Graduate beats 250 applicants to take dream job at Hudds Town

Jon MacDonald graduated in 2007, but now the Mirfield man is back working for football team that he has supported since he was a boy

WORKING for Huddersfield Town Football Club would be a dream come true for many, but for a University of Huddersfield alumnus it is a reality made even more special as he has been a fan of the club all his life.

Jon MacDonald graduated in 2007 from the University with a degree in Tourism and Leisure Management.  Ten years later, he has come full circle after living and working around the world to be back in his hometown working as a Partnership Executive for Huddersfield Town Football Club.

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Jon’s role means he is involved in the development and growth of Huddersfield Town’s business partnerships.  This includes working with the official partners on match days, organising partnership networking events and additional promotional activities directed towards the thousands of football fans that grace the stadium.

Originally from Mirfield, Jon’s career journey began when he decided to stay local and study for his degree at the University.

“The Tourism and Leisure Management degree offered by the University of Huddersfield was really great and it made perfect financial sense to stay local,” said Jon.  “But I also loved being in Huddersfield – it’s a great little place.”

Three years later, Jon graduated and as he had always wanted to travel he booked a one-way ticket to the other side of the world where he spent the next three years travelling and working in Australia, South-East Asia and finally New Zealand.  

I was brought up in Mirfield and Huddersfield Town Football Club has always been ‘my team’.  To now be working for them is a childhood dream come true.

He arrived back in the UK in 2010 and began working with the Halifax Bank where his career progressed quickly.  However, in 2016 and in an ironic twist of fate, Jon saw a position advertised at Huddersfield Town and he applied.

Over 250 applicants applied for his current role and three intense interviews later Jon was offered the job, which he started in February this year.  Already, during that short time, he has experienced huge changes with the Club’s promotion into top flight football.  

“As a fan you always want your club to progress to the Premier League, but I still think it came as quite a surprise to a lot of people,” said Jon, “and being in the Premier League has stepped up the game for everyone.”

Now aged 32, Jon says he is not planning on changing roles anytime soon.