Huddersfield Town F.C. season 2008-09

Infobox Football club season
club = Huddersfield Town

season = 2008–09
manager = flagicon|ENG Stan Ternent
chairman = flagicon|ENG Ken Davy
flagicon|ENG Dean Hoyle (Chairman-Elect)
league = League One
league result = "15th" "(as of October 11th, 2008)"
cup1 = FA Cup
cup1 result = "Not Yet Entered"
cup2 = Carling Cup
cup2 result = Second Round
cup3 = Johnstone's Paint Trophy
cup3 result = Second Round
league topscorer =
Liam Dickinson (4)
season topscorer =
Gary Roberts (5)
highest attendance = 16,212 vs Leicester City (4 October 2008)
lowest attendance = 8,932 vs Bradford City (12 August 2008)

Current squad

Review

On 6 May 2008, following the mixed season, new manager Stan Ternent released nine players from the club. They were Chris Brandon, Danny Schofield (who had already announced his plans to leave), Frank Sinclair, Matty Young, Aaron Hardy, Danny Racchi, Lucas Akins, Mitchell Bailey and Luke Malcher. Matt Glennon, Joe Skarz and James Berrett were offered new deals, while captain Robert Page had signed a pre-contract agreement with League 2 side Chesterfield, much to the disappointment of Ternent, who hadn't had chance to offer him a new contract at the Galpharm Stadium. The following day, Danny Schofield agreed a pre-contract agreement with fellow League 1 side Yeovil Town. On that same day, Matt Glennon signed a two-year contract with an optional third year and then Joe Skarz put pen to paper on his new three-year contract, the day after that. Recently called-up Ireland U-21 international James Berrett signed his new two-year deal on 13 May. On 30 May, Chris Brandon completed a move to his hometown club Bradford City. On 1 July, Frank Sinclair re-joined ex-Town manager Peter Jackson at Lincoln City. On July 7, Matty Young joined Conference North side Harrogate Town. Aaron Hardy joined him there on July 26. On July 22, Lucas Akins made a surprise move to newly-promoted Scottish Premier League side Hamilton Academical. 6 days later, Danny Racchi joined Bury. Mitchell Bailey joined Conference North side Hyde United on August 7. On August 11, central defender David Mirfin joined fellow League 1 side Scunthorpe United in a deal worth £150,000. Young defender Shane Killock joined Conference North side Harrogate Town on a month's loan on September 1. He returned to Town on October 7. Sierra Leonean international Malvin Kamara joined Football League Two side Grimsby Town on a month's loan on September 24.

On May 27, Stan Ternent made his first signing as Huddersfield Town manager. He signed Scottish striker Keigan Parker on a free transfer from Championship side Blackpool. On June 5, Irish international Jim Goodwin joined Town on a 3-year deal from recently relegated Scunthorpe United. On June 13, Huddersfield were drawn at home to rivals Bradford City in the first round of the Carling Cup. 3 days later, the new Football League fixtures were announced, Town's first game would be a home tie against recently promoted Stockport County. On July 2, Town signed the ex-Scunthorpe United defender Andy Butler on a 3-year deal. Two days later, Chris Lucketti was brought back to Huddersfield from Sheffield United on a two-year contract, 7 years after leaving the Galpharm Stadium. On July 23, Ternent made his fifth signing by bringing in Welshman Michael Flynn from Blackpool. Six days later, Gary Roberts joined from Ipswich Town for £250,000. On August 8, just one day before the new season began, ex-Everton & West Ham United defender David Unsworth signed from Burnley, becoming Stan Ternent's 7th signing since becoming manager at the Galpharm. Also that day, Town were given a bye into the second round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. On August 15, young striker Tom Denton was signed for £60,000 from Wakefield. Stan Ternent signed attacking midfielder Ian Craney for an undisclosed fee from Football League Two side Accrington Stanley on August 18. The following day, striker Liam Dickinson was signed on loan from Championship side Derby County. That loan was extended by another month on September 22. Stan Ternent also revealed on September 5, that Town had failed to capture 3 strikers during the summer. They failed on bid of £850,000 for Town hero Jon Stead, who joined Ipswich Town in September, a £400,000 bid for Colchester United's Clive Platt and a £600,000 bid for Ipswich Town's Alan Lee, who subsequently moved to Championship side Crystal Palace.

After a disappointing opening to the season with a 1–1 draw against Stockport County, Town trounced neighbours Bradford City, on 12 August, 4–0 in the first round of the Carling Cup, with new signing Gary Roberts scoring a brace. Huddersfield were drawn at home to Championship side Sheffield United in the second round. They narrowly lost the tie by 2 goals to 1. Michael Flynn gave Town the lead with a deflected shot after 34 minutes. But, 2 goals in the last 10 minutes from the Blades from Darius Henderson and Kyle Naughton sent Town crashing out in the cruelest of fashions. On September 6, Town were drawn away to League Two side Darlington in the second round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy North-East section. They lost that match 1-0 on October 7.

Players In/Out

In

Results

Pre-season matches

Johnstone's Paint Trophy

References