HUDDERSFIELD Town defender Sean Roughan admits that the sight of former club Lincoln City celebrating promotion at the end of 2025-26 has provided a motivational tool for him next season.

The Irishman left the Imps last summer to head to the Accu Stadium on a three-year deal following the conclusion of his deal at Sincil Bank – having elected to move onto to pastures new.

In the event, it was Lincoln who plotted an outstanding course to the Championship during a memorable 2025-26 campaign and not Town – with the Imps reaching the second tier of English football for the first time since 1961 and also claiming title silverware.

Roughan, who made also 150 appearances during his association with Lincoln - having been a stalwart there for several seasons - remains delighted for everyone connected with his old club following their magnificent achievement.

Huddersfield Town's Sean Roughan leads the celebrations after Rotherham United's Lenny Agbaire heads his cross into his own net in the game at the Accu Stadium in March. Photo: Tony Johnson.

placeholder image — Huddersfield Town's Sean Roughan leads the celebrations after Rotherham United's Lenny Agbaire heads his cross into his own net in the game at the Accu Stadium in March. Photo: Tony Johnson.

Equally, he would not be human if he did not feel a spot of envy – and incentive in his own pursuit of promotion to the Championship.

The former Republic of Ireland under-21 international, who featured 40 times in all competitions for Town last term, said: "You look at footballers and they do not many get promotions throughout their career.

"Being at a club at this level, I have full faith that we will get promoted and it's why I came here in the first place.

"Looking at Lincoln now and seeing them adds a little bit more fuel to the fire.

Outgoing Huddersfield Town striker Rhys Healey. Picture courtesy of HTAFC.

"I am delighted for them and they have done very well this season and they know what they are capable of and what they wanted to do and did it very, very well.

"They came up against teams and dominated a lot of teams this year and fair play to them and I hope they do well in the Championship."

Meanwhile, Town have reached a mutual agreement with striker Rhys Healey to terminate his contract with immediate effect.

The 31-year-old had a year left on his Terriers deal, but a decision had been agreed to part ways now, making Healey a free agent.

He spent last season on loan at League Two strugglers Barrow, but made just one substitute appearance for the Cumbrians in an injury-ravaged campaign.

The former Cardiff City and Watford forward had a fraught time after joining Town in the 2024 winter transfer window, chiefly due to a succession of frustrating injuries.

He scored three goals in 11 games in the second half of 2023-24, but was restricted to just 11 appearances in 24-25. He found the net on two occasions.

The Manchester-born player did not feature for the club at all last season. His last outing for the club was in February 2025.

In total, he scored five goals in 22 appearances across all competitions for Town.

Healey signed for Town from Watford, having joined the Hertfordshire outfit from French side Toulouse in the summer of 2023. He scored twice in 14 appearances for the Hornets.

While at Toulouse, Healey scored 34 league goals in his first two seasons and also won promotion to Ligue 1.