GEOFF HUTT won’t mind if his windows don’t get cleaned between now and the end of the season.
The former Town favourite is still firmly in the blue and white corner and, when it comes to playing Leeds United, he admits there’s always that bit extra at stake.
For most fans it’s simply bragging rights – and with three wins and a draw from the last four meetings it’s Town followers who’ve been lapping up the derby banter.
As for Mirfield-based Hutt – who played in a few derbies himself, including those in the old First Division (now Premier League) – a Town win will prove costly, but he’s more than happy to pay.
“My window cleaners are Leeds fans, so I’m always giving them stick,” said Hutt, whose grandson, seven-year-old Lyndan Barclay, is a mascot this weekend chosen from the Junior Blue & White Foundation.
“When Town won both derbies last season, my window cleaners didn’t turn up for weeks and my windows were filthy, but I didn’t mind!
“I just kept waiting and waiting and, when they finally showed their faces, it was lovely to have a go at them.
“They keep telling me that Leeds are a big club and Town are small fry, but I just tell them that they will never achieve what Huddersfield Town have achieved and to come back and start bragging when they’ve got three stars above their badge.”
Hutt, now 60, was the ever-present left-back in the Second Division championship side of 1969-70 (despite being naturally right-footed) and missed only four matches during Town’s two seasons in the top flight.
Those four games out were the result of an injury suffered in the 1970-71 goalless draw against Leeds at Leeds Road – one he still feels the effects of today.
“We were defending a corner and, in those days, the full-backs were always guarding the posts,” he recalled.
“I was on the near post and, as I went to head the ball clear, big Jack Charlton pulled me backwards with my shirt and, because I was airborne, I fell really awkwardly on my right shoulder.
“I dislocated my shoulder and tore all the ligaments at the same time. I tried to carry on with it, doing more damage all the time, but eventually it just kept popping out and I had to have something done about it.
“To be honest, it was probably the most painful injury I ever had and I still have problems with it today, especially when I’m throwing a ball or raising my right arm to lift anything.”
Now retired from his job at Carlton Cards, Hutt is a regular at the Galpharm and has been encouraged by they way Town have forced their way back into the top six of League I with three straight away wins.
“Town-Leeds derbies always have some extra spice about them, with players and supporters alike wanting to get one over on their neighbours,” he said.
“They are special games at any time, but particularly when you live in somewhere like Mirfield, where there are Town and Leeds fans living alongside each other.
“Town have been doing really well at home all season and they’ve just picked up some great results on the road, so they’ll be in good spirits going into the game.
“I reckon it’s important for Town to start quickly, playing with a high tempo. When they do that they are able to impose themselves on the opposition and usually play well.
“They had a spell where that wasn’t happening and they found it harder to perform, but they seem to be back on track and, when Town are on form, they are a match for anybody.”
