Sheffield United aim to put the spoilers on a highly encouraging season for Huddersfield Town Under 21s – with the help of a couple of men very familiar to the John Smith’s Stadium faithful.
Both ex-Town manager Mick Wadsworth and former player and assistant boss John Dungworth are among the development staff at Bramall Lane, venue for the Professional Development League II play-off final on Saturday (1.00), from where the Examiner will be running a live blog.
Wadsworth, in charge of Town in the 2002-03 League I relegation season, is senior youth development coach while Dungworth is in charge of the Blades’ Under 21 team.
Now 65, Wadsworth has a wealth of experience.
As well as Town, he managed Carlisle United, Scarborough, Colchester United, Oldham Athletic, Portuguese side Beira Mar, Chester, Hartlepool United and the DR Congo and St Kitts & Nevis national teams.
He also worked for the Football Association and with Sir Bobby Robson at both England and Newcastle United.
His season at Town was tough, with a slide into administration accompanying relegation from what was then known as Division II.
Dungworth, 61, was an apprentice at Town and made 23 appearances between 1972-75 before playing for Oldham Athletic, Aldershot, Shrewsbury Town, Mansfield Town and Rotherham United.
As well as Town, where he was assistant to Peter Jackson after taking the academy team, he has also coached at Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday and Chesterfield.
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He returned to Sheffield United for a second coaching stint in July 2013 and is now a UEFA Pro licence holder.
The Blades finished second to Frankie Bunn’s Town in the Professional Development League II North table.
The pair beat Charlton Athletic and Millwall respectively to make the final, with United winning home advantage on the toss of a coin.
The Blades were beaten on penalties by Charlton in the Under 18 PDL II play-off final at The Valley, where it was 1-1 after extra time.
Admission to Bramall Lane, where there will be extra time and penalties if necessary, is £3 adults and £1 concessions.
