'˜Biggest achievement in 45 years' - David Wagner hails Huddersfield Town's play-off qualification

The 682 Terriers supporters who had made the trip to the Black Country stood in anticipation, ready for the joining of hands and raising of arms in unison from their heroes that has become such a big feature of a season that has brought 25 league wins.

Then, though, David Wagner broke from convention and called his players together for a huddle. As the cheers of the Town fans continued to fill the air, the German underlined what had been achieved before making one last comment.

“Now that our journey will go a little bit longer than we thought, I invited everyone to be part of something that is very big,” revealed Wagner after describing Town becoming the first Championship club to guarantee their play-off place as their “biggest achievement in 45 years”.

For Isaiah Brown, the scorer of the goal that clinched a top-six spot, the post-match huddle and more familiar celebrations neatly summed up just what has taken Huddersfield to within touching distance of the Premier League against all the odds.

“The manager called us all together and got us in a huddle,” said the loanee from Chelsea. “I won’t say what he said because that is between us. But it showed the togetherness at this club, on and off the pitch. This is a unit, where we are all friends and when it comes down to it on the pitch we all fight for each other.”

Brown netted the all-important goal on Tuesday with a 25-yard shot that Wolves goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne was unable to keep out despite getting a hand to the ball.

It capped an impressive return to the starting XI for the 20-year-old, who had been out with a knee injury sustained in the defeat at Bristol City in mid-March.

His vision and skill on the ball brought a much-needed added dimension to a Town side who had been thrashed by Fulham in their previous outing.

Brown came off the bench in the second half in that loss but Town were already 4-1 down. Against Wolves, Brown was able to have much more of an influence on proceedings.

Before finding the net, he created a gilt-edged opportunity for Nahki Wells that the Bermuda international was unable to take and there is no doubt that Huddersfield are a better team with him filling the ‘No 10’ role.

“I would say scoring that goal was my best feeling in football,” said Brown, who has netted five times since joining in January.

“To score such an important goal to take the boys into the play-offs is a feeling no-one can really understand. It is something I can’t really describe, apart from saying I feel really happy.

“When on the sidelines, it can be difficult. It is hard for anyone to miss games, as watching on TV at home is not the same as being on the pitch and being able to have an influence.

“I always try that shot in training and sometimes it goes in, sometimes it doesn’t. It is the most important goal I have scored in my life. I am ecstatic and so happy to be back.

“I hope the fans are happy I am back. All the boys were equally happy at the final whistle and we can maybe all celebrate after Saturday’s game (at Birmingham).”