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Huddersfield Town’s 2012 play-off winners: Where are they now?

Sheffield Wednesday's Jordan Rhodes celebrates after scoring their first goal (REUTERS)
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We catch up with Huddersfield Town’s triumphant 2012 League One play-off winners.

As Huddersfield Town prepare for the Championship play-offs, let’s catch up with the starting-eleven that beat Sheffield United on penalties to win promotion in 2012.

Goalkeeper Alex Smithies is first-choice between the sticks at Championship strugglers Queens Park Rangers. The 27-year-old has been ever-present this season, keeping seven clean sheets in the process. Smithies captained his team in their recent 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.

Speaking of Wednesday, right-back Jack Hunt joined Carlos Carvalhal’s side from Crystal Palace on a permanent deal last January. Hunt, 26, has featured 32 times this season and could come up against the Terriers in the play-offs.

Hunt plays alongside former Town striker Jordan Rhodes at Hillsborough. The goal poacher moved to the Owls in January after failing to secure a regular spot in Middlesbrough’s Premier League starting-eleven. So far, Rhodes has netted three league goals for Wednesday, the most recent coming in their 5-1 win over Norwich City in March.

Sean Morrison and Calum Woods also ply their trade in the Championship.

Morrison took the Cardiff City captaincy following David Marshall’s departure to Hull City at the start of the season. The centre-back has racked up over 100 appearances for the Bluebirds, only missing two league games this campaign.

Woods, who is contracted to Preston North End, has not featured all season after suffering a serious knee injury during a preseason friendly.

That friendly game pitted Woods against ex-Huddersfield teammate Peter Clarke. The 35-year-old now turns out for League One club Oldham Athletic. Clarke, who captains the Latics, was ever-present for John Sheridan’s side this season – and was rewarded with a new two-and-a-half-year deal last month.

Damien Johnson and Tommy Miller have since taken up coaching roles.

Johnson retired with Fleetwood Town in 2013 before joining Blackburn Rovers’ backroom staff. He is the club’s Professional Development Phase Lead Coach and works alongside former Birmingham City man David Dunn. Johnson is also a coach for the Republic of Ireland’s under-21s.

Likewise, Miller has stayed in the game as assistant manager of recently-promoted Evo-Stik Premier League outfit Spennymoor Town. Previously, Miller had a stint in caretaker charge of Swindon Town before winning the 2016 FA Trophy win with Halifax.

Lee Novak has endured a frustrating season for Charlton Athletic. After spells with Birmingham City and Chesterfield, the forward made a free transfer switch to the Addicks in July. He only bagged two goals in 29 appearances for the mid-table side.

Danny Ward, who was linked with a return to the John Smith’s Stadium in January, recently suffered relegation with bottom-of-the-league Rotherham United. The 26-year-old finished as the club’s top scorer after netting eleven goals for the Millers.

Kallum Higginbotham is now playing for Scottish Championship club Dunfermline. The winger, 27, has grabbed six goals and six assists for Allan Johnston’s men.