Dean Hoyle became chairman of Huddersfield Town in 2009 and is about to sell the club to American businessman Kevin Nagle. Over those 14 years Town have seen some serious talent come and go.

Just for fun Huddersfield Hub sports editor and Town fan STEVEN DOWNES picks his five best signings of the Hoyle era. Here they are in no particular order.

1. Peter Clarke

One of the most influential Huddersfield Town captains in recent memory. Dubbed ‘Captain Fantastic’ Clarke put his body on the line for the Terriers. He signed in 2009 and left in 2014 after helping to promote the club from League One to the Championship. 

Clarke was an old school centre-back. He was brave, led by example and tackled anything that moved.

Signing from Southend, Clarke’s five years at Town were a rollercoaster of emotions with failed play-off attempts and last day relegation survival. Clarke made an impression on a club that can never be forgotten.

Although it ended bitterly with Clarke having to move on to Blackpool after losing his place, those sore feelings have since healed with the 41-year-old remembering his time at Town fondly. In all Clarke played 224 times for Town scoring 11 goals.

2. Jordan Rhodes

Jordan Rhodes has played for Town across two spells. Arriving at the John Smith’s Stadium then called the Galpharm Stadium in 2009 from Ipswich Town for £350,000 he was sold just three seasons later for £8 million having scored 40 goals in the 2011-12 campaign.

He famously scored five in one match against Wycombe and helped promote the club from League One to the Championship. 

Just as important as Clarke was at the back, Rhodes was imperative up front. Even at his peak he didn’t rely on pace but read the game majestically.

Rhodes had an eye for goal and made every kind of finish look effortless. The Scottish International was one of the hottest young prospects in the league. 

After helping Town get promoted, he moved on to Blackburn for a league record fee at that time. He went on to play for Norwich, Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday before joining Town once again on a free transfer in July 2021. Although not as prolific this time around, Rhodes is no doubt still a quality player at this level. 

He has played over 200 times for the Terriers and has scored 97 goals in all competitions, making him Town’s 6th all-time leading goalscorer.

3. Christopher Schindler

Schindler is one of the most highly thought of players in not just Dean Hoyle’s time at Town but the club’s entire history. A man who fired us into the Premier League and wrote his name into the history books when scoring that winning penalty at Wembley against Reading.

Schindler was a classy central defender with a no-nonsense attitude and an eye for a pass. He very rarely made an error and always made sure he represented the club with dignity and pride.

Like Clarke, Schindler was at Town for five years and just like Clarke’s time it was a rollercoaster of emotions, with promotion to the Premier League and a relegation back to the Championship. The 32-year-old German will certainly never be forgotten.

Schindler played 185 times for Town scoring five goals.

4. Jonathan Hogg 

Hogg has played for Huddersfield Town for a full decade. Signing in 2013 for just £400k, I personally think Hoggy has been the best signing the club has made. 

That’s not just down to value for money but also for what he contributes to the whole club and the wider community. Hoggy has ingrained himself into the club’s DNA. He hasn’t always been infallible on the pitch but no one can say he hasn’t shown commitment, passion, loyalty and pride over the years. 

Hogg has played 331 times for Town scoring five goals.

5. Aaron Mooy

Mooy first came to Town on loan from Manchester City. The Australian had played previously up in Scotland at St Mirren before heading back Down Under.

He signed for City in 2016 but bosses at the Etihad thought a stint under Town boss David Wagner in the Championship would be the perfect next step for the midfielder. 

Mooy was an all-rounder, he was the engine room of Town’s team that season. A box to box player who could grab a goal, he had a superb pass on him and was a class act. A quiet personality off the pitch, Mooy did his talking where it mattered.

After the promotion season of 2017, Town signed Mooy on a permanent basis for £8 million rising to £10 million. 

Mooy was instrumental in helping the club stay in the Premier League in their first season. After relegation to the Championship, Mooy was sent out on loan to Brighton in 2019 and later made the move permanent. 

Mooy has played 69 times for Town scoring seven goals.

Those are my favourite five. Who are yours?