Huddersfield Town A.F.C. Reserves and Academy

The Huddersfield Town Development Squad is the reserve team of Championship club Huddersfield Town. They play competitively as the Huddersfield Town Under 21s in the Professional Development League 2 Northern Division, of which they finished 1st in the 2013–14 season, but then proceeded to lose the nationwide play-off semi-final against Queens Park Rangers.

Huddersfield Town Development Squad and Academy
Full nameHuddersfield Town F.C. Development Squad and Academy
Founded1908
GroundCanalside Sports Complex, Huddersfield
PresidentSir Patrick Stewart
ManagerDev Squad: Frankie Bunn
Academy: Steve Weaver
LeagueU21: U21 Professional Development League 2 North Division
U18: U18 Professional Development League 2 North Division
2013–14U21: U21 Professional Development League 2 North Division, 1st (lost in play-offs)
U18: U18 Professional Development League 2 North Division, 1st (champions)

Huddersfield Town is represented at the under-18 level by the Huddersfield Town Academy. The academy competes in the U18 Professional Development League 2 North Division, of which they finished 1st in the 2013–14 season and subsequently won the nationwide play-off final against Crewe Alexandra, becoming champions of the 2013–14 U18 Professional Development League 2. They also reached the quarterfinals of last season's FA Youth Cup, losing 2-1 at eventual runners-up Fulham.

Home games for both sides are played at the club's training ground, Canalside, with the exception of some Development Squad fixtures, and FA Youth Cup games, which are played at the first team's John Smith's Stadium.

Development squad edit

Huddersfield Town Football Club Under-21s, also known as the Huddersfield Town Development Squad, is the most senior level of Huddersfield Town's youth development and the club's former reserve team. They play in League 2 North of the Professional Development League. The team is effectively Huddersfield Town's second-string side, but is limited to three outfield players and one goalkeeper over the age of 21 per game following the introduction of new regulations for the 2012–13 season. They were four times Central League Champions as the reserve team but withdrew from formal reserve team competition 2009-10 season, and have been replaced by the Huddersfield Town Development Squad, playing a number of arranged friendlies during the season until 2012-13 season.

History edit

Reserve team years edit

The Huddersfield Town reserves competed in The Central League Division One East until the 2009–10 season when Huddersfield Town manager Lee Clark chose not to enter a reserve team in the Central League during the 2010-11 season, instead planning a series of high-quality friendlies. Clark stated that "the idea of reserve team football is to bridge the gap between youth teams and first team football" and that "[we] have faced a lot of very young sides in the reserve league this season, and that will not provide our own young professionals with the test they need".[1]

Whilst playing at reserve league level, the reserves split their home games between A.F.C. Emley's Welfare Ground and the Galpharm Stadium.

First team coach Paul Stephenson was the last serving reserve team manager.

Development squad (2009–2012) edit

Lee Clark saw through his idea to discontinue the reserve team and subsequently created the club's development squad, to be managed by development coach Steve Watson. Following a behind-closed-doors game at Doncaster Rovers, Watson described the team's games as "working very well" "from both perspectives – fitness for our first team squad members and as a way of integrating the younger players into a higher level of football."[2]

When Lee Clark left as manager of the first team on February 15, 2012, his coaching staff (including Watson) also left the club.[3] On April 12, 2012, the club appointed former Manchester City Elite Development Squad leader and Rochdale first team manager Steve Eyre as the club's senior professional development Coach.[4]

Most fixtures have so far been played at the club's training ground, Canalside, but occasionally the Galpharm Stadium has been used to host Development Squad games that are open to the public.[5]

Professional Development League (2012–present) edit

From the 2012–13 season, Huddersfield's development squad will compete in the newly formed Under-21 Professional Development League in the League 2 North Division. The league was set up as part of the wide-reaching Elite Player Performance Plan, and Town will be one of 12 clubs in the Category 2 Northern section along with Crewe Alexandra, Barnsley, Birmingham City, Coventry City, Derby County, Leeds United, Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday and Wigan Athletic. The fixtures are set up to mirror those in the FA Premier Academy League for Under 18s.[6]

In the 2019–20 season, a Huddersfield team entered a small league (under-21 plus three overage) along with Brentford and four Scottish clubs.[7]

Current squad edit

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
45 DF   ENG Demeaco Duhaney

Out on loan edit

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
  

Honours edit

Academy edit

The role of the Huddersfield Town Academy is to develop players and their abilities to their full potential for the club's first team.[8] The academy has produced a number of players, including former England under-21 players Andy Booth and Jon Stead, former Irish Under 21 internationals Michael Collins and James Berrett as well as Nathan Clarke, who made 300 appearances for the first team. The academy is currently managed by former Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United player Leigh Bromby.

History edit

Future edit

After the arrival of current chairman Dean Hoyle in the summer of 2009, there was an overall development in every aspect of Huddersfield Town, including the academy. The main development taking place with regards to the academy is the current redevelopment of the club's new training complex, Canalside. The project will conclude with the academy players training alongside their first-team counterparts for the first time at a high quality, purpose-built facility.[9]

Current academy squad edit

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
GK   ENG Michael Acquah
DF   IRL Josh Okpolokpo
DF   ENG Neo Eccleston
FW   EQG Charles Ondo
DF   ENG David Adewoju
DF   ENG Shane Maroodza
No. Pos. Nation Player
DF   ENG Jeremy Stewart
MF   ENG Luke Billam
MF   ENG Donay O'Brien-Brady
42 MF   ENG Michael Stone
43 FW   NIR Conor Falls

[10]

Current academy staff edit

Position Staff
President Sir Patrick Stewart
Academy Manager Steve Weaver
Development Coach Frankie Bunn
U18s Manager Leigh Bromby
Head of Academy Coaching Tony Carss
Academy Head of Recruitment Steve Smith
Academy Goalkeeper Coach Nick Colgan
Education & Welfare Officer Karen Crosland
Academy Head of Sports Science and Medicine Steve Redmond
Academy Physio Jon Worthington

Last updated: 30 May 2017
Source: Who's Who

Recent academy graduates edit

Academy graduates who still play for Huddersfield, including those that are currently out on loan to other clubs, are highlighted in green.

Appearances and goals are those in competitive fixtures for Huddersfield Town.

Player Current Club Born International Honours Debut Apps Goals Manager
Nicholas Bilokapic Huddersfield Town   Camperdown   Australia U-17 Age 19 v Burnley (a), 8 January 2022 1 0 Carlos Corberán
Etienne Camara Huddersfield Town   Noisy-le-Grand Age 17 v Plymouth Argyle (h), 9 January 2021 1 0
Myles Bright Huddersfield Town   London Age 18 v Plymouth Argyle (h), 9 January 2021 1 0
Mustapha Olagunju Huddersfield Town   Plumstead Age 19 v Plymouth Argyle (h), 9 January 2021 1 0
Pat Jones Huddersfield Town   Stockport   Wales U-17 Age 17 v Plymouth Argyle (h), 9 January 2021 3 0
Brahima Diarra Huddersfield Town   Paris Age 17 v AFC Bournemouth (a), 12 December 2020 2 0
Romoney Crichlow Huddersfield Town   Luton Age 21 v Rochdale (h), 5 September 2020 6 1
Ben Jackson Huddersfield Town   Stockport Age 19 v Rochdale (h), 5 September 2020 3 0
Josh Austerfield Huddersfield Town   Morley Age 19 v Rochdale (h), 5 September 2020 2 0
Scott High Huddersfield Town   Sheffield   Scotland U-21 Age 19 v Millwall (a), 22 July 2020 40 0 Danny Schofield
Micah Obiero Huddersfield Town   London Age 19 v Millwall (a), 22 July 2020 1 0
Kian Harratt Huddersfield Town   Barnsley Age 17 v Leeds United (h), 7 December 2019 1 0 Danny Cowley
Rarmani Edmonds-Green Huddersfield Town   London Age 19 v Lincoln City (h), 13 August 2019 27 2 Jan Siewert
Ryan Schofield Huddersfield Town   Huddersfield   England U-20 Age 19 v Lincoln City (h), 13 August 2019 35 0
Lewis O'Brien Huddersfield Town   Colchester Age 20 v Queens Park Rangers (a), 10 August 2019 128 8
Matty Daly Huddersfield Town   Stockport   England U-18 Age 18 v Watford (h), 20 April 2019 12 1
Aaron Rowe Huddersfield Town   London Age 18 v AFC Bournemouth (h), 9 March 2019 26 2
Jordan Williams Barnsley   Huddersfield   England U-18 Age 17 v Rotherham United (h), 23 August 2017 1 0 David Wagner
Lloyd Allinson Gainsborough Trinity   Rothwell Age 22 v Brentford (h), 7 May 2016 1 0
Flo Bojaj Etar   London   Albania U-17 Age 19 v Milton Keynes Dons (h), 20 October 2015 7 1 Chris Powell
Joe Wilkinson Ossett Albion   Dewsbury Age 19 v Blackburn Rovers (h), 25 April 2015 1 0
Jake Charles Stafford Rangers   Leeds   Wales U-21 Age 19 v Fulham (h), 21 March 2015 1 0
Will Boyle Cheltenham Town   Leeds Age 19 v Reading (h), 24 February 2015 2 0
Matt Crooks Rotherham United   Leeds Age 20 v AFC Bournemouth (h), 9 August 2014 1 0 Mark Robins
Philip Billing Bournemouth   Copenhagen   Denmark U-21 Age 17 v Leicester City (h), 26 April 2014 91 6
Duane Holmes Huddersfield Town   Columbus, Georgia   United States Age 18 v Hull City (a), 24 September 2013 86 9
Jordan Sinnott Deceased   Bradford Age 18 v Leicester City (h), 26 January 2013 5 0 Mark Lillis
Aidan Chippendale Shaw Lane   Bradford Age 18 v Bristol Rovers (a), 12 March 2011 1 0 Lee Clark
Jack Hunt Bristol City   Rothwell Age 20 v Colchester United (h), 23 January 2011 121 4
Chris Atkinson Farsley Celtic   Halifax Age 18 v Macclesfield Town (h), 27 November 2010 13 1
Liam Ridehalgh Tranmere Rovers   Halifax Age 19 v Charlton Athletic (h), 28 August 2010 26 0
Simon Eastwood Oxford United   Luton   England U-19 Age 19 v Leyton Orient (a), 2 May 2009 1 0
Alex Smithies Cardiff City   Huddersfield   England U-19 Age 17 v Southend United (a), 5 December 2007 274 0 Andy Ritchie
Daniel Broadbent Mossley   Leeds   England U-16 Age 17 v Tranmere Rovers (a), 26 October 2007 6 0
Shane Killock Bradford Park Avenue   Huddersfield Age 18 v Crewe Alexandra (a), 7 September 2007 1 0
Lucas Akins Burton Albion   Huddersfield Age 18 v Northampton Town (a), 27 April 2007 6 0
James Berrett Halifax Town   Halifax   Rep. Ireland U-21 Age 18 v Oldham Athletic (a), 7 April 2007 41 2 Gerry Murphy
Danny Racchi Free Agent   Elland Age 19 v Port Vale (h), 31 March 2007 6 0
Joe Skarz Kettering Town   Huddersfield Age 17 v Scunthorpe United (h), 4 November 2006 81 1 Peter Jackson
James Hand Kingscourt Harps   Drogheda   Rep. Ireland U-21 Age 18 v Boston United (a), 19 October 2005 2 0
Aaron Hardy Farsley   South Elmsall Age 19 v Boston United (a), 19 October 2005 19 0
Matty Young Frickley Athletic   Leeds Age 19 v Walsall (h), 15 October 2005 42 2
Michael Collins Alfreton Town   Halifax   Rep. Ireland U-21 Age 18 v Blackpool (h), 19 February 2005 197 22
Tom Clarke Salford City   Halifax   England U-19 Age 17 v Milton Keynes Dons (a), 12 February 2005 112 3
John McAliskey Huddersfield YMCA   Huddersfield   Rep. Ireland U-21 Age 19 v Macclesfield Town (h), 13 March 2004 48 8
Anthony Lloyd Retired   Taunton Age 19 v Leyton Orient (h), 27 September 2003 51 3
Adnan Ahmed Retired   Burnley   Pakistan Age 19 v Rochdale (a), 16 September 2003 45 2
Andy Holdsworth Barnsley (Academy Coach)   Pontefract Age 19 v Bristol Rovers (h), 30 August 2003 261 8
John McCombe Chester   Pontefract Age 17 v Oldham Athletic (h), 3 May 2003 20 0 Mel Machin
David Mirfin Mansfield Town   Sheffield Age 18 v Oldham Athletic (h), 3 May 2003 179 12
Phil Senior Retired   Huddersfield Age 20 v Crewe Alexandra (a), 18 January 2003 57 0 Mick Wadsworth
Nat Brown Brighouse Town   Sheffield Age 21 v Northampton Town (a), 14 September 2002 84 0
Paul Scott Retired   Wakefield Age 22 v Peterborough United (a), 17 August 2002 37 2
Jon Worthington Huddersfield Town (Academy Physio)   Dewsbury Age 19 v Plymouth Argyle (a), 13 August 2002 237 14
Jon Stead Notts County   Huddersfield   England U21 Age 19 v Brentford (h), 10 August 2002 100 27
Nathan Clarke Halifax Town   Halifax Age 18 v Stoke City (a), 8 September 2001 299 10 Lou Macari

Information in the above table is correct as of 5 May 2022

References edit

  1. ^ "Reserves withdraw from Totesport.com League". htafc.com. 31 May 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
  2. ^ "Development Game Played In Donny". htafc.com. 6 September 2011. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
  3. ^ "Lee Clark - A Club Statement". htafc.com. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  4. ^ "Eyre Appointed Development Coach". htafc.com. 12 April 2012. Archived from the original on 14 April 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  5. ^ "Open Development Game Today". htafc.com. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
  6. ^ "Huddersfield Town keen to play new Under 21 League games at the John Smith's Stadium". 14 August 2012.
  7. ^ Celtic and Rangers join new cross-border reserve competition along with Aberdeen and Hibs, Daily Record, 16 September 2019
  8. ^ "HTFC Academy - Our Ethos". htafcacademy.com. Archived from the original on 30 January 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
  9. ^ "HTFC Academy - history". Archived from the original on 30 January 2011.
  10. ^ "2014/15 Academy Scholars Confirmed". htafc.com. 30 April 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2014.