Ritchie’s joy as Terriers banish Blues

ANDY RITCHIE might not be the ideal person to ask when it comes to discussing the romance of the FA Cup, not least because the Huddersfield Town manager’s heart was broken by it no less than four times during his playing career.

Yet it seems his love-hate relationship with football’s oldest competition is blossoming again courtesy of his luck changing — in the form of Huddersfield’s surprise victory over Birmingham City at the Galpharm Stadium.

The trophy has been much-maligned in recent years and the debate rages as to its importance. Opinions are divided, yet Ritchie is convinced the tournament should be cherished for the simple reason that it is unique. Town’s win, courtesy of a late winner from Chris Brandon — he used to work in a clothes shop to make ends meet — clearly swayed Ritchie’s opinion, but nevertheless proved his point.