Huddersfield must continue to improve, insists Thewlis

They finished top for the first time in 81 years last season, the League Leaders’ Shield proving the Fartowners’ first piece of silverware during the summer era.

Though they fell short of a maiden Super League Grand Final appearance, Huddersfield can certainly argue they have finally arrived at the competition’s top table.

They begin the new season at champions Wigan Warriors on February 7, augmented by a trio of experienced signings and readied to go a step further.

But, speaking to the Yorkshire Post, Thewlis said: “The club has to develop.

“Every year the club has developed and last year was our most successful in Super League history.

“It’s taken a long time to get there but is there a desire to do more? Yes, there is.

“Is there a realisation it will be bloody difficult? Yes, there is.

“But our coach Paul Anderson has said this is the strongest Huddersfield squad yet and the club is certainly in a better position support-wise and corporately so we’re looking forward to it.”

Traditionally, Huddersfield have struggled to attract the same sort of sizeable attendances as Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos and Hull FC but there are signs last season’s success may be changing that.

“We are up in season tickets and, though it’s too early to say what the figures will be and we’re not as high as we’d like, the reality is the numbers are increased,” added Thewlis.

“We’ve some more initiatives next week which we’ll look to give us a further boost too.”

The new signings of Australian duo Chris Bailey and Antonio Kaufusi plus England Knights winger Jodie Broughton have added not just further class to Anderson’s ranks but crucial experience too.

“That’s probably deliberate,” added Thewlis.

“We have a big nucleus of the squad aged 21 to 25 and some exciting prospects aged 17 to 19 so we thought some experience in there would not go amiss.

“They’ve all played more than 100 Super League games and Bailey and Kaufusi have played plenty in the NRL too, Kaufusi in a Grand Final and internationally.”

Bradford Bulls have secured a trio of Warrington Wolves youngsters on four-week loan deals.

Winger James Saltonstall, who was in the Italy team that pulled off a shock win over England in October, Joe Philbin and Tom Walker began training with them yesterday.

New Hull FC coach Lee Radford has retained former England international Gareth Ellis as club captain for 2014 with influential hooker Danny Houghton also staying as vice-captain.