Striker looking forward to visiting his former club
James Vaughan has fond memories of his time as a Crystal Palace player, but told htafc.com that he will be doing his all to help the Terriers return to winning ways on Saturday.
In 2005 the striker became the youngster ever goal scorer in the Premier League when he notched for Everton against Saturday’s opponents Crystal Palace.
“It was where it all started for me – although it was a few years ago! I was 16 at the time and it does feel like a long time ago, but I have great memories from it,” said Vaughan. “I have got a lot of connections with Crystal Palace. I have been on loan there a few times and it is a Club that I have got a lot of time for.”
Vaughan enjoyed a season with Palace where he scored nine goals in 28 league starts.
“My time at Palace was really good and the Club helped me mature massively as a player. I was playing week in week out; we were battling at the wrong end of the table and it was tough, but we managed to stay up. It was a fantastic experience and I met a lot of great people; the fans were always brilliant with me and it is a Club that I hold in high regard.
“There are a few people at the Club who were around when I was playing; there are others who have left that I also keep in good contact with. I am expecting a great atmosphere on Saturday; whenever I have played at Selhurst Park it has always been bouncing – I am sure our fans will enjoy it and get involved."
He added: “I am not nervous about playing them on Saturday; I am looking forward to the occasion. It is a tough situation for me personally because I really like Palace, but it is my job to help Huddersfield Town gain three points. For one day only I will be rooting against them.”
Palace are currently second in the npower Championship and although the task will be tough, James is confident that the Terriers can gain a result at Selhurst Park.
“They deserve to be where they are, but we need to get back to what we did earlier in the season if we want to beat them. We have been working hard and I think we just need to be better in the final third and play to our strengths.”
The 24 year-old made his return from a groin injury against Leeds United and is delighted to be back in Simon Grayson’s starting line-up.
“It was a very frustrating time for me,” he said. “Everyone knows about my injury problems in the past, but this latest one was completely unrelated to my previous problems. I felt very good up until the point that I got injured. I am delighted to be back and want to help the team push on back up the League.”
As a result of his injury his game time with fellow loanee Jermaine Beckford has been limited.
“It has been unfortunate that we haven’t been able to play as much together, but Becks has still got a few games left before his loan ends. Hopefully the Club will extend his stay because we have a very good understanding of one another’s game. We played alongside each other at Everton and Jermaine is always someone that I have liked playing with.”
Town fans can pay on the day at Selhurst Park – for ticket information click HERE!
