Huddersfield Town's 1919–20 season was one of the most memorable season in Town's entire history. It could even have been their last, after just 12 years. This was mainly because of plans to amalgamate the club with the new Leeds United team. However, Town's fan bought shares in the team, which saw the team survive and then gain promotion to the top-flight, as well as an appearance in the FA Cup Final against Aston Villa.
Squad at the start of the season
Review After the end of World War I, the league schedule was returned to its normal status with Town still in Division 2. However, people were starting to wonder what the future would hold for the club after the club's first England international Jack Cock was sold to Chelsea. Then it was revealed that the club was to amalgamate with the new Leeds United team, formed following the demise of Leeds City. But, the people of Huddersfield rallied round and bought £30,000 worth of shares, which saw the club survive for the time being.
Following the club's rescue, the team's form dramatically improved and Town were fighting for an automatic promotion place. This was primarily achieved thanks to a run of losing only 1 out of their last 25 matches. That got them a finishing position of 2nd place behind Tottenham Hotspur.
The season is also noted for the club's first FA Cup Final, reached after beating Brentford, Newcastle United, Plymouth Argyle, Liverpool and Bristol City, before playing Aston Villa in the final at Stamford Bridge, before losing to Billy Kirton's goal in extra time.
Squad at the end of the season
Results Division Two DateOpponentsHome/AwayResultF – AScorersAttendancePosition30 August 1919Clapton OrientH2–1Cock, Baker5,0008th1 September 1919BuryA0–24,00013th6 September 1919Clapton OrientA1–0Taylor10,0008th9 September 1919BuryH5–0Cock (4), Mann4,0005th13 September 1919Grimsby TownA0–15,0009th20 September 1919Grimsby TownH3–0Baker (2, 1 pen), Mann4,0004th27 September 1919BirminghamA2–4Shields, Cock16,0009th4 October 1919BirminghamH0–06,00010th11 October 1919Leicester CityA4–0Taylor (2), Mann, Shields12,0006th18 October 1919Leicester CityH0–04,0009th25 October 1919FulhamA2–2Chaplin (og), Taylor18,00010th1 November 1919FulhamH3–0Taylor (2), Mann3,0008th8 November 1919Coventry CityA2–0Mann (pen), Taylor15,0005th15 November 1919Coventry CityH5–0Taylor (2), Swann (2), Roberts (og)5,0005th22 November 1919Bristol CityH1–0Smith7,8974th29 November 1919Bristol CityA1–2Shields10,0006th6 December 1919BlackpoolH1–3Taylor6,5006th13 December 1919BlackpoolA3–0Smith (2), Richardson5,0005th20 December 1919West Ham UnitedH2–0Swann, Smith7,0004th25 December 1919Rotherham CountyH7–1Swann (3), Mann (3), Smith26,0004th26 December 1919Rotherham CountyA3–1Swann, Taylor (2)10,0002nd27 December 1919West Ham UnitedA1–1Taylor20,0003rd31 December 1919Lincoln CityA3–1Mann, Taylor, Swann3,0002nd3 January 1920Port ValeH4–1Taylor, Swann (3)8,0002nd24 January 1920Tottenham HotspurH1–1Mann27,0002nd7 February 1920South ShieldsH2–2Smith, Swann12,7002nd14 February 1920South ShieldsA2–1Taylor, Richardson12,0703rd16 February 1920Tottenham HotspurA0–218,0003rd28 February 1920Wolverhampton WanderersA3–2Mann, Smith, Richardson12,0003rd13 March 1920Hull CityH2–0Taylor (2)8,0483rd18 March 1920Hull CityA4–1Taylor (3), Swann12,0003rd20 March 1920Stockport CountyA2–1Taylor (2)15,0002nd29 March 1920Port ValeA0–010,0002nd3 April 1920BarnsleyA3–3Mann, Taylor (2)21,3592nd5 April 1920StokeA1–0Taylor20,0002nd6 April 1920StokeH3–0Taylor (2), Mann28,0002nd10 April 1920BarnsleyH4–1T.J. Tindall (og), Taylor, Swann (2)10,0002nd12 April 1920Stockport CountyH5–1Mann (2), Taylor (3)12,7002nd14 April 1920Wolverhampton WanderersH2–0Swann, Taylor14,0002nd17 April 1920Nottingham ForestA2–1Mann, Taylor20,0002nd26 April 1920Nottingham ForestH2–1Swann (2)11,5002nd1 May 1920Lincoln CityH4–2Taylor, Richardson, Swann, Mann12,0002nd
FA Cup DateRoundOpponentsHome/AwayResultF – AScorersAttendance10 January 1920Round 1BrentfordH5–1Smith, Taylor (2), Swann, Shields10,67031 January 1920Round 2Newcastle UnitedA1–0Mann46,46221 February 1920Round 3Plymouth ArgyleH3–1Taylor, Slade, Swann35,0006 March 1920Round 4LiverpoolH2–1Swann, Taylor47,52727 March 1920Semi-FinalBristol CityN2–1Taylor (2)35,46324 April 1920FinalAston VillaN0–1 (aet: 90 mins: 0–0)50,018
Appearances and goals NameNationalityPositionLeagueFA CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsJim BakerDF19300193Harry BroughDF18000180Fred BullockDF33060390Jack CockFW960096Ted DavisGK600060Thomas ElliottFW100010Rennie HarrisonDF100010Ernie IslipFW301040Harry LinleyDF500050Frank MannFW3717614318Sandy MutchGK35060410George RichardsonMF34460404Ralph RodgersonDF11000110Ralph ShieldsFW13311144Charlie SladeDF17051221Billy SmithMF39751448Jack SwannFW3219633822Sammy TaylorFW4235664841Percy TompkinMF100010Billy WatsonDF41060470Tom WilsonDF26060320James WoodDF39060450
References
https://www.fifamuseum.com/en/blog-stories/blog/turning-back-the-clock-football-a-hundred-years-ago-the-1920-fa-cup-fi-2622333/ https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/game/1104