Academy Manager happy with pre-season so far
Huddersfield Town Academy Manager Mark Lillis has told htafc.com that he is delighted with the progress his young players have already made over the early part of pre-season.
Lillis, a cult hero with Town fans from his playing days, is overseeing his first pre-season as Academy Manager and his young charges are progressing well.
They are currently unbeaten in pre-season, with the latest triumph a 2-0 win against Brighouse Town’s senior side on Friday night.
“Brighouse Town was a really worthwhile fixture. Like Kinsley they are another local team and they really looked after us,” Mark told the Club’s official site.
“I was speaking to people at Brighouse and they were talking about players in the area and explaining how they took their team to Wembley too, so it’s important we get involved with these teams locally.
“Our team were great; they passed the ball and pressed the opponents. Frankie Bunn and Tony Carss take a lot of credit for that because they’ve been working with the team over the last few weeks; they have bonded well.
“The players have really come together too – I’m really encouraged by how quickly the spirit has grown in that group. The scholars have gained good momentum and their work ethic is great. That’s how I want our Academy teams to play; they should have a good work rate and passion but also express themselves and play with no fear. The young boys are doing that and so far they have played three, won three, but it’s when you have lost a couple that the real characters shine through and that will be a good test for us.
“That’s down to little things. When I first came into the Academy the first years were changing in one room and the second years in another, but now they are all mingling in together. That’s why Canalside is such a massive thing for me – the scholars are alongside the first team lads and that is bringing them out of their shells.
“We’re progressing well and some of the boys will move up the pathway; three or four of the under-18s will be involved in the Development Game at Liverpool on Wednesday and at Radcliffe Borough on Friday night. It doesn’t matter what age you are; if you’re 15, 16 or 17 and you’re doing well, you will get your chance.”
htafc.com will have a match report from the Development Game at Liverpool on Wednesday!
