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Some great names, sharing many great and special memories, and heart-warming stories from great connections to Huddersfield Town.

Huddersfield Town Football Club has a very proud tradition of producing some of the finest full backs in the land and Geoff Hutt is very much a member of that production line.

From a family of Town fans, his birthplace is indeed Hazlewood but in Yorkshire not as some put it the one near Duffield in Derbyshire. He joined the Ground Staff at Leeds Road in 1965 making his debut for the club at Leeds Road in January 1969 in the FA Cup asWest Ham United progressed into the 5^th Round courtesy of a 2-0 victory. His league debut came a couple of weeks later as Town were beaten 0-3 at Oxford United. Sadly his selection came about following a road accident to another former Town Junior Billy Legg as a result of which Billy was never to recover sufficiently to play again.

The week prior to his debut a new name was on the Town team sheet, starting out at 3, but to make the right back slot his own for seasons to come. 21years old Dennis Clarke had been signed for £20,000 from West Brom and just like the formidable Ellam and Cherry, Clarke and Hutt were to be Town's full back partnership to strike fear in opposing forwards for many seasons to come.

Geoff as he was known to all was to end the season with 14 consecutive appearances and a first Town goal, at Leeds Road in a 3-0 win in March over Bolton Wanderers. The scene was now set for the Town youngster to set his mark on the Football League and neither he nor his teammates were to let their fans down.

Geoff Hutt was my Mum's favourite. She liked her full backs to be just that. Who defended their goal to the utmost and once that was completed it was up to the wing halves to ensure continuity to the forwards. No fancy stuff, get stuck in, get them tackled, get the ball off the opposition and pass it on to those who could make best use of it now we had won possession.

He may have been just past 20 years of age when the second month of the momentous 1969-1970 season appeared but Geoff Hutt provided us with a steely strength down our left flank that belied his years. That the team itself barely averaged 22 was testimony to an all round belief in themselves not only as a team but also as players who accepted and enjoyed individual responsibility.

His playing career blossoming he now found himself on the biggest stage possible, the First Division of the Football League. As Town consolidated with a 15^th spot finish our number 3 appeared 38times missing the final 4 games of the season. He played in all 5 FA Cup ties and 2 in the FL Cup. He also opened his goal scoring account in the top division with the one Geoff describes, below, against the Baggies.

Though 1971-72 was to see us relegated Geoff was an ever present in the number 3 shirt with 42 appearances in the league, 4 in the FA Cup and 1 in the FL Cup, a model of consistency and quality. Whilst scoring was every such a problem with just 27 scored, defensively, for a team to finish bottom of the table conceding just 59 goals shows the mettle of Messrs Hutt and company. Indeed Southampton who finished in 19^th place and some 6points clear of danger conceded 52 on their travels alone!

But the damage was done though how badly little did we realise until three short years later and the final season of Geoff Hutts career with Town in 1975-76 saw us in Division Four. Despite the collapse of our great club the number three shirt was still worn with great pride by Mr Hutt as he wracked up a further 35 appearances in the 2^nd Division campaign of 72/73 though his efforts were not enough to stave off a further relegation.

At least the slide was arrested in 1973-74 with a tenth place finish in Division Three though by now another talented full back had come of our production line and was wearing the number 3 shirt, a certain Paul Garner. Geoff though still had his part to play with 26 games in the number 2 role as his long-term partner Dennis Clarke moved back to the Midlands to St Andrews.

Season 1974-75 brought yet another bottom place finish. This been the 3^rd Division it meant Geoff would add to his latest 28 league appearances, plus 4 cup ties which were mostly in the number 2 shirt, in the League basement of Division 4 when football resumed in August 1975.

Though Manager Bobby Collins selected Geoff for Town's first four league games in the bottom tier, albeit at number 2. Come September '75 in the last of these games he was left out in favour of another up and coming youngster Alan Sweeney.

But this is Geoff Hutt we are talking about a player who had matched and bettered many of English footballs finest forwards in an all too brief flirtation with the First Division. Despite our collapse on the field he continued to produce the goods for Town be it his favoured left full back role he also made the switch over to the right when many before have found it impossible to cope. He came back in at number three in November and was still in favour when Town made a Managerial change with Tom Johnston returning to the hot seat from his General Manager role that had seen him supposedly at odds with Boss Bobby Collins.

Despite a run under the new Gaffer which saw Town unbeaten in 7 with four wins. Geoff Hutt was substituted in the home match with Workington on 9^th March. Just^. 5,010 fans witnessing the final appearance of one of the finest to wear the number 3 shirt for Huddersfield Town when over 31,000 had been present for his debut some seven years earlier. Something of a sad end to a wonderful career with Town as Tom Johnston, come the seasons end gave our former apprentice his cards.

In total between 1968 and 1976 Geoff Hutt made 277 appearances for Town scoring 4 goals, but these statistics bear little resemblance to what he brought to the team and the club. If the first half of his Town career was glory the final 45 minutes was heartache and misery. But taking the career over the whole 90 minutes and you find very little difference in the performance of Geoff Hutt for his club.

With every match he played he gave everything he had for the cause, never shirking a tackle, never hiding, never seeking the easy route. Huddersfield Town was his club just like it is today. He served it with pride and has the honour of knowing he has his place in the Full Back folklore of our club.

We have had a World Cup winner wearing the number 3 shirt of Huddersfield Town, when the Football League transfer fee for a full back was broken it was when purchasing a Town number 3.

Geoff Hutt rightly takes his place among these and many more as we salute our latest 'Legend'.

Truly a great of Huddersfield Town who provided us fans with everything we want in a Town player. I know I speak for all Town fans, especially those of my generation, when I say the privilege is all ours to remember you Mr Hutt.

Now over to Geoff's view of Huddersfield Town then and now ...

1 What is your impression of Huddersfield Town now?
A very well-organised club, with excellent facilities for both fans and players and certainly ready for the rise to championship football.

2 What did you think on joining Town?
It was what every boy dreams of. I left school and joined Town as an apprentice and was lucky enough to get a full time contract. What made it even better was my father and father before were all very keen Town fans.

3 Any regrets later in leaving Town.
Probably the saddest day of my life when I was given a free transfer by Tom Johnston. I always wanted to finish my playing days at Town. Unfortunately it was not to be but it's nice to be recognised and welcomed back by all the staff.

4 Memories of Town? Earliest-vivid-now
My debut against West Ham in the Cup playing against World Cup stars and Harry Rednapp who could catch pigeons. Also the unbelievable promotion year, playing in a side that losing wasn't an option. Tremendous team spirit and the will to win and playing at top venues like Anfield, Old Trafford, Highbury, etc. And also being an ever present for 2 years.

5 Most memorable moment? Goal-save-tackle
Scoring a goal against WBA against Jim Cumbes Albion goalkeeper. From 25 yards it flew into the top right hand corner. Also goals against Portsmouth, Luton and beating Arsenal and Leeds Utd at Leeds Road.

6 Longest lasting Town memory?
My whole career at Town from being an apprentice to been given a free transfer. The whole journey will be something I'll never forget and having a winners medal to show for it..

7 What do you think of the current state of soccer?
The game is faster, the pitches are like bowling greens, price of players ridiculous. Too many foreign players and Managers, wages unbelievable, no longer a contact sport. Supporters charged too much and it's about time the old fuddy duddies at the FA and in FIFA who run the sport are put to bed.

8 Do you still follow the Town results or any other Club or Sports?
Go to every home game, been also this year to Oldham, MK Dons and going to Southampton on 9^th Jan. Touch wood not seen them beaten away yet hope it continues at St Marys.

9 Your best match in a Town shirt and Why? and the Result?
Although there are quite a few the game against West Ham Utd in the FA Cup which we won 4-2 must rank as one of the best. Especially with West Ham boasting World Cup winners. Not bad for a small industrial Town.

10 What do you think of the Town fans - then? & now?
I think the world of Town fans both past and present. I think the atmosphere at the old Leeds Road ground was better than the present at the Galpharm. But it's difficult to show your emotions in all seater stadiums. But I must admit the Galpharm has improved quite a lot this season. Let's just hope the team gives them what they deserve. Promotion to the championship.

11 What do you think the future holds for Town?
The future for Town right now I think is as strong as it as ever been. We've got a Chairman who's not frightened to spend money if the price is right. A back room staff that wouldn't be out of place in the Premiership, a young Manager with a burning ambition to succeed. Office staff, Directors, Ticket sales, Lottery promotion staff all pulling in the same direction to get Town where they belong up in the elite League the Premiership.

12 What are you doing now?
Unfortunately due to having arthritis in both knees very little. All caused by the love of my life football - when you could tackle.

13 If you had one wish, what would it be?
That all my grandchildren, family and friend are kept in good health and see the day that Huddersfield Town rise to the top again.

and finally, anything else you would like to say?
Just that it's nice t be remembered by supporters and friends, also ex players, and such a big thank you to all the staff at Huddersfield Town who have made me so welcome down at the Galpharm and long may it continue.