Cowleys already school hunting in Huddersfield after Lincoln farewell

Danny Cowley, his brother Nicky and their wives Kate and Lauren, are already looking for schools in Huddersfield as their football dominated families prepare to start a new life in Yorkshire.

The Cowley brothers wrote an emotional open letter to Lincoln fans after agreeing to leave Sincil Bank to join Huddersfield on Monday, which they said is “without doubt, the hardest decision of [their] lives”.

According to reports, Danny (40) and Nicky (35) previously rejected a £1.5 million a year deal to join the Terriers earlier this month despite a £1 million compensation package being agreed between the two clubs.

The Championship tried again and eventually got their men, who reportedly turned down Sheffield Wednesday — and they are eager to get started.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Danny said: “Our wives are looking for schools for our children in and around Huddersfield. Our parents will be at all the games.

“We are a football family and it dominates our household. Nicky and I are used to working together. We’ve lived our lives in each other’s pockets.

“We have different skill sets and are different characters, but we have trust and the same values.”

The pair, who were appointed at Lincoln in May 2016, leave the Imps having won two promotions and two league titles, as well as enjoying Wembley success in the Checkatrade Trophy and a magic FA Cup run.

Danny has now admitted the “safer option would’ve been to stay at Lincoln,” but he is relishing the challenge of “facing adversity” at Huddersfield after they signed what is reported to be a three-year deal.

He said: “The safer option would’ve been to stay at Lincoln, a club that we love, but we want to make the right decisions and test ourselves.

“I want that moment when your backs are against the wall and you’re facing adversity; that’s really living.

“There’s not doubting that there’s good players and that Huddersfield is a wonderful football club. We just have to remind everyone of that.”

Nicky added: “The past has happened and we are here to affect the future. I’ve watched back every Huddersfield game this season and the supporters really impressed me for the way they stuck with the players. We need them behind us this Sunday.”

The Cowley’s first game in charge of Huddersfield will be a Yorkshire derby clash against Sheffield Wednesday at the John Smith’s Stadium on Sunday.

Meanwhile their old club Lincoln will host Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

Lincoln City have begun the process of appointing a new manager. Jamie McCombe and Andy Warrington will be taking charge of first team affairs with support from Jez George, the club’s Head of Football, until a new management team is appointed.

Nicky Cowley’s wife Lauren spoke about the emotional move to Yorkshire on Twitter, saying: “As a family we have had an incredible 3 years at Lincoln City and can’t thank the staff and people of Lincoln enough.

“You welcomed us into your magical city that we are now lucky enough to call our home. We have made memories and friends to last a lifetime.

“The club and it’s people will always have a special place in our hearts and we will miss them dearly. Long may Lincoln City’s success continue.

“I am so sad that It’s the end of a fantastic, life changing era but unfortunately all good things must come to an end.

“We are extremely proud of the boys and excited to start the new chapter. Thank you so much for the overwhelming amount of positive messages we have all received, it really does mean the world to us all!”

---

FULL COVERAGE

• The Cowleys’ open letter to fans
• Fans react to Cowleys’ departure for tenfold salary increase
• “There was obvious chemistry,” Huddersfield say about Cowley snatch
• Who will take over at Lincoln City from Danny Cowley?