ANTHONY PILKINGTON says Huddersfield Town’s loyal fans deserve a promotion success to savour at Wembley on Saturday.

The Galpharm old boy who has shone with Norwich in the Premier League this season was thrilled with the ovation he received when he returned for last week’s play-off semi-final second leg showdown against MK Dons as a Sky television pundit.

Fans chanted his name and the 23-year-old winger, who was forced to watch last season’s League I play-off final defeat by Peterborough from the sidelines at Old Trafford as he recovered from a broken leg and dislocated ankle, said: “It was fantastic.

“The supporters were brilliant towards me all the time I was here (from January 2009 until last summer) and particularly after my injury.

“It’s a real family club and I’ve got an awful lot of time for so many people here, so I come back as often as I can.

“A lot of former players feel the same. You can see that from the fact that Robbie SImpson (now at Oldham) and Lee Peltier (Leicester) were both here.

“With a bit of luck, Town will be taking on Pelts in the Championship next season, and I’d be so happy to see them up there.”

Pilkington, who was a Wembley play-off winner with Stockport in 2008, when Rochdale were beaten 3-2 in the League II play-off final, will be watching the clash with Sheffield United while on holiday in Cyprus.

“I’d like to have been there in person, but the holiday has been fixed for a while now,” he explained. “I’ll be finding a bar showing Sky and I’ll be willing Town to do it.

“It’s going to be a tough match, because Sheffield United are a big club and have a lot of good players, but Town have quality and experience, and there’s no reason they can’t win.

“It’s got the makings of being a great advert for League I football, and judging by what it was like when we played the likes of Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday, the atmosphere will be something special.”

Pilkington, who played 107 times and netted 25 goals for Town before joining Norwich in a deal worth a potential £3m with add-ons, is looking forward to building on his debut campaign at Carrow Road, where he is contracted to 2014 with the option of a further year.

He made 30 league appearances, scoring eight goals, as Paul Lambert’s side finished 12th, and added: “People said we over-achieved, but we just got on with things and tried to enjoy our football.

“Now we’re getting ready to go again next season and the challenge is to do even better.”