Dean Hoyle Saying It How It Is

Dean Hoyle gave the fans another fantastic interview today as well as showing exactly why the chairman is strongly liked by the footballing world. Hoyle has always been keen to make Huddersfield Town an ambitious club and with promotion into The Championship he believes that the club can now be one of the best in the country to develop players. The transfer window brought with it some top quality signings by Simon Grayson & Hoyle is determined to allow Huddersfield to flourish in this league regardless of the players he has had to lose to bring in new faces.

Here is what Hoyle had to say;

"I say to all our players, old and new, that this football club provides a platform for all they want to achieve. They have the opportunity to play with an ambitious club during exciting times and, if nothing else, they should be looking at Huddersfield Town as a great stepping stone."

"I don't want that to sound defeatist, because we do want our club to go forward and become strong, but I'm just being realistic – this is a great place for players to develop and, if they do produce what they are capable of, then the club will benefit as well."

"The Championship is a fantastic division to be in. I was looking at the League I table over the weekend and thinking how many supporters would X, Y and Z have brought with them to our ground? The two home matches we've had so far against Nottingham Forest and Burnley have attracted big away followings, which makes for a cracking atmosphere at the stadium."

"That helps with whole feeling of matchday, as well as Nigel Clibbens' piggy bank, and it's just great for everyone involved. The Championship is something like the fourth best supported division in the world and we are in it – so to finish even mid-table would make us a top 30 club in the English game and that's something to be proud of. I'm chuffed to bits we are now playing at this level and I think everyone should enjoy it."

Dean Hoyle then went back to the past & admitted that he was way too flexible with his money with Lee Clark in charge but he stated that he has learned from his mistakes without affecting the way the club is run;

"I spoke quite openly about the fact I had allowed Lee Clark to bring in too many players when he was manager – and admitted responsibility for that. I have now allowed Simon to bring in plenty of new players, so some might be thinking 'same old, same old', but I was realistic enough to understand the need at this level. While respecting the squad we had last season, areas needed to be improved and Simon has done it very well. Without getting above ourselves, the additions we have made look good Championship quality, and that's very pleasing."

When asked about Huddersfield Towns preparations for The Championship Hoyle spoke truthfully about how he felt going into this league as well as how the first few Championship games left him feeling;

"We didn't have the best of pre-seasons and nobody was disguising that fact, so going to Cardiff after being knocked out of the Capital One Cup was a tough-looking opener. Cardiff, who have been to the play-offs the last three seasons, were on their home ground having just signed Craig Bellamy and a lot of other players for a lot of money and we were newly promoted, but we went there and gave a fantastic account of ourselves and I think people came away in a very positive frame of mind."

"I can tell you it isn't often Nigel Clibbens is buoyant after a defeat, but putting the result to one side he was very pleased with what he'd seen. Then, after the Forest game, I was thinking 'if Forest are a mid-table side then we're doomed! I thought they were exceptionally good, but at the same time we had our chances and, for our first home game, it was a tough one to come through. Showing that determination never to give up was a great sign and we got something out of it, which was a credit to all involved."

"Against Burnley, who have aspirations to be in the top six, and contrary to what the Burnley press might think, we played them off the park. I thought the 2-0 scoreline was flattering to Burnley on the day and was very pleased with our performance. Down at Ipswich, I again thought we did well and could easily have won it towards the end, when their keeper was inspired. That's the thing in this division. They are all big clubs and, while in the past we have come up against teams with the odd exceptional individual, the Championship clubs have all got plenty of big-name players, many of whom have their sights set on playing in the Premiership."

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Grayson Admits Chairman Makes Anything Possible

Simon Grayson has praised the way that Dean Hoyle runs Huddersfield Town Football Club and was keen to state that anything is possible when you have a chairman which backs you as much as what Hoyle does. Grayson was left disappointed with the collapsed loan move that could of seen Jermaine Beckford sign for the terriers on Friday but the manager reflected on a successful transfer window even with losing prolific striker Jordan Rhodes;

"We worked so hard on the Jermaine Beckford deal simply because we felt he would have improved the football club. We have strikers up there who can do the job, but you just want as much quality as you can get and the extra competition for places. I was always looking for an attacking player whether Jordan had left us or not."

"Losing Jordan didn't make a difference to that thinking. We got very close to doing the Jermaine Beckford deal but you have to keep plenty of options. Deals are set up, then they break down, but that's the transfer window for you."

"I think it should close before the season starts because I spent all night on the phone trying to get stuff tied up when, as a manager, you should be concentrating on the game coming up."

Grayson did manage to bring Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Hammill in on loan until January and this is something Grayson is very happy about;

"I'm delighted to have got Adam and I think people could see what he can do. He puts defenders on the back foot by running at people and then he has the quality to pick out a pass. He is a versatile player – he can play off the striker as well as on the right and left and he gives us options. I have worked with him before and know what he's capable of, but he needs to play some games to show that."

"What will happen next on signings I don't know, but anything is achievable because I've got a chairman who wants to back me and we'll do whatever we feel is the right option for us."




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Nigel Clibbens On Deadline Day Collapse Of Beckford Loan

Huddersfield Town strengthened their squad on the final day of the transfer window on Friday with the addition of Adam Hammill but the board at the terriers were left unhappy with the last moment collapse on a loan deal which would of seen Jermaine Beckford join from Leicester City. The highly rated striker has found himself having to sit regularly on the bench at Leicester & reports suggested that he had agreed a deal with Town to join them on loan for the rest of the season.

The loan deal was indeed true and both clubs had met an agreement but with just five minutes of transfer deadline day left, Leicester pulled out due to unknown reasons. Nigel Clibbens gave his thoughts & opinions about the whole Beckford situation;

"We appreciate we've got to replace the goals and we've tried to do that, but we won't rush to bring somebody in just because somebody has gone out. It's important we use the money from Jordan's sale wisely because we are not bereft of talent. We have got a lot of talent in the squad, Simon Grayson is quite comfortable with that, and we will keep on going."

"The loan window is an option for us and we'll see what it brings. I'm sure there will be lots of movement on deals which didn't quite happen, both for us and for other clubs, and anything can happen. We will just keep on looking to strengthen our squad all over the pitch. We will simply continue to do the things which have stood us in good stead throughout Dean Hoyle's chairmanship. That won't change, our plans haven't changed and we will keep sticking to what we know we are good at."

Clibbens then gave his answer to how the Beckford loan deal had come about & how things had happened on Friday;

"We spent a lot of last Thursday and all of Friday negotiating with Leicester and we moved close to a deal, agreeing terms for a season-long loan. Jermaine travelled to Huddersfield to sign the paperwork and once it got past 10pm we started filling it in. We signed, Jermaine signed and then Leicester decided they didn't want to do the deal, so we didn't get it completed."

"That's part and parcel of football and business and it can be frustrating. Maybe it will come back in the loan window, I don't know at this stage. We got very close and we would have been glad to have Jermaine here, but the squad we have got we are quite comfortable with."

Clibbens reiterated that everyone understands that Huddersfield have got money to spend due to Rhodes' £8m departure but the club will not be bullied into paying over the odds for any player;

"It might change the emphasis for other clubs because they think we have funds available to do the deals. They might feel they can be stronger in demanding what they want, but it's for us to remain strong and stick to paying what we think is fair value. It's all under our control from that point of view. If someone holds us to ransom we don't have to agree to their terms. It is a colossal amount of money for Jordan because he is a special talent, but when he says he wants to go and we are offered that amount of money, there's only one outcome really."

"It is as Dean said, if Jordan had wanted to stay he would have turned down the cash, so it shows how focused we are not on short-term financial gain but on the long-term picture. Simon sets his teams up as teams, for the collective effort, and anyone who has watched Jordan will know that a huge proportion of his goals came from the collective effort."

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Debut Went Down Well For Hammill

Hammill was handed his debut today for Huddersfield Town as the terriers came away from Portman Road with a well deserved point. The Wolves winger arrived on loan late last night until January and that meant he was eligible to play for Huddersfield today. Hammill came off the bench and immediately impressed as he featured heavily in the second equalising goal as well as creating the chance which led to the penalty late on for Huddersfield;

"It was a good debut. I haven't forgotten how fast this League is, but the game still took me a little bit by surprise! I think I showed a little bit of what I can do and hopefully when I play more I show more and get a few goals."

Hammill was one of Grayson's main targets as the transfer deadline came to an abrupt end last night and the winger admitted that game time & knowing Grayson was a massive factor for him coming to The John Smiths Stadium;

"I've left Wolves to play as many games as possible. I've played in this League before and I've done well in it, so hopefully I can eventually establish myself in the side under Simon Grayson."

"I know the Manager well because I've played under him at Blackpool – he knows what to expect from me and me from him, so it's a good match. I'm happy playing anywhere across the midfield, whether it's wide or behind the front man like I did today. To be honest I'll play anywhere the manager wants me!"





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Match Report: Ipswich Town 2-2 Huddersfield Town

The terriers took the long journey to Portman Road to take on Ipswich Town just three days since losing their prolific goalscorer Jordan Rhodes in a £8m deal which has seen him head to Blackburn Rovers. The line-ups were typically announced before the game & it was clear to see that Grayson was keen to play the 4-4-2 formation which had seen his Huddersfield side take all three points previously against Burnley last week;

Starting XI; Smithies, Dixon, Lynch, Clarke (c), Hunt, Southern, Norwood, Clayton, Ward, Vaughan, Novak,

Huddersfield immediately started well and pushed Ipswich back in the first few minutes & Norwood gave Loach something to do just five minutes in when he fired in a freekick. Loach punched it away and the home side broke quickly which ended in Chopra firing wide for Ipswich. Five minutes later Norwood caused more problems for Ipswich with yet another free-kick which unfortunately resulted in Joel Lynch heading wide as he tried to emulate his goal against Burnley last week.

A promising start by the terriers could well of seen them go behind as Ipswich received the first real chance of the game as Murphy was able to get on the end of a drag back but he failed to connect with the ball properly and allowed Peter Clarke to clear his teams lines. Ipswich were now the team enjoying the majority of the possession and they were threatening to take the lead as Taylor cut inside from out wide & lined up a shot but Keith Southern managed to get a hard tackle in before he could release his drive.

Ipswich continued to attack this time through Taylor who skipped away past four tackles but he could only fire straight at Alex Smithies. Moments later Dixon was able to find the run of Novak who in turn found Clayton on the edge of the area and he burst into the penalty box but he could only hit the side netting with his effort. Ten minutes until the break it was Huddersfield Town who managed to secure the opening goal through a superb low drive from Adam Clayton.

The terriers had won the corner which Norwood swung into the box and Ipswich did well to clear but both Ward & Clayton fired efforts in from the edge of the box until Clayton hit the target and made the net ripple. One minute before the break Novak put the ball over the Ipswich defence and Loach came out but he made a mess of the clearance. Vaughan tried to lob it over the goalkeeper but he couldn't lift it high enough.

Half Time: Ipswich 0-1 Huddersfield

Ipswich started the second half on the upper hand and were making a nuisance of themselves but the terriers defence held strong and the game slipped into the 55th minute with no chances being created by both sides. Danny Ward tested Loach as he cut infield before firing a right footed effort which the keeper spilled but he redeemed himself by smothering the ball from a Vaughan follow up.

An hour of football had been played and Vaughan was making an impressive start to his Huddersfield career as he pulled a ball out of the air with incredible finesse before volleying just over the bar. However, Ipswich managed to get the equaliser after Drury's free-kick created havoc in the box before Chambers hooked the ball in from a few yards out. Now it was the terriers on the ropes and just 18 minutes from time the home side scored a somewhat unfair goal. Chopra was completely unmarked way behind the Huddersfield defence and as Smithies came out he coolly chipped over him to send the home side wild. Huddersfield players surrounded the referee & the linesman arguing that Chjpra was offside but the goal remained.

Grayson had switched formations to 3-5-2 when Huddersfield gave away the lead and he continued to try his best to get the terriers back into the game by replacing Novak with new loanee Adam Hammill. The winger immediately made his mark on his debut and was involved in the equaliser for Huddersfield as he pushed the terriers forward before Ward crossed for Vaughan to fire home to the amazement of the faithful 830 fans which had travelled to Portman Road.

The equaliser had set the game wide open for the last ten minutes and Murphy smashed the post as Huddersfield failed to clear their lines with sloppy defending. The terriers saw the chance to break and flew up the pitch with Hammill who slotted Hunt in only for the young full back to be fouled in the box. After a few seconds of talks with hs linesman the referee awarded the visitors the penalty. Vaughan stepped up but it was incredibly saved by Loach onto the bar and it bounced onto the line as Vaughan argued intensly claiming it had gone over the line with Ipswich players & officials.

The goal wasn't given and a crazy final five minutes followed but the scoreline finished 2-2 in a thoroughly entertaining game at Portman Road. Huddersfield will feel hard done by not to be taking home all three points especially with a clear offside goal not being picked up by the officials was allowed to stand for Ipswich. Nevertheless an away point in The Championship is something for the terriers to build upon.

Full Time- Ipswich 2-2 Huddersfield
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Match Report: Huddersfield Town 2-0 Burnley

Huddersfield Town managed to pick up their first three points and their first win in The Championship for over eleven long years. The terriers sent Burnley home across the border with zero points after dominating the majority of the play in an impressive performance under the manager Simon Grayson. The team news, as always, was released around thirty minutes before kick off and this is how the terriers lined up on the field of play;

Starting XI; Smithies, Dixon, Lynch, Clarke (c), Hunt, Scannell, Southern, Norwood, Clayton, Vaughan, Rhodes.

Huddersfield started the match off in a basic 4-4-2 formation which saw Vaughan partner Rhodes upfront, However the early breakthrough for the terrriers came from the big central defender, Joel Lynch, who' glancing header from a Norwood corner was deemed to have crossed the line to the delight of the home crowd. This was the first time Huddersfield had taken the lead in The Championship this season and they could of well doubled it in the 14th minute. Scannell was causing his usual problems down the wing and his victim this time was Trippier who he brushed past before putting a ball into Rhodes in the box. Rhodes met the ball with his head but it crashed off the crossbar and was cleared to safety by the visitors who had begun the game on the ropes.

Huddersfield were playing some very nice football which was allowing them to dominate things in the middle of the park. Clayton was denied by a dedicated Burnley skipper, Jason Shackell before he watched Rhodes' effort being brilliantly saved by Lee Grant in the visitors goal. Clayton continued to drive the team forward with his attacking runs and he was regularly firing shots at goal which were troubling both Burnley's defence and goalkeeper. However, Burnley did have the ball in the back of the net just before half time.

David Edgar fired a shot in at the terriers goalmouth in the 44th minute which rippled the back of the net after bouncing off the woodwork. However, the linesman did have his flag up after deeming Charlie Austin was interfering with play in an offside position. Half time.

Lynch gave the terriers their first half lead,
His glancing header was deemed over the line

The teams emerged for the second half revitalized but once again it was the home side which controlled matters. Keith Southern tried his luck from 20 yards out but his effort was blocked superbly by Chris McCann. On the hour mark, Huddersfield deservedly doubled their advantage over Burnley when Rhodes netted his second goal in just two games. The Scottish striker was given the ball in the penalty area after great interplay between Clarke, Hunt & Lynch had seen the terriers progress fastly up the pitch. Rhodes turned in the box with the ball at his feet before smashing it home from tweleve yards out.

Huddersfield were now two goals to the good & Burnley continued to struggle to make any sort of impact on the game with a resilient Huddersfield defence holding strong. Burnleys strikers, Vokes & Austin just couldn't get into he game as every ball was being won by the two centre backs who were playing extremely well. Peter Clarke was leading by example as he rose on numerous times to win the aerial challenges against Austin. Burnley did start to look more threatening towards the end of the game as they went in search for the goal which would get them back into the match.

However, it wasn't meant to be as the home side saw the game out with some slick passing play being carried out by the midfield. Lynch was rightly awarded the man of the match award for a superb display which has cemented the Welsh defenders place in the starting eleven.

Full time: Huddersfield 2-0 Burnley

Hammill Is 'Delighted To Be Signing Here'

Hammill delighted to join the terriers on loan

Winger Adam Hammill has joined the terrier on loan until January and after a hectic day which saw him driving down the M62 with his missus, Hammill managed to sign just in time to be able to feature for Huddersfield against Ipswich on Saturday. Here is what the loanee had to say about his move from Wolves;

"It has been a little bit frantic! Me and the missus jumped in the car and have flown down the M62.  I’m delighted to be signing here. I want to get as much game time as possible and show everyone what I can do. I just want to play football – that’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. For whatever reason it hasn’t quite worked out for me at Wolves, but I’m looking forward to my future now and working with some familiar faces and getting going." 

"I’ve worked with Simon in the past at Blackpool and I know what he expects from me, so that was a big reason to come. I also know a few of the players – Keith Southern and Calum Woods – and everything I’ve heard about the Club tells me it’s a really good place to be. I’ve seen the way the team plays and that has caught my eye too."

Hammill is expected to be in with a chance to start for the terriers against Ipswich especially with Scannell being out due to an injury.