With the new season but days away perhaps it is down to age, not as good as in my day comes to mind. But as awaited as the big kick-off is things seem different.

We, or rather I did, actually looked forward to summer and the long hot hazy days of cricket, the Cup Final was six weeks after the close of the football season so you had the long exciting build up to the big day, soccer did not re-appear until the middle to end of August.

Two things meant so much. The opening fixture especially if at home and boarding the Supporters Coach in Gomersal for the start of the season.

Friendships re-newed after nearly three months. We sang Donald where's your trousers to the one and only Donald Bould, 'All good friends & Jolly Good Company' was another ditty. Ernest Jones had a almighty juggling act to do with his cricket commitment's but us lads piled onto the back seat happy to be Leeds Road bound again and this campaign would be the one, the one to bring the long awaited promotion!

Oh nearly forgot what was the other so valued component to greet the return of football. All the way on the bus I would look forward to it. Climbing those huge wooden steps at the back of the huge terrace we so loved.

Upon reaching the top I would pause, shut my eyes for a few seconds, building up the moment and then slowly move onto the Terrace at the top of the Popular side. Open my eyes and there you saw it, the green green grass of Home. The Leeds Road turf in all its glory, new, unmarked, perfect.

I can still see it now I'm back at the top of the terrace taking in the sight that still to this day means so much. Then there was the new programme but other than that nothing much changed what we did want to alter was Town being a well established 2nd Division club.

Only a few opening fixtures seem to stick in the memory, a home 1-1 draw with Bolton in 1964, the following season we opened up in the Capital with a 2-0 at the Orient and the next season, with England the World Champions Leeds Road saw Bristol City beaten 2-0, again on opening day 67/68 we met.

This time in the West Country victorious 3-2 at Ashton Gate with thousands of Town fans there, many like me having travelled on the football special to Temple Meads. 1970/71 was a bit special, a bit, a heck of a lot for we had done it we were back in the elite.

Leeds Road hosted Blackpool and First Division football a superb 3-0 victory against the other promoted club. Town gaffer Ian Greaves was heard to quip, "It's true what they say, this 1st Division football is much quicker!"

No doubt you too have your memories of opening days gone by, very special too aren't they. On the eve of another new season, if I have one request of the Town fan of today, one wish it is this.

Huddersfield Town is your football club - YOU are Huddersfield Town. Players & officials come and go, but YOU are for life. So if things get a little tough for your club, the performance patchy, passes go astray, chances missed that's when YOU get going even more.

It is yourself and your club you are supporting. That's when you and all the thousands of mates around you must raise your voices even louder because you must help each other help your club.

Believe me constant encouragement, even louder support from you for your club will mean so much and make a difference. At the end of the season, whaterver the results, whatever the league table says, nothing will have altered you - you will still be Huddersfield Town.

Some day "those were the days" will be your 50+ years of memories and whatever the record books say... ...
The Town will still be you and your heart will still belong to your beloved Huddersfield Town