Huddersfield Town's 1948–49 campaign is referred to in Town folklore as the original "Great Escape" season (the second being the 1997–98 season), when Arnold Rodgers scored the goal that saw Town maintain their 1st Division status. His goal against Manchester City, with 10 minutes of the last match of the season remaining saw Town keep their status and relegate Preston North End and Sheffield United in the process.
Squad at the start of the season
Review Town's fortunes during the season didn't seem to improve on the previous season. Even the 14 goals from veteran Peter Doherty didn't seem to pull Town away from almost certain relegation. Relegation seemed to be certain for 2 out of Town, Preston North End and Sheffield United. With 10 minutes of Town's last match at home against Manchester City seemed to be heading down the trapdoor to Division 2.
But, an uncharacteristic error by legendary goalkeeper Frank Swift gave Arnold Rodgers the chance to score, which he did. Town won 1–0 which relegated Preston & Sheffield United and meant Town would live to fight another day.
Squad at the end of the season
Results Division One DateOpponentsHome/AwayResultF–AScorersAttendancePosition21 August 1948ArsenalH1–1Whittingham30,6207th25 August 1948Derby CountyA1–4Tanner31,23619th28 August 1948Charlton AthleticA1–3Smith38,43721st1 September 1948Derby CountyH1–1Doherty24,18220th4 September 1948Manchester UnitedA1–4Doherty57,71421st6 September 1948Bolton WanderersA2–1Hepplewhite, Metcalfe25,33218th11 September 1948Sheffield UnitedH0–021,08819th15 September 1948Bolton WanderersH0–216,04620th18 September 1948Aston VillaA3–3Doherty (2), Smith44,52320th25 September 1948SunderlandH2–0Smith, Nightingale23,03517th2 October 1948Wolverhampton WanderersA1–7Nightingale36,15317th9 October 1948Stoke CityH1–3Hassall19,38518th16 October 1948BurnleyA2–1Metcalfe (2)28,97618th23 October 1948Preston North EndH0–220,81919th30 October 1948EvertonA0–246,63219th6 November 1948ChelseaH3–4Doherty (2, 1 pen), Nightingale18,96320th13 November 1948Birmingham CityA0–135,20720th20 November 1948MiddlesbroughH0–016,41322nd27 November 1948Newcastle UnitedA4–2Nightingale, Doherty (3)49,33221st4 December 1948PortsmouthH0–021,78519th11 December 1948Manchester CityA1–3Doherty31,71721st18 December 1948ArsenalA0–340,00022nd25 December 1948BlackpoolA0–029,24421st27 December 1948BlackpoolH1–0Boot41,32220th1 January 1949Charlton AthleticH1–2Smith20,93721st22 January 1949Sheffield UnitedA0–037,12622nd12 February 1949Aston VillaH0–115,40122nd19 February 1949SunderlandA1–0Doherty (pen)42,71922nd5 March 1949Stoke CityA3–1Hansen, McKenna, Doherty (pen)15,59522nd12 March 1949BurnleyH1–0McKenna23,13620th19 March 1949MiddlesbroughA0–133,27921st26 March 1949Newcastle UnitedH0–225,74521st2 April 1949ChelseaA0–548,13622nd6 April 1949Manchester UnitedH2–1Doherty (pen), Metcalfe17,25621st9 April 1949Birmingham CityH0–018,85621st15 April 1949LiverpoolA1–0Glazzard47,31919th16 April 1949Preston North EndA0–236,15321st18 April 1949LiverpoolH0–422,15822nd23 April 1949EvertonH1–1McKenna19,05122nd30 April 1949PortsmouthA0–237,04222nd5 May 1949Wolverhampton WanderersH4–0McKenna, Rodgers (2), Hansen21,44521st7 May 1949Manchester CityH1–0Rodgers27,50720th
FA Cup DateRoundOpponentsHome/AwayResultF–AScorersAttendance8 January 1949Round 3Queens Park RangersA0 – 0 (aet: 90 mins: 0 – 0)25,00015 January 1949Round 3 ReplayQueens Park RangersH5–0Glazzard (2), Nightingale, McKenna, Bateman31,07529 January 1949Round 4Newport CountyA3 – 3 (aet: 90 mins: 3 – 3)Doherty, Glazzard (2)22,5005 February 1949Round 4 ReplayNewport CountyH1–3Metcalfe34,183
Appearances and goals NameNationalityPositionLeagueFA CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAlbert BatemanMF202141Eddie BootDF41140451Tom BriggsDF18040220Peter DohertyFW2613212814Jimmy GlazzardFW30144345Karl HansenMF15200152Harold HassallFW310031Bill HayesDF37040410George HepplewhiteDF39140431George HoweDF100010Donald HunterDF13000130Johnny McKennaMF39441435Vic MetcalfeMF37421395Harry MillsGK26000260Albert NightingaleMF28441325Frank ReidFW200020Arnold RodgersFW530053Conway SmithMF16400164Alan StewartDF500050Henry StewartDF23000230John TannerMF110011Arthur ThompsonFW100010Jack WheelerGK16040200Bill WhittakerDF27040310Alf WhittinghamFW11100111
References