Romancing the Shield as Huddersfield celebrate league success

The trophy is often maligned in the summer era where Grand Final success ultimately wins the Super League title.

Nonetheless, after easing past Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 40-0 last night to secure pole position with one fixture still remaining, Anderson believes the West Yorkshire club’s feat should be regarded as an achievement in itself.

“For me it feels like just winning another game but I know what it means to the club and this group of players,” said the ex-Bradford Bulls prop who has galvanised the squad in his first full season as a head coach.

“Most of them have never won a single trophy while some teams win this (League Leaders’ Shield) all the time.

“They just say ‘yes, we’re top of the league’ but I think it’s an elite band we’ve joined.

“There’s Wigan, Leeds, Saints, Bradford and Warrington who have finished top and now we add ourselves to that group of teams.

“We’re in a position now where over half the competition haven’t ever been so it’s a real proud achievement for our club and players.

“They can all put a little tick box on their CV that they’ve actually got a piece of silverware and I’m hoping that Huddersfield have brought a little romance back to the League Leaders’ Shield.

“A few weeks ago when we were humiliated in the Challenge Cup (semi-final) we sat back and said if we win our next six games we’ll win this.

“We’re five and zero at the minute. We’ll move on to next week and hopefully make it six and zero (against Bradford Bulls).”

Huddersfield, who saw Jason Chan (2), Jermaine McGillvary (2), Brett Ferres, Aaron Murphy and Shaun Lunt score tries against a Wakefield side plunged into more financial crisis over the weekend, will then host either champions Leeds Rhinos or Wigan Warriors in the first round of play-offs.

They know they are just two victories away from Old Trafford, a maiden Grand Final appearance and, potentially, a first league title since 1962.

Last night’s success was particularly poignant for Ken Davy, Huddersfield’s chairman who has ploughed millions of pounds of his own funds into the club since taking over in 1996 and saw them finish bottom four years from 1998 to 2001.

“It’s been 17 years so has hardly been an overnight success but we’ve been building and building and have got a lot more to do,” said the septuagenarian, who admitted being “embarrassed” when captain Danny Brough handed the trophy over to him at the presentation.

“This is just the beginning. The players and coaches and town deserve it. It’s a wonderful day for Huddersfield.”

Giants attracted a season-best crowd of 8,787 and fans rose towards the end to wave “Thank You Ken” posters at their benevolent owner who was clearly touched.

Anderson, meanwhile, insists he will have no problems keeping his squad’s focus firmly on reaching Old Trafford and lifting the Super League trophy.

“I’ll tell them that Monday or Tuesday but they know that to be fair,” he said, having seen them keep a side scoreless for the first time this year.

“Plenty have just said to me already it’s a little bit surreal celebrating something so much when you know you’ve still got something else to play for.

“They are real level-headed, feet on the ground type of people at this club. We’ll enjoy tonight for what it is and dust ourselves down for what’s coming next.”