Huddersfield Town Chairman Dean Hoyle has today urged the Club's supporters to back new manager Simon Grayson as the team looks to challenge for automatic promotion.

Dean exclusively told the Club's official website that his decision to change the first team management at the Club was made to give Huddersfield Town the best possible chance of promotion to the Championship and he has issued a rallying call to fans to get behind the team for the remaining 16 games of the campaign.

"It has been a very tough week and I would like to start by thanking all the Town fans who have sent correspondence in to me via the Club for their brilliant support," Dean told htafc.com.

"I believe everyone knows that I had a good personal relationship with Lee Clark and his team and last week's decision was the toughest professional decision I have ever had to make, but I firmly believe it was made for the right reasons.

"I knew the decision would surprise a lot of people, particularly those who do not follow Huddersfield Town closely. Perhaps the easier route would have been to continue as we were until the end of the season, but it is imperative we maximise the current opportunity we have to gain promotion this season. We are currently a little bit off the pace in terms of the automatic promotion race, but I believe that gap is surmountable given the players we have at this Club.

"I'm not ignorant to the fact that some supporters may question Simon's appointment given his history at Leeds United, but I'll tackle that head on. It was all about getting the best man for the job and Simon ticks all the boxes; he has a history of success at this level with both Blackpool and Leeds United, he has a point to prove following his departure from Leeds United and having met with him on Sunday night I know he has the fire in his belly to lead Huddersfield Town into the Championship.

"In the end, I know the Huddersfield Town fans want exactly the same thing that I do - that's simply to see the Club promoted to the Championship. This managerial appointment has been made with that goal firmly in mind, so I'm calling for all Town fans to come together.

"Starting with Saturday's game at home to Exeter City we have 16 games remaining this season, so we all have to do everything we possibly can to give the Club the best possible chance of promotion. I believe the decision to bring Simon in as manager has increased our prospects and I'm sure all the fans will do their part by giving their total support to Simon, his management team and the players."