There aren’t many players since the new millennium that you’d call a Huddersfield Town legend. However Christopher Schindler easily falls into that category.
The German centre-back fired himself into the annals of Huddersfield Town history with one simple kick of a football. That penalty kick promoted the club to the Premier League in 2017. The promised land, a division Town hadn’t seen since 1972. A 45-year wait on which a moment, a glimpse of time standing still, will never be forgotten.
‘Schindy’ is much more than just about that one kick though. The 31-year-old is undoubtedly the best defender the club has had for more than three decades. While not the quickest, his timing of a tackle was exemplary and he was considered as one of the best centre-backs in England in the first season in the Premier League.
Unfortunately Schindler won’t be able to pull on a Town shirt one more time in front of the Town faithful. Having suffered various injuries throughout the season he didn’t really play a part in the last campaign.
With his destination likely to be FC Nuremberg back in Germany, his five years in England have come to an end. He played over 170 games for the club over a five-year period.
The club intends to invite Schindler back to the stadium when Covid-19 restrictions allow and when the John Smith’s Stadium can be full of fans once more to give him the farewell he deserves.
Schindler has sent an emotional goodbye to Town fans via the club’s YouTube channel.
He said: “In the Premier League, the dynamic we had in our home games especially with the supporters behind us, and even in the last year where it was really really difficult…don’t get me wrong, I know there was frustration and there should be as well about how things went.
“But when the supporters could still come I felt they pushed us and helped us to get the results we needed.
“I would have loved to have another game in front of everyone and say my goodbyes, but I guess we’re all sitting in the same boat in a way and unfortunately we can’t just change things like we want.
“I think I can speak on everyone’s behalf. When David was here we had a very energetic way of playing football so it was easy for supporters to buy into it and made it so hard for teams who came to our place.
“We made it a fortress because the energy on the pitch and the energy on the stands was too much for some teams.
“I think they played a big part in our promotion season and the final. Don’t under-estimate the effect supporters can have.
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“And the second year…everyone was so excited when we went off the team bus, people waiting, cheering, wanting signatures. You need to appreciate it and embrace it I think as a football player.
“But even after that, you could still feel that people were enjoying it and halfway through the [second Premier League] season they knew we weren’t going to survive in the league but they still appreciated it if we gave our best.
“So the supporters here are something special, I guess because when David came in and bought in the players we created a special bond with them.
“It was always going to be a good relationship. There’s always going to be frustrations and the expectations always go higher and higher and higher but I’ve never seen anything like that – the ruthless support even when it’s difficult.
“All I can say is thank you to everyone – not only from me but my family, when I would be around with my family they gave me some space and whatnot.
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“I can only speak really, really highly of everyone and I’d like to thank everyone for supporting me and making me feel welcome as well.
“And on behalf of the team as well for sticking with us even when it was difficult and giving us that push. Nobody knows what would have happened if we hadn’t had that support.”
The Terriers will have to soldier on without one of the club’s stalwarts. Head coach Carlos Corberan has one hell of a challenge to fill the boots that Schindler has left behind.
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‘Didn’t really play a part in the last campaign’?
In fact, Schindler was the determining factor in our success – and lack of it – in this 20-21 season.
While he was in our very inexperienced and unpromising team, we reached a most respectable and unexpected mid-table spot, even being within very few points of an undreamed of play-off spot. His injury – sustained as he sacrificed himself clearing up after a youngsters mistake – and subsequent absence, left the defence bereft and clueless. Those horrendous, calamitous defensive performances against Bournemouth and Norwich would never have happened had Schindler remained fit and active.
He has too much loyalty and integrity to say so, but it feels as if the club has not afforded him the respect he has earned at the end of his amazing five year spell with us. Nuremberg are getting a leader, an uncomplaining servant and a calming presence in their team. He will be worth every penny they pay him. While Town will be very very unlikely to find an adequate replacement for him. I fear for our defence next year!