Saturday interview: Town chief wanting to take derby rivalry to next level

It was, along with revelations about him sporting a t-shirt denigrating the Black Cats at the 1999 FA Cup final, why he left the Stadium of Light in the summer that followed Peter Reid's side being promoted to the Premier League.

So, when the 37-year-old lifelong member of the Toon Army starts to compare the passion of a Tyne-Wear derby to today's scrap for local pride between Huddersfield Town and Leeds United, then it is worth taking note.

Taking time out from preparing for his third West Yorkshire derby, Clark told the Yorkshire Post: "It is a big game for so many reasons, but most of all for the fans and the people within the club. This is the one people look forward to.

"Huddersfield against Leeds is right up there with the Newcastle-Sunderland derby. It is much more of a rivalry than the West London one between Fulham and Chelsea that I played in.

"The atmosphere would be electric but the rivalry was not quite the same. But in terms of the passion of the fans and the desire of the people, games between Huddersfield and Leeds are very similar to Newcastle v Sunderland.

"This one will be that extra bit special, too. We have all the makings of a fantastic match – the ingredients being a local derby, our positions in the league and the possibility of either extending the points gap between us or narrowing it.

"I would love to have this game in the league above next season. It is a terrific occasion and a fantastic experience but a derby in the Championship would be even more special."

Clark's love of derby football is understandable. In the eight meetings between Newcastle and Sunderland during his two stints at St James' Park, he was never on the losing side for the Magpies while Chelsea triumphed in just one of his four appearances in the West London derby.

Since taking charge at the Galpharm, the former England Under-21 midfielder has maintained the happy knack of delivering in derbies with Town's two tussles against Leeds having yielded four points.

It means Clark is well qualified to impress on his players the importance of today's League One encounter.

He said: "I have stressed since we beat Tranmere on Tuesday night just how important this game is. I have made it quite clear what it means and how we cannot let anyone down.

"It helps that we have a good nucleus of lads who came through our Academy. They are quick to tell the other lads what it is all about.

"I can only speak for my time here, but the two games against Leeds have been the big ones because there has not been much success round Huddersfield.

"An added ingredient this season is both clubs are playing for more than just personal pride. There are points towards the goal we both want to achieve."

A glance at the league table reveals just how crucial the 68th West Yorkshire derby could be in deciding the fate of both clubs this season.

Leeds are in the better position, sitting second with 66 points. Huddersfield are four places and nine points worse off, though Clark's men boast by far the more impressive recent form after taking 22 points from an unbeaten 10-game run.

If Town are to reel in their neighbours and realise Clark's target of automatic promotion, a home win today is imperative.

He said: "The performance means nothing, the result everything. Every one of the teams above us bar Swindon have to come here and that is something we are pleased about because we have a good home record.

"It gives us an opportunity to take points off them. To win a derby, you need to have controlled aggression. You also have to show composure to make sure you play the game and not the occasion.

"You can also not afford to get caught up in what is happening on the terraces. Some players can get a little over-excited and approach it in the wrong way.

"We will have to do all those things to have a chance of winning the derby."

In contrast to Huddersfield, United's form has been disappointing since the turn of the year with Tuesday's win over Oldham Athletic being only their second league victory in nine outings.

The slump has seen what at the start of 2010 was an eight-point lead at the top of League One evaporate and leave Leeds trailing Norwich City by three points.

It has also left many of the Elland Road faithful worrying that the season could culminate in play-off heartache for the third consecutive season.

Clark is hoping to add to those nerves today, though he admits Simon Grayson's men will have been buoyed by the midweek win over Latics.

He said: "People talk about a blip because they are not winning every game. But don't forget the defeat to Walsall was their first home loss of the season.

"Leeds at home will be very tough. They are in second position, and people say the table never lies. I would swap places like a shot with Simon in terms of where our teams are in the league.

"Their destiny is in their own hands. For us to do something in terms of those above us, we have to continue our own form but also hope the other teams lose games.

"Simon does not have to worry about that. But if we can win this weekend then it will narrow the gap between us and leave us in a promising position."

Huddersfield v Leeds

Team news: Lee Clark has no fresh injury worries and is likely to name an unchanged line-up for the fifth consecutive game as the Galpharm prepares to host its first 20,000-plus crowd of the season. Simon Grayson is similarly blessed with Aidan White having recovered from the cramp that saw the teenager substituted during the win over Oldham. Tresor Kandol, Rui Marques and Ben Parker are back in training but are unlikely to feature.

Last six games: Huddersfield Town DDDWWW, Leeds United DWDLDW.

Referee: K Friend (Leicestershire).

Last time: Huddersfield Town 1 Leeds United 0; February 14, 2009; League One.

SkyBet odds: Huddersfield to win 7-4; Leeds to win 6-4; Draw 12-5.