Ex-Terriers boss Hand gets a kick out of Huddersfield Town’s promotion success

Eoin Hand may never have seen Huddersfield Town play at the John Smith’s Stadium but the lure of Premier League football might just be enough to tempt the former Terriers boss to watch his old club strut their stuff.

Huddersfield overcame Reading on penalties in last season’s Championship play-off final to win promotion, sealing their first-ever Premier League berth and a return to the top flight for the first time since 1972.

Hand, who is now 71, managed the Terriers from June 1988 to March 1992, with his team then calling Leeds Road their home, and he was thrilled to see David Wagner’s class of 2017 book their place among the elite.

“It’s great to see Town in the Premier League and I followed them all the way through,” said the former Republic of Ireland manager.

(Keith Hailey/Popperfoto / Contributor)

“I had many happy times in Huddersfield and one of my sons still lives there and goes to the matches, although I have never actually been to a match at the new stadium.

“I remember attending the board meetings and being asked my opinion about the new stadium, and I used to say: ‘why are you asking me? I’m manager now but I won’t be by the time the stadium gets built – you’ll have got rid of me!’.

“But I enjoyed my time at the club and it’s terrific to think of where they are now and where they are going. My very best wishes go to everyone concerned.”