Jermaine McGillvary - Memories To Last A Lifetime

As our club legend winger will depart the Giants after an illustrious 16-year career, we pay tribute to a true Huddersfield Giants Club Legend in Jermaine McGillvary.

Jerry's story starts in the Giants pathway system, after growing up in Huddersfield, and living just round the corner from the John Smith's Stadium, Jermaine signed his first professional contract in 2007, and was subsequently sent on loan to Betfred Championship side Batley Bulldogs.

After a superb season in the Championship, where he scored 22 tries for the Bulldogs, he hit the joint record for most tries in a match vs Whitehaven and was selected in the Championship team of the season, Jerry went on loan once again, to Barrow Raiders and scored eight tries in eleven appearances.

His first team debut was in sight, however and as the Giants travelled to local neighbours Bradford Bulls, and Jermaine was awarded his debut and impressed at Odsal, scoring two tries as the Giants ran out 52-6 winners.

From this moment on, Jerry never looked back, he finished off the 2010 season with seven tries in five games, and then came the 2011 season, where he really burst onto the scene and was awarded the Albert Goldthorpe Rookie of the Year Medal, after 30 tries in 30 appearances.

He was then awarded with a five-year contract, which took him all the way through to 2016 and some of the best years of his Rugby in Claret and Gold.

Jermaine said, "I'm really pleased to be at my hometown club for hopefully the best years of my career," and we think he stayed true to his word, totalling up over 200+ tries throughout the years.

2013 saw Jermaine help secure the clubs first Super League's silverware The League Leaders Shield, scoring 20 tries during the season.

By the time McGillvary was set to make his 100th appearance for Huddersfield, he had finally taken his place on the right wing in the number 2 jersey he has made his own alongside his great friend Leroy Cudjoe, as his centre.

Turning points are seen in every sport, in every team and in every individual, 2015 was such a time for Jerry. Top try scorer, Dream-Team inclusion and an England call-up were just some of the achievements reached by the now ever-present winger. 

When Steve McNamara announced his 17-man squad for the England vs New Zealand decider at the DW Stadium, few would imagine changes to a side that were holding the current the world number two. In a 1-all in a series with plenty ups and downs, but McNamara showed his hand and included the Super League top try scorer for his debut.

A tough game in tough conditions meant McGillvary’s workload wasn’t at all small, with carries from the back very important and it was that intensity and smart play that allowed England to win the game and the Huddersfield man to claim stake to the England no. 2 jersey.

Jerry's an absolute beast 👊@J_mcGillvary making more metres than anybody else at #RLWC2017 pic.twitter.com/xzRcNFobx9
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) November 20, 2017

In an England jersey, Jerry also played in the 2017 World Cup Final, as England were narrowly defeated 6-0 by Australia, but scoring 7 tries during the campaign in a successful period for the Huddersfield born star.

2022 was one of the Giants most successful years in recent history, with a Challenge Cup Final and finishing 3rd in the regular season, and Jerry more than played his part.

18 appearances and 11 tries, including one at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the final, and the try of the season vs Hull KR in the semi finals at Elland Road, barging past Robins winger Ethan Ryan to touch down and send the Giants to Spurs will live long in the memory of the winger and Giants fans alike.

Since his debut in 2010, Jerry only dropped below double figure tries in a season once, during 2020 where he scored nine for the club, showing the incredible consistency, quality and loyalty he has showed to this club over the years, his dedication cannot be questioned and he rightfully takes his place alongside Micheal Lawrence, Leroy Cudjoe and Eorl Crabtree as modern Giants legends.

And here we are, now in 2023, where Jerry has found game time found harder to come by, however, he has powered through and crossed for six tries in twelve appearances, including his illustrious 250th Career Try vs Hull KR, a superb achievement for one of the Super League greats.

Jermaine McGillvary provided the Cowbell Army with memories to last a lifetime over his time at the club, and we believe its only right that we turn out in numbers vs Warrington Wolves in our final game of the season, to ensure that Jermaine can enjoy the best farewell possible, from a club he has given his whole career to.

Thank you, Jermaine McGillvary, a true Huddersfield Giant.