Huddersfield Town F.C. season 2006-07

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Huddersfield Town
Season 2006–07
Manager Flag of England Peter Jackson (until March 6, 2007)
Flag of Ireland Gerry Murphy (March 6, 2007 to April 11, 2007)
Flag of England Andy Ritchie (from April 11, 2007)
Chairman Flag of England Ken Davy
League League One
Final league position 15th
FA Cup First Round
Carling Cup First Round
Johnstone's Paint Trophy First Round
Top goalscorer League:
Luke Beckett (15)
All:
Luke Beckett (15)
Highest home attendance 14,772 vs Bradford City (10 March 2007)
Lowest home attendance 3,629 vs Doncaster Rovers (17 October 2006)
Peter Jackson's contract as manager was terminated on 6 March 2007
Peter Jackson's contract as manager was terminated on 6 March 2007

Contents

[edit] Squad at the start of the season

No. Position Player
1 Flag of England GK Paul Rachubka
2 Flag of England DF Andy Holdsworth
3 Flag of England DF Danny Adams
4 Flag of England MF Mark Hudson
5 Flag of England DF David Mirfin
6 Flag of England DF Nathan Clarke
7 Flag of England MF Chris Brandon
8 Flag of England MF Jon Worthington (Captain)
9 Flag of Poland FW Paweł Abbott
10 Flag of England FW Gary Taylor-Fletcher
11 Flag of England MF Danny Schofield
No. Position Player
12 Flag of Pakistan MF Adnan Ahmed
14 Flag of England DF Tom Clarke
15 Flag of Ireland FW John McAliskey
16 Flag of Scotland DF Martin McIntosh
17 Flag of England DF John McCombe
18 Flag of England FW Luke Beckett
19 Flag of Ireland MF Michael Collins
21 Flag of England DF Aaron Hardy
22 Flag of England MF Matty Young
23 Flag of England FW Andy Booth
27 Flag of England GK Matt Glennon

[edit] Review

Following the narrow play-off defeat in May 2006 to neighbours Barnsley, the 2006-07 season started with high hopes that this would be the year that Huddersfield Town would make the step up to the Championship. Peter Jackson showed his confidence by extending his contract until May 2009. Notwithstanding the arrival of Luke Beckett departures, including Junior Mendes, exceeded arrivals.

The team made a sound start, with an encouraging home draw with much fancied Nottingham Forest, and they peaked at 5th on 21 October 2006. Some of the results in that period flattered the performances and the wheels came off in the next game with a 3-0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Despite an offer of cash from the Board, Peter Jackson declined to take any players on loan and the team spiralled downwards. Elimination, at home, in the first round of all three cup competitions did nothing to lift the gloom and on 5 January, in the televised encounter at Yeovil Town, the team played perhaps the worst 45 minutes of football in recent seasons to go 3-0 down at half-time (the game finished 3-1).

Around the January transfer window, Paweł Abbott and Danny Adams left, with Jackson indicating that Martin McIntosh and Mark Hudson would not play for the Club again, while Andy Taylor joined from Blackburn Rovers on loan until 5 April 2007, and Frank Sinclair joined from Burnley for the rest of the season. Also signed on a loan deal, on 23 February, was Barnsley striker Paul Hayes who played four games before his return.

A 5-1 thrashing at Nottingham Forest, on 3 March, lead directly to the departure of Peter Jackson]] on 6 March 2007, according to a Board statement, "due to our form and the inability to attract key players".[1]

Academy Director Gerry Murphy was appointed caretaker manager, one of whose first acts was to bring Martin McIntosh and Mark Hudson back into the reckoning, and Huddersfield went unbeaten in the first five games with Murphy in charge until they lost 2-0 at home to Blackpool on 9 April 2007, his last game as manager.

On 4 April 2007 a press conference was scheduled to announce the appointment of Phil Parkinson as the new manager. However he telephoned the Club, just over an hour before the press conference was due to begin, to reveal that he was staying with Charlton Athletic.[2] Andy Ritchie was then appointed Huddersfield Town manager on 11 April 2007 on a two year contract.[3]

On April 17, it was announced that Huddersfield Town's sponsors, Yorkshire Building Society and kit suppliers Admiral would be replaced. The new kit supplier was Huddersfield based Mitre and the new sponsors were Gibraltar based gambling outfit CasinoRed.com, who were given a contract for 12 months with an option to extend for a further two years.[4]

Also on April 17, Gerry Murphy, was promoted to a new position as Director of Football Development where he would be in overall control of scouting as well as his existing duties as Academy Director.[4]

On May 5, it was announced that six of Town's second-year scholars were offered professional contracts. They were Joe Skarz (who had already signed his), Luke Malcher, Simon Eastwood, James Berrett, Mitchell Bailey and James Hand, with Lucas Akins already being offered a new professional contract. Fellow youngster Alex Hallam was released.

Ritchie was in charge for the final four matches of the season with the team collecting seven points out of 12. The team finished the season in 15th position with 49 points, 16 points below the play-off places but 12 points above the relegation positions.

[edit] Events

Peter Jackson signed a two-year extension to his contract, on May 18, 2006, that will see him managing Town until May 2009. Then on June 27, 2006 he made his first summer signing by snapping up 27 year old goalkeeper Matt Glennon from St. Johnstone on a free. On June 29 2006, Junior Mendes moved to Notts County while Phil Senior went to Northwich Victoria on June 30, both also without a fee.[1]

July 3, 2006 saw Huddersfield sign 29-year-old Sheffield United striker Luke Beckett, for £85,000, on a three-year deal. Beckett scored six goals in seven games for Huddersfield during a loan spell in 2005. [2]

On August 8, 2006, Gary Taylor-Fletcher scored the 500,000th goal in English league football, with a fierce 25-yard drive that nestled into the top-left corner, to lead the Terriers to a 3-0 home victory over Rotherham United.[3]

Peter Jackson was sent to the stands, on August 12, 2006, after grabbing Bristol City's Lee Johnson around the throat in a touchline altercation 10 minutes from time in Huddersfield's 2-1 win over Bristol City.[4] On August 30, 2006 The F.A. charged Jackson with improper conduct over the incident and he was fined £300.[5]

From August 18, 2006, Martin McIntosh went on a month's loan to Grimsby Town but regained his place immediately on his return.[5] On the same date, Gary Taylor-Fletcher signed a two-year contract extension which keeps him at the club until the end of the 2008-09 season,[6] following closely on David Mirfin signing an identical contract extension.[7]

John McAliskey was loaned to Wrexham for a month on September 19, 2006. [8]

On December 21, Terry Yorath quit his role as assistant manager, partially down to his three month illness of pancreatitis. He was replaced by first team coach John Dungworth, who had been covering him in his absence.

Paul Rachubka was taken on loan to Peterborough United as cover for Mark Tyler and played four League 2 matches over Christmas/New Year 2006-07.

Peter Jackson was again sent to the stands in the Terriers' 3-2 victory over Swansea City, on 30 December 2006, for aggressively protesting a throw-in decision that lead to Swansea's second goal but the F.A. decided to take no action.

In January 2007 Danny Adams and Martin McIntosh were informed that their contracts would not be renewed in the summer and were transfer listed along with Paweł Abbott. Also in January, Adnan Ahmed went to Lincoln City on a one week trial.

On 13 January 2007, Peter Jackson announced that Joe Skarz would be the first choice left-back in preference to Danny Adams, who left the club on January 23, 2007 when his contract was cancelled 'by mutual consent'.[6]

On January 22, 2007, Paweł Abbott signed for Swansea on a two and a half year deal for a transfer fee reported to be in the region of £150,000. [9] [10] [11]

Then, on 25 January it was announced that midfielder, Mark Hudson, would be transfer listed.

On 31 January 2007, as the transfer window started to close, Blackburn Rovers defender Andy Taylor was signed on loan by manager Peter Jackson. On the same date Paul Rachubka went on loan to Blackpool until the end of the season.[7]

In early February, Frank Sinclair joined from Burnley for the rest of the season with a view to a longer deal.

On 6 March 2007, it was announced by Huddersfield Town that Peter Jackson had left the club with his contract cancelled by mutual consent. Jackson's last game in charge was a dismal 5-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on 3 March 2007. A statement from the board said: "The Board's clearly stated minimum aim at the start of the season was to achieve a Play-Off position, but unfortunately due to our form and the inability to attract key players, this objective is now looking remote."[1] Academy Director Gerry Murphy was appointed caretaker manager, while a lengthy selection process was put in train, and one of his first acts was to bring Martin McIntosh and Mark Hudson back into the reckoning.

On March 15, John McCombe joined Boston United on loan, but was recalled on March 23, without making a single appearance for Boston. Then on March 21, Chris Brandon joined Paul Rachubka on loan at Blackpool. The following day, Paul Hayes returned to Barnsley.

On March 31, Hudson and McIntosh were both in the starting line up for the match against Port Vale which ended 2-2. John McAliskey scored his first goal of the season and his first for nearly 2½ years. Andy Taylor was recalled by Blackburn Rovers on 5 April 2007.

The selection process for the new manager was accident prone. Kevin Blackwell pulled out to take the Luton Town manager's position on 27 March 2007, the day that he was due to be interviewed, then on 4 April 2007 a press conference was scheduled to announce the appointment of Phil Parkinson as the new manager. However he telephoned the Club, just over an hour before the press conference was due to begin, to reveal that he was staying with Charlton Athletic.[8] It was widely reported on Bank Holiday Monday that Andy Ritchie was to be appointed Huddersfield Town manager,[9] but it was not officially announced until 11 April 2007, and he will be on a two year contract.[3]

[edit] Squad at the end of the season

No. Position Player
1 Flag of England GK Paul Rachubka (on loan at Blackpool)
2 Flag of England DF Andy Holdsworth
4 Flag of England MF Mark Hudson
5 Flag of England DF David Mirfin
6 Flag of England DF Nathan Clarke
7 Flag of England MF Chris Brandon (on loan at Blackpool)
8 Flag of England MF Jon Worthington (Captain)
10 Flag of England FW Gary Taylor-Fletcher
11 Flag of England MF Danny Schofield
12 Flag of Pakistan MF Adnan Ahmed
13 Flag of Jamaica DF Frank Sinclair (on loan from Burnley)
14 Flag of England DF Tom Clarke
15 Flag of Ireland FW John McAliskey
16 Flag of Scotland DF Martin McIntosh
17 Flag of England DF John McCombe
18 Flag of England FW Luke Beckett
No. Position Player
19 Flag of Ireland MF Michael Collins
20 Flag of England MF Danny Racchi
21 Flag of England DF Aaron Hardy
22 Flag of England MF Matty Young
23 Flag of England FW Andy Booth
24 Flag of England DF Adam Wilson
25 Flag of Ireland MF James Berrett
26 Flag of England GK Simon Eastwood
27 Flag of England GK Matt Glennon
30 Flag of Ireland MF James Hand
31 Flag of England DF Joe Skarz
32 Flag of England FW Lucas Akins
33 Flag of England MF Mitchell Bailey
34 Flag of England MF Alex Hallam
35 Flag of England GK Alex Smithies
36 Flag of Ireland FW Luke Malcher

[edit] Results

[edit] Pre-season matches

Date Competition Opponents Home/

Away

Result

F - A

Scorers Attendance
11 July 2006 Friendly match A.F.C. Emley A 3 - 0 Booth [22], McAliskey [33], Collins [90] 1,280
13 July 2006 Friendly match Harrogate Town A 1 - 1 Beckett [83] 409
17 July 2006 Copa Ibiza Ibiza Select XI N (San Antonio) 1 - 2 Taylor-Fletcher [45] ?
20 July 2006 Copa Ibiza Swindon Town N (San Antonio) 1 - 0 Brandon [58] ?
25 July 2006 Andy Booth Testimonial Match Real Sociedad H 0 - 0 7,142
27 July 2006 Friendly match Ossett Albion A 1 - 0 Abbott [39] ?
29 July 2006 Friendly match Chester City A 0 - 0 1,669

[edit] Coca-Cola League One

Date Opponents Home/

Away

Result

F - A

Scorers Attendance League

position

5 August 2006 Gillingham A 1 - 2 Taylor-Fletcher [81] 6,075 15th
8 August 2006 Rotherham United H 3 - 0 Beckett [pen 36], Abbott [45], Taylor-Fletcher [78] 10,161 7th
12 August 2006 Bristol City H 2 - 1 Beckett [64], Abbott [90] 10,492 6th
19 August 2006 Brentford A 2 - 2 Schofield [72], Beckett [90] 5,709 6th
26 August 2006 Nottingham Forest H 1 - 1 Taylor-Fletcher [72] 11,720 7th
2 September 2006 Crewe Alexandra A 0 - 2 4,868 10th
9 September 2006 Cheltenham Town A 1 - 2 Abbott [86] 3,720 14th
12 September 2006 Doncaster Rovers H 0 - 0 10,151 18th
16 September 2006 Yeovil Town H 2 - 3 Hudson [27], Taylor-Fletcher [63] 9,573 19th
23 September 2006 Swansea City A 2 - 1 Taylor-Fletcher [50, 60] 12,202 17th
26 September 2006 Tranmere Rovers A 2 - 2 Booth [55], Taylor-Fletcher [78] 6,702 18th
30 September 2006 Bournemouth H 2 - 2 Taylor-Fletcher [27], Beckett [69] 11,350 17th
7 October 2006 Bradford City A 1 - 0 Hudson [25] 14,925 13th
14 October 2006 Carlisle United H 2 - 1 Beckett [21], [pen 32] 10,830 11th
21 October 2006 Port Vale A 2 - 1 Booth [77], Collins [79] 5,225 5th
28 October 2006 Brighton & Hove Albion H 0 - 3 10,616 9th
4 November 2006 Scunthorpe United H 1 - 1 Booth [86] 10,456 9th
18 November 2006 Blackpool A 1 - 3 Taylor-Fletcher [45] 7,414 11th
25 November 2006 Oldham Athletic H 0 - 3 13,280 14th
5 December 2006 Millwall A 0 - 0 6,251 16th
9 December 2006 Leyton Orient A 0 - 1 4,300 17th
16 December 2006 Northampton Town H 1 - 1 Schofield [65] 8,723 17th
23 December 2006 Chesterfield A 0 - 0 4,472 17th
26 December 2006 Tranmere Rovers H 2 - 2 Booth [9], Schofield [pen 60] 10,228 17th
30 December 2006 Swansea City H 3 - 2 Worthington [67], Abbott [75, pen 90] 9,399 14th
1 January 2007 Doncaster Rovers A 0 - 3 14,470 16th
5 January 2007 Yeovil Town A 1 - 3 Taylor-Fletcher [50] 5,554 16th
13 January 2007 Cheltenham Town H 2 - 0 Beckett [31], Booth [43] 9,813 14th
20 January 2007 Bournemouth A 2 - 1 Worthington [12], Schofield [85] 5,263 11th
27 January 2007 Chesterfield H 1 - 1 Young [53] 9,872 11th
3 February 2007 Gillingham H 3 - 1 Beckett [3], Booth [8, 83] 9,167 11th
10 February 2007 Bristol City A 1 - 1 Taylor-Fletcher [52] 11,636 11th
17 February 2007 Brentford H 0 - 2 10,520 13th
20 February 2007 Rotherham United A 3 - 2 Beckett [3, 46], Collins [59] 4,448 12th
24 February 2007 Crewe Alexandra H 1 - 2 Brandon [22] 10,052 13th
3 March 2007 Nottingham Forest A 1 - 5 Young [82] 19,070 15th
10 March 2007 Bradford City H 2 - 0 Hayes [3], Schofield [75] 14,772 14th
17 March 2007 Carlisle United A 1 - 1 Beckett [26] 6,629 14th
24 March 2007 Brighton & Hove Albion A 0 - 0 5,974 14th
31 March 2007 Port Vale H 2 - 2 Beckett [4], McAliskey [46] 10,313 15th
7 April 2007 Oldham Athletic A 1 - 1 Beckett [78] 7,096 15th
9 April 2007 Blackpool H 0 - 2 11,432 16th
14 April 2007 Scunthorpe United A 0 - 2 7,518 17th
21 April 2007 Millwall H 4 - 2 Collins [20], Hudson [59], Beckett [pen 73, 79] 9,406 16th
27 April 2007 Northampton Town A 1 - 1 Mirfin [75] 5,842 16th
5 May 2007 Leyton Orient H 3 - 1 Collins [11], Holdsworth [26, 45] 10,842 15th

[edit] FA Cup

Date Round Opponents Home/

Away

Result

F - A

Scorers Attendance
11 November 2006 Round 1 Blackpool H 0 - 1 6,597

[edit] Carling Cup

Date Round Opponents Home/

Away

Result

F - A

Scorers Attendance
22 August 2006 Round 1 Mansfield Town H 0 - 2 5,111

[edit] Johnstone's Paint Trophy

Date Round Opponents Home/

Away

Result

F - A

Scorers Attendance
17 October 2006 Round 1 North East Doncaster Rovers H 1 - 2 Booth [61] 3,629

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b "Huddersfield sack manager Jackson", BBC Sport, 2007-03-06. Retrieved on 2007-03-06. 
  2. ^ "Parkinson in Huddersfield U-turn", BBC Sport, 2007-04-04. Retrieved on 2007-04-04. 
  3. ^ a b "Ritchie named Huddersfield boss", BBC Sport, 2007-04-11. Retrieved on 2007-04-11. 
  4. ^ a b "Terriers gamble on new shirt deal", TeamTalk, 18 April 2007
  5. ^ "Jackson gets fine but escapes ban", BBC Sport, 18 October 2006
  6. ^ "Step up Joe", The Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 13 January 2007
  7. ^ "Rachubka signs on for Seasiders", TeamTalk, 31 January 2007
  8. ^ "Parkinson in Huddersfield U-turn", BBC Sport, 2007-04-04. Retrieved on 2007-04-04. 
  9. ^ "Ritchie lands Huddersfield job", Mark Tallentire, The Guardian, April 9, 2007