Huddersfield Town notebook as former favourite returns to club and Millers Oils hit back
Plus a chance to see Jon Worthington’s B team in action against Newcastle United at the John Smith’s Stadium and a downturn in fortunes for Huddersfield Town Women
There are still people out there who can’t get on board with ‘Snickers’ as a name, and it’s been called that since 1990. The comedian Rachel Fairburn insists on calling it ‘Kentucky Fried Chicken’, never just ‘KFC’, despite their own name change coming in 1991.
Likewise, it’s been difficult getting used to referring to Huddersfield Town’s Canalside training ground as the Millers Oils High Performance Complex. It’s nothing against the sponsors themselves; it just takes longer for change to register as you get older.
Over the past year or so we’ve poked fun at the idea that we would all instantly switch from the single-word Canalside to the full five-word Millers Oils High Performance Complex, often appending something like “(as we’re all definitely calling it)” after mentioning its name.
It turns out this has not escaped the attention of the people at Millers Oils, who have reached out to make us a deal. They’ve proposed that the best way for me to atone for my mockery is to throw my weight behind the name change by showing my love for the Millers Oils High Performance Complex while completing Miles For Marcus before the Ipswich Town game later this month…in return for a nice donation towards the cause, of course.
Read more: Huddersfield Town to mark Ipswich Town game with Marcus Stewart motor neurone disease fundraiser
Naturally I’ve agreed, so for the 18-mile charity walk to raise funds for motor neurone disease charity the Darby Rimmer Foundation I’ll be wearing an appropriately effacing T-shirt to make it up to them. Their donation will go towards a very worthy cause in honour of former Town striker Marcus Stewart…and I’m just glad to be sponsored to keep a top on for charity this time. I now love the Millers Oils High Performance Complex: what a turnaround.
On which note, a massive thank you to the many of you who have donated already. If you haven’t already and are in a position to do so, you can find all the details on that and make a donation here. If you want to join the walk (an accessible four-mile route is also available), you have until 4pm on Monday September 18. Full details here.
Huddersfield Town Women hit rough patch
Huddersfield Town women started the campaign with a pair of high-scoring wins in league and cup, triumphing 4-2 over Fylde in the Women’s National League and 5-3 over Middlesbrough in the WNL Cup – but their fortunes have taken a turn for the worse over the past few games.
Last weekend’s four-goal defeat away to Stoke City was followed up by a heartbreaking last-minute derby defeat to Halifax on Thursday evening. The Terriers had a second-half penalty saved before conceding the only goal of the game out of nowhere in the sixth minute of injury time.
A third straight defeat followed on Sunday afternoon, with Feiruz Abdullahi scoring an instant equaliser after Burnley took a first-half lead, only for Town to go in a goal down from a questionably-awarded free kick. The visitors added three more goals in the second half, handing Town a 1-5 defeat.
Glen Preston’s side will now be looking to bounce back when they travel to face West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns in this Sunday’s 2pm kick-off.
John Smith’s Stadium to host Newcastle United on Wednesday evening
If you’re kicking your heels during the international break and can’t wait for the season to resume on Saturday before you head back to the John Smith’s Stadium, then don’t worry: you don’t have to. Town’s B team will be in Premier League Cup action against Newcastle United in Wednesday evening’s 7pm kick off.
This will be the first group stage game of the under-21s competition, which was graced last year by now-first-teamers like Pat Jones, Brahima Diarra and Kian Harratt. Each side are allowed four over-age outfield players and an over-age goalkeeper. Town’s group also contains Fleetwood Town and Nottingham Forest
Tickets for the Newcastle game will be available in the Riverside (Core Stand) lower tier priced at £5 for adults and £2 for concessions (under 19s and over 65s). Hospitality is also available through main reception at £10 for adults and £5 for concessions. Tickets will not be sold in advance, but you can pay cash on the turnstiles or card at the ticket office on the night.
