Huddersfield Town A.F.C.

Huddersfield Town
Full name Huddersfield Town Association Football Club
Nickname(s) The Terriers
Founded 15 August 1908 (1908-08-15)
Ground John Smith's Stadium
Ground Capacity 24,500
Chairman Dean Hoyle
Head Coach David Wagner
League The Championship
2014–15 The Championship, 16th
Website Club home page

Huddersfield Town Association Football Club is an English association football club that is based in the West Yorkshire town of Huddersfield and currently play in the Football League Championship (2015–16).

In 1926, Huddersfield became the first English club to win three successive league titles, a feat which only three other clubs have matched, and none has bettered. They also won the FA Cup in 1922.

Nicknamed The Terriers, the club plays in blue and white vertically striped shirts and white shorts. They have played home games at the John Smith's Stadium since 1994. The stadium replaced Leeds Road, Huddersfield Town's home since 1908.

History

Chart showing the progress of Huddersfield Town A.F.C. through the English football league system.

In 1910, just three years after being founded, Huddersfield entered the Football League for the first time. In November 1919 a fund-raising campaign was needed to avoid a move to Leeds. Citizens of Huddersfield were asked to buy shares in the club for £1 each, and the club staved off the proposed merger. The team went on to reach the 1920 FA Cup Final and win promotion to Division One.

In 1926, it became the first English team to win three successive league titles – a feat that only three other clubs have been able to match. Huddersfield Town also won the FA Cup in 1922 and have been runners-up on four other occasions. During the club's heyday, on 27 February 1932 the club achieved a record attendance of 67,037 during their FA Cup 6th round tie against Arsenal at Leeds Road. This attendance has been bettered by only 13 other clubs in the history of the Football League.

After the Second World War, the club began a gradual decline, losing its First Division status in 1952. Town came straight back up, then relegated three seasons later. Fourteen years later, they would return to the top flight for the last time (so far) in 1970 but was relegated two seasons later and has since meandered through the lower three divisions. Before the start of the 1969/70 season, Huddersfield Town adopted the nickname "The Terriers".

View into the John Smith's Stadium

In 1998, the club attracted the attention of local businessman Barry Rubery and, after protracted takeover talks, he took over the running of the club, promising significant investment as the club sought Premiership status. However, the club did not make it back to the top flight and fell two divisions. The club was sold by Rubery to David Taylor and under David Taylors ownership, slipped into administration. In the summer of 2003, the Terriers came out of administration under the new ownership of Ken Davy.

At the start of the 2004–05 season, the stadium was renamed the Galpharm Stadium, to reflect the sponsorship of this local healthcare company.[1]

On 19 November 2011, following a 2–1 victory over Notts County, Huddersfield broke Nottingham Forest's long-standing 42-match unbeaten league record, the Terriers went 43 games unbeaten. On 28 November 2011, Huddersfield lost for the first time in 44 games to Charlton Athletic. The score was 2–0.

On 26 May 2012, following a penalty shoot-out in the 2012 Football League One play-off Final victory over Sheffield United, Huddersfield were promoted to the Championship. The shoot-out was the longest contested in the current League One play-offs format. Eleven rounds took place, the final score was 8–7 to Huddersfield, with the winning goal being scored by goalkeeper Alex Smithies.[2]

During the summer of 2012, the stadium changed its name to the John Smith's Stadium, after the sponsorship rights were bought by Heineken International.

In February 2013, Simon Grayson was sacked and Mark Lillis was put in charge as caretaker manager until the club appointed Mark Robins as manager, but he left the club after the first game of the 2014–15 season that saw Huddersfield Town lose 4–0 at home to A.F.C. Bournemouth (Who won the league). Then in September 2014, Chris Powell was named the new Huddersfield Town manager. He was sacked on 3 November 2015, for "failing to meet the club's objectives".

The following day, ex-USA international David Wagner was appointed head coach, becoming the first person born outside the British Isles to manage the club in their 107-year history.

2008 centenary

The summer of 2008 saw the centenary of the formation of Huddersfield Town. A number of events took place to mark this occasion.

Season ticket offer

Chairman Ken Davy and newly appointed chairman-elect Dean Hoyle agreed to a special offer for season tickets for the 2008–09 football season. Adult tickets in the Antich Stand and Fantastic Media Stand were just £100 and tickets in the Direct Golf Stand were no higher than £175 for adults. Town sold 16,123 tickets during the offer, more than twice the amount sold during the previous season. It also beat the previous record of 14,170 set during the 1970–71 season, which was Town's first season back in the old First Division.

Centenary game

A copy of the bust of Herbert Chapman given to Huddersfield Town during the centenary match against Arsenal

A match against Arsenal for the Herbert Chapman Trophy was played at the Galpharm Stadium on 6 August 2008. The game was televised by Arsenal TV. The match finished 2–1 to Arsenal. Huddersfield took the lead on 75 minutes through Ireland U-21 international James Berrett. Arsenal equalised on 79 minutes through Sanchez Watt, before scoring the winner on 87 minutes through Nacer Barazite. The match was watched by a crowd of 19,044, the highest attendance for a pre-season match at the Galpharm Stadium and the highest since Argentinian side Independiente played against Town at Leeds Road in 1954, where a crowd of 20,042 saw that match.[3]

Centenary kit

A special gold-coloured away kit was commissioned by Mitre. There was a special launch night at the Galpharm Stadium on 19 June 2008 for season ticket holders only. Players Matt Glennon, Malvin Kamara and Michael Collins made an appearance.

Publications

'The Fans' Favourites'

The Fans' Favourites is a book by Alisdair Straughan published, late 2006, to commemorate the centenary. The book lists the 100 Huddersfield Town players voted by the fans as their favourite players.

Volumes I & II of History

As part of the centenary, two books about the club's history were released as 2 big volumes. Volume I was called "99 Years and Counting" (Stats and Stories). It was published on 3 November 2007. Illustrated, it contains full statistics for every Town match from 1908 to 2007. The authors were Alan Hodgson, Ian Thomas, Gwen Thomas and John Ward. Volume Two, "All That's Worth Knowing" (Facts & Photos), is a written account of the club's history. Its publication date was due to be toward of 2008, but it wasn't released until 13 April 2009.

Badge and colours

The club spent over five years debating what colour the kit should be. It ranged from salmon pink to plain white or all-blue to white with blue yoke. Eventually in 1913, the club adopted the blue-and-white jersey that remains to this day.

The club badge is based on the coat of arms of Huddersfield. Town first used a badge on its shirts for the 1920 FA Cup Final based on the local Huddersfield Corporation coat of arms. It appeared again with a Yorkshire Rose for the 1922 FA Cup Final and again for the finals of 1928, 1930 and 1938. The club's main colours (blue and white) are evident throughout the badge both in the mantling and in the shield, in the form of stripes. Two Yorkshire White Roses and Castle Hill form part of the history of the club and the area.

Town stuck with the same principal design (blue and white stripes) until 1966, when Scottish manager Tom Johnston introduced all-blue shirts. The next badge did not feature until the 1966–67 season, when the simple "HTFC" adorned the Town's all-blue shirts.

When the club adopted the nickname "The Terriers" for the 1969–70 season, the blue and white stripes returned and with it a red terrier with the words "The Terriers", just in time for their promotion to the big time, the First Division. The terrier sits on top of the crest with a ball on a blanket of blue and white stripes. The Terriers was introduced to the badge shortly after "The Terriers" was adopted as the nickname and mascot of the club.

After relegation to the Fourth Division, Town returned to all-blue shirts with the return of Tom Johnston in 1975. This time they only lasted two seasons and the return of simply "HTFC" badge. This lasted from 19751977. Stripes returned from the 1977–78 season and has been the club's home kit ever since. The red Terrier returned to the shirt for the 1978–79 season. In 1980, Town adopted what remains their badge today based on the coat of arms of Huddersfield. This is both the club badge and playing shirt badge and is held in high esteem by Town fans.

In 2000, Town changed badge to a circular design, but that was never popular and following a change of board, returned to the heraldic-style badge. The badge was further redeveloped with a small but significant adaptation in February 2005. The club took the decision to remove "A.F.C." from the text leaving only the wording 'Huddersfield Town'. The current board said that this was in keeping with the time and to make merchandise easier to produce and to make slicker looking promotional material.

Stadia

Rivals

Main articles: West Yorkshire derby

Leeds United are considered to be the club's main rival, with Huddersfield having the better head-to-head record of the two teams. Huddersfield have won 25 of the 61 derbies between the two sides with 17 draws and 19 Leeds wins.[4] Huddersfield's other local rivals are Bradford City; this is due to both clubs having had roughly the same league status for the last couple of decades and therefore it could be argued that they are closest rivals out of the three West Yorkshire teams.

There are smaller rivalries with Barnsley, Roses rivals Oldham Athletic and formerly with near neighbours Halifax Town. Manchester City were also once considered rivals during the time that the two clubs were competing in the old First Division.

Affiliated clubs

Popular chants

Smile A While was originally sung on the terrace in the 1920s when the original version was a popular World War I song ("Till We Meet Again" by Raymond B. Egan, music by Richard Whiting). At the time Huddersfield Town were one of the most successful football clubs in England.

There's a team that is dear to its followers
Their colours are bright blue and white,
They're a team of renown, they're the talk of the town,
And the game of football is their delight

All the while, upon the field of play,
Thousands loudly cheer them on their way.
Often you can hear them say,
Who can beat the Town today?

Then the bells will ring so merrily
Every goal, shall be a memory
So Town play up, and bring the cup
Back to Huddersfield

The south section of the (nearest the away support) is known as the 'Singing Section'. This group of fans provide particularly vociferous support for the team. This section is sometimes 'all ticket' when the rest of the Britannia Rescue (Kilner Bank Stand) is not.

The Fantastic Media Lower tier behind the goal, also known as the North Stand – is home to the North Stand Loyal supporters group. Aside from creating loud vocal support, they dress the stand with large flags and banners that celebrate club heroes and past achievements. Colourful displays are coordinated from the North Stand Loyal at most home matches.

In the early days of the Galpharm Stadium there was a band occupying the top row of the Fantastic Media Stand (North Stand Upper), the stand opposite the away stand, the Pink Link Stand (South Stand). They disbanded following a dispute with the club over the concessions they received in return for their services.

Another popular chant that is usually sang by the fans of the club is "Ooh to be a, ooh to be a terrier!" which is also usually accompanied by a drum.

Sponsors

Main club sponsors and kit suppliers

The main club sponsors also have the right to have their identity on the shirts.

Season(s) Kit supplier Club Sponsor
1975–1979 Bukta n/a
1979–1982 Barralan n/a
1982–1984 Bukta Central Mirfield
1984–1986 Daihatsu
1986–1987 Eagle Greenall's
1987–1989 Matchwinner  
1989–1991 Beaver
1991–1993 Gola Gola
1993–1994 Super League Pulse (Home)
Vileda (Away)
1994–1995 Pulse (Home)
Panasonic 3DO (Away)
1995–1997 Panasonic
1997–1999 Pony
1999–2001 Mitre
2001–2002 Bloggs Prime Time Recruitment
2002–2003 VOI
2003–2005 Admiral
2005–2007 Yorkshire Building Society
2007–2009 Mitre CasinoRed
2009–2010 Yorkshire Air Ambulance (Home)
Radian B (Away)
2010–2011 Kirklees College (Home)
Radian B (Away)
2011–2012 Umbro
2012–2013 Rekorderlig (Home)
Radian B (Away)
2013–2014 Puma
2014–2015 Rekorderlig (Home)
Radian B (Away)
Covonia (3rd)
2015–2016 Pure Legal Limited (Home)
Radian B (Away)

Managers

Players

First-team squad

As of 11 March 2016.[5]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 England GK Jed Steer (on loan from Aston Villa)
2 England DF Tommy Smith
3 Australia DF Jason Davidson
4 England MF Dean Whitehead
5 England DF Mark Hudson (captain)
6 England MF Jonathan Hogg
7 Republic of Ireland MF Sean Scannell
8 England MF Jamie Paterson (on loan from Nottingham Forest)
10 Algeria MF Karim Matmour
11 England FW Ishmael Miller
13 Republic of Ireland GK Joe Murphy
14 England DF Martin Cranie
No. Position Player
16 Wales MF Emyr Huws (on loan from Wigan Athletic)
17 England FW Harry Bunn
18 England MF Joe Lolley
19 United States MF Duane Holmes
21 Bermuda FW Nahki Wells
22 England MF Kyle Dempsey
24 Netherlands MF Rajiv van La Parra (on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers)
26 England GK Lloyd Allinson
29 Denmark MF Philip Billing
33 Wales DF Joel Lynch
36 Albania FW Flo Bojaj

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
9 England FW James Vaughan (on loan at Birmingham City)
20 England FW Jordy Hiwula (on loan at Walsall)
34 Scotland DF Will Boyle (on loan at York City)
–– England MF Ben Holmes (on loan at Hyde United)
No. Position Player
–– Poland GK Ed Wilczynski (on loan at Bishop Auckland)
–– England DF Joe Wilkinson (on loan at Bradford Park Avenue)
–– Wales DF Joe Wright (on loan at Accrington Stanley)

Development squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
England GK Sam Guthrie
Republic of Ireland GK Tadgh Ryan
England DF Fraser Horsfall
Republic of Ireland DF Danny Kane
England DF Jack Senior
35 England DF Jacob Hanson
Republic of Ireland MF Sam Warde
No. Position Player
England MF Jamie Spencer
England MF Callum Charlton
37 England MF Regan Booty
Wales FW Jake Charles
Republic of Ireland FW Ronan Coughlan
England FW Rekeil Pyke

Academy

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
England GK Owen Brooke
England DF Harry Clibbens
England DF Dylan Cogill
England DF Callum Elliott
England MF Jack Boyle
England MF Luca Colville
England MF Lewis O'Brien
No. Position Player
England MF Adam Porritt
England MF Alphie Raw
Australia FW Adam Edgar
England FW Cedwyn Scott

[6]

Full and u-21 internationals

Only players who gained caps while at the club included. Players who gained U21 caps are italicised.

England
Australia
Bermuda
Canada

Jamaica
Montserrat
Northern Ireland
Republic of Ireland

Scotland
United States
Wales

English Football Hall of Fame members

Several ex-players/managers associated with Huddersfield Town are represented in the English Football Hall of Fame, which was created in 2002 as a celebration of those who have achieved at the very peak of the English game. To be considered for induction players/managers must be 30 years of age or older and have played/managed for at least five years in England.[7]

Football League 100 Legends

The Football League 100 Legends is a list of "100 legendary football players" produced by The Football League in 1998, to celebrate the 100th season of League football. Three former Huddersfield players made the list.

Player of the Year (Hargreaves Memorial Trophy)

Year Winner
1975England Terry Dolan
1976England Terry Gray
1977England Kevin Johnson
1978England Mick Butler
1979England Alan Starling
1980England Malcolm Brown
1981England Mark Lillis
1982England Mick Kennedy
1983England David Burke
1984England Paul Jones
1985England David Burke
1986Wales Joey Jones
1987Scotland Duncan Shearer
1988England Simon Trevitt
1989England Steve Hardwick
1990England Lee Martin
1991England Graham Mitchell
1992Wales Iwan Roberts
 
Year Winner
1993England Neil Parsley
1994England Steve Francis
1995England Ronnie Jepson
1996Scotland Tom Cowan
1997Scotland Tom Cowan
1998England Jon Dyson
1999Belgium Nico Vaesen
2000England Jamie Vincent
2001England Craig Armstrong
2002England Leon Knight
2003England Martin Smith
2004England Jon Worthington
2005England Nathan Clarke
2006England Andy Booth
2007England David Mirfin
2008England Andy Holdsworth
2009England Gary Roberts
2010England Peter Clarke
 
Year Winner
2011England Peter Clarke
2012Scotland Jordan Rhodes
2013England James Vaughan
2014England Adam Clayton
2015England Jacob Butterfield
2016Bermuda Nahki Wells

Young Player of the Year (Incomplete)

PFA Team of the Year

The following have been included in the PFA Team of the Year whilst playing for Huddersfield Town:

League history

Honours

League

First Division

Second Division

Third Division

Fourth Division

Cup

FA Cup

Football League Cup

FA Charity Shield

Football League Trophy

Yorkshire Electricity Cup

Personnel

Club officials

Chairman Dean Hoyle
Directors Dean Hoyle
Ann Hough
Sean Jarvis
Stuart Webber
Chief Executive Julian Winter
Operations Director Ann Hough
Commercial Director Sean Jarvis
Lifetime President Ken Davy

Last updated: 3 March 2016
Source: Who's Who

Coaching and medical staff

Position Staff
Head Coach David Wagner
Assistant Head Coach Christoph Bühler
Coach Mike Marsh
Director Of Football Operations Stuart Webber
Academy Manager Mark Lillis
Academy Head of Recruitment Bryan Glover
Head of Goalkeeping Nick Colgan
Head of Strength & Conditioning Dan Hughes
Head of Sports Science Allan Stewart
Physiotherapist Ian Kirkpatrick
Assistant Physiotherapist Dave Hanson
Performance Analyst Chris Markham
Kit Manager Andrew Brook
Professional Development Coach Leigh Bromby
U18 Coach Chris Howarth
Assistant Academy Manager Graham Yates
Academy U16's Coach Tony Carss
Academy Lead Sports Scientist Stuart Heaviside
Education & Welfare Officer Karen Crosland
Academy Physiotherapist Jon Worthington
Football in the Community Officer Paul France

Last updated: 0 November 2015
Source: Who's Who

References

Notes

External links

Preceded by
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
FA Cup Winners
1922
Succeeded by
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Preceded by
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
FA Charity Shield Winners
1922
Succeeded by
Professionals XI
Preceded by
Liverpool F.C.
English Football League
1923–24
1924–25
1925–26
Succeeded by
Newcastle United F.C.
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