Looking back 2022 was a great sporting year for Huddersfield and here’s our top five sporting highlights of the year.
Our sporting stars of 2022 feature Golcar United, Huddersfield Town Women FC, Moorlands Cricket Club, Newsome Panthers and Lindley cyclist Maddie Leech.
1. Golcar United promotion
Back in April Golcar United’s dream of promotion was finally realised when they beat Holker Old Boys in Barrow-in-Furness to be promoted through the North West Counties Division One North play-offs. It was local lad Ben Burnett who scored the winning goal in extra-time to set off fantastic scenes at the end of the match.
A club that has risen from virtually nothing had achieved promotion to the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, where fellow Huddersfield club Emley AFC awaited them.
Recall the drama of that magical day below with a gallery of images from Huddersfield Hub photographer SEAN DOYLE.
2. Newsome Panthers clean up by winning all five trophies
After a successful re-launch Newsome Panthers, led by Richie Hawkyard, were looking to gain promotion this season from the Yorkshire Men’s League Division 2. They went on to achieve that and much more.
The Panthers won the Division 2 League Shield, the Division 2 Grand Final, the Holliday Cup, the League Cup and the Supplementary Cup. They went unbeaten all season winning 23 games. Since Hawkyard took over in 2021 he has brought nine trophies to the club and won 40 out of 40 games, a stunning feat.
Take a look back on what was a fantastic year for the club.
3. Huddersfield Town Women win show their metal in Cup competitions
Last season the Terriers got to both the League Cup final and County Cup final. They lifted the County Cup by beating Barnsley in what was a dominant performance. It was a great send off for some of the Town players who had decided to leave the club at the end of that season.
The Terriers lost 3-0 in the League Cup final to Southampton and, while the players were gutted to lose, they definitely showed pride in the shirt.
Town also made it to the FA Cup 4th round where they played Women’s Super League side Everton in front of a record crowd at the John Smith’s Stadium. The Toffees won the game 4-0 but it was valuable big match experience against top opposition.
Take a look back at that County Cup winning moment.
4. Maddie Leech wins bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games
In what seems like a lifetime ago there was a Commonwealth Games held this year in Birmingham. Lindley’s Maddie Leech was competing in cycling and trying to get Britain into the medal positions.
At the age of 19 Maddie claimed a bronze medal in the 4000m women’s team pursuit alongside teammates Laura Kenny, Josie Knight, Sophie Lewis and Grace Lister.
Read out more about Maddie’s success below.
5. Moorlands Cricket Club just love the Sykes Cup
Huddersfield Cricket League Club Moorlands once again scuppered Hoylandswaine beating the league champions in the final of the Sykes Cup for the second successive year.
Though Moorlands’ league form was disappointing, they were different class in the Sykes Cup and will be looking to make it a hat-trick in 2023.
Look back at what was a great day for the club.
