Huddersfield Town F.C.

Huddersfield Town
Full name Huddersfield Town Football Club
Nickname(s) The Terriers
Founded 1908
Ground Galpharm Stadium
Huddersfield
(Capacity: 24,500)
Chairman Dean Hoyle
Manager Lee Clark
League League One
2010–11 League One, 3rd
Website Club home page
Home colours
Away colours
Current season

Huddersfield Town Football Club ( /ˈhʌdərzfld ˈtn/) is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One. Their manager is Lee Clark, who signed a contract to be manager on 11 December 2008 and took charge on 15 December 2008.

In 1926, they became the first English team to win three successive league titles – a feat which only three other clubs, namely Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United, have matched and no team has bettered. They also won the FA Cup in 1922 and have been runners-up on 4 other occasions.

Nicknamed The Terriers, their mascot is Terry the Terrier. The club traditionally plays in a blue and white vertically striped shirt with white shorts. The club has developed a reputation as having a strong academy, and the present squad contains a number of academy products.

The side play its home games at the Galpharm Stadium, a ground shared with rugby league side Huddersfield Giants. The ground was originally named the Alfred McAlpine Stadium (after the construction company involved in its creation) as part of a 10-year sponsorship agreement. In 1994, this stadium replaced Leeds Road, which was Huddersfield's home since their founding in 1908.

Their chairman is local businessman Dean Hoyle, who took over from previous chairman Ken Davy on 3 June 2009.

Contents

History

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, they became the first English team to win three successive league titles – a feat that only three other clubs have been able to match. They also won the FA Cup in 1922 and have been runners-up on four other occasions.

After World War II, the club began a gradual decline, losing its First Division status in 1952. It returned 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.

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 before eventually slipping 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 2 February 2005, the name of the club was changed from Huddersfield Town Association Football Club to Huddersfield Town Football Club.

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 (which doesn't include the play-off run, when they lost 3-0 to Peterborough United. On 28 November 2011, Huddersfield lost their first in 44 games to Charlton Athletic, losing 2-0.

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 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.[2]

Centenary kit

A special gold 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 over 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.

Popular chants

Smile a While was originally sung on the terrace in the 1920s when the original version was a popular song. 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, the pride 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

However, though "Smile A While" has been sung down the years, it is no longer the main chant/song as in the past.[3] In recent years "Those Were The Days My Friend" (to the tune of the song of the same name by Mary Hopkin) has been popular in times of success.[3]

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 area behind the goal opposite the away end is known as 'The Frontline'

In the early days of the Galpharm Stadium there was a band occupying the top row of the Fantastic Media Stand (North Stand), 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.

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

Managers

Players

Current squad

As of 4 January 2012.

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

No. Position Player
1 GK Alex Smithies
2 DF Calum Woods
3 DF Gary Naysmith
4 MF Joey Guðjónsson
5 DF Peter Clarke (captain)
6 DF Jamie McCombe
7 MF Gary Roberts
8 MF Antony Kay
9 FW Danny Cadamarteri
10 MF Oscar Gobern
11 MF Danny Ward
12 DF Tom Clarke
13 GK Ian Bennett
14 MF Damien Johnson (on loan from Plymouth Argyle)
16 MF Scott Arfield
17 FW Jordan Rhodes
No. Position Player
18 MF Tommy Miller
19 FW Alan Lee
20 MF Donal McDermott
21 FW Lee Novak
22 MF Anton Robinson
24 FW Jon Parkin (on loan from Cardiff City)
25 GK Nick Colgan
26 GK Lloyd Allinson
28 DF Nathan Clarke
29 DF Liam Ridehalgh
31 MF Chris Atkinson
32 DF Jack Hunt
33 MF Matt Crooks
35 DF Greg Pearson
36 GK Simon Thomas

Out on loan

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

No. Position Player
27 FW Robbie Simpson (on loan at Oldham Athletic)
30 FW James Spencer (on loan at Cheltenham Town)
No. Position Player
34 MF Aidan Chippendale (on loan at Inverness Caledonian Thistle)

Academy

Under 18s Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
GK Lloyd Allinson
GK Jordan Porter
GK Ed Wilczynski
DF Harrison Blakey
DF Thomas Briggs
DF James Burke
DF Dominic Dickinson
DF Adam Field
DF Duane Holmes
DF Nawful Muhammed
DF Joe Wright
MF Jake Charles
No. Position Player
MF George Conway
MF Matt Crooks
MF Israel Johnson
MF Danny Morton
MF James Nanje-Ngoe
MF Jordan Sinnott
MF Josh Windass
FW Hatib Cham
FW Warrick Charlton
FW Ryan Cox
FW Max Leonard

Full and u-21 internationals

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

England
Montserrat
Northern Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Scotland
United States
Wales

Player of the Year (Hargreaves Memorial Trophy)

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

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
Nigel Clibbens
Sean Jarvis
Chief Executive Nigel Clibbens
Operations Director Ann Hough
Commercial Director Sean Jarvis
Lifetime President Ken Davy

Last updated: 1 July 2011
Source: Who's Who

Coaching and medical staff

Position Staff
Manager Lee Clark
Assistant Manager Terry McDermott
First Team Coach Paul Stephenson
Development Coach Steve Watson
Academy Manager Mark Lillis
Goalkeeper Coach John Vaughan
First Team Fitness Coach Dr Tom Little
Physiotherapist Dave Buckby
Physiotherapist Adam Hirst
Performance Analyst Chris Markham
Kit Manager Andrew Brook
U18 Coach Chris Howarth
Assistant Academy Manager Graham Yates
Academy U16's Coach Tony Carss
Head of Athletic Development & Sports Science Dan Hughes
Education & Welfare Officer Karen Crosland
Academy Physio Steve Redmond
Football in the Community Officer Paul France

Last updated: 1 July 2011
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.