Town’s Young Player of the Year targeting more success
Tommy Smith hopes that winning the ‘Young Player of the Year’ accolade at the Club’s 2014 Annual Awards ceremony is just the start of things to come for him at Huddersfield Town.
The 22 year-old moved to ‘The Yorkshire Club’ from Manchester City two years ago and was a regular for the Development Squad before his patience was rewarded with a chance to impress in the First Team at Sheffield Wednesday in November, in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Since then, he has kicked on and been a virtual ever-present, making 27 appearances for the Terriers in all competitions. His First Team colleagues were so impressed that they voted him for the award at the 2014 Annual Awards at Cedar Court Hotel on Sunday evening.
He said: “I’m delighted, very pleased to have won it. It’s great obviously that all the lads have voted for me and believe that I have done well this season.
“Some good lads have won this award and it is all good news. Obviously Jack Hunt, Jordan Rhodes and Alex (Smithies) all won this award and have made very good impressions at this level and I hope to do the same here”.
Smith started the season as a regular in the Development Squad, playing nine times and contributing to the campaign which saw them crowned Champions of the Under-21 Professional Development League 2 North.
“The Academy is doing well, as are the Under-21s. There are good staff in place at the moment with the likes of Mark Lillis, Frankie Bunn and Tony Carss at the Academy and Steve Eyre with the Under-21s, so I think the Club’s future is looking good. The Club has a pathway for its young players, which is what everyone wants to see.”
Tommy has played two different roles since emerging into the First Team; a centre back in a defensive three and as a more orthodox right back.
“It’s about developing and learning new positions in the game. I’m still only young so I'm learning all the time and that formation (3-5-2) was a new string to my bow. I’d like to think that I’ve done well there, so it can only bode well for my future.”
His form was rewarded with a new contract in February as he became a fully-fledged regular in the side. Now, Smith has set his sights on remaining in the First Team and doing even better next campaign.
“I want to push on again. I’ve signed a new two-and-a-half year deal which allows me to get my head down and do the best I can.
“All I can do is keep my head down, keep working hard and try to cement my place in the First Team for years to come”.
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