# Huddersfield Town A.F.C. Reserves and Academy

The Huddersfield Town B Team is the reserve team of League One football club Huddersfield Town. They play competitive football in the Central League and the Premier League Cup.
The Huddersfield Town Academy represent the club at youth level, the most senior team being the Under 18s who play in the EFL Youth Alliance North Division. Their biggest achievement is reaching the FA Youth Cup final in the 1973–74 season, losing 2–1 on aggregate to Tottenham Hotspur.
Home games for all sides are played at the club's training ground, Canalside, with the exception of some higher profile cup games which take place at the first team's John Smith's Stadium.

## B Team

The club first entered a reserve team into a competition in the 1910–11 season, taking the first team's place in the Midland Football League upon their election to the Football League. They later played one season in the Yorkshire Combination, before joining the Central League in 1913–14, a competition they have won four times.

### History
#### Reserve team years

The Huddersfield Town reserves competed in The Central League Division One East until the 2009–10 season when Huddersfield Town manager Lee Clark chose not to enter a reserve team in the Central League during the 2010-11 season, instead planning a series of high-quality friendlies. Clark stated that "the idea of reserve team football is to bridge the gap between youth teams and first team football" and that "[we] have faced a lot of very young sides in the reserve league this season, and that will not provide our own young professionals with the test they need".
Whilst playing at reserve league level, the reserves split their home games between A.F.C. Emley's Welfare Ground and the Galpharm Stadium.
First team coach Paul Stephenson was the last serving reserve team manager.

#### Development squad (2009–2012)

Lee Clark saw through his idea to discontinue the reserve team and subsequently created the club's development squad, to be managed by development coach Steve Watson. Following a behind-closed-doors game at Doncaster Rovers, Watson described the team's games as "working very well" "from both perspectives – fitness for our first team squad members and as a way of integrating the younger players into a higher level of football."
When Lee Clark left as manager of the first team on 15 February 2012, his coaching staff (including Watson) also left the club. On 12 April 2012 the club appointed former Manchester City Elite Development Squad leader and Rochdale first team manager Steve Eyre as the club's senior professional development Coach.
Most fixtures have so far been played at the club's training ground, Canalside, but occasionally the Galpharm Stadium has been used to host Development Squad games that are open to the public.

#### Professional Development League (2012–2020)

From the 2012–13 season, Huddersfield's development squad will compete in the newly formed Under-21 Professional Development League in the League 2 North Division. The league was set up as part of the wide-reaching Elite Player Performance Plan, and Town will be one of 12 clubs in the Category 2 Northern section along with Crewe Alexandra, Barnsley, Birmingham City, Coventry City, Derby County, Leeds United, Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday and Wigan Athletic. The fixtures are set up to mirror those in the FA Premier Academy League for Under 18s.
In the 2019–20 season, a Huddersfield team entered a small league (under-21 plus three overage) along with Brentford and four Scottish clubs.

#### B Team (2020–present)

In 2020 the club launched its B Team, effectively replacing the under-21 and under-23 age-level teams, and re-entered the Central League whilst continuing to take part in the Premier League Cup competition.

### Current squad

    As of 5 November 2024
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 35 | GK | ENG | Francis Hurl |
| — | GK | ENG | Oliver Riva |
| — | DF | ENG | Luke Daley |
| — | DF | ENG | Charlie Knowles |
| 33 | DF | ENG | Omari Mrisho |
| — | DF | IRL | Aaron O'Reilly |
| — | DF | NED | Eko Solomon |
| 34 | MF | ENG | Cameron Ashia |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | MF | ENG | Scott High |
| — | MF | ENG | Cian Philpott |
| — | MF | ENG | Michael Stone |
| 36 | MF | ENG | Daniel Vost |
| — | FW | POL | Zak Abbott |
| — | FW | ENG | Fopefoluwa Deru |
| — | FW | NIR | Conor Falls |
| 37 | FW | ENG | Peter Thomas |

### Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |

### Honours

* The Central League Champions: 4
** 1914–15, 1924–25, 1925–26, 1930–31
* U21 Professional Development League 2 North, 1st Place:
** 2013–14

## Academy

The role of the Huddersfield Town Academy is to develop players and their abilities to their full potential for the club's first team. The academy has produced a number of players, including former England under-21 players Andy Booth and Jon Stead, former Irish Under 21 internationals Michael Collins and James Berrett as well as Nathan Clarke, who made 300 appearances for the first team. The current Academy Manager is former academy graduate Jon Worthington, with the under-18 team coached by Oliver Jeffries.

### History
#### Future

After the arrival of chairman Dean Hoyle in the summer of 2009, there was an overall development in every aspect of Huddersfield Town, including the academy. The main development taking place with regards to the academy is the current redevelopment of the club's new training complex, Canalside. The project will conclude with the academy players training alongside their first-team counterparts for the first time at a high quality, purpose-built facility.
The 2024-25 season saw the return of the academy to Category Three status, seeing the reinstation of teams below the under-19 level.

### Current academy squad

    As of 5 November 2024
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | GK | ENG | Hugo Bennett |
| — | GK | ENG | Alex Walpole |
| — | DF | ENG | Anthony Gregory |
| — | DF | ENG | Nicolas Idemudia |
| — | DF | ENG | Joe Nicholson |
| — | DF | ENG | Jay Smith-Sway |
| — | MF | ENG | Oliver Calland |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | MF | ENG | Donnell Garrick |
| — | MF | ENG | Milkyas Mebrahtu |
| — | MF | WAL | Marlie Neil |
| — | MF | ENG | Luke Schofield |
| — | MF | RSA | Gabriano Shelton |
| — | FW | ENG | Zac Bowker |
| — | FW | ENG | Mohamed Fikri |
* U18 Professional Development League 2 Champions:
** 2013–14

### Current academy staff

| Position | Staff |
| President | Sir Patrick Stewart |
| Academy Manager | Jonathan Worthington |
| Strategic Advisor | David Wetherall |
| Head of Coaching | George Danaher |
| B Team Coach | Michael Tonge |
| Professional Development Phase Lead Coach | Oliver Jeffries |
| Youth Development Lead Coach | Oran Thompson |
| Foundation Phase Lead Coach | Josh Waddingham |
| Under-16s Coach | Paul Quinn |
| Academy Goalkeeping Coach Neil | Neil Bennett |
Last updated: 5 Nov 2024 Source: New Hires Complete Town Academy Coaching Structure

## Recent academy graduates

Academy graduates who still play for Huddersfield, including those that are currently out on loan to other clubs, are highlighted in green.
Appearances and goals are those in competitive fixtures for Huddersfield Town.
| Player | Current Club | Born | International Honours | Debut | Apps | Goals | Manager |
| Nicholas Bilokapic | Huddersfield Town | Camperdown | Australia U-17 | Age 19 v Burnley (a), 8 January 2022 | 1 | 0 | Carlos Corberán |
| Etienne Camara | Huddersfield Town | Noisy-le-Grand | | Age 17 v Plymouth Argyle (h), 9 January 2021 | 1 | 0 | Carlos Corberán |
| Myles Bright | Huddersfield Town | London | | Age 18 v Plymouth Argyle (h), 9 January 2021 | 1 | 0 | Carlos Corberán |
| Mustapha Olagunju | Huddersfield Town | Plumstead | | Age 19 v Plymouth Argyle (h), 9 January 2021 | 1 | 0 | Carlos Corberán |
| Pat Jones | Huddersfield Town | Stockport | Wales U-17 | Age 17 v Plymouth Argyle (h), 9 January 2021 | 3 | 0 | Carlos Corberán |
| Brahima Diarra | Huddersfield Town | Paris | | Age 17 v AFC Bournemouth (a), 12 December 2020 | 2 | 0 | Carlos Corberán |
| Romoney Crichlow | Huddersfield Town | Luton | | Age 21 v Rochdale (h), 5 September 2020 | 6 | 1 | Carlos Corberán |
| Ben Jackson | Huddersfield Town | Stockport | | Age 19 v Rochdale (h), 5 September 2020 | 3 | 0 | Carlos Corberán |
| Josh Austerfield | Huddersfield Town | Morley | | Age 19 v Rochdale (h), 5 September 2020 | 2 | 0 | Carlos Corberán |
| Scott High | Huddersfield Town | Sheffield | Scotland U-21 | Age 19 v Millwall (a), 22 July 2020 | 40 | 0 | Danny Schofield |
| Micah Obiero | Huddersfield Town | London | | Age 19 v Millwall (a), 22 July 2020 | 1 | 0 | Danny Schofield |
| Kian Harratt | Huddersfield Town | Barnsley | | Age 17 v Leeds United (h), 7 December 2019 | 1 | 0 | Danny Cowley |
| Rarmani Edmonds-Green | Huddersfield Town | London | | Age 19 v Lincoln City (h), 13 August 2019 | 27 | 2 | Jan Siewert |
| Ryan Schofield | Huddersfield Town | Huddersfield | England U-20 | Age 19 v Lincoln City (h), 13 August 2019 | 35 | 0 | Jan Siewert |
| Lewis O'Brien | Huddersfield Town | Colchester | | Age 20 v Queens Park Rangers (a), 10 August 2019 | 128 | 8 | Jan Siewert |
| Matty Daly | Huddersfield Town | Stockport | England U-18 | Age 18 v Watford (h), 20 April 2019 | 12 | 1 | Jan Siewert |
| Aaron Rowe | Huddersfield Town | London | | Age 18 v AFC Bournemouth (h), 9 March 2019 | 26 | 2 | Jan Siewert |
| Jordan Williams | Barnsley | Huddersfield | England U-18 | Age 17 v Rotherham United (h), 23 August 2017 | 1 | 0 | David Wagner |
| Lloyd Allinson | Gainsborough Trinity | Rothwell | | Age 22 v Brentford (h), 7 May 2016 | 1 | 0 | David Wagner |
| Flo Bojaj | Etar | London | Albania U-17 | Age 19 v Milton Keynes Dons (h), 20 October 2015 | 7 | 1 | Chris Powell |
| Joe Wilkinson | Ossett Albion | Dewsbury | | Age 19 v Blackburn Rovers (h), 25 April 2015 | 1 | 0 | Chris Powell |
| Jake Charles | Stafford Rangers | Leeds | Wales U-21 | Age 19 v Fulham (h), 21 March 2015 | 1 | 0 | Chris Powell |
| Will Boyle | Cheltenham Town | Leeds | | Age 19 v Reading (h), 24 February 2015 | 2 | 0 | Chris Powell |
| Matt Crooks | Rotherham United | Leeds | | Age 20 v AFC Bournemouth (h), 9 August 2014 | 1 | 0 | Mark Robins |
| Philip Billing | Bournemouth | Copenhagen | Denmark U-21 | Age 17 v Leicester City (h), 26 April 2014 | 91 | 6 | Mark Robins |
| Duane Holmes | Huddersfield Town | Columbus, Georgia | United States | Age 18 v Hull City (a), 24 September 2013 | 86 | 9 | Mark Robins |
| Jordan Sinnott | Deceased | Bradford | | Age 18 v Leicester City (h), 26 January 2013 | 5 | 0 | Mark Lillis |
| Aidan Chippendale | Shaw Lane | Bradford | | Age 18 v Bristol Rovers (a), 12 March 2011 | 1 | 0 | Lee Clark |
| Jack Hunt | Bristol City | Rothwell | | Age 20 v Colchester United (h), 23 January 2011 | 121 | 4 | Lee Clark |
| Chris Atkinson | Farsley Celtic | Halifax | | Age 18 v Macclesfield Town (h), 27 November 2010 | 13 | 1 | Lee Clark |
| Liam Ridehalgh | Tranmere Rovers | Halifax | | Age 19 v Charlton Athletic (h), 28 August 2010 | 26 | 0 | Lee Clark |
| Simon Eastwood | Oxford United | Luton | England U-19 | Age 19 v Leyton Orient (a), 2 May 2009 | 1 | 0 | Lee Clark |
| Alex Smithies | Cardiff City | Huddersfield | England U-19 | Age 17 v Southend United (a), 5 December 2007 | 274 | 0 | Andy Ritchie |
| Daniel Broadbent | Mossley | Leeds | England U-16 | Age 17 v Tranmere Rovers (a), 26 October 2007 | 6 | 0 | Andy Ritchie |
| Shane Killock | Bradford Park Avenue | Huddersfield | | Age 18 v Crewe Alexandra (a), 7 September 2007 | 1 | 0 | Andy Ritchie |
| Lucas Akins | Burton Albion | Huddersfield | | Age 18 v Northampton Town (a), 27 April 2007 | 6 | 0 | Andy Ritchie |
| James Berrett | Halifax Town | Halifax | Rep. Ireland U-21 | Age 18 v Oldham Athletic (a), 7 April 2007 | 41 | 2 | Gerry Murphy |
| Danny Racchi | Free Agent | Elland | | Age 19 v Port Vale (h), 31 March 2007 | 6 | 0 | Gerry Murphy |
| Joe Skarz | Kettering Town | Huddersfield | | Age 17 v Scunthorpe United (h), 4 November 2006 | 81 | 1 | Peter Jackson |
| James Hand | Kingscourt Harps | Drogheda | Rep. Ireland U-21 | Age 18 v Boston United (a), 19 October 2005 | 2 | 0 | Peter Jackson |
| Aaron Hardy | Farsley | South Elmsall | | Age 19 v Boston United (a), 19 October 2005 | 19 | 0 | Peter Jackson |
| Matty Young | Frickley Athletic | Leeds | | Age 19 v Walsall (h), 15 October 2005 | 42 | 2 | Peter Jackson |
| Michael Collins | Alfreton Town | Halifax | Rep. Ireland U-21 | Age 18 v Blackpool (h), 19 February 2005 | 197 | 22 | Peter Jackson |
| Tom Clarke | Salford City | Halifax | England U-19 | Age 17 v Milton Keynes Dons (a), 12 February 2005 | 112 | 3 | Peter Jackson |
| John McAliskey | Huddersfield YMCA | Huddersfield | Rep. Ireland U-21 | Age 19 v Macclesfield Town (h), 13 March 2004 | 48 | 8 | Peter Jackson |
| Anthony Lloyd | Retired | Taunton | | Age 19 v Leyton Orient (h), 27 September 2003 | 51 | 3 | Peter Jackson |
| Adnan Ahmed | Retired | Burnley | Pakistan | Age 19 v Rochdale (a), 16 September 2003 | 45 | 2 | Peter Jackson |
| Andy Holdsworth | Barnsley (Academy Coach) | Pontefract | | Age 19 v Bristol Rovers (h), 30 August 2003 | 261 | 8 | Peter Jackson |
| John McCombe | Chester | Pontefract | | Age 17 v Oldham Athletic (h), 3 May 2003 | 20 | 0 | Mel Machin |
| David Mirfin | Mansfield Town | Sheffield | | Age 18 v Oldham Athletic (h), 3 May 2003 | 179 | 12 | Mel Machin |
| Phil Senior | Retired | Huddersfield | | Age 20 v Crewe Alexandra (a), 18 January 2003 | 57 | 0 | Mick Wadsworth |
| Nat Brown | Brighouse Town | Sheffield | | Age 21 v Northampton Town (a), 14 September 2002 | 84 | 0 | Mick Wadsworth |
| Paul Scott | Retired | Wakefield | | Age 22 v Peterborough United (a), 17 August 2002 | 37 | 2 | Mick Wadsworth |
| Jon Worthington | Huddersfield Town (Academy Physio) | Dewsbury | | Age 19 v Plymouth Argyle (a), 13 August 2002 | 237 | 14 | Mick Wadsworth |
| Jon Stead | Notts County | Huddersfield | England U21 | Age 19 v Brentford (h), 10 August 2002 | 100 | 27 | Mick Wadsworth |
| Nathan Clarke | Halifax Town | Halifax | | Age 18 v Stoke City (a), 8 September 2001 | 299 | 10 | Lou Macari |
Information in the above table is correct as of 5 May 2022