ANDY RITCHIE admits today's return to
Elland Road will be an emotional one as Leeds United prepare to pay tribute to one of the club's favourite sons.
It was 10 years ago yesterday that Billy Bremner died just two days short of what would have been his 55th birthday and a minute's applause will be held in his honour ahead of kick-off.
Ritchie played for Bremner's Leeds side in the Eighties so knew the Scot well and ahead of his return as Huddersfield Town manager.
He told the Yorkshire Post: "It will be an emotional day for everyone and particularly Billy's old team-mates such as Eddie Gray, who I know works for local radio.
"To be honest, I had not realised it was 10 years ago that Billy died. He was my manager at Leeds for a few years and a very bubbly character. He was what I would call a 'player's manager'.
"He loved the banter with the lads and he was never short of a quick remark. He also joined in with the five-a-sides, and let's just say he kicked a few people during them.
"Billy built a good side that came so close to winning promotion and reaching the FA Cup final. But we just came up short in both."
Ritchie left Elland Road for Oldham Athletic a few weeks after Bremner's Leeds had been beaten in the Second Division play-off final in 1987.
Ritchie went on to give great service to the Latics before embarking on a coaching career that has included a stint in charge of the United Academy at Thorp Arch.
It means today's League One game, which kicks off at 12.15pm and is a sell-out, was the one he looked for straight away when the fixtures came out. Ritchie is, however, at pains to stress his sole concern today is leaving with three points.
He said: "The game is a little bit different from the others because I had two successful spells with Leeds, first as a player and then when in charge of the Academy.
"But the day is not about me, it is about Huddersfield Town getting the right result."
Huddersfield's preparations for today's game, which will attract the highest attendance at this level since 49,309 watched the Sheffield derby at Hillsborough on Boxing Day, 1979, have undoubtedly been hampered by the long trip to Southend United in midweek.
The scheduling of such a fixture on a Wednesday night in December has done Town few favours with the players not getting back to Yorkshire until the early hours of the following morning.
Add to that, both Matt Glennon and Frank Sinclair being sent off in a 4-1 defeat and it is clear why Ritchie may be being diplomatic in describing the last few days as "difficult".
The red cards mean neither player is available to face Leeds with Town's appeal against Glennon's red card for a professional foul being rejected by the FA yesterday.
It means rookie goalkeeper Alex Smithies will make his full debut in what is certain to be a cauldron-like atmosphere at Elland Road.
The 17-year-old steps in due to Glennon's deputy, Simon Eastwood being injured, Town being unable to bring in a loan goalkeeper because Academy player Smithies is considered a full-time professional.
Ritchie said: "I was disappointed that our appeal was rejected because I felt we had an excellent case. Matt has had an exemplary disciplinary record throughout his career so it is a bit mystifying, especially with the player he is supposed to have tripped (Southend's Leon Clarke) saying there was no contact.
"What it does mean now is Alex has a great chance to impress. He deservedly drew the plaudits when playing for England in the Under 17s World Cup in Korea (last summer) and this is his chance.
"I have no doubt Alex will relish the occasion and do well."
The defeat at Roots Hall means Town make the short trip across West Yorkshire in a determined frame of mind as they look to avoid a third straight reverse in League
One.
Huddersfield's form has, in fact, been impressive in recent weeks with three wins in the league and an amazing fightback in the FA Cup at Accrington Stanley earning Ritchie a nomination for November's Manager of the Month.
The Terriers chief, who has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip to Elland Road, said: "It has been a difficult few days, especially with the travelling.
"It was disappointing to lose at Southend because I think Matt's dismissal changed the game. I know we were losing at the time, but we were in the ascendancy.
"Once the third goal went in, it was all over but I am sure if Matt had stayed on then we could have got something out of the game.
"The travelling meant we did not get back to Huddersfield until 3.30am after the game so we gave the lads Thursday off. But we had them in for a light session and they looked sharp and ready for Leeds."
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