Huddersfield Town

- James Haycock leaves Huddersfield Town for Arsenal

- Ian Kirkpatrick and Dave Hanson move up to take new roles

- Former Club Captain Jon Worthington rejoins Town

James Haycock, Town’s Head of Medical and First Team physio, is leaving to join Premier League Arsenal’s medical team, working under Head Physio Colin Lewin.

James (pictured above) joined the Club from Hartlepool United in July 2012, shortly after the appointment of Simon Grayson and the Club’s subsequent promotion to the Championship.

 

James is a popular and respected member of the Technical Staff at Huddersfield Town and everyone at the Club would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him well with the FA Cup holders.    

 

As a result, Assistant First Team Physiotherapist Ian Kirkpatrick will now step up to become the Club’s new Head of Medical.

 

Ian, who joined the Terriers in October 2012, graduated from Northumbria University in 2006 and became the Senior Physiotherapist at Ramsay Healthcare, Euxton Hall Hospital. He worked primarily as a clinician, but also worked in the Hospital’s Orthopaedic Department.  Prior to his work in the hospital, Kirkpatrick worked alongside James Haycock as the Youth Team and Reserve Team physiotherapist at Hartlepool United. Ahead of joining Town, he worked at Wigan Athletic during the Club’s time in the Premier League.

 

Ian has been an integral part of the First Team medical setup and a familiar face on the bench, as well as carrying out duties physio for the Under-21 Development Squad.

 

Ian’s role as Assistant First Team Physiotherapist will be taken by Dave Hanson, who is currently the Senior Academy Physiotherapist at Huddersfield Town working in the Academy’s Professional Development phase with the Under-18 group.

 

Dave has worked in Town’s Academy setup for almost three years having previously worked at Bradford City both in the Centre of Excellence and for the Bantams’ First Team. He was also a striker during a long playing career in the Football League and non-league circuit.  

 

The final change to the Club’s Medical Department sees former captain Jon Worthington return as Town’s new Academy Physiotherapist in the Professional Development Phase, taking over from Dave Hanson. 

A graduate of Town’s Academy, tough-tackling midfielder Jon played for the Club for seven seasons between 2002 and 2009, racking up 237 appearances and playing a key role in the promotion from League 2 in the 2003/04 season.

Most recently he has been working as a physio at FC Halifax Town. 

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Huddersfield Town Manager Chris Powell commented:

 

“Although we are disappointed to see James leave Huddersfield Town, we recognise this is a great opportunity for him. 

“He’s the second member of our staff to join a top Premier League side in recent weeks, which is a feather in the cap of our club. It is testament to the individuals concerned, but also to the past recruitment and the environment at the Club, which allows people to develop and progress in their careers. That’s good for them and good for the Club. 

 

“Part of the Club’s philosophy is to promote from within where possible – and that is the case for both Ian and Dave. Everyone at the Club had no hesitation in deciding to move Ian and Dave up to their new roles; we have excellent backroom staff at Huddersfield Town and this offers great continuity going into the new season.”

 

Town’s Academy Manager Mark Lillis added:

“The Academy is delighted to see Dave move to form an important part of the First Team’s Medical Department; its further evidence of the ‘One Club’ mentality at Huddersfield Town and a culture where we all work together.

“Dave’s move opened up a new opportunity for someone and we’re delighted Jon is re-joining the Club. Not only is he an excellent, newly qualified physio but as an Academy graduate who went onto have a good career he is an excellent role model for our young players.”