RAY JENKINSON has had to wait 40 years to see any family success on the pitch.

Having been one of the most important characters in the Huddersfield League Football, from secretary to treasurer to registration secretary, Ray has tackled almost every task to help the Huddersfield RCD Junior League become one of the biggest and most respected in the country.

In recognition of his work, Ray was awarded life membership of the League in 1986, but his first connection with the playing side of the game arrived when son John started playing in the Junior League with Lepton Highlanders.

Despite a career with Stile Common and Battyeford before moving into the senior leagues with Lepton, Bradley Rangers and Grange Moor, there was nothing to show in the form of cups or medals.

The family had to wait for John’s son – Ray’s grandson – Sam to start playing before they could celebrate landing any silverware.

And what a celebration it turned out to be!

Sam, a pupil at Grange Moor Primary School, started playing for Lepton Highlanders but then moved to Rothwell Under 9s where success arrived in a big way.

Playing in two different leagues the team collected both the league and cup double in the Garforth (Leeds) League and the Huddersfield League – a feat never been achieved before.

And the celebrations didn’t stop there as Sam’s skills were noticed by Leeds United who have now signed him as part of their Academy – putting a smile on the faces of three generations of the Jenkinson family.