Huddersfield Town's 1960–61 campaign was Town's worst ever season to date. They missed out on relegation to Division Three for the first time in their history. They finished the season in 20th place, just two points ahead of relegated Portsmouth. Their main high point of the season was the defeat of FA Cup holders Wolverhampton Wanderers in the third round of the FA Cup.

Squad at the start of the season

Review Following Denis Law's record-breaking departure to Manchester City the previous season, Town's strikeforce was severely depleted, despite the purchase of Derek Stokes from neighbours Bradford City. Town's start was somewhat decent in the strike department, but the defence department was leaking goals leading Town down the table to the relegation trapdoor to Division Three. Not even a 4–1 win over rivals Leeds United at their home Elland Road gave Town much joy during the season. As Town were dropping rapidly down the table Aston Villa's Pat Saward was brought in to stop the slide. Les Massie & Derek Stokes' 31 league goals helped Town survive the drop by just two points from Portsmouth. They finished 20th with just 35 points, their closest shave with relegation in their history.

Their season will be best remembered for their exploits in the FA Cup. Their third round match was against the holders and Division One leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers. At the time, Town were bottom of Division Two and travelled to Molineux Stadium with virtually no chance of victory expected. They managed a 1–1 draw thanks to a goal by Stokes. The replay at Leeds Road was the first match to use the newly erected "Denis Law Lights" and saw Town victorious by the score of 2–1 with goals from Stokes and Michael O'Grady. They eventually lost to Barnsley in the next round.

Squad at the end of the season

Results

Division Two DateOpponentsHome/AwayResultF – AScorersAttendancePosition20 August 1960Luton TownH1–1Stokes18,1569th23 August 1960Swansea TownA0–215,29515th27 August 1960Lincoln CityA0–08,63919th31 August 1960Swansea TownH3–1Stokes, Massie, McHale12,91310th3 September 1960PortsmouthH3–3Massie, Stokes (2)15,23711th6 September 1960Sheffield UnitedA1–3Stokes (pen)14,25815th10 September 1960Leeds UnitedA4–1Stokes (2, 1 pen), Charlton (og), Balderstone22,14611th14 September 1960Sheffield UnitedH0–112,34615th17 September 1960SunderlandA2–1McGarry, Stokes21,33610th24 September 1960Plymouth ArgyleH1–5Holden14,15414th1 October 1960Norwich CityA0–225,30416th8 October 1960SouthamptonH3–1Massie, McCann, Stokes11,22012th15 October 1960Rotherham UnitedA2–2Massie, Taylor10,96113th22 October 1960LiverpoolH2–4Massie, Taylor15,71915th29 October 1960Bristol RoversA2–1Stokes (2)15,38113th5 November 1960Derby CountyH1–3Stokes (pen)11,77014th19 November 1960Scunthorpe UnitedH1–2John (og)8,61717th26 November 1960Ipswich TownA2–4Stokes, Low11,05618th3 December 1960Brighton & Hove AlbionH0–15,86020th10 December 1960MiddlesbroughA1–2McNeil (og)9,94821st17 December 1960Luton TownA0–111,21921st24 December 1960Stoke CityA2–2O'Grady, Massie12,02921st26 December 1960Stoke CityH0–013,78319th31 December 1960Lincoln CityH4–1Massie, Stokes, Bettany, O'Grady11,56419th14 January 1961PortsmouthA3–1Massie, McHale, Balderstone11,24318th21 January 1961Leeds UnitedH0–118,93818th4 February 1961SunderlandH4–2Bettany (2), Balderstone (2)16,34117th11 February 1961Plymouth ArgyleA1–2Kerray12,87618th21 February 1961Norwich CityH1–1Kerray16,98416th25 February 1961SouthamptonA2–4Kerray, McHale14,36818th4 March 1961Rotherham UnitedH0–115,14419th11 March 1961LiverpoolA1–3Kerray29,73320th18 March 1961MiddlesbroughH1–0Massie11,78820th21 March 1961Leyton OrientA0–210,09920th25 March 1961Derby CountyA1–1Dinsdale9,52420th31 March 1961Charlton AthleticA3–2Massie (2), Balderstone12,98020th1 April 1961Ipswich TownH1–3McHale16,45920th3 April 1961Charlton AthleticH2–2Balderstone, Massie12,54220th8 April 1961Scunthorpe UnitedA1–0Massie8,35220th15 April 1961Leyton OrientH1–0Massie12,24719th22 April 1961Brighton & Hove AlbionA1–2O'Grady13,08820th29 April 1961Bristol RoversH4–0Stokes (2), O'Grady, Massie10,32219th

FA Cup DateRoundOpponentsHome/AwayResultF – AScorersAttendance7 January 1961Round 3Wolverhampton WanderersA1–1Stokes 43'31,40311 January 1961Round 3 ReplayWolverhampton WanderersH2–1Stokes 3', O'Grady 75'46,1551 February 1961Round 4BarnsleyH1–1Coddington (pen)44,7616 February 1961Round 4 ReplayBarnsleyA0–129,149 Source:

Football League Cup DateRoundOpponentsHome/AwayResultF – AScorersAttendance12 October 1960Round 2Aston VillaA1–4Milner17,057

Appearances and goals NameNationalityPositionLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsDenis AtkinsDF30000030Chris BalderstoneMF2963010336John BettanyMF733000103John CoddingtonDF4104110461Ollie ConmyMF10000010Jack ConnorDF20000020Peter DinsdaleDF2413000271Harry FearnleyGK2304000270Brian GibsonDF1600010170Stewart HoldenMF11000011Jim KerrayMF2840010294Bob LedgerMF10000010Gordon LowDF71001081Les MassieFW421540104715John McCannMF1110000111Bill McGarryDF1911000201Kevin McHaleMF3444000384John MilnerMF70001181Michael O'GradyMF2344100275Bob ParkerDF3004010350Pat SawardMF80000080Derek StokesFW331642103818Ken TaylorDF2122010242Ray WilsonDF3204000360Ray WoodGK1900010200

References