Two of Huddersfield’s premier sports stars have both become dads for the first time – just hours apart.
Two days after the birth of his daughter, Peiyton, on Thursday, Huddersfield Giants rugby league star Leroy Cudjoe was helping England beat France to set up a World Cup semi-final showdown against holders New Zealand at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
And motorcycle ace Tom Sykes faced a dramatic rush home from Spain to be with wife Amie when she gave birth to their first child – a 5lbs 9oz daughter named Millie Grace – on Friday morning.
The timing of their first child for Leroy and partner Jenna couldn’t have been better, with Peiyton arriving on the former Newsome Panthers junior’s day off from training with England.
And as soon as he had helped England secure a 34-6 victory over the French at Wigan’s DW Stadium on Saturday night he headed straight back home to spend some precious time with his new family before returning to the England camp early next week.
“This is a week I’ll certainly never forget,” said the Huddersfield-born Super League centre.
“To be honest, it just doesn’t get better than this. The birth of my daughter and then playing in a game that gets us to Wembley.
“The thought of playing at such a famous stadium in front of a massive crowd against the current world champions is incredible. But it’s even better knowing I’ll now be going there with a wonderful baby daughter. I couldn’t be feeling prouder.”
World Superbike champion Tom, 28, flew to Spain last Wednesday for testing on a circuit miles from anywhere as Amie was not due until November 21.
He revealed: “It was strange, but when I was on the plane something inside me was telling me to get off – and I almost did.”
Tom arrived at the circuit but at 7am on Thursday received a call from 30-year-old Amie saying she was in labour.
So without ever getting on a bike, Tom was in his hire car and on his way back to the airport, making it home in just over six hours. Millie was born at 7.25am on Friday and all three were back at home in a village near Leamington Spa by 8pm on Friday evening.
Tom said: “It was an absolutely wonderful experience. We married last year, I’ve just won the world championship and now we have our first daughter. I know I’m biased, but she’s absolutely beautiful. It’s a fantastic moment in my life.”
And it means Tom’s grandad, Peter Brook, who lives in Lepton, is a great-grandad.
Peter – who will be 75 next week – said: “We’d been joking that if Amie had held on the baby and me would have been sharing the same birthday. I’m hoping to go down to see her very soon.”
