Huddersfield Town head coach Martin Drury's message to young players as League One club eye successful rewind

Back in 2011-12 when Town ended their 11-year exile from the second tier, it was provided by Jack Hunt and Alex Smithies, for instance.

Prior to that in another promotion campaign in 2003-04, the likes of Andy Holdsworth and David Mirfin successfully transformed from boys to men alongside two fellow academy products who are very much part of the present-day Terriers in assistant head coach Jon Stead and director of player development Jon Worthington.

Given the recent direction of travel at the club, then the sight of more homegrown players getting their chance at first-team level in the blue and white in 2026-27 is a distinct possibility.

Last summer, the club were officially granted Category Two academy status – having made the decision to resurrect their academy beyond Under-17, Under-19 and B team groups ahead of the 2023-24 season when Kevin Nagle took over.

They also now possess a head coach with an enviable background in youth development in Martin Drury.

At the start of this summer, Town handed contracts to five leading academy talents – including forward George Sebine, right-back Jay Sway and midfielder Dan Vost – all of whom dipped their toes into first-team action last term.

Midfielder Tom Iorpenda, fresh from an excellent season-long loan at newly-promoted Notts County, looks prime for the step-up in particular, while his younger brother George was among those to recently pen fresh terms.

The emergence of centre forward Sebine, called up by Drury and Stead for their first game in interim charge late last season, has also provided inspiration for Town’s up-and-coming talents.

The 19-year-old made six appearances in total, finding the net in the final-day victory at AFC Wimbledon.

Head coach Drury acknowledged: "It's something for them to aspire to, definitely. But George is only one example of many.

"We've got a hell of a lot of young talent coming through the academy and they are doing a brilliant job in terms of nurturing those talented players. So, we have to make sure we give them the best possibility of succeeding when they do come with us.

"It's not just a gesture that they come up, but actually (that) when they do come up and they're with us, they make us stronger and make us better.

"I think George has done that. George has done that in a very challenging way for him during a really difficult time.

"But real credit to him and the academy staff. There's players in the group there that are impressing and inspiring us.”

Drury earned his stripes in coaching at Bradford City, where he served as the academy’s head of coaching and player development.

His sterling work eventually secured him a high-profile lead coaching position at Manchester United’s Category One academy – after being head-hunted by the Old Trafford outfit.

In his time with the Bantams, Drury led City’s Under-19 side to a first EFL Youth Alliance league title in almost a decade.

Under his watch, a number of players graduated from the club’s academy and earned professional deals, with it easy to see why he is passionate about youth development and providing pathways to the first team.

That said, he is unequivocal in his belief that promotions must be earned and he will watch Town’s young charges intently over the close season.

Speaking at the end of last season, he commented: “I think the summer is really big for some of those young players.

"It is a really, really big time for those young players if they want to come back in pre-season and be around it.

"And then they can't have too much of a rest over the summer.

"There needs to be individualised programmes to ensure that every one of them comes back much stronger, physically and mentally conditioned, ready for next season to go and impose themselves.

"We've got a job to ensure that the fans come here and they see a group of players that are running, fighting, showing spirit and playing exciting, attacking football and scoring goals.”

Meanwhile, Town's two West Yorkshire derbies in League One against Bradford City in 2026-27 have both been brought forward to 12.30pm kick-offs, following advice from local authorities.

The first instalment will take place at Valley Parade on Saturday, October 31, with a lunch-time kick-off.

The return fixture at the Accu Stadium will be on Saturday, January 30 – again with a 12.30pm start.

Town start the season with an EFL Cup tie against Preston North End at Goodison Park on August 8.