Football Season Guide

It was another season of woe for Huddersfield Town as they failed to challenge for the play-offs for a second season in succession. The Terriers consider themselves a Championship club and relegation from the Championship in 2024 stung. It came off the back of the takeover of outspoken American philanthropist Kevin Nagle and it doesn’t look like he knows what he’s doing. A litany of mistakes has been compounded in an attempt to undo the mess he’s created. Darren Moore lasted less than five months. Andre Breitenreiter lasted 15 months. Michael Duff was given ten months. Lee Grant got eight months. Liam Manning left after four months having taken a leave of absence. The team finished 9th, eight points shy of the play-off places. The latest to accept the poisoned chalice is Martin Drury. He only joined as a coach under Manning in January but is now head coach. One advantage the appointment brings is he knows the players and has had time to assess the merits of the squad ahead of a new season where he will be under pressure to deliver. A succession of strikers have been signed and they’ve all flopped. One of those is Joe Taylor, who was shipped out on loan to Wigan Athletic and suddenly found his form, scoring eleven goals in 19 starts. He’ll be given another chance to prove his worth this season. He’s likely to play alongside Ashley Fletcher, who has been signed from Blackpool in spite of his fitness issues. The capture of midfield playmaker Ethan Brierley appears to be a shrewd signing. He excelled in an Exeter City side that were relegated last season. Despite his undoubted talent Herbie Kane spent the second half of last season on loan with Plymouth Argyle but like Taylor, could be handed a second chance under Drury. The Terriers also have several talented youngsters challenging to start in the first team. The most notable is winger Cameron Ashia, who has been attracting the attention of big clubs, including both Rangers and Celtic.