Huddersfield’s record transfer spending makes perfect sense after years in relegation and League Two

YORKSHIRE folk are well known for being tight-fisted and careful with their money.

So you can imagine the multiple chorus’ of ‘OW MUCH?!’ as Huddersfield announced they had broken their transfer record for the FOURTH time this summer.

From the outside looking in, the Premier League newboys appear to be treating top-flight’s magic money tree like a game of Supermarket Sweep.

But for those of us who have lived through the Steve Bruce years, administration, relegation down to League Two and the resurgence under hero chairman Dean Hoyle, it all makes perfect sense.

And that’s just the last 20 years. There isn’t a fan alive who can properly remember our glory days of the 1920s, when we were the dominating force of English football under Herbert Chapman.

Yet David Wagner has transformed Town in the space of two years, from a club that, in the words of Chris Powell, "couldn’t compete with the likes of Derby" due to a tiny operating budget.

Our transfer record before this June was £1.8million for Christopher Schindler, bought in last summer by Wagner as he introduced 12 new faces to West Yorkshire.

His well documented survival trip to Sweden created a team bond that propelled Town up the Championship table early - and allowed them to stay there.

It was centre-back Schindler, that record signing for money that was considered a big gamble this time last year, who rolled in the £200m winning play-off penalty at Wembley.

For all of Town’s strengths as a team last season - their cohesion, magnificent work ethic and uncanny ability to score late - there are gaps that need plugging after promotion.

Wagner has gone about them one-by-one and by early July, has moulded a 25-man squad which he clearly believes can compete in the Premier League.

First our record went on £3.5m man Laurent Depoitre, who makes Popeye look like Pete Doherty during his Libertines years.

A chiselled, imposing forward, the Belgian was rumoured to be on his way to Tottenham in 2014 but chose the Portuguese champions instead, but got barely any game time in the Primeira Liga.

Next through the door and breaking the bank was loanee Aaron Mooy, easily the best player I have seen at Town in my lifetime - not difficult, granted, but he was the midfield driving force behind our promotion push.

A further £8m was faxed over the Pennines to Manchester City and Wagner has his main man back in midfield.

Loan players played a huge part in our promotion success and that does go some way to explaining why nine players have come through the door rather than six.

Kasey Palmer, Elias Kachunga and Mooy are now on the books again, three of the stand-outs from last term. It’s taken £10m altogether, plus another helping hand from Chelsea, but Wagner has retained his spine for a relatively small outlay.

Tom Ince arrived last week as the third record signing, Town securing the services of a man who has 52 goals and assists in 107 games for Derby. At 25 and for a fee rising to £11m, it could be a masterstroke in this market.

Wagner insists on stiff competition for places and wants two player per role. Town will play their way next season and although it’s a flexible game plan, the German sets up his team not to worry about the opposition.

Some have questioned whether this approach to the transfer market will upset squad unity.

Not a chance.

With three of the loan stars back in the ranks, Wagner has boosted the team with signings that will provide a higher level of competition, as well as rotation.

There were weeks last season when he would change seven or eight players between games to cope with the rigours of the Championship. Don’t expect him to change that philosophy.

If a player is in the squad, he will be used.

The perfect example of this is Dean Whitehead, who despite only playing 16 times last season, is a key figure to have around the club.

When you’re in a tight spot, need some leadership on the field or someone’s legs need taking, Dean’s your man. Wagner recognises this and handed him a one-year contract extension this week.

Steve Mounie is the final record breaker, a £13.5m colossus from Montpellier. Scoring just one less than Kylian Mbappe in Ligue 1 last term, the 22-year-old looks to have a bright future.

Chairman Hoyle, the fan owner who got Town to this stage despite years of selling our best players and working on peanuts, finally has his reward.

But he’s not resting on the riches that have fallen Town’s way. He’s given Wagner the backing and has told the German, try keep us up.

He’s given him assurance that should Town get relegated, he won’t swing the axe. And Dean is an owner who means it.

Expect more players through the door before our first game against Crystal Palace, as Wagner trims the fat of the squad once pre-season is underway.

The line-up at Selhurst Park will likely include at least SIX of the players who started at Wembley.

Tommy Smith, Chris Lowe, Chris Schindler, Aaron Mooy, Elias Kachunga and Jonathan Hogg were all magnificent last season and despite the new arrivals, are the soul of this team.

Whatever happens, Town fans will be happy just to see some effort. We’re a fiercely proud bunch from an unfashionable part of the country, about to be let loose on the big time.

We’re going to enjoy every second of it.