Watch Tommy Elphick’s first full interview with Huddersfield Town
- Watch Tommy Elphick’s first interview as a Town player on #HTTV
- Defender recalled a battle with former Town striker Andy Booth
- Elphick excited to work with Head Coach Jan Siewert
Huddersfield Town’s first signing of the summer, Tommy Elphick, is keen to make an impact both on and off the pitch to help the Terriers have a successful year in the Sky Bet Championship.
The centre-back joins Town with a wealth of experience having captained both Brighton & Hove Albion and AFC Bournemouth, whilst competing in the top three tiers of English football.
When speaking to #HTTV after joining the Club, Tommy explained why he thought Huddersfield Town was the perfect side for him.
“Watching from the outset from the last three years, the connection the players have with the fans, the team spirit the Club has been renowned for and the recent success that the Club has had, it’s a good challenge for me at this stage of my career.
“First of all, we need to restore that confidence, get back to winning ways and get back into that habit.
“I believe with the playing squad and the staff we’ve got we can have an enjoyable and successful year.
“I will promise that I’ll give everything and try to get us back to the top end of the table, winning games, getting smiles back on fans’ faces and having that connection.
“Something I’ve prided myself on is not leaving anything behind and I’m certain I’m not going to do that now.”
After watching Huddersfield Town closely over the past three years, Tommy was keen to emphasise how important the connection was with the fans, and how he wanted to help tighten the bond even more.
“Going back to the promotion season when I had the experience of playing here for Villa, it was something that took me back.
“How good the fans were and the connection the players had, the camaraderie between not only the players, but the players and the fans and extending from the staff to the fans as well.
“We had a disappointing season last year with the relegation, so we need to get back to that atmosphere and get some wins early doors.
“The foundations are here, the base for us, the core of the squad is here, and the Head Coach impressed me a lot when I had conversations with him.”
Prior to joining the Club, the 31-year-old sat down with Jan Siewert. He explained how he will fit into the Head Coach’s system.
“He is a passionate guy, he has a way, a structure, a philosophy, which is so important in the Championship. If we buy into that, all back each other, then there’s no reason why we can’t have a successful season.
“A big thing for him is getting that connection back, getting the camaraderie that’s maybe been lost a little bit through a lack of confidence and a lack of wins.
“We all know the way he wants to play; open, expansive, high energy, high pressing and it’s a way I’ve had a lot of success with.
“He’s a young, enthusiastic tracksuit manager who will be out their coaching us every day trying to help all of us become better players.”
Over the course of his career, Tommy has played a number of games against Huddersfield Town.
However, one particular game sticks in his mind, a certain battle against Town legend, Andy Booth.
“I’ve had good memories and bad memories. One of my first memories was in my first season, so I was quite young, I think I was 18 or 19, just starting out.
“I think we played here on a Tuesday night, it was horrible weather, and I think Andy Booth was under some instruction to test me early doors.
“I remember the first ball that came in long he broke my nose one way, I came in at half-time and had it straightened out.
“Second half, Huddersfield had kick off, it went long, and he broke my nose the other way.
“I’ve just bumped into him in the corridor and reminded him of that.”
You can watch Tommy Elphick’s full interview below on #HTTV!
