Former striker looked back on his time at Huddersfield Town
- Phil Starbuck reflects on his time at Huddersfield Town
- The forward explains what it felt like being named Club Captain
- Starbuck revealed why he joined Town from Nottingham Forest
Phil Starbuck reflected on his time at Huddersfield Town, describing his move to the Terriers as the best thing he ever did.
Born and raised in Nottingham, Phil graduated through his local club’s academy before going on to make his debut at 18-years old. The attacker scored on his Division 1 debut against Newcastle, before bagging a second professional goal against Liverpool FC.
“It was amazing, a dream come true! Every young lad dreams of playing for their home team.
“To make it to the First Team and then to score like I did, it’s hard to articulate the feeling.”
After time on loan at Birmingham City, Hereford United and Blackburn Rovers, Starbuck joined Town in 1991.
He went on to make 137 appearances for the Terriers, scoring 36 goals along the way.
“At Forest I was a squad player. At Huddersfield Town I felt like it was my team and I was always going to play.
“I took a wage cut, dropped two divisions and as it would turn out, it was the best thing I ever did. My days at Town were the happiest days of my footballing career by far!”
In his three full seasons with the Terriers, the attacker would create many memories and have numerous games that stuck out to him, but none like the Semi-Final of the Autoglass Trophy in 1994.
After making the Northern Section Semi-Finals and losing two years in a row, Huddersfield Town would finally make it to the Cup’s Semi-Final stage where they would face Carlisle United across two legs. Winning the first leg 4-1 and losing 2-0 away, the Terriers would squeeze their way through to the Final, before losing to Swansea on penalties.
“The excitement, anticipation and relief when we got through. We then had the expectation and trepidation of playing at Wembley.
“The fans were amazing, and it was a massive celebration for everyone involved.”
One of his many goals for the Terriers included the fastest goal scored by a sub, which has since been broken. After coming on against Wigan, Phil would score three seconds into his appearance!
During his time at Town, he would also be made captain of the side at the start of the 1994/95 season – something he was very proud of.
“To be given that responsibility was huge, and I didn’t take it lightly. When I was asked to be captain, it was a massive honour and I felt very privileged.
“Ironically when I had the captaincy taken off me it began the end of my time at Huddersfield Town. It’s remembered for the very best of reasons and the very worst.”
Starbuck went on to leave the Terriers for Sheffield United. He would play across the English Football League and even had a stint on loan in the Dutch Eredivisie.