Hillsborough fightback epitomised Huddersfield Town's spirit

THE CHORUS from Tubthumping, that most catchy of tunes by 1990s band Chumbawumba, resonates particularly well with David Wagner's Huddersfield Town.
Huddersfield Town's head coach David Wagner (Picture: Tony Johnson).Huddersfield Town's head coach David Wagner (Picture: Tony Johnson).
Huddersfield Town's head coach David Wagner (Picture: Tony Johnson).

For the uninitiated, the lyrics read, ‘I get knocked down, but I get up again, you’re never going to keep me down’ – a mindset that has driven Town on during what has been a stellar campaign at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Triumphs, 22 by a single-goal margin, have come in varying degrees.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There have been famous late wins over the likes of Preston North End, Leeds United and Rotherham United, along with red-letter successes at venues such as St James’ Park, Elland Road and Carrow Road.

On high-stakes occasions, Town have generally not been found wanting and it is that iron resolve that head coach Wagner believes will serve them in good stead at Wembley.

Wagner said: “I am not worried about the occasion, to be fair. The biggest quality of this group is their character and they are always able to bounce back

“The second leg was an example of this group of characters. They were 1-0 down at Hillsborough and everyone knows how difficult this occasion can be and they bounced back.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“You should never write this group off. I think that this is what they have shown through the whole season and this is why I am so proud of the group. They have trust and belief in what they are doing.

“They are able to make themselves independent of what is around them and from occasions and opponents. This is a high quality, to be focused on themselves, and this is one of the biggest characteristics of the group.

“This is why I do not worry about Wembley. They will take the excitement – and they will be nervous of course. But they will be focused on an idea. They trust and believe in what they have to do.”