GERRY MURPHY watched Andy Ritchie take over at Town and commented: "We couldn't have appointed anyone better."

Academy manager Murphy has been caretaker boss since the departure of Peter Jackson last month, notching one win, four draws and just one defeat in his six matches at the helm.

Typically, Murphy couldn't resist a comical quip following Ritchie's arrival, but he welcomed the new man with open arms and pledged full backing from the staff.

"I've been manager all these weeks and as soon as I lose one game, I get the sack - that's football," joked Murphy, with reference to Monday's 2-0 home reversal by Blackpool which was watched by the new boss from the Galpharm directors' box.

"Andy is a very high quality manager who has been there, seen it and done it and the beauty of him is that he's got an Academy background.

"He knows the game from the bottom to the top and to bring someone in of his calibre can only benefit the club, because he knows what we are trying to achieve and how we want to do it."

Murphy has known Ritchie for years, since the former Oldham and Barnsley manager was Academy chief at both Leeds United and Oakwell.

"I'm very pleased the club have brought him in because I think it's very good for Huddersfield Town," added the Dubliner.

"I am very much looking forward to working with him, supporting him and helping in any way I can - and I know that goes for all the staff.

"Everyone will gather round Andy and help as much as we can.

"We are all here for the one aim, to take the club forward. The club is bigger than any one individual, and the important thing is that we are all pulling together and singing from the same hymn sheet.

"With his background in the Academy and the whole set-up of the club, I don't think we could have appointed anyone better.

"His pedigree is fantastic."

Club chairman Ken Davy was similarly glowing in his assessment.

"Andy is someone who commands real respect from younger and older players alike and he is very much tuned in to the latest techniques in everything to do with coaching and management," said Davy.

"It's no good having 20 years of experience if it's really one year repeated 20 times. People have to learn and develop and that's what Andy has done. It's one of the characteristics about him which really impressed us.

"I'm delighted for the club and for the fans that we have got him here, he is very keen to develop the Academy players and the board are confident he's the best possible choice."