Bigger than a Wembley showdown

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN chairman Dean Hoyle has labelled Saturday’s huge Championship survival showdown with Barnsley as bigger than the club’s play-off finals against Sheffield United and Peterborough United.
Dean HoyleDean Hoyle
Dean Hoyle

Just under 12 months after their cherished Wembley promotion back to the second tier after an absence of 11 years, Town are fighting to avoid making an immediate return to League One, which could turn into heartbreaking reality if events conspire against them this weekend.

The fate of Town, four places above the drop zone, remains in their own hands and they require a point to guarantee their divisional status.

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But should they lose to third-from-bottom Barnsley – who will leapfrog them if they win at the John Smith’s Stadium due to their better goal difference – and Peterborough and Sheffield Wednesday win and Millwall get at least a draw, Town will be relegated.

While going down would have financial implications for Town, Hoyle revealed that they have protected themselves from any significant fiscal penalty by inserting relegation clauses into the players’ contracts, which would see them take a ‘huge cut’ if the drop became reality.

Not that Hoyle wants to countenance going down with the go-ahead Town supremo keeping his mind off Saturday’s big game by taking to the road over the next few days as part of a cycle ride across the Broad Acres to raise funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post before setting off on stage one of the route, with the ride ending at the ground before kick-off, Hoyle said: “This game is a lot bigger than the Sheffield United and Peterborough finals because we need to remain where we are. Our first aim was to get to the Championship and then establish ourselves.

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“Of course, it (relegation) would have an impact. But, at the same time, we have structured our contracts so that if we get relegated, the players take a huge cut. So, actually, we would not lose much more money in the first division than we would in the Championship.

“That is the way we have done our contracts. For a team like Barnsley, who have been in the Championship for six or seven years, then it may be harder to take the drop.

“But we are looking to stay here and a lot of things have to go against us for us to go down. That is not to say we are over-confident. We have just got to get a result on Saturday.

“At least I am riding my bike for three days and it will take my mind off the game. To be honest, I would have been a nervous wreck otherwise!

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“At the final whistle on Saturday, we all want to still be in the Championship like we were after the Sheffield United game. I do not think I will do the same ‘Usain Bolt run’ onto the pitch if we survive, but it will mean a lot to us.

“If we avoid defeat and the other results go for us, then we stop in the Championship and we can push on.

“It is a huge game, for the fans and everybody. Barnsley have to win and that will leave big gaps for us to exploit and we have the players who can do that, hopefully.

“It is incredible we go into the last game of the season with a chance of relegation and only 10 points off the play-offs.

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“After Saturday, we could finish anywhere from 22nd up to 12th. That is what the Championship is about and why it is exciting and one of the best leagues in the world.”

Town are hopeful of attracting a crowd of around 20,000 for the lunch-time kick-off, including 4,000 travelling Reds fans, as both clubs aim to avoid the drop.

Town chief executive Nigel Clibbens said: “We are expecting near to the biggest crowd of the season and it should be a fantastic atmosphere.

“Tickets are still available but areas of the ground are selling out very quickly and it is a game not to be missed. We would encourage everybody to come down and support the team.

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“It is going to be a fantastic occasion with both teams having a lot to play for and it is not a day for faint hearts.”

Echoing the comments of Hoyle on the importance of the game for Town, he added: “Getting relegated would be a step backwards and for us to retain our status makes the game more important than last year.

“When we were sat here in League One last year looking to get promoted, we said that it would be worth about £5m and it has proved about that. If the reverse were to happen, it would cost about the same figure.

“You always plan for eventualities but our main concern is keeping the momentum of the club moving forward.”

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Clibbens revealed that Town intend speaking to striker James Vaughan’s parent club Norwich City next week about potentially lining up a permanent deal, providing safety is secured.

He added: “James has been absolutely fantastic for us and is everybody’s favourite for player of the season and he would certainly get my vote.

“He has played more games this season than any other and scored more goals, despite a suspension in the middle.

“James is very comfortable here and has enjoyed his time, talking to him. As soon as Saturday is over, we will move on to talking about James with Norwich next week.”