[WakeyTerrier]

Huddersfield Town 2 v 1 Blackpool
30th April 1994
Leeds Road

Yes, 21 years ago today was Towns last ever game at our old ground Leeds Rd.

So who was the there?
Where were you stood?
What are your memories of Leeds Rd?
Any photos to add?

I was there, glorious day and we were stood right at the far end of the East Terrace in the open near what was usually the away end but for this game it was given over to the home supporters due to high demand. Great day and fitting that we won the game 2-1.

A few years later I went to watch Ossett Albion in a FA Cup replay game away at Scarborough FC at the old stadium and whilst ordering my pint at the bar the guy serving me was talking about the first game that had occurred on the Saturday, I'd explained I was actually a Huddersfield supporter and had missed that game but Albion was a club close to where I live. All of a sudden he says 'Huddersfield, I played in the last ever game at Leeds Rd for Blackpool, great ground and that day was the best atmosphere I've ever played in'. Mitch Cook was his name, and after finishing playing he was helping his home Town club out doing whatever he could, pulling pints on this occasion.

Favourite memories.
Town 4-0 Sunderland in the League cup stands out for me. We battered them that night and as you approached the ground you could kind of tell that this night would be a good night. There was just something in the air that night and I don't mean stale farts and the smell of dodgy burgers

[SHEP_HTAFC]

I was there that day Wakey.....stood very close to where you described. In the East Terrace close to the away end. It made it even more surreal seeing the McAlpine from where we stood.
But that's not too far from where I nearly always stood to watch Town games.

I was dead against moving from Leeds Road, as I felt the tradition and history would somehow go when we left. I couldn't be more wrong though, as I think the club and Town kind of led the way in new stadiums of the future.

Best memories:
I remember getting Blackburn in a League cup two legged tie when Shearer was playing for them. Drew 1-1 but we battered them. Shearer scoring with what I remember was their only chance. Return leg was even better...gave a great account of ourselves but went down 4-3.
Remember the games v Man City in the FA Cup where we were winning with seconds left....and then the left back scored past Brian Cox(?).
But the best memory for me is a very meaningless game v Bury. We went 1-0 down....goalie sent off so down to 10 men, and Kieran O'Reagan went in goal. We got a penaly, KO'R scored and then get a late winner by Boothy. Just the flood of emotions at that game still lingers with me now. Crazy.

[JUSTASILLYOLDGIT]

I know it was all down to finances, but I really wish we could have developed the old ground rather than building a new one. The memories it held. How we used to move from Cowshed to away end, and visa-versa depending which way we were attacking. When there were no away support of course! I love the memories of standing in away end on cold crisp floodlit  evening kick offs against the likes of Southport and Workington. Also, the final day of our 4th div title. Can't remember who we were playing, but we were winning at half time, and we needed Walsall to lose to win the title. The whole ground was waiting for the half time score board door to close with their score. The open end suddenly started jumping and shouting hysterically 'cause they could see the score before the door was fully closed. When it did to reveal they were losing 3-0, the crowd went mad!!!  Also remember as a young'n I once did a bit of casual pre season ground work at the stadium. Had free access to the whole ground, changing rooms, Shankly boot room, even the old score board. Crackin view from up there. I also was at that game. Half way up the terrace, about 3/4 towards Cowshed. Infact, I have some photos somewhere. If I can dig them out, I'll scan and put them on here.

Ahhh the memories!

[ARTERRIER]

JASOG...Hartlepool United, the last game in the 4th division.

The FA Cup tie against Manchester City, they had pounded us 10-1 but we put up a real good show and led 2-1 with seconds to go and then that twat Jon Gidman scored an equalizer to send the 5/6k City supporters wild, the had some of the East Terrace that day too. The replay at Maine Road was 0-0, the 2nd replay, we got pounded 3-0 at home. As an 11 year old lad, I was gutted when that equalizer went in.

Another top game from that era was the 5-2 win over Bradford, 4-0 up after 20 minutes!! City had a decent team then Ormondroyd, Hendrie and a few other decent players too.

Also the Forest League Cup tie that finished 3-3, 3-1 down but goals from Maskell and Mike Cecere, remember him? Forest were decent then and went onto win the League Cup that season. Remember the other League Cup ties against Sunderland and Blackburn too, although Sunderland weren't top flight they were a division above us and we gave em a right pasting 4-0. We knocked em out the season after too.

Another game that sticks with me, even though it was a grim and disappointing night is the Peterborough play off, our first appearance in the play offs, a good first leg result, 2-2, a red hot night weather wise, we were off to Wembley, what could go wrong? A dream start ensued with a goal after 2 minutes from ooh Phil Starbuck....but in typical Town style we fluffed our lines losing 2-1 and 4-3 on aggregate.

[Lord Snooty]

Great memories. I sat or stood in every area of that old stadium, including the paddock in front of the main stand which is where I stood for the one and only time against Watford on the night we were presented with the 2nd Division Championship Trophy.
Most of the times that I went with my dad, we sat in the Centre Stand. It always smelt of pipe tobacco, something you don't get much these days. Quite often in the late 70s and early 80s we would be sat just behind Trevor Cherry, who despite his defection to the Dirt, always used to go watch Town with his dad whenever he could.
Favourite match from those days would be the FA Cup match when we beat West Ham 4-2.

Later, I would go with my mates and we stood. Moving ends depending on which way we were kicking or go on the big terrace.
Some great matches then, including the win over Barnsley and the amazing game when Newcastle got promoted and there were 20,000 geordies there.

Then along came young Velggy. First started taking him when he was about 6 and it was back to the Centre Stand. We always sat near the home dug out. I blame him entirely for still going. I had got out of the habit by the time MacDonald was in charge, but suddenly here was a football mad nephew wanting to see a live match. Well I couldn't have some bugger taking him to Leeds, could I?
Best match from that era? Probably those League Cup ties with Sunderland, Forest and Blackburn, but the run to the Autoglass final in that last season was brilliant, especially that Carlisle home leg.

I too was dead against the move at the time, but really glad we did.

[ARTERRIER]

The crowd for the Newcastle game was 25k Snoots, was there really 20k Geordies there that day? There was a lot, but 20k?

[Lord Snooty]

Wasn't far off, ART.

---

We all shat us sens when Graham Cooper put us 2-0 and threatened their promotion party. 

[MNTerrier]

i have fond memories too, my dad and i were season ticket holders in the old family stand, saw some decent games and some not so decent ones.

[theo_luddite]

After a few seasons in the Cowshed we used to stand on The Terrace towards the Cowshed End but on that last day we were on the open end. At the end of the game we took our one and only walk across the pitch. Despite it looking green and lush from off the pitch (unlike the mudbath of the late 60's/70's until they finally got rid of the weed that was killing the grass at the roots) we were surprised how patchy the pitch actually was. After walking the full length of the pitch we jumped down into The Cowshed for one last nostalgic walk through there and out onto Leeds Road. A year later and I was off across the pond for a few years.

[Lord Snooty]

It might have looked patchy, Theo, because every bugger was digging bits of turf up.