MIRFIELD woman Doris Illingworth is one extremely dedicated football fan.

Mrs Illingworth - who was 85 on Wednesday - has been attending Huddersfield Town matches for 80 years. And she's still a devoted fan.

She went to her first Town match when she was five.

Her father - who was also a Town fan - took her to the club's old Leeds Road ground and she loved it so much that she has been watching the team ever since.

Although she no longer attends away games, Mrs Illingworth, of Mirfield, is a season ticket holder and attends all the home games at the Galpharm Stadium.

She is taken to games from her West Royd Avenue home by friends.

She said: "I just enjoy going to the matches. I don't really have a favourite player, but if it was anyone, it would be Andy Booth."

Her daughter, Christine Silverwood, said: "She was a bit of a tomboy when she was younger.

"She has always followed sport. She likes football in general and has always had a soft spot for Huddersfield Town."

Mrs Illingworth spent her 85th birthday at her daughter's home at Leeds Road in Mirfield with family.

She also has a son, Stephen, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mrs Illingworth and her family have lived in Mirfield all their lives.

She has three sisters. Two of them - 92-year-old Emily Wadsworth and 89-year-old Annie Toohey - also live in Mirfield.

Her younger sister, 70-year-old Evelyn Barker, lives in Huddersfield.

Mrs Silverwood said: "They are very close and are all doing well for their ages. Our family must have good genes!"

* At the end of 1925-26 season Town are Football League champions for the third time in succession.

* After the stunning triple success the Terriers take over the role of bridesmaids as Football League runners-up in 1926-27 and 1927-28 and FA Cup runners-up in 1927-28, 1929-30 and 1937-38.

* There was a fall from grace in 1952, when Town were relegated to Division Two. But the 1952-53 season saw them promoted back to Division One.

* Despite a further relegation, Town flirted with cup success in 1967-68, being League Cup semi-finalists. They then returned to the top flight in the 1969-70 season as Football League Division Two champions.

* The 70s signalled a demise, with 1972 bringing relegation to Division Two. Then 1973 saw them in Division Three and 1975 in Division Four.

* But there have been days to savour, with promotions in 1979-80 and 1982-83, Football League Division Four Champions and play-off successes against Bristol Rovers in 1994-95 and Mansfield Town in 2003-04.