THEY got a heroes’ welcome – and came back with a promise.
Huddersfield Giants were welcomed home by more than 2,000 fans in the St George’s Square sunshine yesterday.
And as players, coaches and officials thanked the fans for their support all season and at Wembley, they pledged: We’ll bring more glory to the town.
The Giants could have expected a muted response after their disappointing 25-16 defeat in Saturday’s Carnegie Challenge Cup Final to Warrington.
But the promised civic reception and open-top bus tour was greeted with cheers, banners and smiles despite the result.
Giants’ skipper Brett Hodgson said: "It’s disappointing we don’t have the cup with us but I want you to know we tried our best.
"The support we have had all year has been fantastic and after Saturday’s disappointment, we are going to set off on a massive push for the rest of the season and the play-offs".
And there were huge cheers as coach Nathan Brown, in his first season, said: "The club is going forward. We didn’t play well at Wembley but we will take our lessons and take it forward in the play-offs."
There were chants of "There’s Only One Ken Davy" as the Giants’ owner took the microphone to thank the fans.
Davy said: "We are celebrating the fact that we beat St Helens, that we got to Wembley and that the Giants are going forward.
"We will build on our Wembley appearance and continue turning this club into a force to be reckoned with in Super League.
"We are looking forward now to the play-offs and to bringing some silverware home to the birthplace of the Rugby League".
Kirklees Mayor Clr Julie Stewart-Turner, who was in the 76,560 crowd at Wembley, said she was proud to be from Huddersfield.
"It’s great to see so many people here in the Square to welcome back the Giants.
"It has been a great achievement in getting to Wembley and they have shown they can be a force in the sport.
"This is just the beginning."
Clr Mehboob Khan, leader of Kirklees Council, said to see thousands of loyal and dedicated fans showing their support was hugely memorable.
"The club has had a fine season and, although it isn’t over yet, Huddersfield can be proud of its team’s achievements.
"Having thriving professional sports clubs is important to any town. They boost our feel-good factor, our economy and our community spirit – and the Giants make a vital contribution to that in Huddersfield."
And the final word went to Giants’ scrum-half Luke Robinson, who admitted he was "choked" at the reception from the fans.
"We didn’t deliver at Wembley but we will do it in the play-offs."
