After a busy week on and off the field for the Terriers with the start of the Darren Moore era, a similar theme has arisen across this week’s edition of the notebook. It wasn’t on purpose, but there’s a real thread running through this week’s notebook: community. The whole idea of this feature is to find a place for stories that we haven’t been able to find a home for elsewhere, usually because they aren’t long or juicy enough to warrant their own articles.
That doesn’t make any of it any less significant. Take a look at what we’ve got here: the struggle against racial abuse. A charity event to benefit a terrible,This is a dreadful disease. The women’s game in grief after the death of one of their own. And Huddersfield Town’s efforts to engage the club’s future generation of fans. My primary focus and interest is what occurs on the field, and that is ultimately what draws us all together on a Saturday afternoon – tens of thousands of people from all walks of life and all political persuasions who would otherwise have little or nothing to bind them together in a common cause.
Kevin Nagle has constantly spoken about the power of that since taking over the club in the summer, and did so again in explaining what attracted the club to new manager Darren Moore. The chairman said: “It was important of course to find someone to get the most out of our players, but we also wanted someone who would be great in the community and represent the team well. Darren checked all the boxes, is an extraordinary man, and we are all quite pleased to welcome him into the Town family.”
Of course, that community is always happiest when the team is winning, too. These are tough times for a lot of people without the added misery of losing every weekend, and we suspect that a lot of the deepest dismay is coming from people who desperately needed the lift that seeing your team win can provide.
These circles can either be virtuous or vicious; hopefully, this new era that feels significantly more real following Moore’s appointment can make it more of the good kind. But as with any community, there are sad, painful and hurtful elements too; most of this week’s notebook shows just how much we all need to make sure we’re looking out for each other, whatever the football results may be, and just what a different that can make.
Police investigate racist comments aimed at Huddersfield Town player
You may recall that Jaheim Headley was the target of racist comments on social media following his straight red card against Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup last month. It goes without saying that this is completely unacceptable, and Huddersfield Town treat such incidents with the utmost seriousness.
The matter was referred to the police, who have carried out an investigation and found that the comments originated overseas. The club want it to be known that they will quite rightly go to the highest possible authority on these matters, up to and including law enforcement, to help stamp racism out of the game.
Miles for Marcus approaches
Moore will take charge of his first game on Monday evening with the trip to Coventry City, but his first game in charge at the John Smith’s Stadium will be this Saturday against high-flying Ipswich Town, who made it seven wins from eight with another 4-3 thriller at the weekend.
Of course, the two Towns are both heavily associated with former striker Marcus Stewart, a legend for both clubs who last year was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Huddersfield Town are therefore using this fixture for their regular Walk for Pounds event, with the funds raised this year going to the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.
I’m doing the longer walk myself, as you may be aware – while declaring my love for the Millers Oils High Performance Complex, no less – and I’ve set myself an ambitious final target of £100 for each of the 18 miles. I’m currently some way short of that, so if you’re in a position to donate then now is the time to do it – thanks!
Huddersfield Town Women in cup action after weekend postponement
Town Women’s scheduled game against Derby County on Sunday was postponed on Sunday following the tragic passing of Sheffield United’s Maddy Cusack last week: many of the players and staff involved in the fixtures knew her personally and they did not feel it was appropriate to go ahead with the game.
The Terriers are set to return to action in the first round of the WNL Cup on Sunday, however, with a trip to the Black Country to face Stourbridge. Kick-off is set for 2pm.
Last chance to buy season tickets and bargain deal for Year 2 children
Season tickets will go on sale this Friday at 4 p.m., so if you want to be there to see the birth of the Darren Moore era from start to finish, that’s the way to go. Adults pay £299, U23s pay £199, Under 18s pay £129, Under 16s pay £129, and Under 11s pay £49.
The club is also giving a promotion to introduce kids in year 2 to watching the Terriers: for just £25, you can acquire a bundle deal that includes a replica shirt, tickets to a game, and a £10 voucher for the club shop for a child in your life who turns 7 years old in the current school year.
Leave a Reply