MARTIN DRURY built his reputation as a coach in the academy at Bradford City, and bringing through young players is a key part of what he wants to do as head coach of Huddersfield Town.

The more dynamic football Drury wants to play in League One will necessitate a younger starting XI, and he believes there are players in the current youth set-up who can make his side stronger.

In his seven-match stint as caretaker coach at the end of 2025-26, Drury fast-tracked teenage Guiseley product George Sebine into the first team.

"I think that's what this club has been built on in the past," said Drury (pictured), in his first managerial role at the age of 40. "It wants to develop people, it wants to develop staff and players.

George Sebine is among the young Huddersfield Town players to have landed a new deal.

placeholder image — George Sebine is among the young Huddersfield Town players to have landed a new deal.

"It was a highly successful period last season particularly for the B team. That didn't happen in 12 months, that's years of work, dedication and sacrifice.

"It's not going to be a click of the fingers, it's going to take a bit of time.

"The thing we can take from the academy is the consistency. A lot of people within the academy have been there a number of years.

"I remember five or six yeas ago coming up against Huddersfield when it was in a transition period, when the academy closed. That's been a long journey but it's a great representation of how you build success.

DEVELOPER: Huddersfield Town head coach Martin Drury (Image courtesy of Huddersfield Town)

"The first team players, from what I've seen, welcomed young players when they came up – that's not always the case. They want young players to come up, they wanted to be challenged and to help and support them.

"I think there is a general good connection between them and I'd like to bring that a little bit closer."

The onus will be on those young players to impress in pre-season whilst the squad is still taking shape. Drury hopes to move on some of his contracted players but with the wages Huddersfield paid to sign them, that may not be a quick process.

"I've been really impressed by them," he said of Huddersfield's current crop of youngsters. "It's not surprising, because I know how good the coaching staff are within the academy and how well they're nurturing those young talents coming through.

"I think there's always a risk of young players coming into a first-team environment and then the development stops. That won't be the case. That'll be something that we'll be driving forward next season, not just for young players, but for the whole squad.”