As the final round of League fixtures got underway LFE Online caught up with Huddersfield Town Apprentice Joe Skarz for his insight into an eventful few months.
Huddersfield born and bred Skarz is immensely proud to have worn “Towns” colours this season in their League One campaign. To date the promising left back has made seventeen first team appearances and also gained national recognition when picking up the League One Apprentice of the Year Award.
The Apprentice Awards reflect achievement both on and off the pitch and Skarz, who has kept his head down and worked hard under the expert eye of the Huddersfield Town Academy staff, fully merited the honour bestowed upon him by an expert panel of judges.
It was an exciting experience for Skarz who tempered the disappointment of a heavy away defeat at Nottingham Forest the previous day with the accolades he received at the ceremony held at the Grosvenor House Hotel.
He states:
“I travelled down to the dinner more in hope than expectation but as soon as the announcements started both myself and my Mum naturally became very nervous. It was an honour to actually win the award but again going up on stage presented its own challenge because I was conscious that I was speaking in front of some household names and all the top football league players.”
Now under the management of Andy Ritchie, Skarz is determined to continue his hard work and build on a promising debut season:
“Since the new manager has arrived I have done quite well in the games I’ve played and I’m hopeful that I can build on my performances and impress the manager so that I keep my spot in the team. I aim to continue working hard and hopefully after the summer break come back and impress the manager enough to earn a starting berth next season.”
My Apprenticeship has really served me well, I will achieve a full framework, which I can use as a back up plan if anything ever goes wrong football wise, but I have also learnt a lot of invaluable lessons which have helped me to develop as an individual. I’ve developed educationally, mentally and physically in my two years as an Apprentice and I’m grateful for the opportunities the club has given me.”
