FOR Dagenham & Redbridge academy boss Wayne Burnett the FA Cup first round clash at Huddersfield Town on Friday night will be a trip back down memory lane. The 38-year-old was with the Terriers back in 1996, initially spending time on loan, before he sign

by MIKE SIMMONDS

FOR Dagenham & Redbridge academy boss Wayne Burnett the FA Cup first round clash at Huddersfield Town on Friday night will be a trip back down memory lane.

The 38-year-old was with the Terriers back in 1996, initially spending time on loan, before he signed for �100,000 from Bolton Wanderers.

He played a whole season in the Championship as Huddersfield avoided relegation after finishing fifth from bottom.

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"They were good times as we were in the Championship playing against a high standard of teams and the crowds were good too," said Burnett, who made 60 appearances in all, scoring one goal.

"We had some good players there, Marcus Stewart, Steve Jenkins - a Welsh international - Marcus Browning and Lee Makel.

"We had a reasonable season too, we weren't one of the big boys, but we did admirably well."

Burnett departed when Brian Horton was replaced by Peter Jackson at the helm and he eventually moved to Grimsby.

"Brian left and Peter took over with Terry Yorath and wanted to do things his own way, so I left," said Burnett.

"It has changed a lot since I was there, I don't think there is anyone from my day as I haven't been back since I left.

"There might be some office staff, but I'm looking forward to it."

Although Huddersfield are currently flying high in League One, sitting sixth in the table, Burnett insists that Daggers can be more than a match for their illustrious opponents.

"It's a good draw and should be a good game," he said.

"They're flying high, I think they're unbeaten at home, so it's going to be a really tough game.

"It's one that we're looking forward to though, we're not going there to make the numbers up, we're looking to progress in this competition."

It has been a good week for the management staff at Daggers, with John Still committing himself until 2014, while Burnett, Terry Harris and John Gowens have agreed extensions for the next two seasons.

The contracts have taken time to sign, but Burnett was delighted to finally put pen to paper.

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"We've all signed, it's finally been done, everyone is happy," he said.

"We're a tight-knit group and long may it continue.

"The club is in a good position, financially we don't owe anyone any money and the club is run correctly.

"The club have shown faith in the gaffer and rightly so, he's done an unbelievable job at this football club.

"He continues to produce players, he continues to produce winning football teams.

"There would be lots and lots of chairman around the country who would be delighted to have John Still as their manager, so I can understand why the club have tied him to a long contract."

If you would like to comment on this story, email: mike.simmonds@archant.co.uk

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