SUCH a proud day.
That’s the way Luke George described his Galpharm Super League debut for hometown club Huddersfield in the 66-6 rout of Widnes Vikings six days ago.
The 24-year-old former Wakefield winger marked the occasion by scoring the first hat trick of his professional career to ensure the fixture was ‘a dream come true’.
It was a performance that filled him with pride, particularly with his family watching on from the stands.
Leading the cheers was his father, Wilf, who made a name for himself as a winger in the claret and gold at Fartown between 1981 and 1985.
George junior admits he was delighted with how proud he made his dad feel, and he’s hoping he can do the same in tonight’s big Super League XVII clash against Warrington Wolves at the Galpharm (4.45).
“To play for your hometown club is very special,” said George, who still lives in Longwood.
“And for my home debut to go as well as it did made it a dream come true. I felt really proud, and I know my dad did, too.
“He was chuffed to bits just to see me wearing the Huddersfield shirt, so to then cap it all with the hat trick was the icing on the cake. I know he’s been telling everyone all about it!
“There’s no way he’d have missed last week’s game for the world, and I know he’s really looking forward to this game against Warrington tonight, just like we all are. As I said, it’s great to finally be playing for Huddersfield in Super League, and it feels even better after making such a fantastic start.
“But the key now is to try and back that up this weekend.
“We showed with our opening-day win at Wigan that we can compete against the top teams, and hopefully we’ll show that against Warrington.
“After the start we’ve made, we’re confident we can.”
Although George made his senior Giants debut last weekend, he’s certainly no stranger to wearing the claret and gold, having been in the club’s Academy side as a 16 and 17-year-old.
And the fact he’s returned to a club where there are a number of familiar faces has made it easier for him to settle back in.
“Leroy (Cudjoe) and Bruno (Michael Lawrence) were both in the Academy at the same time as me,” added George, who left the Giants to continue his academic studies.
“So it was great to get back with them and see how much they’ve developed over the years. They’re now quality Super League players.
“It’s also great to be part of such an exciting backline, particularly as we’re all relatively young.
“I’d like to think I’ve already struck up a good partnership on the left with Joe Wardle, who’s a great player.
“It’s incredible to think he’s still only 20, so I hope we can work together for a lot of years to come.”
