ONE of Huddersfield football’s stalwart characters has collected two top honours.
The work of Donald Wood has been recognised by the Football Association and the RCD Huddersfield Junior Football League.
Well known across the district for his work with Laund Hill YMCA, he was presented with the Football Association’s 50 Year Medal.
And the Junior League made him a Life Member in acknowledgement of his 21 years service to the organisation.
The FA medal was presented by the West Riding County FA’s chief executive and representative on the FA Council, Roy Carter, and marked Wood’s outstanding contribution to local football.
Wood joined Milnsbridge YMCA in September 1945 to play football in the Red Triangle League.
In 1949 he helped to form the senior Milnsbridge YMCA club and continued as a committee member until 1959, when he took over as secretary.
He also took over as junior secretary in 1960 and when, in 1983, Milnsbridge YMCA merged with Huddersfield YMCA to become Laund Hill YMCA, he again became secretary.
On his retirement from that post in 2003, he was elected chairman and is now president of the club.
Wood, who lives at Crosland Hill, still represents the club at both Huddersfield Junior and senior League meetings.He has also been a staunch supporter of senior and junior cricket in this area.
