POPULAR Eorl Crabtree is putting the wheels in motion for his testimonial season.

The 26-year-old prop will celebrate 10 years at the Giants in 2010, with his benefit campaign due to get under way officially on December 1 this year and last for 12 months.

Crabtree has already put his testimonial committee in place, and is now planning events for his testimonial calendar.

The centrepiece will be a benefit game for him at the Galpharm as part of the Giants’ build-up to the next Super League season, although who the opposition will be has yet to be decided.

But Huddersfield have promised it will be against a fellow Super League club, and that both teams will be as strong as possible to help boost the attendance – and the amount of cash Crabtree can collect.

And, not surprisingly, the man himself is already excited.

“First of all, I can’t believe I’ve nearly been at the club for 10 years,” he said.

“I think part of the reason for that is the fact I’ve enjoyed my time so much, I feel really lucky with the way things have turned out.

“I also feel I’m lucky because of the way the club have promised to support me as much as they possibly can. I think it’s fantastic they’re backing me 100%.

“When I signed my contract extension the other year, part of the agreement was that it would include a testimonial year for me and that the club would fix up a plum pre-season testimonial game.

“At this stage, it’s too early to say who the opposition will be, but I already know it will be against a Super League side and we’ll both field our first teams.

“I obviously hope it will be a fantastic occasion.”

As well as the benefit match, Crabtree is planning to stage a number of testimonial events, with ‘fun for all the family’ being the main theme.

“To be honest, we’re just at the ideas stage, and I don’t even know exactly how many events we’ll hold,” added the former Underbank and Huddersfield YMCA rugby union junior.

“But the key is to make sure they are events that everyone can enjoy and they offer value for money.

“I want them to be events that will be fun for all the family.

“And I also want to be holding events on the back of another successful Super League season for the Giants.

“Although next year will be a big year for me in terms of it being my testimonial, I don’t think anyone would enjoy it if we weren’t performing well, least of all me.

“Obviously, the last two weeks have been really disappointing with the defeats to Leeds and Warrington, but, overall, I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt happier at the club and I would love that to continue for as long as possible.

“I want us to keep on improving the way we have been doing under Nathan Brown and head into next season on the back of a very successful Super League XIV campaign.”