By Robert Gledhill, Yorkshire Post, May 9^th 2007

Huddersfield Town captain Jon Worthington has urged fans to keep the faith after a disappointing League One campaign.

Town had at least hoped to emulate the previous season's achievement of reaching the play-offs, but finished 15th and sacked manager Peter Jackson as they failed to push on.

Worthington, one of several players dogged by injury, said: "It has been disappointing and the lads have to be honest and say we under-achieved. I think you saw in our first half performance against Orient on Saturday that there is enough there to give our fans optimism for next season.

"The new manager (Andy Ritchie) is very positive and the players are very positive and there is plenty to build on.

"The play-offs were a realistic target and it is difficult to put our finger on where it went wrong. We have had injuries, but you can't use that as an excuse. It's probably down to too many players having been in and out of form at different times."

Although Ritchie will be scouring the transfer market, Town's long-term future will continue to be built around their Academy set-up. Worthington, one of the first to graduate, adds: "This season, the two to stand out from the Academy have been Michael Collins (midfield) and Joe Skarz (left-back). Michael has come in and looked stronger every game he has played while Joe is a composed character both on and off the pitch and I'm sure he has a big career in front of him. He certainly possesses a huge amount of potential for a 17-year-old."

Ritchie has already spotted future first-team contenders, giving 18-year-old striker Lucas Akins a couple of cameo roles as substitute plus a one-year professional contract along with goalkeeper Simon Eastwood, who was also on the bench on Saturday.

Other Academy players handed one-year deals are striker Luke Malcher and midfield pair James Berrett and Mitchell Bailey.

With defender Danny Racchi also on the bench against Orient and with Alex Smithies and Dave Heagney pressing for youth honours for England and Ireland respectively, Town's production line appears in sound shape.