The 1997–98 season was a disaster turned into a success for Huddersfield Town. After a closed season of little activity in the transfer market, Town started the 1997–98 season disastrously and, after some questionable signings and tactical decisions, Brian Horton was sacked in October 1997 as the club lay at the foot of Division One. Thirty-six-year-old former Huddersfield, Bradford City and Newcastle United central defender Peter Jackson was drafted in as Horton's replacement in October and turned the club's fortunes around drastically. He immediately installed the experienced former Wales manager Terry Yorath as his assistant. Given a generous transfer budget by the board, Jackson captured experienced pros such as former Welsh internationals Barry Horne and David Phillips in addition to powerful local-born striker Wayne Allison from Division 1 rivals Swindon Town. He also managed to rejuvenate players such as Marcus Stewart and, particularly, the previously inconsistent Paul Dalton to the extent that the club finished a respectable 16th in the final table.
Squad at the start of the season
Review The start of the season was the worst in the entire history of Huddersfield Town. Town won none of their first 14 league games. In fact the only games they won were two League Cup ties against Bradford City and more surprisingly Premier League side West Ham United (they eventually lost 3–1 on aggregate against the Hammers) Manager Brian Horton dropped popular keeper Steve Francis for the televised game against Nottingham Forest. Town lost the game 2–0 and two days later Horton was shown the door.
Popular ex-player Peter Jackson was hired three days later, but Town lost four of Jackson's first 5 games and drew the other, conceding 14 goals and only scoring three. Then amazingly, Town beat Stoke City 3–1 on 1 November and the fightback began. Jackson brought in experienced players such as Barry Horne, Wayne Allison, David Phillips and Lee Richardson, as well as loan signing Steve Harper from Newcastle United. They then managed to beat Manchester City 1–0 in a televised game at Maine Road in November.
After another severe dip in form during February and March, in which Town lost five out of six, some thought that survival was a bridge too far for Jackson's side. But a six-match unbeaten run near the end of the season, followed by a win against West Bromwich Albion, confirmed Town's safety. They finished in 16th position and used a record 37 players during that season, including four goalkeepers. The season will always be remembered and referred to as "The Great Escape".
Squad at the end of the season
Results Division One DateOpponentsHome/AwayResultF – AScorersAttendancePosition9 August 1997Oxford UnitedA0–27,08521st23 August 1997Swindon TownA1–1Stewart 7,68322nd30 August 1997Sheffield UnitedH0–014,26823rd2 September 1997Bradford CityH1–2Stewart 13,15923rd9 September 1997Birmingham CityH0–19,47723rd13 September 1997Ipswich TownH2–2Jenkins , Dyer 9,31324th20 September 1997Stockport CountyA0–36,99524th27 September 1997Wolverhampton WanderersA1–1Stewart 21,72324th3 October 1997Nottingham ForestH0–211,25824th14 October 1997Charlton AthleticH0–39,59624th18 October 1997SunderlandA1–3Dalton 24,78224th21 October 1997Port ValeA1–4Stewart 5,24424th25 October 1997PortsmouthH1–1Dalton 8,98524th28 October 1997MiddlesbroughA0–329,96524th1 November 1997Stoke CityH3–1Richardson , Stewart , Dalton 10,91624th4 November 1997Tranmere RoversA0–15,12724th7 November 1997Manchester CityA1–0Edwards 24,42524th15 November 1997ReadingH1–0Dalton 12,61724th22 November 1997Queens Park RangersA1–2Morrison 16,06624th29 November 1997BuryH2–0Dalton [7, 83]11,92923rd6 December 1997Crewe AlexandraA5–2Stewart [24, 70], Dalton [40, 83 (pen)], Allison 4,86122nd13 December 1997Norwich CityH1–3Stewart 11,43624th20 December 1997West Bromwich AlbionA2–0Dalton [51, 72]14,61920th26 December 1997MiddlesbroughH0–118,18623rd28 December 1997Bradford CityA1–1Dalton 17,84222nd10 January 1998Oxford UnitedH5–1Gray [21 (og)], Phillips , Stewart [41, 55], Allison 10,37819th17 January 1998Birmingham CityA0–017,85019th27 January 1998Sheffield UnitedA1–1Dalton 16,53519th31 January 1998Swindon TownH0–010,02819th7 February 1998Stockport CountyH1–0Allison 11,12118th14 February 1998Ipswich TownA1–5Stewart 10,50919th17 February 1998Nottingham ForestA0–318,23120th21 February 1998Wolverhampton WanderersH1–0Dyson 12,63318th24 February 1998SunderlandH2–3Allison , Phillips 14,61519th28 February 1998Charlton AthleticA0–112,90822nd3 March 1998Manchester CityH1–3Dalton [38 (pen)]15,69422nd7 March 1998Stoke CityA2–1Barnes , Stewart 12,59421st14 March 1998Tranmere RoversH3–0Allison , Stewart , Hill [77 (og)]10,84417th21 March 1998ReadingA2–0Stewart [73, 88]8,59315th28 March 1998Queens Park RangersH1–1Gray 13,68115th4 April 1998BuryA2–2Richardson [34 (pen), 71]8,04215th11 April 1998Crewe AlexandraH2–0Allison , Johnson 11,26314th13 April 1998Norwich CityA0–516,55016th18 April 1998West Bromwich AlbionH1–0Baldry 11,70413th25 April 1998PortsmouthA0–314,01314th3 May 1998Port ValeH0–415,61016th
FA Cup DateRoundOpponentsHome/AwayResultF – AScorersAttendance13 January 1998Round 3BournemouthA1–0Stewart 7,38524 January 1998Round 4WimbledonH0–114,533
League Cup DateRoundOpponentsHome/AwayResultF – AScorersAttendance12 August 1997Round 1 1st LegBradford CityH2–1Payton , Dreyer [45 (og)]8,73526 August 1997Round 1 2nd LegBradford CityA1–1Burnett 8,065 Huddersfield won 3–2 on aggregate16 September 1997Round 2 1st LegWest Ham UnitedH1–0Dyer 8,52529 September 1997Round 2 2nd LegWest Ham UnitedA0–316,137 Huddersfield lost 3–1 on aggregate
Appearances and goals NameNationalityPositionLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsWayne AllisonFW2762000296Simon BaldryMF8 (3)1001 (1)09 (4)1Paul BarnesFW11 (4)1000011 (4)1Vince BartramGK1200000120David BeresfordMF5 (3)000106 (3)0Marcus BrowningMF10 (4)0001011 (4)0Wayne BurnettMF11 (4)0003 (1)114 (5)1Sam CollinsDF9 (1)0001010 (1)0Paul DaltonMF26 (5)13201029 (5)13Alex DyerMF8 (4)1003111 (4)2Jon DysonDF35 (1)1203040 (1)1Darren EdmondsonDF15 (4)00 (1)02017 (5)0Rob EdwardsMF26 (12)10 (1)02028 (13)1Delroy FaceyFW1 (2)000001 (2)0Steve FrancisGK900040130Kevin GrayDF34 (1)1202038 (1)1Steve HarperGK2402000260Thomas HearyDF2 (1)0000 (1)02 (2)0Sean HesseyDF0 (1)000000 (1)0Barry HorneMF29 (1)0200031 (1)0Chris HurstMF1 (2)0000 (1)01 (3)0Steve JenkinsDF28 (1)1204034 (1)1Grant JohnsonMF28 (1)1200030 (1)1Ian LawsonFW3 (15)0000 (1)03 (16)0Lee MakelMF10 (3)00 (1)04014 (4)0Lee MartinDF2 (1)000103 (1)0Michael MidwoodFW0 (1)000000 (1)0Andy MorrisonDF22 (1)1203027 (1)1Martin NielsenMF0 (3)000000 (3)0Derek O'ConnorGK10000 (1)01 (1)0Andy PaytonFW4 (1)000216 (1)1David PhillipsMF2922000312Lee RichardsonMF16 (5)30 (2)00016 (7)3Robbie RyanDF1000020120Alex SmithDF4 (2)000004 (2)0Marcus StewartFW38 (3)15214044 (3)16Julian WattsDF80000080
References