Huddersfield Town A.F.C.

Not to be confused with Huddersfield Town Ladies 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 Championship
2015–16 Championship, 19th
Website Club home page

Huddersfield Town Association Football Club is a professional football club based in the town of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. The team play in the Championship, the second tier of English football.

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.

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.

Stadiums

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.[3] 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 based on 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. In recent years the song has had a resurgence in popularity.

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 sung 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)
2015–2017 Pure Legal Limited (Home)
Radian B (Away)
Covonia (3rd)

Managers

Players

First-team squad

As of 29 August 2016.[4]

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

No. Position Player
1 Wales GK Danny Ward (on loan from Liverpool)
2 England DF Tommy Smith
4 England MF Dean Whitehead (vice captain)
5 England DF Mark Hudson (captain)
6 England MF Jonathan Hogg
7 Republic of Ireland MF Sean Scannell
8 Denmark MF Philip Billing
9 Germany FW Elias Kachunga (on loan from FC Ingolstadt 04)
10 Australia MF Aaron Mooy (on loan from Manchester City)
11 England MF Harry Bunn
12 England DF Tareiq Holmes-Dennis
13 England GK Joel Coleman
No. Position Player
14 England DF Martin Cranie
15 Germany DF Chris Löwe
16 England MF Jack Payne
17 Netherlands MF Rajiv van La Parra
18 England MF Joe Lolley
19 Croatia MF Ivan Paurević
21 Bermuda FW Nahki Wells
25 Republic of Ireland GK Joe Murphy
26 Germany DF Christopher Schindler
27 Slovenia DF Jon Gorenc Stanković
44 Germany DF Michael Hefele
45 England MF Kasey Palmer (on loan from Chelsea)

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
3 Australia DF Jason Davidson (on loan at Groningen)
20 England FW Jordy Hiwula (on loan at Bradford City)
22 England MF Kyle Dempsey (on loan at Fleetwood Town)
No. Position Player
34 Scotland DF Will Boyle (on loan at Kilmarnock)
36 Albania FW Flo Bojaj (on loan at Kilmarnock)
England GK Luke Coddington (on loan at Wrexham)
England DF Fraser Horsfall (on loan at Trafford)
Republic of Ireland GK Tadhg Ryan (on loan at Radcliffe Borough)

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 Luke Coddington
England GK George Dorrington
Republic of Ireland GK Tadhg Ryan
England DF Fraser Horsfall
Republic of Ireland DF Danny Kane
England DF Jacob Hanson
No. Position Player
Republic of Ireland MF Sam Warde
England MF Jamie Spencer
47 England MF Regan Booty
Republic of Ireland FW Ronan Coughlan
48 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
46 England DF Jordan Williams
England MF Jack Boyle
No. Position Player
England MF Luca Colville
England MF Lewis O'Brien
England MF Adam Porritt
England MF Alphie Raw
Australia FW Adam Edgar
England FW Cedwyn Scott

Full and u-21 internationals

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

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.[5]

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
First Team Coach Andrew Hughes
Director Of Football Operations Stuart Webber
Academy Manager Steve Weaver
Academy Head of Recruitment
Head of Goalkeeping Nick Colgan
Head of Strength & Conditioning Dan Hughes
Head of Sports Science John Iga
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: 1 June 2016
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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