Family backing so vital for Huddersfield Town ace Jordan Rhodes

Oct 17 2009 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Jordan Rhodes

LEE CLARK reckons Jordan Rhodes’ family are a fantastic influence on him – and the 19-year-old agrees with his manager!

It seems the whole of English football is talking about Town’s star striker, helped by the fact that his sizzling hat trick against Exeter City came on a weekend with no Premier League or Championship football.

That meant scouts and national newspaper reporters were out in force at the Galpharm, leading to a glut of stories linking Rhodes, and fellow 19-year-old Alex Smithies, with moves to Premier League clubs during the forthcoming transfer window.

Town moved quickly to quash such reports, saying they have neither the financial need, nor inclination, to cash in on any of their playing assets.

And Clark knows both players are mature enough to keep their feet on the ground.

“Alex has grown up at this club, and we know him well,” said the boss.

“And as with any new signing, we did our homework on Jordan in terms of character as well as ability, and he’s first class on both fronts.

“He is a fine young man who has been brought up well.

“He comes from a family where both his mum and dad are football people, so he knows what the game is all about.

“While he is tea-total – what he’ll do with his man-of-the-match champagne from last Saturday, I’m not sure – he’s a good-looking lad, so I’m hoping the opposite sex doesn’t become too much of a distraction!”