“I’m delighted to be back at my hometown club, which I always dreamed of doing, and now I just can’t wait to get started,” said Lewis, who was Halifax’s Player of the Year for 2006-07.
“I played four games for Harrogate last season, one of which was at Huddersfield, when we were well and truly beaten. I was impressed with the way they played that day and I had no hesitation in rejoining when I was given the opportunity.”
Lewis was part of the Halifax side who achieved a string of promotions and got to level three of the English club game (the old National II), and helped them win the National Intermediate Cup at Twickenham in 2002 as well as the Yorkshire Cup in 2004 and 2005.
With Manchester, where he moved a year ago, he played in National I – one tier below the Premiership.
“I didn’t get as much gametime as I would have liked at Manchester, and while I could have stayed and sat on the bench, I got the chance to play some matches for Harrogate,” he explained.
“Now coming back to Huddersfield is just what I need. I still live locally, so it’s ideal for me, and I’m looking forward to starting pre-season training.
“As well as playing against them for Harrogate, I watched a couple of matches last season when I was out injured and they look to have a great team spirit.
“I know Nick Sharpe and Joel Hinchliffe from my previous time at the club and I’m looking forward to meeting the rest of the lads.”
Ryder topped the YMCA try chart last season and was hailed for his performance as the Laund Hillers made Huddersfield fight for an 8-7 win in last year’s Christmas club match.
“We’re disappointed to be losing someone as talented as Adam, but he goes with our full blessing,” said new YM coach Damon Scholes.
“Adam is keen to test himself at a higher level, and there’s nothing wrong with a player wanting to do that. It wouldn’t have been right to stand in his way, and he knows he will always be welcome back here if that’s what he eventually chooses to do.”
Budget constraints mean forwards coach Glenn Wilson has been cut from the Huddersfield staff, but Sowerby says he is still looking to bring in more players.
