Terriers fired up to make an impact

ATHLETIC could face unexpected rivals in their bid for promotion from League One.

Huddersfield Town, tomorrow’s opponents at The Galpharm Stadium, were involved in a scrap against relegation before experiencing a remarkable transformation in their fortunes.

And Terriers assistant manager Terry McDermott, the former Liverpool legend, believes the new management team can take the club to an even higher level.

McDermott, who was appointed new manager Lee Clark’s right-hand man a fortnight ago, said: “We’re serious about taking this club to the Premier League. With the stadium and the support, we are certainly geared for the Championship.

“And going into 2009, we are in a great position. We’re exactly halfway through the season and only six points off the play-off places. If we beat Oldham, we will be only three points behind the side which is currently fifth.

“Getting to the Championship would be a terrific step up and a great reward for the backing the fans are giving us, but then why not aim for the top? I’ve worked in the Premier League, and I want to return there.”

The 57-year-old McDermott, who played for Liverpool, Newcastle and England during his illustrious career, cites Hull City as a shining example of what can be achieved.

McDermott added: “I’m told Town and Hull played each other on New Year’s Day in a League Two game only five years ago, and look where they are now?

“Then you look at the likes of Bolton, Wigan, Stoke, Blackburn and West Brom, all Premier League clubs. They’ve all been where we are now.”

McDermott believes that Clark, the former Newcastle, Sunderland and Fulham player, is the man to bring success to Huddersfield.

He said: “Lee’s a winner, pure and simple. He’s also very knowledgeable and very passionate about the game.

“When he became reserve coach at Newcastle, he and I used to go to a lot of games together.

“We got to know each other well and, when you add Derek Fazackerley and Steve Black to the equation, it’s a nicely-balanced management team.

“Lee is both progressive and ambitious while the rest of us all bring something a little bit different to the table.

“Lee’s his own man, but he’s also willing to listen to what we have to say and he takes our advice on board before making a decision.”

Clark was appointed to Newcastle’s backroom staff by Glenn Roeder, who then took him to Norwich, where he was his No. 2 before deciding the time was right to branch out on his own.

The fact that Huddersfield are challenging for promotion is remarkable bearing in mind their terrible start to the campaign under previous manager Stan Ternent.

The Terriers had won only three league games by the end of October when they were sixth from bottom.

Academy chief Gerry Murphy and Graham Mitchell were put in temporary charge and won four of their five league matches before Clark’s arrival.

Clark has continued the good work, winning two of his first three league matches and the in-form Terriers have recorded seven victories from their last nine league matches to shoot up the table.

And ominously for Athletic, they will be seeking their fourth straight home league win tomorrow.

On the other hand, John Sheridan’s men have collected 10 points from their last four away matches, a record which sets up a fascinating Roses clash.