Hodgkinson: It’s a sad day for us
“Unfortunately, I couldn’t help at the end and the most frustrating part is it doesn’t really fit with the journey I’ve had here.
“I would have loved to have another game in front of everyone and say my goodbyes, but I guess we’re all sitting in the same boat in a way and, unfortunately, we can’t just change things like we want.”
Schindler also thanked the fans for their part in the club’s promotion under David Wagner and for their continued support over his five years at the club.
He said: “I think I can speak on everyone’s behalf. When David was here we had a very energetic way of playing football so it was easy for supporters to buy into it and made it so hard for teams who came to our place. We made it a fortress because the energy on the pitch and the energy on the stands was too much for some teams.
“I think they played a big part in our promotion season and the final.
“It’s only so much – there’s maybe half a percent that made the difference – but don’t underestimate the effect supporters can have on that.
“And the second year... everyone was so excited when we went off the team bus, people waiting, cheering, wanting signatures.
“You need to appreciate it and embrace it I think as a football player.
“But even after that, you could still feel that people were enjoying it and halfway through the (second Premier League) season they knew we weren’t going to survive in the league but they still appreciated if we gave our best.
“So the supporters here are something special, I guess because when David came in and bought in the players, we created a special bond with them.
“It was always going to be a good relationship. There’s always going to be frustrations and the expectations always go higher and higher and higher but I’ve never seen anything like that – the ruthless support even when it’s difficult.
“All I can say is thank you to everyone – not only from me but my family, when I would be around with my family they gave me some space and whatnot.
“I can only speak really, really highly of everyone and I’d like to thank everyone for supporting me and making me feel welcome as well.
“And on behalf of the team as well for sticking with us, even when it was difficult and giving us that push.
“Nobody knows what would have happened if we hadn’t had that support.”
Schindler has also vowed to come back to the John Smith’s Stadium one day, saying: “When Hoggy has his testimonial in two years, he’s invited me! I will definitely come back here for the memories’ sake, but also because we have friends here and because this place is very special to us.”
TERRIERS chairman Phil Hodgkinson said Christopher Schindler is one of Huddersfield Town’s greats.
The skipper will return to Germany to join FC Nurnberg with his contract at the John Smith’s Stadium coming to an end.
“I’d like to begin by thanking Chris for everything he has done at Huddersfield Town over the last five years. He helped us achieve the unimaginable and his name will forever be written in the club’s history,” said Hodgkinson.
“He will always be considered among the greats at Huddersfield Town, which is down to the tremendous part he played both on and off the pitch.
“Unfortunately, we knew that there was always going to be a time where Christopher left us. This is a sad day, but this is right for both him and for the club. We wish him nothing but success in the future. He will always be a friend to this club.
“When supporters are back at the John Smith’s Stadium, Chris and his family will be invited to a game where they can have the send-off they deserve and say goodbye to the Huddersfield Town supporters.”
Schindler joined Town in summer of 2016, famously scoring the winning penalty in the Championship play-off final shootout against Reading at the end of his first season at the club.
The centre-back was in remarkable form throughout the Terriers’ two seasons in the Premier League and claimed the fans’ player of the year award for both 2017/18 and
2018/19.
The defender made
184 appearances for the Terriers in all competitions, scoring five goals.