LIFELONG fan Jon Stead admitted he was left stunned by the reception he got from fellow Huddersfield Town supporters last Saturday.

The former Honley High School student, who starred in Town’s 2003-04 League II promotion season, was twice given ovations on only his second competitive return.

Striker Stead, 29, responded in kind when fans applauded him before kick-off and when he was substituted on 76 minutes.

He said: "It was brilliant. I wasn’t expecting to be booed, but to get a reaction like that was great.

"I was disappointed to be taken off, but the reception I got when I left the field was just incredible. It was a wonderful feeling."

The academy graduate, who is from a family of Town fans, has never lost his allegiance despite a career taking in clubs like Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland.

Stead added he was delighted to see Town win promotion back to the Championship in May for the first time in 11 years.

He said: "I sadly wasn’t able to go to the game as my wife was away and I had to look after the children at home.

"But I watched it on TV and it was fantastic. The manner in which they won, with that incredible penalty shoot-out, is something which we might not see the likes of again."

Stead is sure Town can go from strength-to-strength in the Championship and said: "They’ve got a decent squad of players who know how to win games.

"Town have also got a manager who knows this league inside out. It’s a difficult division, but they seem capable of doing well."