Come and watch the game for free at PPG Canalside
- Town U17s to host Rangers on Thursday
- Fans can watch 10.30am kick-off at PPG Canalside
- Comments from Academy Manager Leigh Bromby
A Huddersfield Town Under-17 side will host Rangers at PPG Canalside on Thursday morning in the first game at that age level for the Terriers’ Academy.
The game is open and free to supporters, who can come and watch the match on one of the canal pitches from the 10.30am kick-off.
Town’s side is expected to feature several players who have signed Academy scholarships that begin in the 2018/19 campaign.
Academy Manager Leigh Bromby explained:
“The players who we have signed as new scholars for next season cannot currently play in league games and live away from the area.
“With it currently being half-term, we’ve taken the opportunity to play a high-level team in Rangers. It’ll be great to see how our young players cope with the test and to help them get an early taste of what we’ll expect from them in their new surroundings.
“We’ve got some exciting players coming in; many of them with raw ability, but a real hunger to achieve something here. We’re all looking forward to teaching them the ‘Terriers Identity’, as they all have the characteristics as players to thrive in our style of play.”
On opponent Rangers, Leigh added:
“Interestingly, Rangers have undertaken a similar plan at Academy level to ours. They run different age groups and create their own games programme, so it will be good to build a relationship and learn from a club that is further down the line than us.”
With a number of the Club’s second-year scholars now experiencing their first taste of senior football through work experience spells, Town will be running an Under-17 team in the U18 Professional Development League between now and the conclusion of the season.
That started on Saturday, when the youngsters will have learned a lot in a 6-1 home reversal to a strong Hull City side.
The Academy players who have recently started their temporary spells at senior sides have started well, with the likes of Isaac Marriott earning ‘Man of the Match’ honours at Brighouse Town and Olly Dyson scoring on his Liversedge debut.
Leigh concluded: “I’m a big believer that some players in the second year of their scholarships need the physical stimulus of the men’s game. They can all play, but this will help them learn how to defend and attack the penalty area against adults. You don’t get that at Under-18 level, so we’re looking to provide that from them.
“This is a learning curve for the players and the staff, but so far the feedback has been good.
“In turn, that has given our Under-17 players a big challenge against older sides in the Under-18 league. Results may be mixed as a result, but we’re looking at the performance and improvement in individuals.
“Even in Saturday’s defeat, three or four players really performed. It also highlighted the areas in which we need to improve.”
If you’re coming to the game, why not grab lunch afterwards at the PPG Canalside kitchen, which is open until 2pm every week day! Click HERE for the full menu
