From inspired to obscure: Last 7 Huddersfield Town managers' first signings

Lee Clark: Dominik Werling (January 2009)

The arrival of a German-born unknown quantity with the initials DW who had an American father would go on to change the course of Huddersfield Town’s history, bringing unprecedented and undreamt of success.

But enough about David Wagner. We’re talking about Dominik Werling, an unknown quantity with the initials DW who had an American father and a German mother who would…have remarkably little impact on Huddersfield Town at all, actually.

It’s a real shame Danny Williams doesn’t appear later on in this list or we could do that exact same joke again.

Anyway. Werling.

The former Barnsley man would make just three appearances totalling 48 minutes for Town after becoming Lee Clark’s first signing back in 2009 before being let go less than six months later. But he did at least play in a 1-0 win over Leeds, so that’s something.

Werling has spent that last few years as a player-coach in the German lower leagues and has just joined SV Nordwest Karlsruhe.

Simon Grayson: Diego Arismendi (March 2012)

The four-cap Uruguayan international had played in the same national team as Luis Suarez, Diego Forlan and Diego Godin by the time he arrived at the John Smith’s Stadium, which is…decent, to be fair.

Less so his entire time in England. The midfielder never settled in the Potteries after signing for Stoke City and his only competitive appearance during his three years in England came while he was out on loan to Brighton, Barnsley and finally Town.

Arismendi made nine appearance for Town and initially helped shore up Grayson’s midfield as the Terriers picked up ten points in his first five games for the club, but a run of three defeats spelt the beginning of the end for him and he made just one more appearance before dropping out of the squad altogether before Town achieved their playoff success.

He has spent most of the last seven years playing back in his native Uruguay.

Mark Robins: Theo Robinson (February 2013)

The Derby County forward made his return to the John Smith’s Stadium on an emergency loan two years after having left it.

Robinson was initially impressive for the Terriers in his first spell at the club, scoring seven goals in his first 11 appearance at the beginning of the 2009/10 season, including a quickfire double against Newcastle United in a memorable League Cup game that ended in a stinging 4-3 defeat.

But things didn’t work out for him second time around and he made just four starts for new manager Robins before being dropped from the side.

Robinson spent last season on loan at Colchester United from Essex rivals Southend, helping them to reach the playoff semi-finals, and is now a free agent.

Chris Powell: Grant Holt (September 2014)

A man who went through so many clubs he eventually ran out and had to take up professional wrestling instead, it was practically inevitable that Holt would end up at Town eventually.

The big man racked up two goals and four assists in his first six starts for the Terriers – none of them defeats - leading Town to extend his emergency loan from two months to three.

But by then his output had dried up, and his time at Town came to a painful end on Boxing Day as he suffered a serious knee injury that would require surgery and keep him out for nine months.

David Wagner: Ben Chilwell (November 2015)

Another of those emergency loans, Chilwell arrived at Town ten days after the new boss and helped set the tone for the successful recruitment that would become a watchword of the first couple of years of Wagner’s reign.

Chilwell made eight appearances during his six weeks with the Terriers (W4 D1 L3) before returning to Leicester City with the benefit of some senior minutes under his belt.

Town signed James Husband on loan once Chilwell left in January, with Chris Lowe arriving the following summer.

Chilwell himself was never heard from again. Not sure what he’s up to now.

Jan Siewert: Karlan Grant (January 2019)

Worked out alright to be fair.

Danny Cowley: Danny Simpson (September 2019)

The nature of Simpson’s exit inevitably caused something of a stir, and at 33 he was never going to be a long-term option for Town. But scooping him up on a free nonetheless proved to be a shrewd bit of short-term business.

With Florent Hadergjonaj struggling badly and Simpson right there on the free agent list, this was the clearest example of everyone – fans, journalists, club – putting 2+2 together at the same time and correctly arriving at 4.

Town saw an immediate improvement with the much-more-assured Simpson at right-back after his arrival last September, and though he occasionally struggled with injury and his performances suffered as a result, there is little doubt that Town benefitted from having him in the side last season.