TOWN legend Clem Stephenson is about to enter football’s Hall of Fame.
The skipper of the triple title winning team of the 1920s who later managed the club with distinction will be inducted at a National Football Museum dinner in Manchester on Thursday.
Stephenson, who remained in Huddersfield after his retirement in 1942 and died aged 71 in 1961, will be honoured posthumously alongside Charlie Buchan and Sir Alf Ramsey.
Also entering the Hall of Fame will be Ian Callaghan, Ray Clemence, Johnny Giles, Francis Lee and Stuart Pearce.
Many thought County Durham-born Stephenson’s best days were behind him when he joined Town from Aston Villa in March 1921, but his signing by Herbert Chapman proved inspirational.
The attacking midfielder formed a formidable left-wing pairing with Billy Smith, was a fine schemer with a strong shot with either foot and was also a natural leader.
Having played for Blyth Spartans and Durham City before signing for Villa in 1910, he claimed two FA Cup winners’ medals with the Birmingham club, the second against Town in 1920, and added a third when Town beat Preston in 1922.
But there’s little doubt the title triumphs of 1924, 25 and 26 represented his greatest achievement of a player who captained England on his one international appearance, against Wales in 1924.
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Stephenson, who also played for the Football League, totalled 275 Town games, scoring 50 times, after 96 goals in 216 appearances for Villa.
He made the transition to manager at the end if the 1928-29 campaign, succeeding Jack Chaplin, and was at the helm until June 1942, when he chose to stand down. He remains the club’s longest-serving manager.
Stephenson, whose younger brother George also played for Villa and managed Town, steered the Leeds Road club to runners-up spot in the original First Division in 1934, and to two FA Cup finals at Wembley, against Arsenal in 1930 and Preston in 1938 (he had also played for Town in the 1928 showpiece against Blackburn).
Stephenson’s managerial reign also took in the club’s record victory, 10-1 against Blackpool at Leeds Road in December 1930.