Huddersfield Town's 1920–21 campaign was Town's first season in the Football League First Division. It was more a baptism of fire than a season of success. They finished in 17th place, after scoring only 42 goals in the league and no player getting into double figures.

One notable thing from this season was the appointment of Herbert Chapman as manager in March, as his vision would lead Town to great success in the rest of the decade.

Squad at the start of the season

Review After the previous season's successes in both Division 2 and FA Cup, many were wondering how Ambrose Langley's team would get on in the top-flight. After winning 5 of their first 6 games, Town were in line for a possible chance at the title, however the next 26 league games would only produce 3 more wins, which saw Town in the middle of a relegation battle.

Earlier in the season, a Mr. Herbert Chapman was brought in as the new club secretary and at the end of March, he replaced Langley as manager and in 4 of his 7 games, Town recorded the necessary wins which pulled Town out of any danger of relegation.

Squad at the end of the season

Results Division One DateOpponentsHome/AwayResultF – AScorersAttendancePosition28 August 1920Preston North EndA1–0Taylor28,0001st30 August 1920BurnleyH1–0B. Smith22,5001st4 September 1920Preston North EndH1–0Mann (pen)18,0001st6 September 1920BurnleyA0–330,0003rd11 September 1920Bradford CityH1–0Lunn27,5002nd18 September 1920Bradford CityA2–0Lunn, Islip25,0001st25 September 1920SunderlandH0–031,0003rd2 October 1920SunderlandA1–2Taylor45,0006th9 October 1920EvertonH0–126,5006th16 October 1920EvertonA0–050,0008th23 October 1920West Bromwich AlbionH5–1Taylor, Mann (pen), Shields (2), Islip24,0205th30 October 1920West Bromwich AlbionA0–344,0497th6 November 1920Manchester CityH0–126,4008th13 November 1920Manchester CityA2–3Islip, Watson30,00013th20 November 1920ArsenalH0–4 19,00016th27 November 1920ArsenalA0–235,00017th4 December 1920Bolton WanderersH0–014,50015th11 December 1920Bolton WanderersA1–3Taylor27,50017th18 December 1920Derby CountyH2–0Wright, Swann15,00017th25 December 1920MiddlesbroughA0–235,00018th27 December 1920MiddlesbroughH0–132,43018th29 December 1920Sheffield UnitedA1–1Sturgess (og)37,50018th1 January 1921Derby CountyA1–2Wright12,00018th15 January 1921Bradford (Park Avenue)A1–1Wright20,00018th22 January 1921Bradford (Park Avenue)H0–020,70018th5 February 1921Blackburn RoversH0–019,80018th10 February 1921Blackburn RoversA2–1B. Smith, Islip25,00018th12 February 1921Newcastle UnitedA0–146,50018th23 February 1921Newcastle UnitedH1–3Johnston30,00018th26 February 1921LiverpoolA1–4Wright35,00018th5 March 1921LiverpoolH1–2Johnston18,00018th12 March 1921Aston VillaA0–020,00018th19 March 1921Aston VillaH1–0Swann25,00017th26 March 1921Manchester UnitedH5–2Swann (2), Stephenson, Wilson, Mann20,46818th29 March 1921Sheffield UnitedH1–0Mann33,86218th2 April 1921Manchester UnitedA0–230,00018th9 April 1921ChelseaH2–0Johnston, Mann14,20018th16 April 1921ChelseaA1–1Islip37,50018th25 April 1921Tottenham HotspurH2–0Swann (2)28,00018th30 April 1921Tottenham HotspurA0–132,50018th2 May 1921Oldham AthleticH3–1Johnston, Mann, Swann14,00018th7 May 1921Oldham AthleticA2–1Swann, B. Smith12,02917th

FA Cup DateRoundOpponentsHome/AwayResultF – AScorersAttendance8 January 1921Round 1BrentfordA2–1Islip, Wright14,43929 January 1921Round 2Bradford Park AvenueA1–0Mann30,30319 February 1921Round 3Aston VillaA0–260,627

Appearances and goals NameNationalityPositionLeagueFA CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsFrederick BrockDF100010Harry BroughDF19000190Fred BullockDF25030280Jimmy CampbellDF100010Ted DavisGK100010Ernie IslipFW24531276Billy JohnstonFW14400144Harry LinleyDF300030Fred LunnFW620062Frank MannFW33631367Colin McKayDF400040Sandy MutchGK41030440George RichardsonMF27030300Ralph RodgersonDF14010150Ralph ShieldsFW420042Charlie SladeDF34030370Billy E. SmithFW200020Billy H. SmithMF33320353Clem StephensonFW910091Jack SwannFW26810278Sammy TaylorFW19400194Sam WadsworthDF600060Billy WatsonDF31030340Tom WilsonDF42230452James WoodDF34020360William WrightFW9431125

References