Huddersfield Giants Supporters Association column: Star players will be attending monthly meetings

Every guest speaker we have had entertain us at Turnbridge WMC has been excellent.

However, every now and again, one turns out to be exceptional.

Such was the case when Sammy Lloyd visited us.

Sammy played for Castleford in the 60s and 70s. He then retired from the game, but was persuaded to play one more year at Hull.

Five years later, when there was no more string, sticky tape, and bandages left to hold his body together, Sammy finally retired.

Rugby league was lucky to have had this goal-kicking forward in our ranks for he had offers from both Newcastle and Wolverhampton to play the round ball game. Fortunately none of Sammy’s mates had similar offers – they all wanted to go to Castleford and Sammy duly joined them.

In those days, a goal-kicking forward was out of the ordinary. More often than not goal kicking was the full back’s duty.

However, the regular goal kicker was having an off period, so Sammy was asked to take over, which he did with great aplomb.

Sammy practised and practised. He practised goal kicking so much that other aspects of his game did not advance at the rate it perhaps should have done.

The highlight of the evening was the finale. Sammy produced a guitar and sang his own composition entitled ‘Hurrah For The Claret & Gold’. It was based on, but totally different to, the 1890 version which celebrated Fartown winning T’Owd Tin Pot (Yorkshire Cup).

Sammy has promised to let us have the words and music to this catchy little ditty.

Also in attendance were Giants stars Eorl Crabtree and Michael Lawrence.

This is a new venture we have arranged with the Giants.

For each of our meetings, two Super League players will come along for at least the half hour before the guest’s presentation.

Both players seemed to enjoy themselves and our thanks go to both them and the Giants.

Photos of Sammy, Eorl, and Michael can be found on our website.

After many months of being out of date, the website is now current – apart from 15 months’ worth of HGSA meeting reports still to write! Have a look and let us know what you think.

Everyone is welcome at all our events. Full details can be found at www.GiantsSupporters.co.uk .

The book can be purchased at The Zone, online at www.HuddersfieldRLHeritage.co.uk , or via David Thorpe [01484 533378].