HEPPENSTALL
EXCLUSIVE TREVOR CHERRY realised a childhood dream when he helped Huddersfield reach the top flight in 1970… and broke his father’s heart when he left after they were relegated two seasons later.
Cherry, Huddersfield born and bred, went on to play for Don Revie’s Leeds United and to represent England during a stellar career. But it has taken the Terriers 45 years to get back to the promised land, and that has brought the memories flooding back for Cherry.
“I thought I’d never see Huddersfield back up there and I don’t know many people who did,” said the 69-year-old former defender, who still lives in the town. “What they have done is absolutely amazing and it’s all credit to the chairman, Dean Hoyle.
“He had a tough time initially but he’s stuck at it and the fans should thank their lucky stars every day. It’s not a big, high-flying club but it’s part of the community and Dean has done a great job in that department.
“Reaching the Premier League is tremendous for the fans, because they have suffered at times down the years.”
Cherry’s father Bill was a Terriers fanatic and took his son to the old Leeds Road ground as a ritual. “I went from the age of six or seven and Town had some good teams in those days,” said Cherry, right.
“To then go on and actually play for my hometown club was a tremendous feeling. I made my debut when I was 17 and it was great for my dad because he was a bit of a frustrated footballer who didn’t make it.
“He loved his football and loved Huddersfield Town.
“He didn’t give me much praise, probably toughened but that me up.” Ian Greaves, appointed as manager in 1968, fashioned a fine team and promotion was achieved in 1970 with a spirit and collective desire that Cherry believes can be seen in the modern-day side under David Wagner. Tipped for the drop at the start of last season, the German defied the odds as his squad, assembled for just £11million, went up via the play-offs. Cherry said: “We had a tremendous team spirit and never thought we were going to lose – we were disappointed even when we drew.
“Jimmy Nicholson came from Manchester United and was our captain, Frank Worthington scored plenty of goals while Ian was a fantastic manager and never got the credit he deserved. He’d been a fitness instructor in the army, so you can imagine the fitness levels we had.
“It’s 45 years on but Wagner works his players hard and tests their mentality as well as their ability, so I can see similarities.
“Staying up is a massive ask but there are three divisions in the Premier League. You can forget the top six, then there is a mid-table, then you have the likes of Brighton, Burnley, Bournemouth, Watford and Swansea. That’s five teams who could get relegated – and I hope three of them do.
“Huddersfield have to target mid-table. They might surprise people and have quality with Aaron Mooy and Tom Ince.
“Aaron’s problem might be the pace of the game and Ince is inconsistent, but they are smashing players.”
Cherry vividly recalls playing for Huddersfield in the top flight. “It can be sink or swim but you need a chance to go out and prove yourself. Thankfully, I did that and went on to play for England,” he said. “When Town got relegated after two seasons, it was heartbreaking for my father as he didn’t want me to go. I had no qualms about furthering my career and it was going to be either Tottenham or Birmingham for me. “Ian Greaves, who I got on very well with, said he would let me go if we went down. Then Leeds United came in for me out of the blue. “My dad didn’t want that, given the rivalry between the clubs, but I did 10 years there and we had plenty of success. “When you think the likes of United, Liverpool, Arsenal, City and Chelsea are coming to Huddersfield again, it is fantastic.” CHIPPER SKIPPER: Korey Smith celebrates City goal