A project aimed at helping men improve their heart health had two special visitors this week.

Huddersfield Town Foundation is midway through a 12-week project called Heart of the Town which helps men aged over 18 improve their physical and mental health.

The initiative, funded by the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Project Fund, aims to blend physical activity with classroom-based learning opportunities.

And on Tuesday night the dozen or so regulars were joined at the Community Hub at the Accu Stadium by Huddersfield Town boss Lee Grant and club owner and chairman Kevin Nagle.

Lee was there to give his own insight on the importance of the right nutrition for a healthy lifestyle.

Lee was asked questions by Town’s head of communications Raj Baines and explained how nutrition had become all important over his 20-year career in football.

He said clubs now monitored what goes into players’ bodies and Town employ a full-time nutritionist, Tom Hill, to ensure each individual player had the right nutrition.

“Everybody is different,” he said. “Just because they are elite footballers doesn’t mean they are the same.

“Tom is right there standing with the players when food is served up at the club. He’s there for the plating up to make sure it’s exactly right.

“We’re really fortunate that the food provided at the club is of a high standard and is always the right stuff.

“What we also have to do is make sure the lads make healthy choices outside of the club.

“Not mentioning any names but you can have young lads moving into a house on their own for the first time and, all of a sudden, they have to cook for themselves.

“Sometimes we have seen huge fluctuations when they have moved into a new home with their girlfriend for the first time.

“Weight can fluctuate and I don’t necessarily mean over-weight, they can under-eat as well because maybe they don’t know how to cook and sit playing on the PlayStation all night.”

Lee said everyone needed to watch what they ate and try to get the balance right.

After Lee, there was a talk from Jamie Carroll, of Kirklees Wellness Service, who spoke about weight management and the risks of smoking.

Mr Nagle watched on at the side of the room and chatted to some of the participants before they headed outside for some physical exercises which included weights and boxing gloves.

Mr Nagle told Huddersfield Hub that projects such as Heart of the Town were “incredibly important” and added: “I’m really encouraged by what I’ve seen.

“The Town Foundation is exceptional and I’m really impressed by the various programmes.

“I’m proud of the foundation and it’s going to remain a priority.”

There was a light-hearted moment when Raj opened up the conversation with Lee to questions. He asked Mr Nagle if he had a question for Lee.

The chairman thought about it for a moment and smiled: “I think I’ll give him the night off!”

Images by: Huddersfield Hub photographer SEAN DOYLE