I have been a Huddersfield Town fan since the age of 14, my first match was in 2009. Thirteen years on I will be travelling down to Wembley Stadium to cheer on my beloved club in its second Championship play-off final.
History could once again be made, another magical journey continued, another chapter to be written in the fascinating and incomprehensible tale of Huddersfield Town. What will I be feeling on Sunday? Pride, that’s what.
As a child who has grown up with football my dad has always taught me to act with class, respect and humility win, lose or draw.
If Nottingham Forest (Town’s opponents in the final) beat us on the day, I shall congratulate them even in my own disappointment. If we win I won’t shove it down their throats.
All I am bothered about is how the lads who run out on that hallowed turf represent us in blue and white. So far this season they have been fantastic, they are a good bunch of players but, more importantly, human beings.
This team is different to the heroes of 2017 and that’s fine, they’ve done it their own way. What I love about this team is their connection to us, the fans. It’s similar to 2017 but different.
Examples include Harry Toffolo supporting fan Daryl Hopson before he lost his battle with cancer, or how some players tried to help Naby Sarr in Ramadan to the point they covered up the dressing room fridge. Then there’s Lee Nicholls being passionate about the new sensory rooms at the John Smith’s Stadium. This Town team are special – and not just because of their skill with a ball.
Whether we go up or not the players should be respected for how they have changed our club, how they have developed the connection with the fans and brought it back from the brink.
When I sit in my seat at Wembley and watch the lads walk out, let’s not be scared of Forest. I want the players to show the opposition who we are. Let’s put challenges in, show grit and determination and quality.
Town fans talk of past play-off finals still to this day, some are over 20 years ago. You, as players, have a chance to become – in David Wagner’s words – ‘Living Legends.’
We, as fans, will back you all the way. You’ve done us proud, we’ll sing loud so go out there and take the moment, seize the day and – as Christopher Schindler did in 2017 – TAKE THAT CHANCE!!!
