Town midfielder Tom Iorpenda spoke after his standout season within the Academy
- Tom Iorpenda’s review of 2022/23 season
- Midfielder discusses step-up to B Team
- 18-year-old touches on loan and Academy Player of the Year Award
Midfielder Tom Iorpenda can look back with pride on a great 2022/23 season that started with the Under-19s and ended in the B Team and the Antoni's Memorial Trophy as Academy Player of the Year.
Iorpenda became a regular in Jon Worthington’s B Team during the 2022/23 season making 30 appearances and scoring three goals, on top of his 16 appearances and four goals contributed at Under-19 level.
Giving a review of his season, Tom said:
“It was a good season; I think I was able to be consistent the whole way through. I started the season with the Under-19s in their programme with the Youth Alliance League and we started off well in that, won a few games and were doing well in the league. We lost in the FA Youth Cup, which was unlucky, but we performed well up until the last few minutes.
“After that, I got a chance to in Jon Worthington’s B Team - I had to go there and make sure I made the right impression because I wanted to stay there. I managed to stay in the team and make Premier League Cup appearances and I got a few games under my belt in the Central League.
“Just after Christmas I went on my first loan with Hyde United to get some senior football experience, which was really good, and I enjoyed my time there. We did well; we couldn’t quite get into the Play-Offs in the end, but I had a good end to the season.
After an impressive debut last Saturday we caught up with Tom Iorpenda to get his thoughts https://t.co/Y9XUwVF83l
— Hyde United FC (@hydeunited) March 23, 2023
“We’re back at the Millers Oils High Performance Complex now for what could be considered a pre-pre season, just making sure we’re all fit and ready for when the main pre-season starts.”
The 18-year-old spoke about what it was like playing under both George Danaher and Jon Worthington, and the difference between each team.
“There isn’t much difference between working with George and Worthy. I think with George, he’s obviously been through the process as he was a scholar here, so he knows exactly what it’s like first hand being a player for Huddersfield Town. Talking to him is easy and he understands how we’re feeling.
“Worthy basically prepares you for a First Team environment, so it’s not as nice and you have to make sure your standards are perfect! That is what we all want though; we want to be ready for the First Team should we be selected.”
The midfielder had his first loan experience towards the end of the season as he joined Hyde United, he made seven appearances in the senior team and gained invaluable experience.
“Hyde United was my first loan experience – it was different to what I am used to here, which is why it’s so important. The first few games were hard, but the players and staff helped me fit in really easily – they were all very welcoming.
“In the first training session I was a bit nervous, but then when you’re playing in front of fans and in a league where you’re really fighting to get to the top, it’s challenging, but I enjoyed the pressure of it.”
Finally, our Young Terrier touched on winning the Antoni’s Memorial Academy Player of the Year for the 2022/23 season:
“When I first found out I had on the Academy Player of the Year it was a great feeling but then I was just thinking that the season is finished. Now I have to look at the next season and what I can do to improve and progress. I am incredibly proud to have won that award, but the whole focus is now on next season.”
A closer look at our Antoni’s Memorial Academy Player of the Year 👇#htafc | #YoungTerriers pic.twitter.com/scNbp9e95X
— HTAFC Academy (@htafcacademy) May 11, 2023
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