Huddersfield Town F.C. season 1997-98

Infobox Football club season
club = Huddersfield Town

season = 1997-98
manager = flagicon|ENG Brian Horton "(until October 5th, 1997)"
flagicon|ENG Peter Jackson "(from October 8th, 1997)"
chairman = flagicon|ENG Malcolm Asquith
league = Division One
league result = 16th
cup1 = FA Cup
cup1 result = Fourth Round
cup2 = Coca-Cola Cup
cup2 result = Second Round
league topscorer =
Marcus Stewart (15)
season topscorer =
Marcus Stewart (16)
highest attendance = 18,186 vs Middlesbrough (26 December 1997)
lowest attendance = 8,525 vs West Ham United (16 September 1997)

Huddersfield Town's 1997-98 campaign is commonly referred to by Town fans as "The Great Escape" season. Following the dismal start under Brian Horton, Peter Jackson came to the helm in October. By the end of October, Town still had no league win and were miles adrift and seemingly doomed to relegation to Division 2. They eventually recovered to finish 16th in the table under Jackson's leadership.

quad at the start of the season

Review

The start of the season is officially the worst in the entire history of Huddersfield Town. Town won none of their first 14 league games. In fact the only games they won were 2 Coca-Cola Cup ties against Bradford City and more surprisingly Premier League side West Ham United (they eventually lost 3-1 on aggregate against the Hammers) Then manager Brian Horton dropped popular keeper Steve Francis for the televised game against Nottingham Forest, Town lost the game 2-0 and 2 days later Horton was shown the door.

Popular ex-player Peter Jackson was hired 3 days later, but it seemed that Town were semmingly more doomed. In Jackson's first 5 games, Town lost 4 and drew the other, conceding 14 goals and only scoring 3. Then amazingly, Town beat Stoke City 3-1 on November 1 and the fightback began. Jackson brought in experienced players such as Barry Horne, Wayne Allison, David Phillips and Lee Richardson, as well as loan signing Steve Harper from Newcastle United. They then managed to beat Manchester City 1-0 in a televised game at Maine Road in November.

After another severe dip in form during February and March, in which Town lost 5 out of 6, some thought that survival was a bridge too far for Jackson's side. But, a 6 match unbeaten run near the end of the season, followed by a win against West Bromwich Albion confirmed Town's safety. They finished in 16th position and used a record 37 players during that season, includng 4 goalkeepers! The season will always be remembered and referred to as "The Great Escape".

quad at the end of the season

Results

= Division One =