By Richard Sykes
Three of Huddersfield’s sporting greats are guest speakers at the Huddersfield RUFC annual dinner on Friday February 24.
Marcus Stewart, Andy Booth and Danny Brough will be fronting the occasion, profits from which will be donated to the Derby Rimmer MND Foundation.
Marcus Stewart was diagnosed with MND last August and he has embraced the organisation with fundraising support.
The former Terriers’ favourite said: “So much has been done to raise awareness and alleviate suffering. I didn’t know Stephen (Derby) and Chris (Rimmer) before I contracted the illness but they have been incredibly supportive.”
Derby, a former professional footballer, and former RAF veteran Rimmer set up the charity in 2015. Since then it has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to tackle MND.
Marcus added: “Rugby has really stepped up in its backing for the MND cause and the efforts of Kevin Sinfield have gone above and beyond.”
Marcus made 133 appearances for Huddersfield Town between 1996 and 2000, scoring 58 goals for the club, before moving on to further his career in the Premiership with Ipswich and Sunderland.
Marcus’s sons Kian and Finlay both play rugby for Huddersfield RUFC and since his diagnosis the club has run various fundraisers to support the charity.
Leeds Road legend Andy Booth made 293 appearances in the blue and white stripes, his two spells with Town bracketing Marcus’s time at the club.
Town manager Neil Warnock was at the helm in Andy’s first spell at the club and described him as “the best header of a ball outside the Premier League.” Andy scored 134 goals for Town. Now an ambassador for the club, he was more than willing lend his support and be part of the occasion for his friend and former clubmate.
Danny Brough will be taking a ‘question and answer’ session at the dinner. The former Huddersfield Giants half-back captained the team to their Super League title win in 2013, a year in which he picked up the prestigious ‘Man of Steel’ award.
Capped 25 times for Scotland, Danny made 247 appearances for the Giants and is the 5th highest points score in the history of rugby league. Danny’s son plays rugby for Huddersfield RUFC’s under-13 team.
The MND cause was adopted by the nation’s rugby family following the diagnosis of Scotland RU international Doddie Weir and Leeds Rhino legend Rob Burrow with the disease.
The incredible fundraising efforts of England RU defence coach Kevin Sinfield, a former team mate and close friend of Rob, has united both rugby codes in support of the charities working hard to conquer the condition.
Comedian Martin Gold will bring his unique sense of fun to the black tie event which is being held in Huddersfield RUFC’s impressive Waterloo Suite commencing at 7pm. The event is open to non-members and full details of it and how to book a place can be found by HERE.
