Tomorrow ... Old Trafford ... 3pm ... Town v Peterborough Sunday, May 29, 2011 CLARK: We don’t fear Fergie factor - Pages -2, 3 HOYLE: The team behind Town - Pages 4, 5 BELIEVE: Your Old Trafford poster - Centre pages PLUS: Afobe, McCombe, Cadamarteri & pen pics GOOD LUCK TOWN GOOD LUCK TOWN Champions League Final Champions League Final MANCHESTER UNITED V BARCELONA Saturday 28th May KO 7.45PM Play Off Final HUDDERSFIELD TOWN V PETERBOROUGH Sunday 29th May KO 3PM DRINKS PROMO ALL WEEKEND DRINKS PROMO ALL WEEKEND Heineken Bottles £2.00 Bulmers £2.50 Heineken Bottles £2.00 Bulmers £2.50 FREE SNACKS FREE SNACKS Watch the games live at The Barking Spider
Transcript
Tomorrow ... Old Trafford ... 3pm ...
TownvPeterboroughSunday, May 29, 2011
CLARK:Wedon’t fear Fergie factor -Pages -2,3HOYLE: The teambehindTown-Pages4,5BELIEVE:YourOldTraffordposter - CentrepagesPLUS:Afobe,McCombe, Cadamarteri&penpics
GOOD LUCK TOWNGOOD LUCK TOWNChampions League FinalChampions League FinalMANCHESTER
UNITEDV BARCELONA
Saturday 28th MayKO 7.45PM
Play Off FinalHUDDERSFIELD
TOWN VPETERBOROUGH
Sunday 29th MayKO 3PM
DRINKS PROMO ALL WEEKENDDRINKS PROMO ALL WEEKENDHeineken Bottles £2.00 Bulmers £2.50Heineken Bottles £2.00 Bulmers £2.50
FREE SNACKSFREE SNACKS
Watch the games live at The Barking Spider
2 League One Play-off FINAL HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
LEE CLARK has dismissed the Fergusonfactor as he prepares for the biggestmatch of his managerial career.
Town’s ambitious boss faced the full force of the nationalmedia as he continued preparations for tomorrow’s bigmatch against Peterborough.The talk was all about whether Posh chief DarrenFerguson’s could gain any advantage through hisrelationship with dad Sir Alex, particularly withManchester United hosting the play-off final.But Clark was quick to point out that he too hasbenefited from the advice of the Old Trafford chief, and ahost of other managers.“You tend to find we look after each other in thisbusiness,” said the 38-year-old, who is chasing elevationto the Championship in his second full season at theGalpharm helm.“Whenever I meet or talk to other managers, I try to picktheir brains a little, and Sir Alex has always been morethan helpful to me.“Of course Darren is in the position of being able to pickup the phone and get hold of the bloke who is the best inthe business at any time, but he’s very much his own man.“And don’t forget, Sir Alex has got the small matter of aChampions League final to prepare for, and neither himnor Darren, or me for that matter, can actually go outthere and play.
“Our job is to prepare our teams as best we possibly can,and that’s what we’ve both been trying to do.“Peterborough are a good side – we know what they’re allabout – and I have respect for Darren, who is a guy Iknow and like.“But I’m desperate to get the better of him tomorrow,because I desperately want to be managing in theChampionship next season.”Both Town and Posh, who finished third and fourth inLeague I respectively, can boast impressive records aheadof the showdown.Clark’s men are unbeaten in 27 league games, easily aclub record in a single season, while Posh have plundered128 goals in 56 games in all competitions.They have been prevented from scoring in only four ofthose matches (at Tranmere, away to Hartlepool, at hometo Brighton and at MK Dons, all in the league).But they’ve also conceded 95, and Town will be going allout to add to that tally in what looks likely to be anaction-packed game.Clark, whose side have won, drawn and lost against Poshin their three meetings so far this season, continued:“We’re all looking forward to it.
“It’s the highest finishing sides playing each other, whichdoesn’t always happen in the play-offs, and there’s a hugeprize at the end of it.“You can sense that every player in the group is desperateto be involved, and that’s no surprise because it’s a hugegame at one of the best venues around.“Sure, there will be a few nerves come the day of thegame, but you need to have that, and my players haveshown they can perform on the big stage.“We went to Arsenal in the FA Cup and they embracedthe occasion and produced one of their best performancesof the season. I think the venue lifted and inspired them.“They’ve also shown physical and mental strength overthe season, and that’s crucial, because it’s not just abouttalent and ability.“We have a good blend in the squad, with experiencedlads who have shown their worth and younger playerswho have grasped the situation.“We also have fantastic fans who are heading to OldTrafford in huge numbers and will make a huge amountof noise.“They’ve been brilliant all season, they know what’s atstake and they will back us from the first minute to thelast.“Of course we know it’s going to be tough, but we alsoknow we have the ability to do it.”
Robbo’s trip from Rhyl to Old TraffordGARY ROBERTS has been waiting fortomorrow for the last 10 years!
Released by home-city club Liverpoolat 17, the tricky winger returned tofull-time game after four years ofheading into Wales three times a weekwhile working as a computer technician.
“It was tough trying to fit in matchesand training around work,” admitted the27-year-old, who played for Denbigh,Bala, Rhyl, Bangor and Welshpool.
“I’d be playing every Saturday andoften on a Tuesday, and we’d have atleast one training session too.
“But I love playing football, and Ialways retained belief in myself and myability, and always hoped I’d get asecond chance.”
That chance came when AccringtonStanley swooped during the 2004-05campaign, when they were still playingin the Conference.
A key man in the side who wonpromotion to the Football League in2005-06, when he netted 13 goals,Robbo won England semi-professionalrecognition while at Stanley beforeheading into the Championship withIpswich.
Now the man who left Portman Roadfor the Galpharm in the 2008close-season is desperate for thechance to return there, as well asvisiting the likes of Birmingham, Cardiff,Leeds, Middlesbrough, NottinghamForest and West Ham.
“There are some cracking clubs in theChampionship and it’s a great divisionto be in,” he added. “We know that withone more push, we’ll be there.”
CHARLIES TYRE SHOPS LTDAre pleased and excited to be behind
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3League One Play-off FINALPETERBOROUGH UTD
HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS are throwingtheir considerable weight behind Town’sbid for Old Trafford play-off glory.Although the Giants play at Hull FCtomorrow (12.30pm), the squad willgather round a TV watch theirfootballing colleagues’ biggest game ofthe season.Giants’ Australian head coach NathanBrown (inset) said: “We’ve got anexcellent working relationship with theTown boys and we’d have loved to havebeen at Old Trafford to cheer them on.“But we’ve obviously got a big game ofour own at Hull, which is vitallyimportant for us as we try and stay atthe top end of the Super Leaguecompetition.“All our focus throughout this week andon Sunday lunchtime has been aboutdoing everything we can to beat Hull,but as soon as our game’s over we’llturn our attention to Town.“We’re planning to leave Hull prettysoon after our game and findsomewhere to watch the game as agroup.“We can’t be at Old Trafford in person,but we can be there in spirit.
Victory isa Giantincentive
■ WHAT A JOURNEY: Gary Roberts
Show youBELIEVE!THE EXAMINER believes inTown’s promotion credentials –and fans can show they do tooby taking the centre-spreadposter in this supplement to OldTrafford.
We’ve produced them at therequest of Town chairman DeanHoyle after fans were told theBelieve ‘clappers’ which provedso popular and effective at thesemi-final against Bournemouthat the Galpharm won’t beallowed over in Manchester.
So once you’ve read our16-page special, don’t forget totake the centre-page spread tothe big match and show youBELIEVE!
● See - Centre spread
“We’d love to see themdo it, and on behalf ofeveryone at the GiantsI’d like to wish themthe very best of luck.“I just hope this is theyear that both ofHuddersfield’sprofessional clubs getto Old Trafford,because we’d love tobe there for the SuperLeague Grand Finallater in the season!”
4 League One Play-off FINAL HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
DEAN HOYLE makes no bones aboutthe fact his priority after the play-offfinal will be to sort a new long-term
contract for manager Lee Clark.While many of the players have committed to the clubfor several years – including influential skipper PeterClarke – the club chairman is keen to continue thattrend with the staff.Boss Clark, in the final year of his initial three-yeardeal, has talked positively about remaining at theGalpharm, although both he and the chairman havebeen keen to leave the detail until after tomorrow’s bigdate against Peterborough at Old Trafford.With the chance of Championship football just 24hours away, however, Hoyle explained why he’s keen tokeep things progressing as they are.“All the board and the management work welltogether,” he said.“Nigel Clibbens, Sean Jarvis, Ann Hough, myself, LeeClark, Terry McDermott and the rest, we all work welltogether and we are a young team who connect.“We are honest, we don’t leave ourselves under anyillusions and we get on with the job.“I’m quite a hard task master, but Lee knows what Iwant.“He knows I want a team with desire and will to win,and the team Lee has assembled has shown nothingless than what I want.“I always say nobody gets shot for trying in life and,as I’ve said before, there is more desire in this Townteam than I can ever remember.“They want it. They are desperate to deliver for allof us and the players want to be part of what’sgoing on at Huddersfield Town long term.“Lee and myself also have a good workingrelationship. We speak all the time and Lee speaksto the board, but it’s all quite informal.“We have board meetings, obviously, but we all knowwhat is happening day by day, hour by hour.”It’s all part of ensuring Town are on the right tracksfor future success both on and off the pitch and Hoyleis positive.“We are in great shape and moving forward,” headded.“If we are fortunate enough to do the job againstPeterborough, the team we have now is in a fantasticposition to drive on.“You just have to look at the ones who were promoted
last season (Norwich City, Leeds United and play-offwinners Millwall). With a few tweaks, look how wellthey have performed.“We are unbeaten in 27 matches and if we can addanother, there is no reason why we can’t carry that onin the higher division and perform admirably.“The players want to stay together because they loveHuddersfield Town, they love the fans and they lovethe atmosphere around the place.“When people like Gary Roberts and Lee Peltier saythey’ve never heard anything like it when we playedBournemouth at the Galpharm last week, then youknow it must have been good.“And when you add on top of that the fact Lee Clarksaid it was the best atmosphere ever – and he’s playedfor Newcastle and Sunderland – and that the placewas absolutely rocking, then it’s unbelievable.”
■ SHEER DELIGHT: Hoyle celebrates reaching Old Traffordwith Lee Clark, Peter Clarke and the squad
CCOONNTTRRAACCTTThat’s top of Dean Hoyle’s list... after tomorrow’s big match
Lee knows Iwant a teamwith desireand the teamhe hasassembledhas shownnothing lessthan what Iwant
DEAN HOYLE will be keeping faith with hislucky suit at Old Trafford tomorrow.
The Town chairman and owner has worn thesame attire for matches since their 27-match
unbeaten league run started back at New Year.And with the League I play-off final against
Peterborough now just hours away, Hoyle has noplans to ‘smarten up’ for the big day.He explained: “I am massively superstitious.“Last year we went to Millwall by coach, this year I’mgoing by car with Nigel Clibbens.“I have the same suit that I’ve worn from about thestart of the year – the one that was covered inchampagne after the Bournemouth second leg – thesame brown shoes with scuffs on the toes, the sameshirt and the same tie.“Mel Booth from the Examiner wanted to interviewme about the match, but I wouldn’t because we’ddone that last year, before the Millwall second leg,and lost.“It’s just part of being massively superstitiousand Lee Clark is the same. He’s been wearingthe same training gear and what have you inthe build-up, so we’ll carry on.”
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5League One Play-off FINALPETERBOROUGH UTD
BUOYANT Dean Hoyle insistsTown are building stability forthe future.
The chairman, like the rest ofthe club’s 30,000-plus fans, isdesperate to see Lee Clark’sside clinch promotion intomorrow’s League I play-offfinal against Peterborough atOld Trafford.
Whatever happens, however,he is confident Town are on theright road to a productive andsuccessful spell and is not onlyproud of what the club haveachieved so far, but believesfully in what the coming yearscan hold.
“We are building stability forthe future, that’s what it’s allabout,” said the owner andlifelong fan.
“Hopefully the share issue (atthe stadium) is coming to aconclusion, we’ve purchased atraining ground for the firsttime in the club’s history andwe’ve put together a fantasticrun on the pitch to reach theplay-off final.
“The training ground is ahuge step. The stadium isgreat, but our footballers see itonce every 14 days if they arelucky, so to have our own baseis about putting things in placefor the future.
“We have brought in somequality players, the squad islooking good, and we are tryingto have stability with Lee Clarkas manager long term.
“We are trying to do thingscorrectly on the football sideand we are trying to do thingscorrectly off the pitch with ourcharity fund-raising and bylooking after the fans.”
Hoyle started a fund amongbusiness contacts enabling 800under-privileged children to goto tomorrow’s final in a movewhich comes just weeks afterthe Pedal for Pounds Two bikeride to Brighton (pictured)
which raised £250,000 for theKeep It Up Campaign, providingvaluable cash for the YorkshireAir Ambulance and the club’sAcademy.
“Dealing with our fans is theeasy part for me because I amone of them,” added the manwho sat in the John Smith’sKilner Bank until stepping in tobuy the club from Ken Davy.
“I know what they expect, Iknow how they need to betreated and it all comesnaturally to me, because I am afan.
“I knew what I wanted to hearwhen I was a fan – I wantedtruth and transparency.
“We are on the verge of goodthings and let’s hope we canachieve the next step in thisfinal. If not, let’s recognise weare in a good position to takethings forward whateverhappens.”
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SMILE AWHILEThere’s a team that is dearto its followers,They play in the bright blueand white,They’re a team of renown,they’re the pride of thetown,And the game of football istheir delight,So all the while upon thefield of play,Thousands gladly cheerthem on their way,Often you can hear themsay,Who can beat the Towntoday?Then the bells will ring somerrily,Every goal will be amemory,So Town play up and bringthe cup,Back to Huddersfield.
TERRY McDERMOTT believesTown’s players and fansshould ‘Smile Awhile’ at Old
Trafford tomorrow.The vastly-experienced assistantmanager, 59, feels Town have got theirpreparations spot on , striking the rightbalance between work and rest.And he also feels the best approachagainst Peterborough is for the players –in the spirit of the old club song – toplay with a smile on their faces whilesupporters belt out the words which havespanned an illustrious blue and whitehistory.Town are treating it like a normal match,they’ve done nothing different apartfrom have a few days at the Belfrybecause of the 10-day span betweensemi-final and showpiece, and they willtravel to Manchester tomorrow morningrather than staying over in a hotel.There are no big-match suits, either, asTown look to their final match of theseason in terms of business as usual.“We’ve played 61 matches this season,more than any other club in the country,so the lads have had plenty of training,”
said McDermott. “There’s been a longtime between the semi-final and now andwe wanted to keep the group together, sowe went down to the Belfry and did a bitof paint-balling, clay pigeon shootingand golfing and then came back to thetraining ground.“We have done our work but we havealso rested them up, because that’s partand parcel of our build-up as well – andwe think we’ve done it right.”McDermott says helping Town earnpromotion would rank high among hisachievements, no mean feat for someonewho has won three European Cups, aUEFA Cup and six English titles.“It would be very, very, very high up mylist of achievements if we were to go up,”he said.“But more importantly it’s about what it
would mean to everyone concerned. “It’snot just the players and the staff, but thepeople in the office and the fans.“They’ve been through some hard timesover quite a few years, they’ve beenthrough an administration and thingslike that, and it’s been a roller coaster.“Lee (Clark) came here two and a halfyears ago and it’s pretty much beengoing in one direction since, and that’sup.“When we arrived it wasn’t. But we havea chairman (Dean Hoyle) who caresabout the club because he is a fan, he hasbeen prepared to back Lee and if anyonedeserves success it’s him.“The final is not really about us in thebackroom, though, because we can’t goout there and play.“It’s about the XI who start the game
FANS have been discussing all the best waysthey can help Town achieve promotion at OldTrafford tomorrow.
With more than 30,000 Galpharm supportersmaking the trip to the League I play-off final,plans are already in place to out-shout thosewho travel up from Peterborough.
Contemporary anthems will no doubt echoaround the Theatre of Dreams, and it’s hoped toraise the roof with a rendition of the old clubsong, Smile Awhile.
On-line fans, however, pointed out that manyTown fans going to the game might not know thewords, so we have printed them here to enableeveryone to join in tomorrow.
Goon,makeCoach Terry callsfor sunshine soccer
Club song canfill the arena
■ SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT: Terriers fans will look back on the classic semi final second leg against
6 League One Play-off FINAL HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
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EXAMINER website bossAndrew Jackson is running aliveblog tomorrow from 2pmuntil after the final whistle andwants your help.
If you’re going to OldTrafford and use Twitter orFacebook on your phone, sendhim a message with yourthoughts to our HuddersfieldTown Twitter account@examinerHTAFC orHuddersfield Examiner onFacebook.
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and the seven we’ve got on the bench. They areall-important to us because they can go outthere and win the match, and that’s what wewant them to do.“We’ll tell them to go out and enjoy theirfootball and to have no fear in their eyes. If youshow fear, then your opponent will exploit it, sothe best way is to have no fear and to go andplay your game.“It’s a final and it can be a great occasion, butwe all know we’ve won nothing yet and there isstill a job to do against Peterborough.“We finished 16 points ahead of Bournemouthand eight ahead of Peterborough, so we deserveto be in the final.In most years 87 points would be enough forautomatic promotion, but this year it isn’t. Ibelieve we deserve to go up and, hopefully, wecan go out there at Old Trafford and prove it.”McDermott knows Town will get wonderfulbacking from their 30,000-plus following in theStretford End.“I was at Newcastle when we won promotion tothe Premier League and the semi-final home legagainst Bournemouth equalled that,” he said,revealing the starting XI won’t be decided untillate.“It was so pleasing for everyone concerned and
the 17,000 who came along made anunbelievable racket. People in football who Ihave spoken to have said it was up among thebest games they’ve seen in a long time.“Bournemouth must be commended for thatbecause it takes two to make a great game, butas I’ve said, I believe we deserve to go up andhopefully we can prove that.“It’s important the players concentrateon the game. It’s a normal game, XI vXI, and there will be plenty of noiselike last Wednesday’s semi-final,just with a few more of our fansthere helping us along.“The bigger crowd is the onlydifference and we are used tothat, but the fans can’t go outand kick the ball, head the ball,win tackles or score a goal –that’s up to the players.“If they go about it like theydid last Wednesday, with theplayers we’ve got, thenwe’ve got to be confident.We want the players to beconfident and to enjoytheir football. Performwith a smile.”
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9League One Play-off FINALPETERBOROUGH UTD
Boom Boom out tothird time lucky in
JAMIE McCOMBE is hopingto make it third time lucky.
The towering Town centraldefender is looking forward to thethird play-off final of his career and isdetermined to collect his first winners’medal.The 28-year-old stopper – whose‘Boom Boom’ nickname is chantedwhenever he’s in the action – has beenin excellent form this season andplayed his part as a substitute in athrilling semi-final victory overBournemouth.McCombe, who was watched bybrother John as Town secured a 4-2penalty shoot-out success after the 4-4aggregate draw against The Cherries,is actually involved in his sixthplay-off campaign.Part of the Lincoln City team whichlost to Town in the 2004 semi-finals,he played in the Millennium Stadiumfinal the following year whenSouthend defeated them 2-0, and thenhe suffered the agony of defeat againin 2008 when Bristol City went downto Dean Windass’s volley for Hull Cityat Wembley when a place in thePremier League was at stake.“I am definitely looking to make itthird time lucky,” said the
Pontefract-born player who began hiscareer at Scunthorpe United.“It would be nice to play, obviously,but if I’m not in the starting line-up(Antony Kay has returned alongsideskipper Peter Clarke at the back) thenit would be nice to get on, play mypart and maybe stick a goal in for us!“The lads know it will be a test againstPeterborough, no-one will be taking itlightly and everyone will be giving ittheir all.“All through the second half of theseason, though, the lads haveproduced the goods and we’ve puttogether a great run.“That belief has been ingrained in usand the attitude is that we never knowwhen we are beaten. We never feel outof games, as we have shown manytimes this year, and it’s not just acredit to the lads, it’s a credit toeveryone involved.“It’s like the gaffer said at thebeginning of the season, he wanted toblend youth and experience in hissquad and it has paid off.“We have some players with a lot ofinternational experience and caps to
their names and it gives a balance tothe team, because they can steady thenerves of the other lads and the rawtalent that we have got can shinethrough.”McCombe believes the squad areprimed to reward manager Lee Clarkand the fans with a place in theChampionship next season – when theopposition would include West Ham,Blackpool and Birmingham City inaddition to derby rivals Leeds United– and his reasons are simple.“It was fantastic to get through such anerve-wracking semi-final because itshowed the spirit and character thatwe’ve got in the squad – we willalways fight right to the death,” heexplained.“We had our chances to win the game,but in the end the lads held their nerveto take some great penalties.“We’ve done it time and time againthis season – won tight games whichhave been real battles – and it’stestament to the boys and ournever-say-die attitude.“There were times againstBournemouth when we had to reallydig in, you have to expect that, but itjust shows what it all means toeveryone that we came through.“And the atmosphere was fantastic. Iwish we could have that every week atthe Galpharm!“The supporters made such adifference and it can be the same atOld Trafford – they really can be our12th man.”McCombe says Town were wellprepared for the shoot-out and will beagain come Sunday.“Some people don’t like practisingpenalties because they think it’stempting fate, but we practised duringthe week before the Bournemouthgame to be as prepared as we could beand the lads were good enough to seeit through with some terrific strikes,”he added.“Ian Bennett has also got a goodtrack record of saving penalties, as heshowed in the first leg at Dean Court,and we were all very confident goinginto the shoot-out.“When you’ve got as manyexperienced players as we have, though– people who have played in big games
■ 2005 DEFEAT: Goalscorers Duncan Jupp (left) and FreddyEastwood celebrate after Southend United took the Coca-ColaLeague II play-off final against McCombe’s Lincoln City in Cardiff
■ 2008 DEFEAT: Huddersfield-born Hull man Fraizer Campbellholds off Bristol City's Marvin Elliott in the Championship play-offfinal at Wembley which again ended in defeat for McCombe
■ BIG SIGNING: Jamie McCombe with Lee Clark
10 League One Play-off FINAL HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
with big crowds – situations like thatare not going to bother them and itfilters through to the other lads.“That stood us in good stead and tobe in the final is fantastic.“We are very happy to be going to OldTrafford, but we all know we’ve onlydone half a job.“It’s going to be tough, but we knowwe’ve got to win to go up and it’s allto play for.”
I want awinnersmedal now
DANNY WARD is hoping for adifferent outcome when he goes intohis second play-off final in 12 monthstomorrow.
The 19-year-old loan striker fromBolton Wanderers was part of
Swindon’s beaten side in lastyear’s League I decider
against Millwall.He admits it was a
very bitterdisappointment, butone which will drivehim on to help
produce a victory forTown againstPeterborough atOld Trafford.
“We are allreally lookingforward to it andwe deserve thischance,” saidWard, whoscored in thesemi-finalsecond legagainstBournemouthat theGalpharm andthen netted apenalty in the
shoot-outsuccess.“What
happened in the final lastyear was a bitter
disappointment to me, buthopefully I can put that rightnow and we can bepromoted to theChampionship.
“I think all the lads are in aconfident mood because we
are on a great run, but we won’tbe complacent or get overawed
by the whole occasion.“We will focus on the game against
Peterborough and make sure we areprepared mentally and physically.
“It has always been a dream ofmine to play at Old Trafford, so this isgreat and, like I said before, I amreally looking forward to it.”
Ward scored nine times in 31games for Swindon last season andhas three in seven for Town.
“We’ve got a fantastic squad, thecoaching staff have always believedin us and the fans have been brilliantall season,” he added.
“As a squad we never give up, wealways fight to the end, and you canbe sure we will all be giving it 110% inthe final.
“If we can win it, it will be the bestmoment of my career by a long way,there’s no doubt.”
make itplay- offs
JAMIEMcCOMBE■ FLYING HIGH: Jamie in
Galpharm action during thatunforgettable, rollercoaster play-offsecond leg win over Bournemouth
Born: Pontefract
Age 28
Position: Centre-back
Clubs: Scunthorpe (2001-04),Halifax Town (loan, 2003-04),Lincoln City (2003-06), Bristol City(2006-10), Town (2010 to date).
Status: Married to Emma. Babydaughter Esme. His brother Johnplayed for Town and is now at PortVale.
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12 League One Play-off FINAL HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
GGuunnnneerr mmiissss yyoouu!!Benik’s final Town gamebut he’ll always be gratefulto his friends in the North
came in 2008, when he also helped EnglandUnder 16s triumph in the Victory Shieldtournament, when he matched MichaelOwen’s record of four goals over the threegames.Afobe made his debut for Arsenal reservesat 16 years and four days, beating therecord of Jack Wilshere.And after being linked with the mightyBarcelona, he helped Arsenal win lastseason’s FA Premier Academy League titleand England triumph in the EuropeanUnder 17 Championships in Liechtenstein.With him every step of the way have beenhis parents, with dad Ange, who fledwar-torn Congo in 1990 and settled inEngland, a familiar sight at Town matches.“They’ve been brilliant, always spurring meon, and my dad has only missed a handfulof matches in my entire career,” explainedAfobe, who has a brother and two sisters.“They have always been there for me. Mumcan’t resist doing a bit of cooking andcleaning when she comes to visit me inHuddersfield – although I have to say I’mpretty tidy and I make a mean SpaghettiBolognese! – and my dad doesn’t hold backwhen it comes to giving me advice!”After early interruptions due to Arsenalrecalls and injury, Afobe has becomeincreasingly influential for Town, startingthe last 10 games (taking his totalappearances to 34) and reaching eightgoals, including a double in last month’s3-2 win at champions Brighton.“When I first signed, I thought I’d only behere for a month, so to be preparing for acup final at a place like Old Trafford isamazing,” he added.“Beating Bournemouth in the play-offsemi-finals was definitely my careerhighlight so far, but hopefully there’sanother to come against Peterborough.“Bournemouth were really toughopponents, and we know we can expect
YOU can take the man out ofHuddersfield – but Town willalways be a part of Benik
Afobe.The 18-year-old on-loan strike star has bigambitions of success with Arsenal.But whatever happens in the future, thehugely likeable Londoner will alwaysremember his friends in the North.“My time here has been fantastic, and I’dlove to play my part in a play-off finalwin,” said Afobe, who will join up withEngland Under 19s for their EuropeanChampionship qualifiers in Switzerlandstraight after tomorrow’s big match.“I’ve gained an unbelievable amount offirst-team experience for someone of myage, and I learn new things every day fromthe manager and the coaching staff, but it’sbeen about more than football.“Coming here means I’ve had to fend formyself and make new friends, and I thinkI’ve developed into more of a man.“Mind you, the people at the club and inthe town have been fantastic, and they’vemade it easy for me.“The staff and players have welcomed mesince day one, and they’ve all invited me tospend time with them and their friends andfamilies.“And the supporters have been superb.Down in Dagenham, where I live, nobodygives me a second glance, but up herepeople stop me when I’m shopping andwant to talk about Town.“There’s huge support for the club, and itbrings home to you just how much peoplewant us to succeed.“It’s great to be a part of it, and as far asI’m concerned, it’s been highlight afterhighlight ever since I’ve been here.”Afobe arrived in West Yorkshire inNovember, making his debut from thebench in the memorable 2-0 win overSheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, afterTown boss Lee Clark persuadedArsenal counterpart ArseneWenger (inset) that theGalpharm would be a greatplace for his development.Clark had long been trackingthe childhood West Hamsupporter, who signed forArsenal at six and played fortheir Under 16s as a13-year-old.His Gunners Under 18 debut
more of the same fromPeterborough, because they’re avery good side.“But we’re a very good side as
well, we’ve prepared really well,and we’re going there fully
focused on winningpromotion.”
13League One Play-off FINALPETERBOROUGH UTD
DANNYCADAMARTERI likesto drink his coffee
out of a clear glass in thestyle of the Italians andsing Scottish lullabies tohis kids.But when it comes to football,home is where the heart is as faras the 31-year-old fromCleckheaton is concerned.Back at Town for a second spellafter 18 months North of theborder with Dundee United, thestriker is desperate to play hispart in what would be the firstpromotion of his career.“I’m getting on a bit now, so it’shard to recall those early days,but I’m pretty sure I haven’tplayed in a promotion team!”said the man who burst onto thetop-flight scene with Everton asa 17-year-old and had thepleasure of netting in aMerseyside derby.He’s shown he still has thegoalden touch by three timescoming off the bench to slothome key strikes – at Exeter, onhis second Town debut,Bournemouth and MK Dons.And he’s more than happy toplay the role of impact substituteif that’s what manager Lee Clarkrequires.“Lots of people say youshouldn’t go back to oldstomping grounds, but I’ve beenfortunate to get the chance tocome back here when the club isflying high,” said the bubbly star.Cads, one of a select handful tohave played for West Yorkshire’sthree League clubs Town,Bradford and Leeds, made 50appearances, scoring five goals,in his first Galpharm stint,between 2007 and 2009.“The reason I left for Dundeewas because it offered me achance to play in big matchesand the Europa League, whichwas fantastic,” added the playerwho has also worn the colours ofSheffield United and Leicester aswell as having loan spells atFulham and Doncaster.“I enjoyed both the differentchallenge and the lifestyle inScotland, but we all missedYorkshire.“When the chance to return herecame along, I didn’t have tothink twice, and it’s been a reallyenjoyable few months.“The run we’ve been on isunbelievable really, and it showsjust how far the club and thesquad have come since I was firsthere.“We’ve got all the ingredients –talent, youth, experience andenergy – and while we’ve lost keyplayers like Damien Johnson andAnthony Pilkington, we’ve beenable to adapt.“We can cope with thoseabsences, and also alter our
formation to suit the match we’replaying in, and full marks to thelads for taking all that on board.“While coming back has beengreat for me personally, hopefullyI’ve added something to both theteam and the dressing room.“And it’s great to have got a fewgoals. The lads say I’m lucky, butI say it’s about being in the rightplace at the right time!”Cads, who won both EnglandUnder 18 and Under 21 capswhile at Everton, is hoping toequal his 14 outings for DundeeUnited this season with one
more for Town tomorrowand added: “We’veworked hard to get tothis game, and we can’twait for it to happen.“When we werepushing for automaticpromotion, every gamewas like a cup final, so really, thisone is the norm!“We go into it on a great runand with a winningmentality, and we allbelieve we can win andget the promotion we allcrave.”
I’LL RAISEA GLASS TOGOING UP!
Coffee-loving Cads so keento cement first promotion
■ OH DANNY BOY: Cadamarteri is congratulated byBenik Afobe and Antony Kay after scoring one of his goals
Fans maybe in fora thrillerON a hugely impressiveunbeaten runstretching back 27matches in the league,Town have beenscoring for fun of late.
They have hardlybeen water tight at theother end, however,while Peterborough’s46 league gamesproduced an incredible181 goals – so fanscould be in for a thriller.
The Terriers’ formmeans they are slightfavourites in the matchbetting at 2.5 (6/4) withBetdaq, while PaddyPower make LeeClark’s men odds-on at8/11 to go up.
Posh, meanwhile, arerated at 15/8 byLadbrokes to emergetriumphant in 90minutes, Stan Jamesprice DarrenFerguson’s men atevens to go up and it’s5/2 courtesy of VictorChandler for the teamsto be inseparable at theend of normal time.
Punters fancying thelatter can tackleTotesport’s 11/1 forTown to prevail via thedrama of a penaltyshoot-out or,alternatively, Betfred’s14/1 for the clash tofinish 2-2, as ahigh-scoring affairlooks on the cardsgiven the scoringrecords of the twosides.
With that in mind,Partybets’ 4/5 forthe prolific pair toproduce more than2.5 goals betweenthem and Coral’s8/13 for both teamsto find the net,catch the eye.
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IAN BENNETTGoalkeeper, 38
HAS been in outstandingform for Town this season,helping them create anunbeaten league run of 27matches.
The ex-Peterborough manstarred in the play-offsemi-final shoot-out againstBournemouth and hassigned a new one-year deal.
NICK COLGANGoalkeeper, 37
BACK-UP for Ian Bennett,the much-travelled stopperwon the League I play-offswith Barnsley back in 2006.
The former Republic ofIreland man who has alsoplayed for Chelsea, Hibs andGrimsby shone in his soleTown appearance, againstCarlisle in the JPT.
LEE PELTIERDefender, 24
THE right-back who can alsodo a solid job in midfieldplayed Champions Leaguefootball for his first clubLiverpool.
The ex-England youthplayer came to prominenceafter a move to Yeovil andhas been a fixture for Townsince signing in 2009.
JACK HUNTDefender, 20
BENEFITED hugely from aloan spell with League IIchampions Chesterfield,returning in January to makehis mark for Town.
He made a memorable fulldebut at Arsenal in the FACup and got his first careergoal against Peterboroughback in April.
GARY NAYSMITHDefender, 32
THE experienced Scotlandstar is back from injury andhas yet to taste defeat in aleague game for Town.
Edinburgh-born, he was aScottish Cup winner withHearts before playing forEverton, then SheffieldUnited, from whom he joinedTown last summer.
ANTONY KAYDefender, 28
LIKE Nick Colgan, he was aLeague I play-off winner withfirst club Barnsley five yearsago.
Mobile and strong in theair, the former Tranmere manwas signed as a midfielder in2009 but has often revertedto his original position ofcentre-back.
PETER CLARKEDefender, 29
THE club captain has had atremendous season and hasnow put pen to paper on along-term deal to 2015 at theclub.
The former Everton,Blackpool and SouthendUnited defender has becomea huge favourite at theGalpharm Stadium.
GARY ROBERTSWinger, 27
POPULAR member of thesquad who has netted 12goals this season in his 49appearances for the club.
Signed from Ipswich, hehas now played 125 Leaguematches for the Galpharmclub and is one of the mostdangerous players in thedivision.
SCOTT ARFIELDMidfield, 22
ENERGETIC contributor whowas signed from Falkirk lastsummer and has netted sixtimes in a total of 52appearances this term.
A Scottish Under 21international who has beenon the verge of the seniorsquad, he is versatile enoughto play at the back if needed.
JOEY GUDJONSSONMidfield, 31
AN Icelandic internationalwho has brought hisexperience to bear sincesigning from Burnley.
Celebrated his 31stbirthday three days ago andwill be hoping for an OldTrafford celebration.
Strikes a mean free-kick,just ask Charlton Athletic!
JORDAN RHODESStriker, 21
LEADING scorer with 22goals from 47 appearancesthis season and one of themost highly-rated youngplayers in League I.
Is on the radar of theScotland Under 21 side – hewent to school in Scotlandwhile his father, Andy, playedthere.
JAMIE McCOMBEDefender, 28
PLAYING in his sixth set ofplay-off matches and histhird final, having previouslyfeatured with Lincoln Cityand Bristol City.
Has been in terrific form inthe latter part of the seasonand has six goals to hiscredit to this season,showing his set-piece ability.
ALAN LEEStriker, 32
MUCH travelled andrespected, the Republic ofIreland international providedone of the highlights of theseason when he equalisedagainst Arsenal in the FACup at the Emirates Stadium.
His experience around thesquad has been invaluablesince he joined from Palace.
LEE NOVAKStriker, 22
AN astute signing fromnon-league Gateshead, hehas become one of the mostpopular players in LeeClark’s squad because of hisnon-stop workrate for theteam.
Has five goals this seasonand 19 in total from 46 startsand 38 sub appearances.
BENIK AFOBEStriker, 18
TALENTED loan man fromArsenal whose form hasearned him a call-up to theEngland Under 19 squad.
He will travel out toSwitzerland to join up withNoel Blake’s squad straightafter tomorrow’s final.
Has eight goals in Towncolours this term.
KEVIN KILBANEMidfield, 34
RECORD caps holder for theRepublic of Ireland and still inthe senior squad, he will belinking up with them for aEuropean qualifier straightafter tomorrow’s final.
Has made a massiveimpact since joining on loanfrom Hull City and has saidhe would like to stay.
DANNY WARDStriker, 19
THE loanee from Boltongoes into the play-off final inhot form, having netted in thesemi-final victory overBournemouth and alsoscored in the shoot-out.
Lively, skilful and with afierce shot, he’ll want tomake up for his loss in thefinal last season.
DANNY CADAMARTERIStriker, 31
IN his second spell with theclub, he’s one of the realcharacters in the game andalso a valuable asset with hisstrength and pace.
A Scottish Cup winner lastseason with Dundee United,Cads is determined to finishthis season with anotherwinners’ medal.
The mighty Terriers14 League One Play-off FINAL HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
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PAUL JONESGoalkeeper, 24
ON loan from Exeter City andthrown into the play-offspotlight when replacing theinjured Joe Lewis in thesemi-final against MK Dons.
Let in three goals in quicktime but redeemed himselfwith a clean sheet in thesecond leg at London Roadto help Posh through.
MARK LITTLERight-back, 22
THE former Wolves defenderhas pace as a massive asset,but he can be caught out ofposition and he's weakaerially.
He has been watched,however, by a number ofPremiership clubs, includingEverton. He is a fan of theGoodison Park club.
CHARLIE LEELeft-back, 24
PLAYED his best football thisseason in midfield. Hasn'tlooked at all happy atleft-back, probably becausehe prefers his right foot.
Began his career atTottenham and has been atLondon Road for four years,making over 150appearances for the club.
GABY ZAKUANICentre-back, 24
IMMENSE in the second halfof the season. Notcomfortable on the ball, butthere can't be a braverdefender in the division.
Has been suffering from ashoulder injury which forcedhim off in the semi-finalsecond leg against MK Donsand which remains a risk.
RYAN BENNETTCentre-back, 21
HAS looked like a £700,000player for most of theseason. Cool, composed andhe's toughened up.
An England Under 18 capwho played against Austria,he was signed from GrimsbyTown in 2009 after animpressive string of games atBlundell Park.
GRANT McCANNMidfield, 31
THE Northern Irelandinternational has a brilliantrange of passing and is aset-piece expert.
Starts most of the Poshattacks and is definitely athreat to look out for.
Was previously withScunthorpe, Barnsley andCheltenham.
JAMES WESOLOWSKIMidfield, 23
THE Australian import is theunsung worker of thePeterborough midfield.
A big battler with a bigheart, he loves a tackle andwill get about the pitch.
Previously at Leicester, hehad loan spells withCheltenham, Dundee Unitedand Hamilton.
TOMMY ROWEWinger, 22
HE has revelled in themidfield diamond thanks tobundles of energy, a goodtouch and he is capable ofscoring crucial goals.
From Wythenshawe, hehad two years with StockportCounty before signing for thePosh, where he has becomea fixture in the side.
GEORGE BOYDStriker, 25
Been in and out of formduring the season, butremains a quality player withmassive goal potential at hisbest.
The Chatham-bornfrontman began his careerwith Stevenage Borough,after playing youth football forCharlton Athletic.
LEE TOMLINWinger, 22
MADE a massive impact inhis first season in theFootball League.
Great touch, good vision,powerful shot, but needs torein in his temper at times onthe pitch.
Has eight goals in 37games since joining fromRushden and Diamonds.
CRAIGMACKAIL-SMITHStriker, 27
ONE of the undoubted starplayers of League I thisseason.
Great player with a terrificattitude, finishes well, quick,strong, much-improved in theair.
A new Scotland cap, he ison top form right now.
BARRY RICHARDSONGoalkeeper, 41
SIGNED in February lastyear as both player andgoalkeeping coach, he hasvast experience over a23-year career.
Became a regular andplayed most of his seniormatches for Lincoln City andthen Northampton Town.Well respected in the game.
KELVIN LANGMEADDefender, 26
HAVING started out atPreston North End, hebecame a regular over asix-year period withShrewsbury Town.
Played well over 200matches for the club beforebeing signed at London Roadin 2010. Has two goals in 15appearances so far.
ARRON DAVIESMidfield, 26
Joined Posh on a freetransfer in the summer of2010 after spells with Yeoviland Nottingham Forest.
The Welshman can play ineither of the wide positions oras a central striker if neededas an option.
A regular on thesubstitutes’ bench this term.
DAVID BALLStriker, 21
PLAYED on loan withSwindon last season beforedeciding to leave ManchesterCity for London Road.
Was a member of theManchester City team whichwon the FA Youth Cup in2008.
Became a regular scorer inthe Premier reserve league.
NATHANIELMENDEZ-LAINGWinger, 19
HAS played this season onloan from WolverhamptonWanderers and has nettedfive goals in 33 appearances.
Born in Birmingham, hehas played for the Englandage-group sides and he willbe desperate to get into theaction tomorrow.
CHRIS WHELPDALEMidfield, 24
Played non-league forMaldon Town and BillericayTown before signing pro forPeterborough in 2007.
Had a loan spell atGillingham last year, playingfour matches, but he hasbeen a solid contributor forPosh and has 118 gamesunder his belt (12 goals).
GRANT BASEYLeft-back, 22
HAS made 22 appearancesthis season for Barnet andPosh, netting two goals.
Signed from Barnet on afree in January and made hisdebut for the London Roadclub in a 2-0 win at Yeovil atthe beginning of February,when he got his name on thescoresheet.
The Posh boys15League One Play-off FINALPETERBOROUGH UTD
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16-page specialplay-off supplement
Monday, May 23, 2011
The electrical sales and l- it’s a team thing to give you what
SAFE & SOUNDTOP FLIGHT – Pages 10-11
FANS – Pages 4-5SMITHIES – Pages 2-3
n ALEX SMITHIES: he hasbeen working his way back tofitness and will be ready forpre-season, hopefully in theChampionship
Smithies tonicas Town startcountdown toplay-off final
By MEL BOOTHSports [email protected] SMITHIES has highhopes that when he rejoinsthe squad for pre-seasontraining, buoyant Town willbe celebrating their returnto the ChampionshipThe 21-year-old stopper hasbeen ruled out of the majority ofTown’s run-in and the play-offmatches against Bournemouth andPeterborough.He will watch Sunday’s OldTrafford final as a fan, and Smith-ies promised: “We are part ofsomething very special here as asquad, and I’m a HuddersfieldTown fan as well, so if we go upthat’s all that matters.“Even though there has beenno game time for me recently, I’dlike to think I’ve played somepart in us getting to this point,having been involved in20-odd games, and we justwant to see it through to theend and reach the Champion-ship.
“I’m very disappointed to missout on the play-offs from a per-sonal point of view, but there’s noreason why I shouldn’t be fullyback and ready for our pre-seasonbuild-up. I am fit again now.”l Full story Pages 2 & 3
THISMONDAY INCLUDES
● Match report● Andy Booth
column● Town crier● Big name
interviews● Lots of pix
All theaction, all thephotos, all theinterviews fromHuddersfield Town’s
