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)

The Huddersfield Town Development Squad are 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 are represented at Under 18 level by the Huddersfield Town Academy. The academy compete 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 quarter finals 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

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 from the 2012–13 season. They were four times Central League Champions as the Reserve Team but withdrew form formal reserve team competition 2009-10 season, and have been replaced by the Huddersfield Town Development Squad, playing a number of arranged friendlies during the season until 2012-13 season.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

Reserve team years

The Huddersfield Town reserves competed in The Central League Division One East until the 2009–10 season when the 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 team 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)

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 15 February 2012, his coaching staff (including Watson) also left the club.[3] On 12 April 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)

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, Town will be one of 12 clubs in the Category Two 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

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 England ENG Demeaco Duhaney

Out on loan

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

Academy

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

Future

After the arrival of current chairman Dean Hoyle in the summer of 2009, an overall development of 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

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 England ENG Michael Acquah
DF Republic of Ireland IRL Josh Okpolokpo
DF England ENG Neo Eccleston
FW Equatorial Guinea EQG Charles Ondo
DF England ENG David Adewoju
DF England ENG Shane Maroodza
No. Pos. Nation Player
DF England ENG Jeremy Stewart
MF England ENG Luke Billam
MF England ENG Donay O'Brien-Brady
MF England ENG Michael Stone
FW Northern Ireland NIR Conor Falls

[10]

Current academy staff

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

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 BilokapicHuddersfield TownAustralia CamperdownAustralia Australia U-17Age 19 v Burnley (a), 8 January 202210Carlos Corberán
Etienne CamaraHuddersfield TownFrance Noisy-le-GrandAge 17 v Plymouth Argyle (h), 9 January 202110
Myles BrightHuddersfield TownEngland LondonAge 18 v Plymouth Argyle (h), 9 January 202110
Mustapha OlagunjuHuddersfield TownEngland PlumsteadAge 19 v Plymouth Argyle (h), 9 January 202110
Pat JonesHuddersfield TownEngland StockportWales Wales U-17Age 17 v Plymouth Argyle (h), 9 January 202130
Brahima DiarraHuddersfield TownFrance ParisAge 17 v AFC Bournemouth (a), 12 December 202020
Romoney CrichlowHuddersfield TownEngland LutonAge 21 v Rochdale (h), 5 September 202061
Ben JacksonHuddersfield TownEngland StockportAge 19 v Rochdale (h), 5 September 202030
Josh AusterfieldHuddersfield TownEngland MorleyAge 19 v Rochdale (h), 5 September 202020
Scott HighHuddersfield TownEngland SheffieldScotland Scotland U-21Age 19 v Millwall (a), 22 July 2020400Danny Schofield
Micah ObieroHuddersfield TownEngland LondonAge 19 v Millwall (a), 22 July 202010
Kian HarrattHuddersfield TownEngland BarnsleyAge 17 v Leeds United (h), 7 December 201910Danny Cowley
Rarmani Edmonds-GreenHuddersfield TownEngland LondonAge 19 v Lincoln City (h), 13 August 2019272Jan Siewert
Ryan SchofieldHuddersfield TownEngland HuddersfieldEngland England U-20Age 19 v Lincoln City (h), 13 August 2019350
Lewis O'BrienHuddersfield TownEngland ColchesterAge 20 v Queens Park Rangers (a), 10 August 20191288
Matty DalyHuddersfield TownEngland StockportEngland England U-18Age 18 v Watford (h), 20 April 2019121
Aaron RoweHuddersfield TownEngland LondonAge 18 v AFC Bournemouth (h), 9 March 2019262
Jordan WilliamsBarnsleyEngland HuddersfieldEngland England U-18Age 17 v Rotherham United (h), 23 August 201710David Wagner
Lloyd AllinsonGainsborough TrinityEngland RothwellAge 22 v Brentford (h), 7 May 201610
Flo BojajEtarEngland LondonAlbania Albania U-17Age 19 v Milton Keynes Dons (h), 20 October 201571Chris Powell
Joe WilkinsonOssett AlbionEngland DewsburyAge 19 v Blackburn Rovers (h), 25 April 201510
Jake CharlesStafford RangersEngland LeedsWales Wales U-21Age 19 v Fulham (h), 21 March 201510
Will BoyleCheltenham TownEngland LeedsAge 19 v Reading (h), 24 February 201520
Matt CrooksRotherham UnitedEngland LeedsAge 20 v AFC Bournemouth (h), 9 August 201410Mark Robins
Philip BillingBournemouthDenmark CopenhagenDenmark Denmark U-21Age 17 v Leicester City (h), 26 April 2014916
Duane HolmesHuddersfield TownUnited States Columbus, GeorgiaUnited States United StatesAge 18 v Hull City (a), 24 September 2013869
Jordan SinnottDeceasedEngland BradfordAge 18 v Leicester City (h), 26 January 201350Mark Lillis
Aidan ChippendaleShaw LaneEngland BradfordAge 18 v Bristol Rovers (a), 12 March 201110Lee Clark
Jack HuntBristol CityEngland RothwellAge 20 v Colchester United (h), 23 January 20111214
Chris AtkinsonFarsley CelticEngland HalifaxAge 18 v Macclesfield Town (h), 27 November 2010131
Liam RidehalghTranmere RoversEngland HalifaxAge 19 v Charlton Athletic (h), 28 August 2010260
Simon EastwoodOxford UnitedEngland LutonEngland England U-19Age 19 v Leyton Orient (a), 2 May 200910
Alex SmithiesCardiff CityEngland HuddersfieldEngland England U-19Age 17 v Southend United (a), 5 December 20072740Andy Ritchie
Daniel BroadbentMossleyEngland LeedsEngland England U-16Age 17 v Tranmere Rovers (a), 26 October 200760
Shane KillockBradford Park AvenueEngland HuddersfieldAge 18 v Crewe Alexandra (a), 7 September 200710
Lucas AkinsBurton AlbionEngland HuddersfieldAge 18 v Northampton Town (a), 27 April 200760
James BerrettHalifax TownEngland HalifaxRepublic of Ireland Rep. Ireland U-21Age 18 v Oldham Athletic (a), 7 April 2007412Gerry Murphy
Danny RacchiFree AgentEngland EllandAge 19 v Port Vale (h), 31 March 200760
Joe SkarzKettering TownEngland HuddersfieldAge 17 v Scunthorpe United (h), 4 November 2006811Peter Jackson
James HandKingscourt HarpsRepublic of Ireland DroghedaRepublic of Ireland Rep. Ireland U-21Age 18 v Boston United (a), 19 October 200520
Aaron HardyFarsleyEngland South ElmsallAge 19 v Boston United (a), 19 October 2005190
Matty YoungFrickley AthleticEngland LeedsAge 19 v Walsall (h), 15 October 2005422
Michael CollinsAlfreton TownEngland HalifaxRepublic of Ireland Rep. Ireland U-21Age 18 v Blackpool (h), 19 February 200519722
Tom ClarkeSalford CityEngland HalifaxEngland England U-19Age 17 v Milton Keynes Dons (a), 12 February 20051123
John McAliskeyHuddersfield YMCAEngland HuddersfieldRepublic of Ireland Rep. Ireland U-21Age 19 v Macclesfield Town (h), 13 March 2004488
Anthony LloydRetiredEngland TauntonAge 19 v Leyton Orient (h), 27 September 2003513
Adnan AhmedRetiredEngland BurnleyPakistan PakistanAge 19 v Rochdale (a), 16 September 2003452
Andy HoldsworthBarnsley (Academy Coach)England PontefractAge 19 v Bristol Rovers (h), 30 August 20032618
John McCombeChesterEngland PontefractAge 17 v Oldham Athletic (h), 3 May 2003200Mel Machin
David MirfinMansfield TownEngland SheffieldAge 18 v Oldham Athletic (h), 3 May 200317912
Phil SeniorRetiredEngland HuddersfieldAge 20 v Crewe Alexandra (a), 18 January 2003570Mick Wadsworth
Nat BrownBrighouse TownEngland SheffieldAge 21 v Northampton Town (a), 14 September 2002840
Paul ScottRetiredEngland WakefieldAge 22 v Peterborough United (a), 17 August 2002372
Jon WorthingtonHuddersfield Town (Academy Physio)England DewsburyAge 19 v Plymouth Argyle (a), 13 August 200223714
Jon SteadNotts CountyEngland HuddersfieldEngland England U21Age 19 v Brentford (h), 10 August 200210027
Nathan ClarkeHalifax TownEngland HalifaxAge 18 v Stoke City (a), 8 September 200129910Lou Macari

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

References

  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.
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