Darragh MacAnthony comments on Huddersfield after Posh win the promotion

June 8, 2011 - PRLog -- Darragh MacAnthony speaks candidly after Peterborough United FC has been promoted again.  
Put your question to Darragh before June 30th by emailing info@darraghmacanthony.com. Darragh will pick his favourite 10 questions and they will feature on his site early next month with his answer.

Q1) How nervous were you when it was 0-0 and Huddersfield Town had the majority of the possession?
Darragh: Yeah there was a 20 minute spell when all I was thinking about was extra time and maybe penalties to get the job done. In fairness to Huddersfield, they came at us in that spell and I couldn't believe how well our lads soaked up the pressure. I think Huddersfield had one decent chance in this spell to score so it just shows you how well we defended throughout the team. 2 clean sheets in last 2 games of the play-offs is something to be proud of, maybe even more then scoring 120 odd goals through the season.

Q2) Did you get to talk to Lee Clark after the game?
Darragh: Yep I gave him a hug after the game because I felt for him big time. His team was undefeated since before Christmas and it must have been a real body blow to see those 3 goals go in so quickly and bosh it’s season over. He and his Chairman are lovely people and proper football people who I would put a lot of money on winning league 1 by 10 points next season once they get over this disappointment. They were both very classy after the game and deserve instant success. Huddersfield is another one of those clubs that with a bit of momentum and success could be getting 20,000 every week through the gates. I know their fans are a bit agitated with me over comments made at our parade but I do wish them all the best and only have good things to say about their club from top to bottom.

Q3) What will you do differently in the Championship this time around?
Darragh: Give it a lot more respect and hard work then maybe last time. Not panic. Support the Manager and players as best I can. Be ruthless as a club to make sure we have squad strong enough to cope with step up and build from there. Stick to our policies and principals. Try and enjoy it this time.

Q4) You have owned the Club for four full seasons and have experienced three promotions and one relegation. Would you be happy with mid-table safety this time around?
Darragh: Probably, but this is Posh we are talking about and we just don’t do mid-table safety (hehe). I will happy if all of us have given it everything we have got and see where that leads us. 3 promotions in 4 seasons is mad and makes it all worthwhile. The promotions and the relegation has given me great experience - that’s for sure.

5) You always back your Managers, will you be strengthening the squad?
Darragh: Like never before we will be investing for the future on and off the field top to bottom with probably 15 -17 departures and 10-12 arrivals. The right blend is needed for the squad and i will back the Gaffer as best I can.

6) What did you do after the game at Old Trafford?  How did you celebrate with the Club and personally after the media frenzy died down slightly?
Darragh: Enjoyed the moment with players and staff in dressing room, then back to hotel to enjoy the moment in private with my wife, then I partied till 2am with everyone from the club. What a day, what a night…I didn’t sleep for nearly 48 hours…

7) How thrilled were you to get 2 clean sheets at the end of the season in semi-final, and final...especially with a change of personnel in goal?
Darragh: Paul Jones stepped up when we needed him and showed what an amazing talent he is for a 24 year old. I was delighted for him and we are of course trying to get him tied down as we speak.

8) It is not often you see a Chairman dancing on the pitch. It was great to see your delight.  Was that your greatest day at the Club?
Darragh: Yes for sure and I couldn’t help the emotion that took over. It’s been a tough long season and put me under a lot of stress and pressure to deliver for our fans and to see it all come off in final 10 minutes of the season was sensational. I probably looked daft but didn’t care and would happily do it again and again…

9) What does it mean for you to have Darren Ferguson back at the Club? He obviously has a great deal of respect for you. What are your comments on the past rumours that you both fell out?
Darragh: We both stopped talking and both acted like a couple of naughty school pals who fell out and truth is that we have great synergy and get on like you wouldn’t believe. We will work together for a long time and trust me we will NOT stop talking. There is so much respect between us and great history.

10) Do you think you could get used to the idea of visiting Old Trafford every year?
Darragh: If it ends like that, then yes but wouldn’t mind a trip to Wembley either. Days like those at stadiums like these, are what we all live for and strive for.

11) The fans made a great noise at Old Trafford. You could not tell they were out-numbered and you commented on this fact outside of Peterborough Town Hall.  How much satisfaction did the support of the fans give you?
Darragh: We punch above our weight on and off the pitch and do this for our fans. They broke the bank to travel to Manchester to support us and i will forever be indebted to them for that. I have personally felt so welcome by our fans and hope never to outstay this welcome hence my desperation to give them results and good football teams to support.

12) You have been quoted to say once that you didn’t feel entirely satisfied with the Club for 19 months. How have recent events changed this view in relation to the legacy you strive to create for both you and the Posh fans?
Darragh: I have had a tough few years and that relegation came at a bad time and it took a lot to have another go this season, but it had the ultimate pay off and I am more excited by the future than ever before.

13) It was really a day for the whole City of Peterborough to be proud of.  How does it make you feel being responsible for that?
Darragh: I am not responsible for that, that’s down to our players, staff and fans and they bloody deserved it. Peterborough is a fantastic forward thinking city with a good infrastructure and solid plans for the future and these involve having a 20,000 modern stadium at London Road so the future is bright, its Blue and for days like OT, it’s a good shade of Black!!!!

Reference: http://www.darraghmacanthony.com/darragh-reflects-on-prom...