KAREN Crosland considers herself to be a mother figure to Huddersfield's would-be soccer stars.
She is the head of education and welfare at the academy and her door is always open, no matter what the problem might be.
"It is my job to stay in touch with schools and make sure everything is going smoothly for the lads," she said.
"While the boys are here they are not allowed to play football for anybody else - and that includes school teams," added mother-of-two Karen.
"Some PE teachers find that hard to accept, but it is the best way for the lads. We don't want them playing too much," she said.
When the boys get older they are still expected to study hard.
In fact, it is part of their contracts.
"The older lads have college work they have to complete and it is not an empty gesture," said Karen, who lives in the Holmfirth area and is "40 something, going on 20!"
"We do monitor them and make sure they are working hard at their studies, as well as their football.
"It is essential, because you never know what might happen and they may need something to fall back on.
"I know I do not have anything to do with the actual training of the players, but my dream is to see one of the boys wearing an England shirt and playing at the highest level.
"I do not care if it is tomorrow or in 10 years time.
"But I really hope that one day one of the boys who has come through the academy goes on to play for England," said Karen, who has been a Town fan "since I was a tot".
