Huddersfield Town v Bradford City: Parkinson stands by Town U-turn as City bid for upset

The two West Yorkshire clubs are due to meet for the first time since 2008 with a place in the third round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy at stake.

For Parkinson, the short trip to Huddersfield not only represents a chance to claim a first win since taking charge of Bradford a month ago but also a meeting with a club that he famously turned down in the wake of Peter Jackson’s sacking by the Terriers.

Huddersfield thought they had agreed a deal with Parkinson, then Alan Pardew’s assistant at Charlton Athletic, and even called a 9.30am press conference on April 5, 2007, to unveil their new manager.

It proved a premature move with the former Hull City chief deciding instead to stay at The Valley, leaving the red-faced Terriers to break the news to the waiting press.

To try and explain the development, then chairman Ken Davy, who sat one side of an empty chair at the press conference with chief executive Andrew Watson on the other, told the assembled reporters: “You cannot blame Phil if someone comes along with sacks of money.”

This claim that money had been at the route of what Town saw as a U-turn was subsequently denied in the following day’s Yorkshire Post by Charlton chief executive Peter Varney, but in Huddersfield the saga still cast Parkinson in a negative light.

Four years on, however, and the City manager is adamant that he was not in the wrong.

He said: “It is not anything I regret. At the time, it was simply not the right move to make for myself or my family.

“I just didn’t feel the direction of the club was right. Since Dean Hoyle has come in, that has all changed and the club has prospered hugely. But, back then, I didn’t think that was the case.

“The press conference was none of my doing. First of all, I was still trying to make a decision (over the job offer) when I heard the club had called it.

“And even if I had been taking over, a contract had not been finalised or anywhere near being finalised and I told the club I wouldn’t appear at the press conference. But for some bizarre reason, the club decided to hold it anyway.

“I think they were under pressure from the supporters to make an announcement but hearing they had arranged the press conference helped make my mind up. It was a strange thing to do and suggested that maybe things were not going to be right.”

Asked if he expected a negative reaction from the home fans tonight, Parkinson, who has been back to the Galpharm with Charlton in recent years, said: “I don’t expect anything, no.”

Parkinson’s focus tonight is on the pitch and the hunt for a first win as City manager.

The 43-year-old has stamped his own mark on the Bantams squad with five of the starting XI that drew 2-2 with Burton Albion having been signed since he succeeded Jackson in late August.

He said: “I have nothing but praise for the lads. I can see the confidence improving. We have good players who will keep improving and that is what we intend to do.

“I am pleased with the progress being made. I look at the league table and know we need wins. But they will come if we play with the same confidence and commitment we have been showing.

“The Huddersfield game is a big one in terms of being a local derby. We worked very hard to get past Sheffield Wednesday in the last round and the further you get then the competition becomes more and more interesting.”

For Town, this season’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy represents a chance to go one better than last term when Lee Clark’s side were beaten 4-3 on aggregate in the Northern Area final by eventual winners Carlisle United.

Ahead of tonight’s tie, which kicks-off at 7pm, Clark said: “It is my first game as a manager up against Bradford. I have been involved in other local derbies such as the games we had against Leeds and the two Sheffield sides, and I realise, as do the players, how important the game is.

“It is a local derby, in a competition that we take very seriously and we want to replicate the weekend performance against Brentford (when Town won 4-0). We won’t be fielding a weakened XI, I don’t have any weak players in my squad.

“Bradford have had some positive performances without achieving the results over the past few weeks. I know Peter Jackson and Phil Parkinson really well and both are good guys.

“Peter left for his own reasons and Phil has come in to make one or two changes. He brought in some players that he had previously worked with and they will be difficult opponents.”

Calum Woods is a slight doubt for Town while City, who have reduced ticket prices for Saturday’s home game with Torquay United to just £5, could also be without Jamie Devitt again. On-loan defender Andrew Davies is battling to overcome a blow to the head.

Last six games: Huddersfield Town DWWDDW, Bradford City DDLLLD.

Last time: Huddersfield Town 4 Bradford City 0; August 12, 2008; League Cup.

Referee: P Tierney (Lancashire).

n Bradford have sold 15-year-old midfielder George Green to Everton for an intial fee of £300,000, which could rise to £2m depending on appearances, sell-on fees and other clauses.