Old boy Dick Krzywicki has hailed the ambition shown by Huddersfield Town chairman Dean Hoyle.

And the 69-year-old says he would be more than happy to lose the tag of being a member of the last side to take the club to the top flight.

Krzywicki became Town’s then-record signing when he joined from West Bromwich Albion for £45,000 in March 1970.

The Wales international featured in the run-in as Ian Greaves’ Terriers, skippered by Jimmy Nicholson and featuring Frank Worthington and Trevor Cherry, won the Division II (now Championship) title.

He played 29 times during the two First Division campaigns which followed and still recalls the excitement visits to Leeds Road from the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United created.

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“It gave the whole town a lift,” said the winger who made 51 appearances in all before joining Lincoln City in 1974 and who still lives in Huddersfield.

“I remember us going to the Town Hall for a reception after we won promotion. People would stop you in the street and wish you luck before the big games.

“And the atmosphere generated by big crowds inside Leeds Road was great.”

Krzywicki continued: “It was quite a step up from the Second Division to the First back then, and of course we got found out in the second season (1971/72), when we were relegated.

“The gap is bigger than ever, and with the Premier League parachute payments, it won’t get easier to compete. But making the Premier League can make a club, and it’s great to see Town giving it a go this time.

“They are trying to do it in a different way, which is quite refreshing.

“I thought there were good signs last season, and if the new lads can settle in and the team can be consistent, then why can’t Town challenge?

“You have to have ambition, otherwise why bother?

“Dean Hoyle has got ambition and so has David Wagner. It’s going to be an interesting season.”