FORMER West Yorkshire Chief Constable Keith Hellawell has fulfilled a lifelong ambition by joining the board of Huddersfield Rugby League Club.
And his first official task will be to cheer on the Giants in next Saturday's Northern Ford Premiership Grand Final at Widnes.
Huddersfield-born Mr Hellawell has always dreamed of joining his home town club.
But it is only since quitting his post as the Government's drugs adviser that Mr Hellawell has had the time to take up an invitation from Giants' chairman Ken Davy to come on board.
He took up his new post yesterday - and is already setting his sights on spreading the rugby league gospel.
"To take up this position really is a dream come true," said a delighted Mr Hellawell.
"One of my earliest childhood memories was cycling from my home in Bath Street to the old Fartown ground on a match day.
"I never had enough money to get in - but I always managed to peer over the wall and see some of the action.
"The atmosphere was magical."
He added: "In terms of excitement, I don't think there's anything to match rugby league. I hope to prove that to as wide an audience as possible."
Mr Hellawell was a second-row forward with Dewsbury Rugby League Club's juniors in the late 1950s.
He also played rugby union and made first-team appearances for both Huddersfield and Huddersfield YMCA.
