Some great names, many great memories, and so heart warming stories from great great connections to our famous Huddersfield Town.

He's the man behind Examiner headlines such as "Town shine as brightly as their floodlights" and "A glorious night to remember" - as Town gained promotion to the top flight in April 1970.

Alan Driscoll, if ever a man who never kicked a ball for our great club is a Town Legend then the former Examiner "Longfellow" Town correspondent is just such a person.

Despite watching all the games I could not wait for the Examiner football special on a Saturday night to come out. To re-live the game you had just seen, kick by kick, and some you’d missed but not by "Longfellow" you were back there enjoying the game better than anything Match of the Day was to produce years on.

Thanks to the Examiner and their coverage of Town affairs you were kept up to date on happenings down Leeds Road way and Alan Driscoll was centre stage, always informative, always fair and always a Town man. Now nearing 80years young his love of Town is that of all followers of the blue & white stripes here is but a little of his story.

Coming up to 79, sadly very much a sideline observer these days, restricted to match listening and media reporting. But the overall impression I get is of a club back on track, as ever ambitious but firmly resolved where its basic financial strategies must lie.

In my case ‘joining Town’ was stepping in as Examiner correspondent when colleague The Pilgrim (Bill Mallinson) moved to The Evening Post. Hitherto, I had covered reserve games, accompanied a Town close-season tour of Holland and the odd first team fixture. This was a big moment, not least for the soothing encouragement of Bill Shankly. The greatest.

Editorial reorganisation at The Examiner in 72-73 saw me switching wholly to news, with promotion to Chief Reporter and Deputy News Editor. No more Saturday and mid-week match days, sweating it out to make the last call that would start the presses rolling. You bet it was a painful break after fifteen years.

Alas, too many to mention, but some will forever linger. Like as a schoolboy, watching giants Alf Young and Arsenal’s Ted Drake knocking the daylights out of each other. Long match trips, Eddie Boot always the cool master at the card table, but Shanks and I never quite clicking at dominoes!

Nigh impossible to choose. ‘Wor Jackie’ Milburn’s instant comment to me when Steve Smith’s promotion-winning goal at Middlesbrough in 69-70: ‘Huddersfield Town are back where they’ve always belonged’ stands out. But as there ever been a Cup triumph to match the 5-1 replay at ice-bound West Ham 59-60. Denis Law absolutely unstoppable.

The big match-days of yesterday. And, of course, the terrific atmosphere in that beloved old Leeds Road ground. That massive terrace-side crammed with swaying, singing spectators. Live music from Mirfield Temperance band, with two of their number dodging and diving to collect the hailstorm of coins descending upon them.

The world has changed a lot from the late 50s and 60s. We no longer enjoy Saturday night front-page running reports which is a big miss. As for the game itself, many would argue that tactics dominate, suppressing individual flair and skill. And were Shanks to come back, what would he think of a Liverpool side dominated by so many foreigners?

Yes, I monitor Town’s progress as closely as ever. And I’ll always have a soft spot for Newcastle United, having been born just a couple of miles from St James’s Park.

Their loyalty and dedication is remarkable bearing in mind the club’s post-war inconsistencies. Sure enough, some were in the stands at Sampdoria when we participated in the Anglo-Italian Cup distance has never been a problem. And today’s evidence especially with away followings shows no sign of that core support wavering.

Another difficult one. My fervent hope is that they will retain stability in what are proving extremely testing financial times for many clubs. Town’s rightful place, I believe, would be in the Championship, with Academy developments of its own players and only occasional resort to chequebook dealings.

The short answer is not a lot. Too many ‘senior moments’ for my liking as I edge towards 79. The days of pleasure on the golf course, like one poignantly memorable round I enjoyed with my good pal Alf Young weeks before his death, sadly have had to go. But I have good friends on the bowling green at Brockholes and endeavour to do my little bit for the community as secretary of Honley Over 55s.

What memories, if only we had more time and space we could fill a book or three from the fifteen or so years "Longfellow" covered Huddersfield Town.

Having celebrated his 79 birthday last November Mr Driscoll is truly a Town Legend and we are proud he put pen to paper for us with some of his scrapbook memories.

I know personally how much of my younger and teenage years were so much richer than they would have been if not for the writings on my beloved Town by Alan Driscoll who will always be revered as "Longfellow".