HUDDERSFIELD FC players preparing to play Manchester United saw first-hand the level of care soon to benefit families in Radcliffe.

Terriers first-team players toured Russell House in their home town, the sister facility of Grace’s Place, which is shortly to open in Dummers Lane.

Players saw for themselves why the hospice is one of the club’s three supported charities this year – visiting music and teenage rooms, the sensory room and the hydrotherapy pool.

Given Radcliffe’s proximity to Old Trafford, Forget Me Not chief executive, Peter Branson, joked at being ‘a bit torn’ over which team to support on Saturday.

He added: “But the outcome doesn’t really matter to us – we’re just delighted to be serving families in both Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, so everyone’s a winner.”

Huddersfield Town defender, Tommy Smith, said: “Seeing the children’s hospice has been a real eye-opener. The effort and work and time that the people who work here put into the place is nothing short of amazing. Some of the facilities are incredible. It does make you realise there’s a lot more to life than football.”

Andy Booth, who played for Huddersfield from 1992-96 and again from 2001-09 (with five years at Sheffield Wednesday and a loan to Tottenham Hotspur in-between), is now an ambassador for Huddersfield Town and accompanied the players on the visit to the children’s hospice.

He said: “The lads are playing Manchester United on Saturday – probably the biggest game of their careers.

“But you come here and you realise it’s just a game of football. It’s been a great experience for the lads to come and see what it’s all about. Obviously we talk about it at the club, but to see it first-hand – this is what it’s all about; this is real life, and it puts it all into perspective.”

Grace’s Place general manager, Kirsty Franks, added: “Going into the Premier League means Huddersfield Town can offer us a lot more visibility and we’re delighted that our logo is on the club stands. Not every family who needs us knows about us – but they can just call us up if they have a child with a life-shortening condition.

“A huge thank you to all the players who took the time to come and see us, and we wish both teams the very best of luck in their match on Saturday!”