Huddersfield Town's 1952–53 campaign was Town's first season back in the 2nd Division since the 1919–20 season. Under the leadership of Andy Beattie, Town returned to the top flight at the first attempt. They finished in 2nd place behind Sheffield United by 2 points, with 58 points. The main reasons for Town's success during the season were the 45 goals between Jimmy Glazzard and Vic Metcalfe. Also, 7 of Town's players (Jack Wheeler, Ron Staniforth, Laurie Kelly, Bill McGarry, Don McEvoy, Len Quested and Vic Metcalfe) played every game in the season, while Jimmy Glazzard missed just the last game of the season.
Squad at the start of the season
Review Andy Beattie's first full season in charge of the Terriers had one simple objective – return Town to the top flight as soon as possible. The start of the season saw Town go on a 10-match unbeaten run, abruptly ended by a defeat at home to Nottingham Forest in early October. This was then followed by 5 consecutive wins, followed swiftly by 2 consecutive losses to Leicester City and West Ham United. Town's form continued to improve with Town only losing 5 more matches between December and the end of the season on 1 May.
The main reason for Town's success was their defence which remained unchanged all season. The 6-man defence of Jack Wheeler in goal, protected by Ron Staniforth, Laurie Kelly, Bill McGarry, Don McEvoy and Len Quested only let in 33 league goals all season, 22 less than champions Sheffield United. Vic Metcalfe played every game as well, while 30-goal Jimmy Glazzard just missed the final game against Plymouth Argyle. His replacement, Roy Shiner, scored a hat-trick in a 4–0 win, which cemented Town's second-place finish and guaranteed their return to Division 1 after one season out.
Squad at the end of the season
Results Division Two DateOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendancePosition23 August 1952Leeds UnitedH1–0Glazzard35,2301st27 August 1952BrentfordH0–021,3585th30 August 1952Sheffield UnitedA2–0Watson, Glazzard34,8721st3 September 1952BrentfordA3–1Glazzard (2), Metcalfe21,7331st6 September 1952BarnsleyH6–0Glazzard (2), Metcalfe (2, 1 pen), Davie, Quested33,1571st9 September 1952Doncaster RoversA1–1Watson27,6141st13 September 1952Lincoln CityA2–2Glazzard, Metcalfe21,8841st17 September 1952Doncaster RoversH3–1Watson, Glazzard, Gunn26,5041st20 September 1952Hull CityH1–1Metcalfe (pen)34,4111st27 September 1952Blackburn RoversA1–1Glazzard29,4291st4 October 1952Nottingham ForestH1–2Gunn27,8132nd11 October 1952Luton TownH3–0Watson, Glazzard, Gunn26,3452nd18 October 1952Birmingham CityA2–0Watson, Glazzard26,4841st25 October 1952BuryH2–0Metcalfe, Glazzard28,8701st1 November 1952SouthamptonA2–0Cavanagh, Glazzard20,8671st8 November 1952Notts CountyH1–0Metcalfe28,2051st15 November 1952Leicester CityA1–2Glazzard39,9081st22 November 1952West Ham UnitedH0–122,2672nd29 November 1952FulhamA2–0Davie, Metcalfe25,0002nd6 December 1952Rotherham UnitedH1–0Metcalfe31,3122nd13 December 1952Plymouth ArgyleA2–0McGarry, Glazzard33,2282nd20 December 1952Leeds UnitedA1–2Glazzard34,3652nd25 December 1952Swansea TownH3–0Davie, Metcalfe, Glazzard28,5102nd27 December 1952Swansea TownA3–3Glazzard, Dunn, Davie24,9782nd3 January 1953Sheffield UnitedH1–1Furniss (og)43,3392nd17 January 1953BarnsleyA4–2Cavanagh (3), Glazzard28,7282nd24 January 1953Lincoln CityH5–0Glazzard (2), Watson, Cavanagh (2)26,5122nd7 February 1953Hull CityA2–0Glazzard (2)26,0812nd14 February 1953Blackburn RoversH0–318,0232nd21 February 1953Nottingham ForestA0–125,0742nd28 February 1953Luton TownA2–0Glazzard, Shiner25,8312nd7 March 1953Birmingham CityH1–1Glazzard28,6362nd14 March 1953BuryA1–1Quested19,3342nd24 March 1953SouthamptonH5–0Metcalfe (2), Cavanagh, Glazzard, Quested21,7972nd28 March 1953Notts CountyA0–115,8102nd4 April 1953Leicester CityH1–0Shiner26,8222nd6 April 1953EvertonA1–2Lindsay (og)48,2212nd7 April 1953EvertonH8–2Davie, Glazzard (4), Metcalfe, Gunn, Cavanagh30,7212nd11 April 1953West Ham UnitedA1–0Cavanagh22,8012nd18 April 1953FulhamH4–2Cavanagh, Gunn, Metcalfe (2)23,9502nd25 April 1953Rotherham UnitedA0–019,7772nd1 May 1953Plymouth ArgyleH4–0Shiner (3), Gunn19,6242nd
FA Cup DateRoundOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendance10 January 1953Round 3Bristol RoversH2–0Glazzard, Watson34,96731 January 1953Round 4BlackpoolA0–129,239
Appearances and goals NameNationalityPositionLeagueFA CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsTommy CavanaghFW2110102210Willie DavieFW31520335Ian DuthieMF602080Jimmy GlazzardFW4130214331Alistair GunnMF33700337Laurie KellyDF42020440Don McEvoyDF42020440Bill McGarryDF42120441Johnny McKennaMF200020Vic MetcalfeMF4215204415Len QuestedDF42320443Roy ShinerFW650065Ron StaniforthDF42020440Jimmy WatsonMF28611297Jack WheelerGK42020440
References