but to sit in the main stands. The Inclusion Room enables our valued supporters to watch a match from inside, with the option of moving to the outdoor seating if this is preferred.

If you would like to attend a match from the comfort of the Inclusion Room, please contact our Disability Liaison Officer by email to dlo@htafc.com. Please make your enquiry at least three weeks before the match you would like to attend; we are receiving a high volume of enquiries and cannot guarantee that every request will be accommodated. The room may be used by more than one family/party per match.

Users of the Inclusion Room must have a valid match day ticket, and these will be at the standard price per ticket based on category of supporter. Prices may vary from game to game depending on the nature of the match (e.g., a league fixture, or cup fixture) and any other factors including whether the attendee(s) is/are disabled and require a ticket for a companion.

Children under the age of 18 must be supervised at all times by a parent, carer, or other adult companion.

Capacity is a maximum of 12 people at any time (excluding Club staff, or other supervisors).

CLICK HERE to find out more about the space.

Huddersfield Town's Women’s + Network formed in 2021, starting with nine founding members comprising both staff and supporters. The original premise of the network was for the members to undertake research to gain insight into female experiences in football, and to implement changes to increase female representation, inclusion, and engagement at and around the game.

Since its public launch in March 2022, the Women's + Network has grown and now has over 60 members, all of whom are playing a key role in opening up dialogue between supporters, staff, and stakeholders of all genders and from all backgrounds to champion, enhance, and celebrate female experiences with the Club.

The group meets at least quarterly and the members are providing valuable insights into their experiences as women attending matches, and as allies and advocates of female inclusion. We have had fantastic guest speakers at our gatherings, covering topics such as menopause and HRT, wellbeing, life as a professional sportswoman, and domestic abuse. Network members also had the opportunity to give their feedback directly to Kevin Nagle, our Chairman and owner, at a special afternoon tea that took place in January 2024.

The Women’s+ Network is not just open to people who enjoy watching football; it is open to anyone as an inclusive and supportive forum in which to make friends and to experience a different side of a football environment. We recognise that not everyone wants to or is able to attend our matches, and we are keen to offer alternative means of engaging with us, which the Women’s+ Network provides. As a Club that is firmly rooted in the communities of Kirklees, we offer a safe space for people of all genders to contribute to making Huddersfield Town as welcoming and inclusive of everyone as possible. We look forward to meeting many more new members in the future.

To find out more or express your interest on our Women's+ Network, please email Zoe.Shackleton@htafc.com.

We work alongside the following supporter groups on our equality actions and objectives.

Huddersfield Town Supporters Association

HTSA is an independent and democratic trust that seeks to represent the interests of Huddersfield Town and Huddersfield Town Women supporters. HTSA provide supporters with a line of communication to the Club and football governing bodies and lobby on supporter’s behalf. They also represent supporters’ interests in the wider community and are involved in a variety of equality related initiatives such as Women at the Game and On the Ball.

Email: contact@htsa-web.com

Website: www.htsa-web.com

Twitter: @officialhtsa

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HuddersfieldTownSupportersAssociation

Instagram: www.instagram.com/insta_htsa/

Huddersfield Town Disabled Supporters Club (HTDSC)

HTDSC are an enthusiastic, fun and friendly group of disabled Huddersfield Town supporters who liaise with other disabled fans both home and away to provide feedback and work with the Club to promote an inclusive match day experience. For more details on the work they do and their meetings please click here Huddersfield Town - DISABLED SUPPORTERS (htafc.com)

Email: dave.heatherill14@gmail.com

Telephone: 07934 458650

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HTDSC

Proud About Town Mission Statement:

"Proud About Town is a group for LGBTQ+ Huddersfield Town supporters and their allies.
We work closely with the Club to promote equality and respect for all within football. Our mission is to support and empower LGBTQ+ Town fans, their friends and family, and our allies. We aim to strengthen the match day experience for everyone from the LGBTQ+ community, making our home a space where all fans feel safe to be themselves.

We are pleased to contribute to the 'Terriers Together' Equality, Diversion and Inclusion strategy, actively promoting equality and celebrating the diversity that makes us all special and unique.

We are a friendly and supportive group who meet regularly, and we welcome new members."

If you would like to be involved in the Proud About Town group, please email Zoe.Shackleton@htafc.com

Huddersfield Town are proud to be the first football club to be a fully accredited Menopause Friendly Employer, an accreditation through which we have demonstrated our understanding of the effects that menopause can have in the workplace, raised awareness, and put support in place for those who need it.

We have a comprehensive Menopause Policy, covering roles and responsibilities, and the range of possible adjustments we may make for anyone experiencing menopausal symptoms.

We are committed to catering for all our employees’ health and wellbeing needs, and by working in partnership with Henpicked on the Menopause Friendly scheme, we have implemented practical ways to support our colleagues, and we have provided mandatory Menopause Awareness training for all our staff. We are very proud to be leading the way in breaking down the taboos often associated with the menopause and that this work is integral to our ‘Terriers Together’ Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy and female inclusion aspirations. Feedback on this important work has been well-received:

"I am proud to work for a company that is at the forefront of best-practice in relation to the menopause. In my experience, so many people shy away from talking about the menopause, which can make it difficult to access help and support. In our culture, everyone is committed to reducing and removing stigma and encouraging discussion on topics that might still be considered taboo. I know I can speak to any of my colleagues and my line manager if I need help to manage my symptoms, whether that is by having the flexibility to work from home, to amend my working hours, or attend medical appointments. I can be honest about my needs without fear of any negative repercussions. I think it’s brilliant that Huddersfield Town is the first football club to be working towards Menopause Friendly Employer status."

"I found the Menopause awareness training very detailed and in depth. It was very beneficial as it allowed me to be much more aware of how colleagues may be feeling when going through this stage in life. I would recommend this course to others as it would benefit them both in the working day and in day to day life."

Increasing female representation and being inclusive of people of all genders in the Club are part of our fundamental equality aims under our ‘Terriers Together’ ethos, and we look forward to continuing our work in this area.

For more information on the Menopause Friendly scheme, please CLICK HERE.

Please also CLICK HERE to view our short video that we created and released in October 2024 for World Menopause Day.

Huddersfield Town Football Club is the first organisation to be awarded Menstruation Friendly Accreditation in recognition of its high standards and proven practices embracing menstrual health in the workplace.

Industry-recognised and awarded by an independent panel of experts, the Menstruation Friendly Accreditation was established by Henpicked.

In order to achieve Menstruation Friendly Accreditation, Huddersfield Town Football Club had to show the effectiveness of its actions in its culture, policies and practices, training, engagement and working environment.

Zoe Shackleton, our Head of HR and EDI, commented:

“A fundamental priority of our ‘Terriers Together’ Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy is to ensure we continue to strive to improve female inclusion and representation.

“In 2025, no one should be afraid to talk about menstruation and menopause and the work we are doing has really opened up an important dialogue and is helping our female colleagues to get the support they need.”

The first step that HTAFC took was to engage in training for all staff so that male colleagues could also benefit from learning more about what their female colleagues may be experiencing. Armed with this knowledge, many became strong allies and advocates for female inclusion, both at work and with friends and family.

Alongside the training, HTAFC collated comprehensive information, built a resource library for colleagues and wrote a Menstruation Policy.

Being the first organisation to achieve Menstruation Friendly Accreditation speaks volumes about Huddersfield Town Football Club’s ethos and what it means to be a good and supportive employer. “We are grateful to the Menstruation Friendly team who guided us through the accreditation process,” says Zoe. “It was less a question of ‘why did we want to work towards Menstruation Friendly Accreditation?’ and more a question of ‘why wouldn’t we?’”