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Former Huddersfield Town winger Chris Brandon (pictured right) has taken the time out to take part in a Q&A sessions for Terrier-Bytes. Chris now plays for BEC Tero Sasana in Thailand but he started his career in non-league playing for Bradford Park Avenue, Farsley Celtic and Stafford Rangers before moving into league football with Torquay United in 1999. Brandon has also played for Chesterfield, Blackpool (loan) and Bradford City. Chris joined Huddersfield Town in 2004 on a free from Chesterfield and spent four years at the Galpharm Stadium making a total of 136 appearances scoring 12 goals. Brandon has a hard-working and skilful winger during his time at Town and scored some memorable goals, specially in the FA Cup with classic strikes against Worcester City and Birmingham City.


Q1. You were released as a youngster by Bradford City and you played for a few non-league clubs. Was you determined to be a professional footballer? Did you have any jobs on the side whilst playing non-league?

I was at Bradford when I was a very young boy but I never signed schoolboy forms. I actually stopped going myself because I was always getting the same comments about being talented but too small, I must of been between 11/13. They obviously didn't realise I was going to grow to a massive 5"8 haha.
I played non league till I was 23 and I really enjoyed being around former pro players, they gave me great belief in myself and told me I was good enough to play pro.. so I never gave up, going on trials at 23 is hard but I always believed I was good enough.

Q2. You got your break into league football with Torquay United aged 23, how was your time at Torquay?

I'll never forget the day I signed professional at Torquay, I was so pleased. I played 50 games in my first season and it was fantastic, I have fond memories and still speak to former players and people from the town. It's seems such a long time ago now.

Q3. You moved on to Chesterfield in the summer of 2002, you scored 10 league goals and won all three end-of-season awards at the club during your first season. When you moved on to Huddersfield Town, you were often booed by the Chesterfield fans when you played against them. Were you disappointed by their reaction?

Signing for Chesterfield was another proud moment for me, I stepped up the league ladder and had a personally good season, I was attracting some big clubs like Nottingham Forest but I ended up breaking my arm and nothing materialised. As for being booed when moving on to Huddersfield I wasn't disappointed, it's all part of football, I took it as a compliment because They didn't want me to leave at that particular point. Again chesterfield was a fantastic club with great supporters and I'm pleased they've been successful this year.

Q4. How did your move to Huddersfield Town come about? Did you have any other clubs interested in you at the time?

I had some links to Huddersfield like Rob Edwards and Martin Booty who I played with at chesterfield, I was also represented by Peter Jackson when he was an agent and I was at Torquay... I had a few clubs after me but I was praying for town to win promotion. Thank you Lee Fowler.. Hahaha. I was very nervous that day during the play offs.

Q5. How did it feel being a born and bred Bradford City fan playing for their arch rivals Huddersfield Town? The Town fans took to you as I remember a certain song about you "Chrissy Brandon is a blue"

It was fantastic playing for Town when all my family were Bradford City fans, it all adds to the football banter. To hear your name being sung is a great feeling and that song was another footballing chance to have a go at your neighbours. All good fun.

Q6. How was it playing under Peter Jackson, Gerry Murphy and Andy Ritchie during your time at Huddersfield Town?

My time at Town was again fantastic, I just wish we could of got promoted when I was there. Peter Jackson - was great to play for, he was a great motivator and very passionate.. Gerry Murphy - had a fantastic influence with the young players and they always raised there game when he was in charge.
Andy Ritchie - was a quiet man and a very genuine person, he knows football well and I hope he will return as a manager one day. I've got to mention Graham Mitchell as well, when he was briefly in charge he was excellent. A very good coach.

Q7. You were apart of the Town side that had missed out promotion as they lost in the play-offs to Barnsley during the 2005/06 season. How come you was loaned out to Blackpool the following season?

I honestly think we had enough in the dressing room to get promoted that year but that's football. I can sit and talk all day and say in my opinion we were good enough to go up but the facts are we didn't ...... Can you hear me crying... Hahaha
Going to Blackpool came about when Jacko was sacked.

Q8. Your contract was up for renewal at the end of the 2007/08 season. They sacked Andy Ritchie towards the end of that season and he was replaced with Stan Ternent. Was their talk of your contract being renewed during that season?

Towards the end of the Season I spoke to Gerry Murphy who told me he wanted to re-sign me but I tore my hamstring in the Leeds United game and then Stan came in, he never saw me play and the rest is history.

Q9. After you left Town you signed for Bradford City. It must have been a dream come true for you to sign for the club you have always supported?

Again I had a few options but I chose my home town club and dropped down a division. At the time I thought it was a great move but it turned out to be a disaster, I got injured by my own player then on my return to fitness I badly damaged my ankle which needed surgery. My first season was over because of it and in my second season I came back as fit as ever but again the season proved to be a disappointment. If there's one thing I'm disappointed with in my career it's not being a success at my home town club. There's a lot I would like to say but I don't want to sound bitter. It's just life and football so we all wipe our mouths and move on.



Q10. You are now playing in Thailand for BEC Tero Sasana. How is the standard of football in Thailand? What is the culture like?

We have this ignorance and arrogance in England that there's no where else to play football other than England. I must admit I was the same and if I had my time again I probably wouldn't change a thing regarding staying in England when I was younger but I can say coming to Thailand has been absolutely fantastic, a great experience and lifestyle change. I've had friends over who play professionally in England and they were shocked at how good the standard is. My mate who has played in the Championship joined in with us for training and was very impressed.

Q11. Do you still keep in touch with any of your former Huddersfield Town team mates? What are your favourite memories of Huddersfield Town? I don't think any Town fan will forget that goal you scored against Birmingham City in the FA Cup.

My time at Huddersfield was my best time in football. I met some great mates and still keep in touch with them regularly, it was a great club to play for and I'm genuinely a supporter now as I am with my former clubs. I was gutted they didn't get promoted this year because I know they are potentially a massive club, they have great fans, a great stadium and a chairman who's doing his best to catapult them up the leagues. As for my favourite memory I can't single anything out I just would of liked to of stayed longer because I enjoyed it so much.

Q12. And finally, any funny stories you could tell us during your time at Huddersfield Town?

You've put me on the spot now and I'm finding it hard to think of something funny, I'm actually embarrassed, I was there 4 years and I can't think of one funny thing. The players were a bunch of boring nerds... Hahaha

We are greatful for Chris for taking the time out to do this Q&A session for us. Terrier-Bytes wish him all the best for the future.