Last Match at Leeds Road - 30th Anniversary

[terrier26]

It was 30 years ago to the day that my Dad and I attended the last ever match at Huddersfield Town's old ground.

I still have the essay that I wrote for my GCSE English Language on my laptop. Some of it is a bit cringeworthy when I read it back but it still captures the sentiment and feelings of the day and is a lovely memory to have of my Dad who is no longer with us. I have resisted the temptation to edit it after all these years.

I thought that others might be interested to read it. Does anyone else have any photos of the day that they are able to share - we never took a camera!

Steve Exley 11K

Goodbye To Leeds Road

On the 30th April, 1994 Huddersfield Town Football Club played their last ever match at their Leeds Road ground upon the famous lush, green turf which had been graced by legends such as Dennis Law, Stanley Matthews and George Best to name but a few.

The reason for leaving the ground that had been `home` for eighty-six years was because of the ever increasing costs of maintenance and repairs which had to be constantly carried out at the ground, so it was proposed that the `Terriers` should move a goal-kick away across the road to a brand new modern, purpose built, 20,000 all-seater stadium, that would become the envy of every other football club in the land. Unfortunately, they would be leaving behind a beautiful football ground which had witnessed some classic football matches and there was no doubt that it would be greatly missed by almost anyone that had ever visited this historic stadium.

For my Father, watching the last ever football match at Leeds Road, it would prove to be a very emotional day indeed.

As a young boy he had grown up watching a successful Huddersfield Town side from his favourite barrier which he had adopted each home match, until he finally fulfilled his dream by signing for the club and playing for the reserves whilst the seemingly Immortal Bill Shankley was manager and he guided the club through some of the greatest moments that the famous West Yorkshire club had ever witnessed.
There was no doubt in my mind that supporting Huddersfield Town at the famous old ground, for what would be the very last time, would prove to be a very emotional and unforgettable day for my Father and I.

Over 16,000 people attended the last ever match at Leeds Road on a sunny afternoon to watch the famous blue and white stripes of the Terriers for one very last time. Huddersfield`s last ever opponents at their famous old ground were Blackpool who had played many exciting matches at the ground in the past and this last match was to be no exception.

When this emotional day finally arrived my Dad and I set off from our home in Devon at about eight o'clock in the morning and after a long journey on the motorway we managed to arrive at the ground about an hour and a half before kick off.

We parked our car in the club car park and took a moment to look at the new `Alfred McAlpine Stadium` which was to become the new home of Huddersfield`s Football and Rugby League teams. The stadium was already beginning to take an impressive and domineering shape upon the skyline and it acted as a pleasant reminder that there was a good reason for leaving our beloved Leeds Road. Huddersfield could be proud of the fact that they would be playing in one of the most modern and attractive stadiums in the football league next season, which would become envied by every other football club in the country.

We purchased two programmes from an old lady standing on a street corner opposite the ground before we started to walk across the road towards the ground.

As we approached the historic old ground a special atmosphere and an extraordinary `buzz` could be felt around the ground, upon a day which marked the end of a proud and successful era at Leeds Road for Huddersfield Town Football Club.

Dedicated supporters were already pouring into the ground to ensure that they secured their favourite spots upon the terraces for the very last time.

As we started our journey around the perimeter of the ground to the East terrace we passed the Player's entrance where we met Steve Francis who was going to be playing his last ever match at Leeds Road as Town's trusted goalkeeper.

My Dad and I knew Steve Francis quite well, as we were lucky enough to have the chance to meet Steve and the team when they came down to Torquay earlier in the season for a mid-season break. Steve seemed undisturbed by the electric atmosphere that was mounting up outside the ground and appeared to be relatively calm as he always is in Town's goal. He said that he was pleased to see that we had made the long journey up from Devon and he signed my programme before we wished him luck and he disappeared inside the ground to prepare for the match.

As we were about to begin our journey around the ground we noticed another Town legend getting out of his car. Frank Worthington, who had been capped eight times by England, kindly signed my programme before rushing off into the ground after battling his way through the crowds of people outside the ground.

As we started to walk towards `our` turnstile to enter the ground my Dad was suprised as he was recognised by some old friends of his that he had not seen since he was at school in Huddersfield. We talked to them about what they were doing now and the match before saying goodbye and lining up in a queue to enter the ground.

As we waited in the queue we started to talk to an old gentleman who explained that he was not able to travel down to London last weekend to watch Huddersfield in the Autoglass Trophy Final at Wembley because he had been forced to stay in bed because of a severe illness which was evident because he was using two old wooden walking sticks to help keep him mobile.

He said that there was nothing which would stop him from coming to watch Huddersfield play their last game at Leeds Road because he had watched so many great matches there in the past and the ground meant so much to him.

It was then that I realised that Leeds Road was more than a football ground as it was such a huge part of some people's lives and to face the thought that at the end of today it would be destroyed and turned into a B & Q superstore was just unbearable, as the ground meant so much to so many people.

I do not think that I can ever forget that thought of the old man determined to watch his favourite team play at his favourite ground for what would definitely be the very last time.

As we queued, we could feel the atmosphere spilling out over the surrounding dirty, old walls and I could not wait to get into the ground and become part of it. The noise coming from the famous `Cowshed` stand was deafening. The dedicated Town fans were singing their favourite songs loudly and proudly for the last time at Leeds Road.

We entered through the turnstile where we gave the old man our tickets and he tore off the stub before returning them to us. The only entrance into the stand was up a long flight of wooden stairs, which we quickly climbed. When we reached the entrance we stopped for a moment and took in the atmosphere which was already starting to bubble, there was a `carnival` atmosphere with people of all ages dressed in Blue and White in a crowd which was now getting quite large.

My Dad and I visited the food bar as we were quite hungry after our long journey from Devon. It was a sweltering hot day and my Dad bought me a cold drink which was desperately needed. He also bought me a mouth-watering Cheese and Potato Pie which I covered with lashings of ketchup.

We took our food and walked half way down the terrace where we made our way to the centre where my Dad assured me that the best view could be seen as both goals were visible and it was also the best place to get involved with the atmosphere as you are surrounded by a crowd of excited supporters who are all crammed in together.

As we approached the centre of the terrace a big smile appeared upon the face of my Dad as he saw that his favourite blue and white barrier was unoccupied. We quickly claimed the barrier and balanced our drinks upon it, before tucking into our food and reading our programmes, which were full of pictures of previous matches at Leeds Road and it also included some of the best players ever to grace the lush green turf.

As the band played in the centre of the pitch the players came out of the tunnel to a tremendous reception as the band played the Immortal theme tune to `Match Of The Day`. As the players passed each stand they were greeted with cheers and applause from the adoring supporters and as they started their warm up the carnival atmosphere continued to bubble as the energetic crowd promised to make the match one which would not be forgotten.

As the Town players of present were warming up, some of the great Huddersfield legends of the past decided that they could not resist one very last walk onto the historic pitch and they were presented to the crowd. Frank Worthington, Jimmy Glazzard, Ian Robins and Ray Wilson were just a few of Huddersfield Town's Stars of the past who each said goodbye to the home ground that they had entertained crowds at for decade after decade. Then the Town fans were introduced to a very special guest of honour who received a standing ovation from the adoring Huddersfield Town crowd, Mr. Joe Walter who had reached the grand age of ninety-eight used to play for Huddersfield in the 1920`s and he took one last walk onto the Leeds Road pitch to the delight of the crowd.

As I glanced across I noticed that my Dad had become overwhelmed by the whole atmosphere of the day. I saw a solitary tear roll down his cheek and I realised he was watching his hero's walking out onto the famous pitch for the very last time.

The famous old players then took up their place in the stand along with 16,500 other supporters who packed out the ground for the very last time. As the players finished their warm up and returned to their changing rooms the atmosphere was electric as the Town fans were determined to spur the Terriers into winning their last ever game at Leeds Road.

The kick-off was now rapidly approaching and when the teams ran out onto the pitch they received the loudest reception that I have ever heard in my life, flags were being flown, balloons were being let off and a sea of blue and white confetti covered the excited crowd.

Huddersfield Town and Blackpool prepared for the kick-off as Town's Captain, Phil Starbuck, won the toss and decided to kick-off towards the Cowshed end of the ground. The Town fans really got behind their side as the referee blew his whistle to signal kick-off the very last match at the beloved ground.

A big cheer went off around the ground as Town's inspirational captain Phil Starbuck kicked-off and passed the ball back to the centre-back Pat Scully whose long ball found Phil Robinson on the wing, Robinson's cross found the young Simon Baldry in front of goal. Baldry then crashed the ball into the back of the net past Town's former goalkeeper Lee Martin as the crowd erupted.

Simon Baldry's first minute opening goal had caused the crowd to celebrate in elaborate fashion as the supporters danced and jumped up and down with the excitement of Simon Baldry's important goal. It was a pleasure to see that the crowd's determination to win the last ever game at Leeds Road was matched by the players who had given Huddersfield a dream start by scoring in the first minute.

The game was finally restarted and Town came close to extending their lead through their exciting young forward Andy Booth and his forward partner Ronnie Jepson. The game continued at a rapid rate with Town having the majority of the chances. Half-time finally arrived and the two teams returned to their dressing rooms with Huddersfield the happier with a one-nil lead.

At half-time the entertainment was provided with a Frank Worthington and Joe Corraghan penalty shoot out. `Wortho` showed that his best days were definitely behind him as he only managed to convert two of his five penalties, much to the amusement of the crowd. Wortho said his goodbyes and disappeared into the player's tunnel just as the players returned to the pitch to do battle in the second-half.

Once again the crowd rekindled the atmosphere witnessed in the first-half and encouraged the Terriers as Blackpool kicked-off the second-half.

For the first ten minutes in the second-half Huddersfield bombarded the Blackpool goal with a barrage of shots until Blackpool caught Town on the counter-attack threading the ball up the wing to the quick Andy Watson who cut inside and broke every Town fan's heart as he slammed the ball into the back of Steve Francis's net, who could do nothing to stop the powerful shot.

As Blackpool's 62nd minute shot hit the back of the net a deadly silence swept over the ground, the only sounds that could be heard were the celebrations of the five hundred Blackpool fans who had made the journey from Lancashire.

This silence was only temporary as the Huddersfield supporters did their best to encourage the Terriers to get back into the game and hopefully win their last match at Leeds Road which had to be won.

Throughout the rest of the match Town applied the pressure with the Blackpool goalkeeper, Lee Martin, making some outstanding saves to deny Huddersfield. As the final whistle approached and the game entered it's last five minutes the tension that could be felt within the crowd was absolutely incredible.

The crowd were just about to face the fact that maybe Huddersfield would end up drawing the last game at the famous Leeds Road, but Phil Starbuck had different ideas. He received the ball on the edge of the penalty area with his back to the goal and became surrounded by Blackpool defenders, but with a clever turn he passed a defender and rifled a shot towards the Blackpool goal which settled in the back of the net.

I turned around and hugged my Dad with the joy of Phil Starbuck's goal, which was an absolute classic and was one of the best goals that Leeds Road had ever witnessed in it's eighty-six year history and was with no doubt probably the most important goal ever scored at the historic ground. The rest of the crowd went ecstatic with the relief and the excitement of Phil Starbuck's precious goal.

I can still remember Phil Starbuck's volley and the feeling when he scored and it still has to be the best goal that I have ever seen.

After that goal the Town supporters climbed over the advertising boards and waited anxiously on the edge of the pitch. I asked my Dad if he would let me go down to the edge of the pitch with the rest of the fans and he said that I could. I found a way to the gangway through the crowds of supporters and ran down to the bottom where I was helped up over the ditch and the advertising boards by a steward who would normally be keeping people off the pitch! I went right up to the touch line with all of the other supporters who had now surrounded the edge of the pitch, which made none of the outer markings visible.

As I was eagerly waiting on the edge of the pitch for the final whistle I took a moment to take in one last view of the ground and all of the atmosphere of the day. The last few seconds of the life of Leeds Road, the atmosphere and feelings amongst the dedicated Huddersfield fans cannot be put into words.

The Referee took one last glance at his watch before blowing his whistle and marking the end of an era at Leeds Road. As he blew his whistle the crowd flowed onto the pitch as the players made their way through the players' tunnel and into their changing rooms.

It was not long after the final whistle that Neil Warnock, Huddersfield's manager, appeared in the Director's Box in the centre of the main stand with a microphone. He was closely followed by the players. Neil explained that although all of the players and himself wanted to stay at the ground, it would cost a fortune to maintain and he felt that it was time to move across the road to the modern Alfred McAlpine Stadium, which would become the new home of Huddersfield Town Football Club.

Neil then let each player say goodbye to Leeds Road. The disappointment of leaving the famous old ground was written upon each of their faces.

Then it was the turn of each supporter to say their own goodbye to Leeds Road. Like many of the Town fans I took my own piece of the famous turf home with me, but others were content to just sit on the pitch or in the stands and let their favourite memories of past moments at the historic ground come flooding back to them.

After I collected my piece of sand covered turf I returned to the now virtually empty East Terrace where my Dad was still resting upon his favourite barrier. We both said our very last goodbye to Leeds Road and took one last look at the ground which we knew we would never see again.

We descended down the long flight of wooden stairs at the back of the stand and left behind one of the world's most historic and best loved football grounds.

As we drove away from the ground I can remember only too well the feeling of knowing that when I was to return a few months later Leeds Road would have been demolished and a B & Q Superstore will have been put up in its place, it was a sad feeling.

I still have my piece of sandy turf in my bedside cabinet. A picture of Leeds Road, along with my match-day programme and ticket take pride of place upon my bedroom wall.

As long as I live I will never forget that historic day at the ground we used to call `home` and Phil Starbuck's brilliant volley which won the match for Huddersfield. I am sure that I will never forget all of the feelings and the atmosphere of the day and I am sure that I will never forget Leeds Road.

[dugnet]

Thanks for sharing that. I remember wandering onto the pitch at the end and just taking in everything around me. It is something I can still recall.

We had to leave Leeds Rd but I'm so glad I experienced it.

[boooothy]

I didn’t want to leave knowing i’d never be back.

[King Neil]

I still have the A4 sized programme I bought on the day...still in perfect condition

" waltz in the cowshed "

[Mirfield Lass]

Huddersfield Hub attended the event yesterday - huddersfieldhub.co.uk/fans-celebrate-huddersfields-towns-old-leeds-road-ground-30-years-on/

[araucaria]

Late in the second half, the announcer asked if a father would go and meet his son at a specific place on the terrace side. My five-year-old! He'd followed his older brother and his mate to buy some pop (was there a shed or something selling stuff on the terrace side?) and was intercepted by a policeman. The teasing was intolerable: 'some people will do anything to get attention'.

A few days later I took my two older sons to the auction at the ground. We had one last walk on the pitch. It had been raining and the younger one fell over, which may have given him a unique double of subject of the last tannoy request for a lost child and last faller on the sacred pitch.

In January 1973, we arrived late for the Carlisle FA Cup replay, to hear that there had been an announcement asking a fellow to return home 'because his farm is on fire'. They told us that everyone had laughed loudly, which was fair enough. As it happened, we'd seen the 30-foot flames coming out of the farm on our way to the match; my father stayed at his farm, of course, but insisted that we went to the match. We lost 1-0, having thrown away a two-goal lead in the original match. Later the old man said 'it hasn't been a very good day'.

[mosher]

Cracking post terrier26

That game was the first time I saw Uncle Andy (RIP) cry.

Uncle John brought his 2 week old son, who spent the entire game asleep, even when we went on the pitch, didn't even stir when we were jumping up and down at our goals.

Memories.

[wildbillthetownfan]

The crowd was limited to 16,000 due to health and safety otherwise there would have been far more there than that. Great memories of the old ground, being in crowds of over 40,000 and the old place held F A Cup semi finals there and England games with huge crowds. Those really were the days my friend.
It was a very sad day that last game and i remember it as it was yesterday

[terrier26]

May 1, 2024 8:04:34 GMT 1 Mirfield Lass said:

Huddersfield Hub attended the event yesterday - huddersfieldhub.co.uk/fans-celebrate-huddersfields-towns-old-leeds-road-ground-30-years-on/

Great to see Maureen Proctor still going strong. She and Susan did a great job of running the supporters club.

[terrier26]

May 1, 2024 10:36:58 GMT 1 araucaria said:

Late in the second half, the announcer asked if a father would go and meet his son at a specific place on the terrace side. My five-year-old! He'd followed his older brother and his mate to buy some pop (was there a shed or something selling stuff on the terrace side?) and was intercepted by a policeman. The teasing was intolerable: 'some people will do anything to get attention'.

A few days later I took my two older sons to the auction at the ground. We had one last walk on the pitch. It had been raining and the younger one fell over, which may have given him a unique double of subject of the last tannoy request for a lost child and last faller on the sacred pitch.

In January 1973, we arrived late for the Carlisle FA Cup replay, to hear that there had been an announcement asking a fellow to return home 'because his farm is on fire'. They told us that everyone had laughed loudly, which was fair enough. As it happened, we'd seen the 30-foot flames coming out of the farm on our way to the match; my father stayed at his farm, of course, but insisted that we went to the match. We lost 1-0, having thrown away a two-goal lead in the original match. Later the old man said 'it hasn't been a very good day'.

I don't think that anyone can top that as a claim to fame!

[htafcokay]

It was a fantastic event and well done to the club for putting it on.

The club get so much right behind the scenes, it's just a shame that they are let down by the goings-on on the pitch. Off the pitch, they are top class.

[harrythedog]

Ahh, the home of my dreams.

Seems like yesterday.