Lee Nicholls on Dean Hoyle-inspired 'top to bottom togetherness' behind Huddersfield Town form

Lee Nicholls has expressed his delight over being named in the Championship team of the season just two days after helping Huddersfield Town mathematically secure a top six finish. The Terriers goalkeeper has been in phenomenal form all season, keeping 18 clean sheets and barely putting a foot or glove wrong between the sticks.

The goalkeeper is the only Town representative in the side, which is otherwise made up of players from Fulham, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest. Luton Town boss Nathan Jones was named manager of the season.

Nicholls arrived at Town from Milton Keynes Dons on a free transfer last summer and made his debut in the League Cup against Sheffield Wednesday, acting as the hero after the goalless encounter went to a penalty shootout. He was then ruled out of the first two league games of the season for covid-related reasons, but has appeared in every Championship game since.

Speaking of his relationship with the fans, Nicholls told the club’s YouTube channel: “Ever since the Sheffield United game (sic) it was almost…you just helped me settle in. Everyone around the town when you’re walking around, everyone saying hello and pictures all the time, they just helped me settle in so quick and helped me perform the way I have.

“This club is like a family, it really is. We’ve spoken about the dressing room but I think that goes from top to bottom. When we went at the end of the game and came together like that, that’s come from [Dean Hoyle]. It just goes to show from top to bottom there’s a real togetherness.”

Nicholls had found himself out of favour at League One Milton Keynes last season after losing his place to Andy Fisher, but believes that has only spurred him on to greater success this time