TOWN fans will never forget Andy Booth’s frontline partnership with Ronnie Jepson – and neither will Rocket Ron!

In 1994-95, they became the first Town strike pairing since the halcyon days of the 1920s to each score 20 League goals in the same season.

It was an electric liaison in a magnificent campaign which finished gloriously under the old twin towers at Wembley as Town defeated Bristol Rovers 2-1 in the play-off final to win promotion.

Jepson fondly remembers playing alongside Boothy and, after returning to the Galpharm as coach towards the end of last season, he offers a candid insight into the effort it has taken Town’s talisman to get himself through this final centenary programme.

“I have got nothing but admiration for Boothy,” said Jepson, who has been scouting for Sheffield United (managed by ex-Town colleague Kevin Blackwell) since he left Town with Stan Ternent’s coaching team in November.

“When I came back to the club, I hadn’t seen Boothy working on a daily basis for quite a number of years and I couldn’t believe it when we came to pre-season last summer.

“Boothy really dug in and the pain he was going through to get himself fit was incredible.

“Some days he could barely walk as we went out onto the training ground again, but he always kept going and always trained as hard as anyone, just like in the days when we were players together.

“But you always knew he would be back, because he is Huddersfield through and through and that’s what has always driven him on.”

Jepson reckons few centre-backs can ever claim to have got the better of Booth in the air.

“Boothy is the best striker I ever played with, no doubt about that,” said Jepson.

“In the air he was truly unbelievable because of his timing and his spring.

“And I never thought he got the credit for how good he was on the floor.

“He always had ‘good feet’ for a big lad and, because he was so good in the air, that part of his game tended to get overlooked.

“I always thought he was excellent with his control and hold-up play and while people will always talk about his heading ability, Boothy was top drawer in all departments.”

Jepson will never forget the play-off final win – his only appearance at Wembley – or Booth’s role in that team which became so popular under Neil Warnock.

“Myself and Boothy hit it off well and we enjoyed playing together and enjoyed scoring goals together,” he recalled.

“He was always a smashing lad and I had to look after him at times, because those were the days when centre-backs could tackle.

“Boothy could always hold his own, though, always showed his ability and that’s why he has gone on to have such a fantastic career.

“I don’t think many centre-backs could claim to have got the better of him in the air and, when he went on to play in the top flight, it was disappointing he had so many injuries but I don’t think people played to his strengths either.

“The fact he is still going strong and finishing his playing days on such a high with a few goals illustrates what a good character he is, and I can’t think of a better ambassador for Huddersfield Town.

“I’m delighted it has worked out like this for him, because I know how hard he has had to work to keep himself going, and he will go down in club folklore as one of the most popular ever players.

“The fans and his family should be very proud of him.”