2007–08 Huddersfield Town A.F.C. season

Huddersfield Town
2007–08 season
Chairman Ken Davy
Dean Hoyle (Chairman-Elect)
Manager Andy Ritchie (until 1 April 2008)
Gerry Murphy (1 April 2008 until 3 May 2008)
League One 10th
FA Cup Fifth Round
Carling Cup First Round
Johnstone's Paint Trophy First Round
Top goalscorer League:
Andy Booth (9)
All:
Luke Beckett (12)
Highest home attendance 16,413 vs Leeds United (15 April 2008)
Lowest home attendance 6,004 vs Brighton & Hove Albion (18 March 2008)
Home colours
Away colours
Third colours
← 2006–07
2008–09 →

Huddersfield Town's 2007–08 campaign saw Town fail to make any progress for a second successive season in Football League One. Andy Ritchie lost his job on April Fool's Day. He was replaced by Stan Ternent for the new season.

The season was also notable for 2 other reasons. One was the FA Cup run, which saw Town reach the 5th round for the first time since the 1998–99 season. This included a win over Premier League side Birmingham City and a rematch against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The other big story was the handover of chairmanship from Ken Davy to local businessman Dean Hoyle. He would become the chairman after the centenary season.

Squad at the start of the season

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

No. Position Player
2 England MF Andy Holdsworth
3 England DF Joe Skarz
4 Republic of Ireland MF Michael Collins
5 England DF David Mirfin
6 England DF Nathan Clarke
7 England MF Chris Brandon
8 England MF Jon Worthington
9 England FW Danny Cadamarteri
11 England MF Danny Schofield
12 England DF Tom Clarke
13 Jamaica DF Frank Sinclair
15 Sierra Leone MF Malvin Kamara
No. Position Player
17 England MF Matty Young
18 England FW Luke Beckett
19 England DF Aaron Hardy
20 England MF Danny Racchi
21 England FW Lucas Akins
22 Republic of Ireland MF James Berrett
23 England FW Andy Booth
24 England MF Mitchell Bailey
25 Republic of Ireland FW Luke Malcher
26 England GK Simon Eastwood
27 England GK Matt Glennon
28 England GK Alex Smithies

Review

The end of a disappointing season again saw the departure of more players than new arrivals. Senior players who left included Mark Hudson, Martin McIntosh, John McAliskey, Paul Rachubka, and Gary Taylor-Fletcher. Jamaican international defender Frank Sinclair was signed on a 12-month contract, after joining on loan last season, and other close-season signings were ex-Leicester City striker Danny Cadamarteri and midfielder Malvin Kamara, who was released by fellow League One side Port Vale, both on free transfers. Manager Andy Ritchie made ex-Barnsley defender Robbie Williams his fourth signing, on 24 August. Huddersfield Town fan Adam Pearson, former Hull City chairman, tabled a takeover bid for the Club during October, worth more than £3 million, but it was rejected.[1] On 10 January 2008, after a successful loan period, Phil Jevons signed from Championship side Bristol City for an undisclosed fee, although it is believed to be in the region of £100,000. On 21 January, Welsh international Rob Page signed from Championship side Coventry City on a deal to the end of the season.

Manager Andy Ritchie departed on 1 April, by 'mutual consent', following the embarrassing 4–1 defeat at Oldham Athletic on 29 March. Academy director Gerry Murphy was put in caretaker charge.[2] First-team coach John Dungworth was the next to go, on 3 April, also announced as by 'mutual consent'.[3] Derby County assistant manager Stan Ternent was appointed as manager at the Galpharm Stadium, on 24 April, with his assistant being ex-Town player Ronnie Jepson. However, Murphy remained in charge of the team for the rest of the season and Ternent will take control of the team at the start of next season. It was announced, on 10 April, that Ken Davy was to step down as chairman after completing a deal with local businessman Dean Hoyle, who will take over at the start of the 2009–10 season. Hoyle joined the board immediately.[4]

On 1 August 2007, Huddersfield won a prestigious pre-season friendly, at home to Premier League side Blackburn Rovers, 2–1 with two Luke Beckett strikes. After a promising start which saw them lying 4th at the start of September, Huddersfield had slumped to 17th by 27 October with five consecutive away defeats, where they failed to score. The team's form continued to be inconsistent, though they had eased up to 13th by the end of 2007, helped by the occasional excellent result notably the 1–0 win at Swansea City on 16 November. From then until the middle of April the team were stuck in the narrow range of 13th–15th. The 2–1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, on 18 March, was watched by just 6,004 spectators, the lowest ever league crowd at the Galpharm Stadium for a league match.[5] However, following Ritchie's departure, Town regained composure and finished with four consecutive victories including beating local rivals Leeds United 1–0, at the Galpharm, on 15 April. The attendance for that match was 16,413, the highest for a league match for nearly 4 years, apart from the play-off semi-finals. Huddersfield finished the season in 10th place in League One. Although they were 10 points short of a play-off place, at no stage of the season did they look like serious promotion contenders.

In the cups, a Carling Cup defeat at Blackpool, and an embarrassing 4–1 defeat in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy to Grimsby Town, made it their fourth and fifth consecutive first round cup exits. Huddersfield beat Accrington Stanley away in the first round of the FA Cup, on 10 November. This was followed on 1 December with a second round 3–0 home win over Grimsby Town. Huddersfield caused one of the shocks of the third round when, at home on 5 January 2008, they beat Premier League side Birmingham City 2–1 with goals from Luke Beckett and Chris Brandon.[6] In the fourth round, Town beat fellow League One giant-killers Oldham Athletic (who beat Everton at Goodison Park in Round 3) 1–0 at Boundary Park, thanks to a goal by ex-Oldham striker Luke Beckett. The fifth round draw paired Town with FA Cup holders Chelsea, in a rematch of the third round tie in January 2006. The teams turned round 1–1 after Michael Collins had cancelled out Frank Lampard's 100th Chelsea goal but Lampard and Salomon Kalou sealed Chelsea's 3–1 win.

Specific events

Mark Hudson joined Rotherham United, Martin McIntosh and John McAliskey both joined Mansfield Town, Adnan Ahmed left for Tranmere Rovers, John McCombe signed for Hereford United and James Hand joined Dundalk. Adam Wilson was also told his contract would not be renewed and he subsequently joined non-league team Bradford Park Avenue. In addition, other departures included Paul Rachubka, who was not offered a new deal and subsequently joined Blackpool (where he had spent the end of the 2006–07 season on loan). Gary Taylor-Fletcher joined Rachubka at newly promoted Championship side Blackpool for an undisclosed fee.

Of the other squad members that were out of contract both Danny Racchi and Aaron Hardy were given one-year and six-month deals respectively. Jamaican international defender Frank Sinclair was signed on a 12-month contract at the Galpharm Stadium after a successful loan period. Town's other close-season signings were ex-Leicester City striker Danny Cadamarteri and midfielder Malvin Kamara, who was released by fellow League One side Port Vale, both on a free transfers.

Huddersfield had an offer for Barnsley defender Robbie Williams accepted, with personal terms agreed on 13 July, but the following day during his medical, it was revealed that he had a hairline fracture in his shin, with the deal virtually collapsed, but after being given time to recover he finally signed for the Terriers on 24 August for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal. Manager Andy Ritchie had previously been unsuccessful in attempts to sign strikers Ian Moore, Jo Kuffour & Jason Scotland.

Town won six of their seven pre-season friendlies including on 1 August 2007 a win 2–1 at home to Premier League side Blackburn Rovers with two Luke Beckett strikes. Recently departed Taylor-Fletcher and Rachubka were given an early chance to face their former club when Town were drawn away to Blackpool in the first round of the Carling Cup; the game finished 1–0 to the Seasiders thanks to a Ben Burgess goal.

On 31 August, Bristol City and Ireland under-21 international Richard Keogh was signed on a month's loan. His loan was extended by a further month on 1 October. On 27 September, West Bromwich Albion midfielder Ronnie Wallwork was signed on a month's loan to alleviate Town's injury crisis. Huddersfield released Keogh on 29 October but extended Wallwork's loan for another month.

Huddersfield beat Accrington Stanley on 10 November, in the first round of the FA Cup. They came back from 2–0 down thus avoiding their fate of four years previously when they lost 1–0, also in a first round tie away at Accrington.

Huddersfield signed Bristol City striker Phil Jevons for a month's loan on 22 November, as well as increasing Ronnie Wallwork's loan until 29 December. Also that day, young striker Lucas Akins was sent on loan to Conference National side Northwich Victoria.

Akins's loan was extended by another month on 20 December. Then on Christmas Eve, Jevons's loan was extended until 19 January 2008.[7] However, on 10 January Jevons was signed for £100,000, that could double to £200,000 depending on appearances and whether Town win promotion, on a deal that takes him until summer 2010.[8] Ronnie Wallwork returned to West Bromwich Albion on 29 December after the 93-day loan limit expired. On 11 January 2008 it was announced that Wallwork had signed for Sheffield Wednesday, on a free transfer, to the end of the season with a view to a permanent deal.[9][10]

On 21 January, Welsh international Rob Page signed from Championship side Coventry City on a deal to the end of the season.

On 15 February, Lucas Akins returned from his loan spell at Northwich Victoria and young defender Shane Killock was sent on loan to Conference North side Hyde United. That was later extended to an end-of-season loan. On 21 February, fellow Town youngster Tom Clarke joined West Yorkshire rivals Halifax Town on a month's loan. He returned to the Galpharm on 23 March.

On 28 February, long-serving midfielder Danny Schofield requested that he could leave the club at the end of the season for a new challenge. His name has been circulated to other clubs by manager Andy Ritchie.

On 2 March, Huddersfield won 2 prizes at the 3rd Football League Awards. The club won "Best League One Family Club" for their "Fans of the Future" initiative and Town youngster Daniel Broadbent celebrated his 18th birthday by winning the "League One Apprentice" award, an award won by Joe Skarz twelve months earlier.

By the start of March, Town's play-off hopes were starting to vanish following successive defeats by Gillingham, leaders Swansea City and Swindon Town (who finished the game with nine men!). With Danny Cadamarteri still out injured, Town's three fit strikers: Luke Beckett, Andy Booth and Phil Jevons were all misfiring, so Andy Ritchie tried to bring in an experienced striker from the Championship, but as with back in the summer, he was rejected three times. First by Charlton Athletic's Izale McLeod, then by West Bromwich Albion's Craig Beattie and Crystal Palace's recently transfer-listed Shefki Kuqi. On 11 March, Ritchie revealed he also missed out on Preston North End's Brett Ormerod and Watford's Hungarian striker Tamás Priskin.

On 1 April, three days after a humiliating 4–1 defeat at Oldham Athletic that dashed any lingering play-off hopes, it was announced that manager Andy Ritchie had left the club by mutual consent.[2] First-team coach John Dungworth was the next to go, on 3 April, also announced as by 'mutual consent'.[3] Chairman Ken Davy cited the fact that results had been far too inconsistent and that the club had not moved forward as had been expected. Ritchie had been in charge for slightly less than a year. Davy also stated that the club hoped to appoint a new manager before the end of the season. Academy director Gerry Murphy was put in caretaker charge until a replacement is found. He has ruled himself out of the running for the job. Front-runners include ex-Brentford and Leicester City boss Martin Allen, ex-Town player Mark Lillis and ex-England captain Alan Shearer.

Among Murphy's first acts was to give the Town captaincy to defender Rob Page, so that the previous captain Jon Worthington can focus on his game more. During his tenure as caretaker manager, Murphy led the Terriers to an impressive 1–0 win over local rivals Leeds United.

On 24 April, it was revealed that Town had asked for permission to speak to Derby County assistant manager Stan Ternent, which was granted by Adam Pearson. He took over at the Galpharm Stadium later that day. His assistant is ex-Town player Ronnie Jepson. Derby's own website even said that Chris Hutchings, another person possibly lined up to replace Ritchie would be reunited with Paul Jewell as Ternent's replacement. Ternent will take charge of his first league game at the start of next season.

Squad at the end of the season

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

No. Position Player
2 England MF Andy Holdsworth
3 England DF Joe Skarz
4 Republic of Ireland MF Michael Collins
5 England DF David Mirfin
6 England DF Nathan Clarke
7 England MF Chris Brandon
8 England MF Jon Worthington
9 England FW Danny Cadamarteri
10 England DF Robbie Williams
11 England MF Danny Schofield
12 England DF Tom Clarke
13 Jamaica DF Frank Sinclair
14 England FW Phil Jevons
15 Sierra Leone MF Malvin Kamara
17 England MF Matty Young
No. Position Player
18 England FW Luke Beckett
19 England DF Aaron Hardy
20 England MF Danny Racchi
21 England FW Lucas Akins
22 Republic of Ireland MF James Berrett
23 England FW Andy Booth
24 England MF Mitchell Bailey
25 Republic of Ireland FW Luke Malcher
26 England GK Simon Eastwood
27 England GK Matt Glennon
28 England GK Alex Smithies
29 Wales DF Rob Page
31 England DF Shane Killock
32 England FW Daniel Broadbent
33 England DF Spencer Harris

Players In/Out

In

Date Player Previous Club Cost
12 MayJamaica Frank SinclairBurnleyFree
1 JuneEngland Danny CadamarteriLeicester CityFree
18 JuneSierra Leone Malvin KamaraPort ValeFree
24 AugustEngland Robbie WilliamsBarnsleyUndisclosed Fee
31 AugustRepublic of Ireland Richard KeoghBristol CityLoan
27 SeptemberEngland Ronnie WallworkWest Bromwich AlbionLoan
22 NovemberEngland Phil JevonsBristol CityLoan
10 JanuaryEngland Phil JevonsBristol City£100K rising to a possible £200K[8]
21 JanuaryWales Rob PageCoventry CityFree
15 FebruaryEngland Lucas AkinsNorthwich VictoriaReturn From Loan
23 MarchEngland Tom ClarkeHalifax TownReturn From Loan

Out

Date Player New Club Cost
25 MayPakistan Adnan AhmedTranmere RoversFree
5 JuneEngland Paul RachubkaBlackpoolFree
7 JuneRepublic of Ireland John McAliskeyMansfield TownFree
14 JuneEngland Mark HudsonRotherham UnitedFree
16 JuneScotland Martin McIntoshMansfield TownFree
4 JulyEngland John McCombeHereford UnitedFree
9 JulyEngland Gary Taylor-FletcherBlackpoolUndisclosed Fee
10 JulyRepublic of Ireland James HandDundalkFree
23 JulyEngland Adam WilsonBradford Park AvenueFree
29 OctoberRepublic of Ireland Richard KeoghBristol CityReturn From Loan
22 NovemberEngland Lucas AkinsNorthwich VictoriaLoan
29 DecemberEngland Ronnie WallworkWest Bromwich AlbionLoan Limit Expired
15 FebruaryEngland Shane KillockHyde UnitedLoan
21 FebruaryEngland Tom ClarkeHalifax TownLoan

Results

Pre-season matches

Date Competition Opponents Home/

Away

 Result

F – A

 Scorers Attendance
18 July 2007 Friendly match A.F.C. Emley A 3 – 0 Cadamarteri [47 (pen)], Beckett [56], Young [83] 1,985
21 July 2007 Friendly match Bridlington Town A 6 – 1 Kamara [14, 28], Cadamarteri [24, 38], Beckett [51], Bailey [75] 684
24 July 2007 Friendly match Hucknall Town A 3 – 1 Skarz [14], Beckett [40], Schofield [76] 294
25 July 2007 Friendly match Bradford Park Avenue A 1 – 0 Booth [21] 533
28 July 2007 Friendly match Rochdale A 0 – 3 1,421
1 August 2007 Friendly match Blackburn Rovers H 2 – 1 Beckett [38, 80] 6,901
4 August 2007 Friendly match Mansfield Town A 4 – 0 Beckett [24], Collins [38], Akins [60], Kamara [74] 1,363

Football League One

Date Opponents Home/

Away

 Result

F – A

 Scorers Attendance Position
11 August 2007 Yeovil Town H 1 – 0 Beckett [17] 9,876 6th
18 August 2007 Bournemouth A 1 – 0 Beckett [43] 5,606 2nd
25 August 2007 Carlisle United H 0 – 2 10,022 7th
1 September 2007 Millwall A 2 – 1 Booth [44], Kamara [52] 9,004 4th
8 September 2007 Crewe Alexandra A 0 – 2 5,164 7th
15 September 2007 Cheltenham Town H 2 – 3 Kamara [48], Keogh [90] 8,756 9th
22 September 2007 Northampton Town A 0 – 3 5,014 15th
29 September 2007 Luton Town H 2 – 0 Beckett [35], Cadamarteri [60] 9,028 9th
2 October 2007 Nottingham Forest H 1 – 1 Cadamarteri [67] 10,994 11th
6 October 2007 Walsall A 0 – 4 5,112 14th
14 October 2007 Doncaster Rovers A 0 – 2 6,866 15th
20 October 2007 Oldham Athletic H 1 – 1 Wallwork [81] 10,909 16th
26 October 2007 Tranmere Rovers A 0 – 3 6,008 17th
3 November 2007 Port Vale H 3 – 1 Booth [3], Wallwork [9], N. Clarke [21] 8,555 17th
6 November 2007 Hartlepool United H 2 – 0 Cadamarteri [12], Beckett [87] 8,154 14th
16 November 2007 Swansea City A 1 – 0 Kamara [54] 12,184 9th
24 November 2007 Leyton Orient H 0 – 1 9,697 13th
5 December 2007 Southend United A 1 – 4 Schofield [67] 6,844 15th
8 December 2007 Leeds United A 0 – 4 32,501 15th
15 December 2007 Bristol Rovers H 2 – 1 Wallwork [16], Jevons [55] 8,118 13th
22 December 2007 Cheltenham Town A 2 – 0 Booth [14, 66] 3,998 11th
26 December 2007 Crewe Alexandra H 1 – 1 Booth [84] 9,759 12th
29 December 2007 Northampton Town H 1 – 2 Booth [45] 8,556 13th
1 January 2008 Nottingham Forest A 1 – 2 Jevons [37 (pen)] 18,762 14th
12 January 2008 Gillingham H 1 – 3 Brandon [31] 11,212 16th
19 January 2008 Brighton & Hove Albion A 1 – 1 Williams [77] 5,343 15th
29 January 2008 Bournemouth H 1 – 0 Jevons [35] 7,359 15th
2 February 2008 Yeovil Town A 2 – 0 Beckett [25 (pen)], Collins [51] 4,823 15th
9 February 2008 Swindon Town H 1 – 0 Jevons [1] 9,388 13th
12 February 2008 Carlisle United A 1 – 2 Page [87] 6,196 15th
19 February 2008 Millwall H 1 – 0 Beckett [29 (pen)] 6,326 13th
23 February 2008 Gillingham A 0 – 1 5,022 14th
1 March 2008 Swansea City H 0 – 1 10,471 15th
4 March 2008 Swindon Town A 2 – 3 Jevons [39 (pen), 77 (pen)] 4,840 16th
8 March 2008 Leyton Orient A 1 – 0 Beckett [75] 4,660 15th
11 March 2008 Hartlepool United A 1 – 2 N. Clarke [64] 3,650 15th
15 March 2008 Southend United H 1 – 2 Booth [73] 7,823 15th
18 March 2008 Brighton & Hove Albion H 2 – 1 Holdsworth [4], Beckett [79 (pen)] 6,004 14th
22 March 2008 Bristol Rovers A 3 – 2 Berrett [39], Brandon [70], Collins [88] 6,585 13th
29 March 2008 Oldham Athletic A 1 – 4 Mirfin [90] 5,637 14th
5 April 2008 Doncaster Rovers H 2 – 2 Williams [7], Holdsworth [61] 10,279 14th
12 April 2008 Port Vale A 0 – 0 4,150 13th
15 April 2008 Leeds United H 1 – 0 Holdsworth [76] 16,413 12th
19 April 2008 Tranmere Rovers H 1 – 0 Booth [61] 8,315 12th
26 April 2008 Walsall H 2 – 0 Schofield [41], Booth [56] 9,969 12th
3 May 2008 Luton Town A 1 – 0 Jevons [77] 6,539 10th

FA Cup

Date Round Opponents Home/

Away

 Result

F – A

 Scorers Attendance
10 November 2007 Round 1 Accrington Stanley A 3 – 2 Kamara [45, 83], Beckett [89] 2,202
1 December 2007 Round 2 Grimsby Town H 3 – 0 Jevons [53, 62], Beckett [85] 6,729
5 January 2008 Round 3 Birmingham City H 2 – 1 Beckett [4], Brandon [81] 13,410
26 January 2008 Round 4 Oldham Athletic A 1 – 0 Beckett [10] 12,749
16 February 2008 Round 5 Chelsea A 1 – 3 Collins [45] 41,324

Football League Cup

Date Round Opponents Home/

Away

 Result

F – A

 Scorers Attendance
14 August 2007 Round 1 Blackpool A 0 – 1 6,395

Johnstone's Paint Trophy

Date Round Opponents Home/

Away

 Result

F – A

 Scorers Attendance
4 September 2007 Round 1 North East Grimsby Town A 1 – 4 Collins [45] 1,204

Appearances and goals

Squad No. Name Nation Position League Apps League Goals FA Cup Apps FA Cup Goals League Cup Apps League Cup Goals FLT Apps FLT Goals Total Apps Total Goals
2Andy Holdsworth EnglandDF43 (1)350001049 (1)3
3Joe Skarz EnglandDF22 (5)02 (1)0101026 (6)0
4Michael Collins Republic of IrelandMF35 (6)23 (2)1101140 (8)4
5David Mirfin EnglandDF23 (6)13 (1)0100027 (7)1
6Nathan Clarke EnglandDF442401010502
7Chris Brandon EnglandMF25 (3)221101029 (3)3
8Jon Worthington EnglandMF19 (6)010100021 (6)0
9Danny Cadamarteri EnglandFW10 (2)31 (1)0000011 (3)3
10Robbie Williams EnglandDF24 (1)230000027 (1)2
11Danny Schofield EnglandMF19 (6)24 (1)0101025 (7)2
12Tom Clarke EnglandDF2 (1)000000 (1)02 (2)0
13Frank Sinclair JamaicaDF28 (1)050100034 (1)0
14Phil Jevons EnglandFW17 (4)73 (1)2000020 (5)9
14Richard Keogh Republic of IrelandDF91000010101
15Malvin Kamara Sierra LeoneMF33 (10)33 (2)2101038 (12)5
16Ronnie Wallwork EnglandMF163200000183
17Matty Young EnglandMF4 (4)000000 (1)04 (5)0
18Luke Beckett EnglandFW25 (11)83 (2)4101030 (13)12
19Aaron Hardy EnglandDF5 (1)0000 (1)0106 (2)0
20Danny Racchi EnglandDF0 (3)00000000 (3)0
21Lucas Akins EnglandFW0 (3)000000 (1)00 (4)0
22James Berrett Republic of IrelandMF10 (5)120000012 (5)1
23Andy Booth EnglandFW28 (10)92 (1)00 (1)00030 (12)9
27Matt Glennon EnglandGK450501010520
28Alex Smithies EnglandGK1 (1)00000001 (1)0
29Rob Page WalesDF181200000201
31Shane Killock EnglandDF1000000010
32Daniel Broadbent EnglandFW0 (5)00000000 (5)0

References

  1. ↑ Richard Sutcliffe (20 October 2007). "Pearson opts to call off bid for Terriers". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 24 October 2007.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Ritchie leaves Huddersfield post". BBC News. 1 April 2008. Retrieved 4 April 2008.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "First-team coach leaves Terriers". BBC News. 3 April 2008. Retrieved 4 April 2008.
  4. ↑ "Hoyle to be Terriers chairman", TEAMtalk, retrieved 11 April 2008
  5. ↑ Martin Shaw (21 March 2008). "I always show passion declares Worthington". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 21 March 2008.
  6. ↑ "Huddersfield 2–1 Birmingham", BBC Sport, 5 January 2008
  7. ↑ "Terriers extend Jevons loan deal", TEAMtalk, accessed 25 December 2007
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "£100,000 Jevo!", Mel Booth, Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 10 January 2008
  9. ↑ "Owls recruit Baggies man Wallwork". BBC Sport. 11 January 2008. Retrieved 11 January 2008.
  10. ↑ "Wallwork seals switch to Owls". TEAMtalk. 11 January 2008. Retrieved 11 January 2008.