Most popular player on Town’s books?
There’s only one candidate at the moment – Michael Hefele.
Not only have more fans had the German’s name put across the shoulders of their replica shirts than any other, but Hefele is at the heart and soul of head coach David Wagner’s squad , as well as proving a star on social media.
And Town haven’t even kicked a ball in anger!
Like Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston in golf and Joe ‘Rooooo...ooot’ in cricket, the former Dynamo Dresden centre-back is connecting with the fans and fostering an engaging rapport.
Hefele – who featured against both Werder Bremen and his old club, FC Ingolstadt (scoring the winning goal!), on the training camp in Austria – admits he’s loving it in West Yorkshire and can’t wait now for the season to kick off against Brentford at the John Smith’s Stadium.
“I really enjoyed it in Austria because we were not far away from my home, and I’m also feeling really settled at the club,” said Hefele, who is built like a brick out-house.
“With the team, I am adapting with the ball to new things around me and, now I am settled in my house I feel everything around me is getting better and better.
“I am living in Mirfield, so it’s only a short way to the training ground at PPG Canalside, and I like that, because I love to have rhythm and routine – it’s important to me.
“Coming to England is a whole new situation for me, but I love the culture, I love scrambled egg and beans and I think I’m becoming a typical Englishman!
“I like the football, obviously, and I like the weather.
“We have had only three sunny days since I arrived in Huddersfield and it was too warm!
“I prefer the typical Huddersfield weather of cold and rainy – that’s good.”
If Hefele’s character shines through on the pitch – and observers are convinced it will – then he’s going to be massively popular.
“I see with the fans they are following me because I keep up with these things, and I’m proud of that,” he explained.
“They don’t know me yet really, I suppose, but they will have seen the videos and what I did last year, and the comments from the supporters of my former club – and maybe they’ve spoken to some of them.
“It makes me very proud they are happy I’m here and they like me without even seeing a game.
“I was very surprised and happy that some of the supporters from my old club came to Austria and, for my personality, it was a beautiful feeling to see them.
“Now, I am really looking forward to the start of the season and I would love to be in the team – but this is the start of a long season and we will all get to play.”
As one of the former captains in Wagner’s squad, Hefele recognises he can help younger members of the squad, and he’s more than happy to do so.
“My English is not the best, but I think it’s important for younger players to relax, so I tell them some jokes!” he said.
“You don’t want young players to be afraid to play, you want them to be able to make mistakes and learn from them, and you also want them to use their strengths.
“It’s all part of helping the squad get better and we all play our part in that, whether we are in the team for a certain match, or we have to wait for our chance.
“Everyone wants to play, but there are many, many games in the Championship and the coach tells me he will switch a lot – that’s what he likes to do.
“For every position we have two good players so the coach can do that, and I trust David in what he says.
“It’s all about helping the team be a success – and I think we will be a success – so if I’m not in the team to start with I won’t be sad, I will be working hard for my chance, because it will come.”
