Huddersfield Town's 1986–87 campaign saw the end of Mick Buxton's reign as Huddersfield Town manager, a job he had had for 8 years. Only Clem Stephenson has had a longer reign as manager of the Terriers. He was replaced by Steve Smith in early January 1987, but Town only survived relegation by 3 points, which became a sort of precursor to the debacle that the next season's campaign would bring.

Squad at the start of the season

Review The start of the season was mixed, with no win until 20 September, when they surprisingly beat near neighbours and early league leaders Oldham Athletic 5–4 at Leeds Road despite playing with ten men for much of the game. The main highlight of the early part of the season was a Littlewoods Cup tie against Arsenal, in which Town only lost 3–1 on aggregate.

The middle part of the season didn't prove to be much better, a run of 4 consecutive losses including a 4–3 loss at Bradford City, but that was reconciled when they beat them 5–2 on 27 December. Just before beating Bradford, Mick Buxton's tenure as Town manager ended after 8 years in charge. He was replaced by coach Steve Smith.

Smith's tenure started with a 4–2 defeat by Norwich City, but during March, Town went on a run of six consecutive draws – a club record. Town finished the season in 17th, just 3 points and 3 places above the drop zone. Little did Town fans know what was going to happen to Town the following season.

Squad at the end of the season

Results Division Two DateOpponentsHome/AwayResultF–AScorersAttendancePosition23 August 1986SunderlandH0–29,93720th30 August 1986West Bromwich AlbionA0–19,25020th6 September 1986Leeds UnitedH1–1Shearer9,30621st9 September 1986Crystal PalaceA0–16,60121st13 September 1986Birmingham CityA1–1Dicks (og)6,93420th20 September 1986Oldham AthleticH5–4Raynor (2), Shearer (2), Brown (pen)7,36819th27 September 1986PortsmouthA0–19,02220th4 October 1986Derby CountyH2–0Cork, Raynor7,69019th11 October 1986Stoke CityA0–27,54320th18 October 1986Sheffield UnitedA0–09,24321st21 October 1986Shrewsbury TownH2–1Shearer (2)4,09716th25 October 1986Hull CityH1–3Banks (pen)5,40619th1 November 1986Ipswich TownA0–310,21119th8 November 1986Brighton & Hove AlbionH2–1Shearer, Banks4,46317th15 November 1986Bradford CityA3–4Raynor, McDermott, Banks (pen)8,01119th22 November 1986Plymouth ArgyleH1–2Webster4,87420th13 December 1986MillwallA0–43,51522nd20 December 1986Crystal PalaceH1–2Shearer4,18122nd26 December 1986Blackburn RoversA2–1Shearer, Barker (og)7,14420th27 December 1986Bradford CityH5–2Shearer (4), Banks10,00319th1 January 1987Grimsby TownH0–07,53019th3 January 1987Leeds UnitedA1–1Banks17,98319th24 January 1987SunderlandA1–2Winter10,48621st7 February 1987West Bromwich AlbionH2–1Shearer, Cork5,21822nd14 February 1987Shrewsbury TownA2–1Banks, Shearer3,28518th17 February 1987ReadingA2–3Cork, Shearer4,66418th21 February 1987PortsmouthH2–0Shearer, Banks6,22918th28 February 1987Oldham AthleticA0–28,91118th3 March 1987Birmingham CityH2–2Cooper, Cork5,17718th7 March 1987Hull CityA0–05,87217th14 March 1987Sheffield UnitedH1–1Banks7,56818th21 March 1987Stoke CityH2–2Shearer, Cork7,22218th31 March 1987BarnsleyH2–2Shearer (2)7,56919th3 April 1987Brighton & Hove AlbionA1–1Shearer7,51619th8 April 1987Derby CountyA0–215,43219th11 April 1987Ipswich TownH1–2McCall (og)5,88820th18 April 1987Grimsby TownA1–0Jones4,19820th20 April 1987Blackburn RoversH1–2Cork7,73121st25 April 1987Plymouth ArgyleA1–1Cork13,34221st2 May 1987ReadingH2–0Shearer, Phil Wilson4,54919th4 May 1987BarnsleyA1–0Cooper8,56418th9 May 1987MillwallH3–0Jones, Cork (2)6,95517th

FA Cup

DateRoundOpponentsHome/AwayResultF–AScorersAttendance10 January 1987Round 3Norwich CityA1–1Shearer11,52421 January 1987Round 3 replayNorwich CityH2–4Brown (pen), Cork8,970

League Cup

DateRoundOpponentsHome/AwayResultF–AScorersAttendance26 August 1986Round 1 1st LegHalifax TownH3–1Cork, Cowling, Shearer2,6362 September 1986Round 1 2nd LegHalifax TownA2–2Cork, Shearer1,353 Huddersfield won 5–3 on aggregate.23 September 1986Round 2 1st LegArsenalA0–215,1947 October 1986Round 2 2nd LegArsenalH1–1Banks8,713 Huddersfield lost 3–1 on aggregate.

Full Members' Cup

DateRoundOpponentsHome/AwayResultF–AScorersAttendance16 September 1986Round 1Blackburn RoversH1–2Shearer1,947

Appearances and goals NameNationalityPositionLeagueFA CupLeague CupFull Members' CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsIan BanksMF378202100419Ian BrayDF130003010170Malcolm BrownDF331213000382David BurkeDF210200000230Graham CooperFW7 (5)20 (1)01 (2)0109 (8)2David CorkFW31 (5)9213 (1)20036 (6)12David CowlingMF340204110411Brian CoxGK370204010440Andy DibbleGK5000000050Steve DoyleMF5000200070Joey JonesDF29 (1)200400033 (1)2Brian McDermottMF4100000041Willie McStayDF0 (1)00000000 (1)0Graham MitchellDF16 (1)020101020 (1)0Paul RaynorMF18 (2)40 (1)0301022 (3)4Duncan ShearerFW42212142114925Andy ThackerayMF2000000 (1)02 (1)0Simon TrevittDF9 (2)000101011 (2)0Peter WardFW4 (3)00000004 (3)0Simon WebsterDF391203010451Paul WilsonDF8000100090Phil WilsonMF37 (1)120401044 (1)1Julian WinterMF311201 (1)01035 (1)1

References