Huddersfield Town Women FC’s new manager Glen Preston says it was an emotional moment stepping into the dugout for his first game back in charge – six years on from his last spell at the helm.
Preston, a title-winner with the club in 2014, says the Terriers have always had a special place in his heart.
Preston and his new team put on a fantastic performance last Wednesday sealing a 3-0 home win against Fylde in his first game. The victory was an important one because it keeps the Terriers in touch with teams at the top.
Town currently sit fourth in the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division. They are five points behind the league leaders Derby County.
On being back in the dugout for the first time since leaving the club back in 2015, Preston said: “Since I arrived back I’ve been taking a walk down Memory Lane really. We made some brilliant memories in the two seasons I was at the club before.
“When we won the combination league in 2013-14 that was a proud moment. All those great memories came flooding back when I received the call from Alison Bamforth asking me to return.
“The club has changed a lot. The junior and development team set up is absolutely fantastic and you can tell the club has put a lot of effort into that side of things which is brilliant to see.
“Entering that dugout against Fylde at the Stafflex Arena was emotional because Huddersfield has always held a special place in my heart.”
Unusually Preston is walking back into a club where he has managed the majority of the Town squad before. He either managed them at Huddersfield in his first stint or at other clubs in his last five years. Preston believes this is a good thing because it will not take the players long to get up to speed.
He said: “I know a lot of the players which is great, there are still a fair few here from when I was here in 2015, players such as Kate Mallin for example. I have managed some of the others at other clubs like Ria Montgomery.
“I think this will help us move forward because it won’t take us weeks to work eachother out and for the girls to slip into how I want to play.
READ MORE: How Glen Preston replaced Steve Appleton as manager
“I have always liked my teams to score goals. However, unlike in my younger coaching days where it was ‘if you score three we’ll score four attitude’, I am a lot more pragmatic now.”
Preston believes he has developed as a coach and has changed as a person since his previous spell in charge and thinks he’ll be able to take the club forward once more.
He said: “I am a different person now in some respects. I think I’m maybe a bit calmer now. I see situations in a different light to what I might have done when I was younger.
“I have learned a lot in my time away but I am as determined and as passionate as ever to do my best for this club.”
Preston was certainly a passionate coach in his first stint at HTWFC and that hasn’t diminished in his six years away from the club.
The ultimate aim is again to fight for promotion but Preston insists he has his eye on other silverware too.
He said: “The league is always the most important thing and, of course, we will be fighting for promotion no matter how tricky the financial situation is to get over.
“One regret I have from last time, though, is not picking up a cup for the club. I would love us to win a cup this time around. That would be a great achievement.”
Town’s next fixture is away at Sheffield FC on Sunday November 28 (1.00) in the FA Women’s Cup second round.
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