Huddersfield Town: Powell grateful for win, but says sorry to Charlton fans

The Huddersfield manager had a successful reign as Charlton manager until he was sacked in March 2014 and also enjoyed three separate spells there as a player.

First-half goals from Harry Bunn and Emyr Huws secured Huddersfield’s first victory of the season as the home team, who scored only through Naby Sarr and also in the first half, missed multiple chances to equalise.

At the final whistle, club favourite Powell was given a standing ovation by the Charlton fans who remained, and he said: “To be honest with you, I was saying sorry to some of the fans afterwards.

“Irrespective of location, and here, I’m not bitter, never have been, never will be, of this place. You’d do well to make me do that.

“We should have won one or two games earlier, maybe it’s fate. Who knows?

“I’m very happy at (Huddersfield). Of course people will just connect my past with the result but it’s about the now, and the future.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less of the fans here, they’ve been superb with me from the day I walked in, in June 1998, they’ve been first class with me.

“Obviously I’ve moved on, and they’ve moved on, and a lot’s happened here since I’ve moved on.

“I’m very proud of what I’ve done, I’ll always say that.

“The way it ended, it’s never perfect, no manager, unless you’re Sir Alex Ferguson who can bow out after however many years, can say when you wanna leave.

“Most managers know what will happen in the end. No matter how it happened, I dusted myself down, got myself another job.

“I’ve got affection for the place, of course I have, I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t, but we need to win football matches.”