1955–56 Huddersfield Town A.F.C. season explained

Season:1955–56
League Result:21st (relegated)
Cup1 Result:Third round
League Topscorer:Jimmy Glazzard (11)
Season Topscorer:Jimmy Glazzard (11)
Highest Attendance:37,780 vs Manchester United (31 March 1956)
Lowest Attendance:9,224 vs Birmingham City (7 March 1956)
Largest Win:4–0 vs Sunderland (24 December 1955)
4–0 vs Charlton Athletic (14 April 1956)
Largest Loss:0–5 vs Birmingham City (19 November 1955)
Nextseason:1956–57

Huddersfield Town's 1955–56 campaign saw Town relegated from Division 1. They finished in 21st position with 35 points, the same as 20th placed Aston Villa, who survived due to a superior goal average. The season was a cramped affair in the league standings, with difference in points between 2nd placed Blackpool and bottom placed Sheffield United, being just 16 points.

Review

Following the previous season's failure to improve on the season before's 3rd-placed finish, some were wondering what Town would conjure up under Andy Beattie. The start of the season was dreadful for Town, with many losses sending Town into a downward spiral to the bottom of Division 1. Even the signing of Aston Villa striker Dave Hickson didn't halt the slide to Division 2. A run of 7 defeats in a row, including a 5–2 defeat at Everton, followed immediately by a 6–2 defeat to Newcastle United at Leeds Road didn't help things much.

February to April saw Town mount a recovery mainly through the goals of Jimmy Glazzard, Dave Hickson and Vic Metcalfe. Town still had a chance of survival with 4 matches to go, although they realistically had to win all their last 4 games against West Bromwich Albion, Charlton Athletic, Tottenham Hotspur and Charlton Athletic. They did manage to achieve this, but an inferior goal average meant that Town went down, while Aston Villa survived.

Results

Division One

DateOpponentsH / AResult
F – A
ScorersAttendancePosition
20 August 1955PortsmouthH1–0Watson21,0621st
24 August 1955ChelseaH1–3Glazzard20,30814th
27 August 1955SunderlandA1–4Cavanagh42,36917th
29 August 1955ChelseaA0–025,88316th
3 September 1955Aston VillaH1–1Glazzard19,80517th
10 September 1955Wolverhampton WanderersA0–443,95420th
17 September 1955Manchester CityH3–3McGarry, Metcalfe (pen), Connor26,44321st
24 September 1955Cardiff CityA2–1Watson, Davie25,11718th
1 October 1955Preston North EndH2–2Watson, Glazzard23,89216th
8 October 1955BurnleyA0–222,10919th
15 October 1955Luton TownH0–219,62121st
22 October 1955Manchester UnitedA0–334,15021st
29 October 1955Sheffield UnitedH1–2Glazzard17,83221st
5 November 1955EvertonA2–5Glazzard, Lello (og)36,42321st
12 November 1955Newcastle UnitedH2–6Cavanagh, Watson18,66422nd
19 November 1955Birmingham CityA0–524,84122nd
26 November 1955West Bromwich AlbionH1–0Metcalfe (pen)18,73122nd
3 December 1955Charlton AthleticA1–4Metcalfe (pen)16,72822nd
10 December 1955Tottenham HotspurH1–0Glazzard11,09422nd
17 December 1955PortsmouthA2–5Metcalfe (pen), Watson16,34722nd
24 December 1955SunderlandH4–0Quested, Marriott, Glazzard (2)21,80322nd
26 December 1955BlackpoolA2–4Glazzard, Hickson27,62822nd
27 December 1955BlackpoolH3–1Metcalfe (2), Gratrix (og)34,61922nd
31 December 1955Aston VillaA0–324,99322nd
2 January 1956Bolton WanderersA2–2Hartle (og), Cavanagh39,52422nd
14 January 1956Wolverhampton WanderersH1–3Metcalfe (pen)14,58722nd
21 January 1956Manchester CityA0–121,07622nd
4 February 1956Cardiff CityH1–2Metcalfe (pen)12,58622nd
11 February 1956Preston North EndA2–1Hickson (2)17,36322nd
18 February 1956BurnleyH1–0Cavanagh16,24321st
25 February 1956Luton TownA2–1McGarry (2)15,33121st
7 March 1956Birmingham CityH1–1Simpson9,22420th
10 March 1956Sheffield UnitedA1–3Quested30,38221st
17 March 1956EvertonH1–0Hickson18,80721st
24 March 1956Newcastle UnitedA1–1Davie20,00820th
31 March 1956Manchester UnitedH0–237,78022nd
2 April 1956ArsenalA0–230,83622nd
3 April 1956ArsenalH0–124,46922nd
7 April 1956West Bromwich AlbionA2–1Hickson, Glazzard16,14122nd
14 April 1956Charlton AthleticH4–0Metcalfe (2), McGarry, Hickson14,06522nd
21 April 1956Tottenham HotspurA2–1Norman (og), Hickson36,38721st
28 April 1956Bolton WanderersH3–1Glazzard, Hickson (2)18,87721st

FA Cup

DateRoundOpponentsH / AResult
F – A
ScorersAttendance
7 January 1956Round 3Bolton WanderersA0–0Match abandoned after 46 minutes due to fog?
11 January 1956Round 3Bolton WanderersA0–320,862

Appearances and goals

NameNationPositionLeague AppsLeague GoalsFA Cup AppsFA Cup GoalsTotal AppsTotal Goals
John BattyeDF800080
Gerry BurrellMF400040
Tommy CavanaghFW19410204
Ron CockerillDF100010
John CoddingtonDF100010
Jack ConnorDF210021
Tony ConwellDF18000180
Willie DavieFW21200212
Harry FearnleyGK13000130
Bryan FrearFW700070
Brian GibsonDF28010290
Jimmy GlazzardFW2711102811
Dave HicksonFW26910279
Albert HobsonMF300030
Laurie KellyDF28010290
Bob LedgerMF100010
Jackie MarriottMF27110281
Bill McGarryDF40410414
Vic MetcalfeMF3110103210
Harry MillsGK10000100
Len QuestedDF42210432
Ron SimpsonFW21100211
Ken TaylorDF36010370
Jimmy WatsonMF23500235
Jack WheelerGK19010200
Ray WilsonDF600060