Hoyle keen to keep Clark in the Town hotseat

Chairman Dean Hoyle has confirmed a desire to keep Clark at the Galpharm Stadium ahead of Saturday’s semi-final first leg away at Bournemouth.

Former Newcastle United player Clark, 38, took charge following the departure of former manager Stan Ternent in December 2008 and has progressed the club each season finishing 9th, 6th, and 3rd in the table.

Although his existing deal does not expire until the end of next season, Hoyle plans to resolve his future this summer.

“Most chairmen and football clubs like continuity,” said Hoyle. “It’s what we want at Huddersfield Town. We have had too many managers down the years.

“I spoke with Lee a few weeks ago and he said he would like to stay at the club. We would also like him to stay. Regardless of whether it is First Division or Championship football next season, we would like Lee to continue his good work.

“We are pretty relaxed about it because we speak all the time,” Hoyle added. “He sees that we are trying to do things the right way at this club; we are developing our Academy, we have just bought a new training ground and, in football, people say Huddersfield Town is a proper football club.”

Hoyle says the Terriers will not stand in Clark’s way should a ‘bigger’ club come in for his services but the Town chairman also believes his manager is in no rush to leave.

“If a big club ever came in for Lee, we would not stand in his way. You never stop progress for an individual,” he said. “But Lee likes what we are trying to achieve. Look at Paul Ince and a few other managers who have been tempted to the top flight, it’s not worked out, and look where they are now?

“Lee knows my aspirations for the club and he wants to be part of it with me. Regardless of whether he signs a contract or not, he has got another year to go. There will be no contract talks until after the play-offs. We need to know where we are. After the season has finished, we will get down and discuss it.”

Hoyle also confirmed that the Terriers have opened talks with midfielder Antony Kay about signing a new deal. The former Barnsley player, 28, is the only first-team player at the club out of contract this summer.

“We are trying to negotiate a contract with Antony now and, apart from that, all the players are under contract,” he said. “We need to keep this group of players. We are 25 games unbeaten and they have had a fantastic season.”