Thirsty Huddersffield Town fans looking for an early morning pint ahead of the home match against Leeds United on Saturday will need the sharpest local knowledge.

Some pubs will only be discreetly open to Town fans while others such as The Sportsman will be operating ticket-only systems.

Huddersfield Town Football Club say the home gate is set to be the biggest of the season, pushing 20,000 and easily eclipsing the 17,900 gate secured against Middlesbrough.

The match is taking place at 12.30pm and will see West Yorkshire Police taking all necessary measures to ensure public safety.

Town fan Philip Barden, who owns the popular Herbert’s Bar in Cross Church Street and is managing director of Northern Taps in King Street said: “This is about the fourth time we have opened early for this fixture. Herbert’s will be open from 9.30am and Northern Taps from noon.

“We will have someone on the door and they know what they are doing. It’s predominantly Town fans but there will be some Leeds fans.

Philip Barden of Herbert's bar on Cross Church Street in Huddersfield.

“The police can’t force us to close unless they feel there’s going to be a major threat to public safety. We need to ensure that customers who do come in feel comfortable and enjoy the experience.”

The Sportsman, in St Johns Road, has sold out its 100 tickets and is due to open from 10am.

David Andrews, assistant manager at the Boy and Barrel pub in the Beast Market, said: “We always open at 9am and we are the away fans pub. But I’ve heard that the Leeds fans will be drinking in Wakefield.”

Duncan Goodison, manager of the family-orientated Yorkshire Rose, Leeds Road, said: “Although we are very close to the stadium we don’t get any trouble. We will be opening at 11am, just as normal. To us it’s just another day.”

Bruce Travis, landlord of the King’s Head, St George’s Square, said: “We will be open as usual. We have not been approached by the police as yet though in the past we have been asked to shut for a few hours.”

The Cherry Tree Wetherspoons pub in John William Street will serve alcohol from 9am but Leeds fans will not be allowed in.

Kirklees Licensing officer, Richard Whitehead said: “We work closely with the pubs and bars in the town centre to make sure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable time on match days.

“Kick off on Saturday is at 12.30pm and the majority of the pubs don’t open until 12pm and most people will already be in the ground by then.

“We have also asked bar managers to use their discretion when it comes to serving large groups of fans.”