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

Town fans during the late 1950's to late 1980's were renowned for their innovative use of modifying popular music songs into Leeds Road terrace chants. John Coddington did not go amiss, and he enjoyed his very own Popular side creation.

Big John, as he was affectionately known by Town fans enjoyed his own version of the song "Big John" and it totally fitted our big number 5 who would go on to make over 350 appearances for Town as he graced the lush turf of the fine old ground.

Born in Worksop in 1937, he joined Leeds Road as a member of Ground Staff (September 1953). In January 1955 he signed as a part-time professional becoming full time in the summer of 1958. During his time at the club whom he proudly wore the captains armband he became a true hero of the club before moving to Blackburn Rovers for £20,000 nine years after turning full pro with the Town.

Many words describe what this big man meant to the club. Formidable, energetic, powerful, good in the air and rightfully so - Legend. When John obtained the number 5 shirt he wore it with dignity and honour and was a deserved captain of our famous football club. A custodian of the centre half shirt and was all you could have wish for.

With John he was dominant in the air (Yorkshire Post reporter once described a performance of his against local rivals L**ds United "Coddington seldom was slipped by Charles [John Charles]" and often out jumped his famous rival" comments following a 1-1 draw in the 1962/1963 season), with pretty god footwork and was no slouch either.

What John gave the team (which included fellow Legends featured player Derek Stokes) extra was his penalty taking. Not only did he have a very successful conversion rate, but he used to come off a 'Fiery Fred type run up'. Well the length at least!

Ask Town fans one thing about the big man and one of the first things they will mention will be his penalty taking!!

A rock in the centre of Town's defence, we are delighted to include him in our Legends feature.

John kindly supplied the photo above which shows the centre half (who is now 70 years young) with his wife Christine. He joined Town has a 17 year old and he still fondly remembers his time at the club. Special people like that are not created every day, and it is for that reason people like John Coddington will always be cherished by Town fans.

thisisthebarmyarmy.co.uk would like to given sincere thanks to John and his son Matty for giving the honour of including the former big number 5 into the Legends feature. We wish the entire Coddington family best wishes for now and the future.

Now over to John ...

1 What is your impression of Huddersfield Town now?
Town's results are the first I look for on a Saturday. One day I hope they will be in the premiership but it will take big money spent on quality players. (I keep hoping).

2 What did you think on joining Town?
Town will always be in my fondest thoughts. It's where I started my footballing adventure as a young boy straight from school.

3 Any regrets later in leaving Town.
I was sad to leave but it was time to move on for town and myself. Town received £20.000; I had a new challenge at Blackburn Rovers.

4 Memories of Town? Earliest-vivid-now
As a seventeen year old making my only appearance in the 1^st division at Manchester United against the Busby Babes. We lost 2-0 that day I played against Denis Violet I kicked the ball about three times. But neither did Denis it was a case of me and my shadow.

5 Most memorable moment? Goal-save-tackle - or should that be penalty!
I was the penalty taker at Town, we played Wolves at home in the F A cup we were behind 1-0 five minutes to go, I scored and did Kangaroo hoops all the way back to the centre circle. We lost the replay at Wolves

6 Longest lasting Town memory?
In digs at Marsh as a 15year old with Mr and Mrs Birtwhistle. Who looked after me like one of their own. Catching the trolley bus to Leeds Road as a young boy then onto Heckmondwike where the third team and juniors played. Also going to Leeds Road to work on the ground with Jack Anderson the Groundsman.

7 What do you think of the current state of soccer?
He who has all the Gold makes the rules.

Look at the top four in the Premiership money money money.

8 Do you still follow the Town results or any other Club or Sports?
I always look for the results of the team I played for, Town, Blackburn and Stockport County. Also Middlesbrough because that's where I live and my grandson Luke plays for the Academy there.

9 Your best match in a Town shirt and Why? And the Result?
You never forget your first match, for Town on my debut against Manchester United 17 years old lost 2-0. The best match, it's hard to pick one because I had many good and bad matches (hopefully more good than bad)

10 What do you think of the Town fans - then? & now?
The cow shed (wow) the old Leeds Road ground. Now you win matches they're happy, lose too many and you lose them. It's always about winning I'm afraid.

11 What do you think the future holds for Town?
Again it's about winning matches, get the winning habit, progress forward who knows where it could lead. Hopefully the premiership and stay there.

THE BEST FOOTBALLING PLACE IN THE WORLD.

12 What are you doing now?
Retired. Doing a small gardening round to keep me fit.

Life with Eight wonderful Grandchildren.

13 If you had one wish, what would it be?
My children, and grandchildren, Good health, be happy and long life for all.

Youth is wasted on the young!!!!

HAPPY DAYS WONDERFULL MEMORIES THANK YOU HUDDERSFIELD TOWN.

John (number 5) is shown challenging for the ball with Town goal keeper Ray Wood and L**ds United's John Charles. A 1-1 draw was the outcome of this match at Leeds Road during the 1962/1963 season - the 43rd derby match between the two sides. Town beat their neighbours in the away match.

Town finished 6th that season.