GLYNN SNODIN will be back on very familiar territory tomorrow – and keen to help Huddersfield Town give his former employers a tough time.
Simon Grayson’s right-hand man spent six years on Charlton’s coaching staff, and admits his stint in South-East London between 2000-06 provided invaluable experience.
“I enjoyed every minute,” recalled the 52-year-old (inset), who worked under Alan Curbishley as Charlton – like Town, promoted last season – remained a competitive Premier League team.
“They are a good club with good people, just like Huddersfield Town, and after being down in League I, it’s great that we are both up there in the Championship.”
Having cut his coaching teeth with Carlisle and Scarborough, Snodin was fresh from a spell working alongside brother Ian at hometown Doncaster when the Charlton chance came up.
“They’d just won promotion to the Premier League and had a vacancy for reserve team manager,” explained Snodin.
“Mervyn Day, my old Leeds teammate, was already coaching there along with Keith Peacock and recommended me for the job.
“It was a big thing going for the interview with Curbs and (chief executive) Peter Varney, because I’d never lived in London, or down South come to that.
“I was a bit nervous about it all, and to be honest, the interview went really badly, because I just wasn’t myself.
“I went away thinking that was that, but they asked me to come in again, and I resolved to stay calm and just be true to myself.
“They must have liked what they heard because I got the job and ended up staying for six very enjoyable years.”
Snodin led the second team to title glory in both 2004 and 2005 while making his contribution to the firsts as Charlton punched above their weight in the top flight.
“Alan did a terrific job,” said Snodin, who after a spell at Southampton, was reunited with Curbishley at West Ham in 2007.
“Charlton were well run by (chairman) Richard Murray and Peter Varney, there was a great feel to the place, and Curbs made some really astute signings to keep things fresh.
“We were always handily placed in mid-table, which given the stature of the sides we were up against, was a great achievement.
“There was a great work ethic throughout the club, and the big-name players, like Paolo Di Canio, really did the business for us.
“Curbs went eventually and everyone thought someone else would come in and take them to the next level, but it never happened.
“They had a bad time of things and ended up going the other way (they dropped out of the Premier in 2007 and were in League I by 2009), but things are looking up again.”
Current manager Chris Powell was a Charlton player when Snodin, who first worked with Town chief Grayson and fellow coach Ian Miller at Leeds, was at The Valley.
“He was a very good player and a top bloke and I’m delighted he’s doing so well in management,” said Snodin.
“Chris had a first-class attitude, and if he was ever playing in the reserves, his approach was as professional as ever. If he wasn’t on song, he’d come and apologise to me.
“He was always a thinker about the game, and he’s a real players’ manager, because he respects the lads who go about the job the right way.
“That doesn’t mean anyone is in for an easy ride, but I’d imagine that if you’re given a rollicking by Chris, it’s pretty constructive.
“He turned things around in a short space of time after going in there (in January 2011) and put together a really good side to win last season’s League I title.
“Since then he has brought in more new faces, because the side that gets you up isn’t always the one who will keep you there.
“It’s taken them a little while to find their feet in the Championship, but three wins running shows they are getting there, and it will be another tough match for us.”
