# 1989–90 Huddersfield Town A.F.C. season

Huddersfield Town's 1989–90 campaign was a fairly successful season, with the exception of Town's failure of reaching the play-offs, after they finished in 8th place, just 2 places and 4 points off the play-offs.

## Squad at the start of the season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| -- | GK | ENG | Steve Hardwick |
| -- | GK | ENG | Lee Martin |
| -- | DF | ENG | Aidy Boothroyd |
| -- | DF | WAL | Ian Bray |
| -- | DF | ENG | Andy Duggan |
| -- | DF | ENG | Chris Hutchings |
| -- | DF | WAL | Dudley Lewis |
| -- | DF | ENG | Graham Mitchell |
| -- | DF | IRL | Ken O'Doherty |
| -- | DF | ENG | Simon Trevitt |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| -- | DF | ENG | Robert Wilson |
| -- | MF | ENG | Junior Bent |
| -- | MF | ENG | Chris Marsden |
| -- | MF | ENG | Andy May |
| -- | MF | IRL | Kieran O'Regan |
| -- | FW | IRL | Mick Byrne |
| -- | FW | ENG | Mike Cecere |
| -- | FW | ENG | Craig Maskell |
| -- | FW | SCO | Iffy Onuora |
| -- | FW | ENG | Peter Withe |

## Review

Following a disappointing first season back in the 3rd Division, many were wondering if Town were going to mount any serious promotion challenge, and if Craig Maskell was going to carry on his goalscoring form from the previous season. Town did start the season brightly and only lost two of their first 13 league games.
The middle part of the season saw Town carry on their good start to the season and during the Christmas/New Year season, they won 6 out of 8 and by February, Town reached 5th place, with a play-off place at least seeming to be the minimum requirement for Town's season. However, from February onwards, Town's promotion dreams took a major downward spiral into nothingness.
Amongst the interesting records set by Town during the end of the season were the unwanted record of losing 5 consecutive home league games set between 3 March and 3 April. Also, Bury beat Town 6–0 at Gigg Lane in April, 12 months after Town beat them 6–0 at Gigg Lane. On a brighter note, Craig Maskell became only the third Town player to score 4 goals in an away match in Town's 5–1 win at Cardiff City, equalling the feat set by Charlie Wilson and George Brown. (That record would later be broken by Jordan Rhodes' 5 goals in Town's 6–0 win at Wycombe Wanderers in the 2011–12 season.)

## Squad at the end of the season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| -- | GK | ENG | Steve Hardwick |
| -- | GK | ENG | Lee Martin |
| -- | DF | ENG | Aidy Boothroyd |
| -- | DF | WAL | Ian Bray |
| -- | DF | ENG | Simon Charlton |
| -- | DF | ENG | Andy Duggan |
| -- | DF | ENG | Chris Hutchings |
| -- | DF | WAL | Dudley Lewis |
| -- | DF | ENG | Graham Mitchell |
| -- | DF | IRL | Ken O'Doherty |
| -- | DF | ENG | Simon Trevitt |
| -- | DF | ENG | Robert Wilson |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| -- | MF | ENG | Kevin Donovan |
| -- | MF | ENG | John Kelly (on loan from Walsall) |
| -- | MF | ENG | Chris Marsden |
| -- | MF | ENG | Andy May |
| -- | MF | IRL | Kieran O'Regan |
| -- | FW | IRL | Mick Byrne |
| -- | FW | ENG | Mike Cecere |
| -- | FW | ENG | Peter Maguire |
| -- | FW | ENG | Craig Maskell |
| -- | FW | SCO | Iffy Onuora |
| -- | FW | ENG | Peter Withe |

## Results
### Division Three

| Date | Opponents | Home/ Away | Result F – A | Scorers | Attendance | Position |
| 19 August 1989 | Swansea City | H | 1–0 | Cecere | 5,775 | 6th |
| 26 August 1989 | Walsall | A | 3–2 | Wilson, Smith, Onuora | 4,173 | 3rd |
| 2 September 1989 | Bolton Wanderers | H | 1–1 | O'Regan | 7,872 | 4th |
| 9 September 1989 | Preston North End | A | 3–3 | Smith, Hutchings, Wilson | 5,822 | 5th |
| 16 September 1989 | Brentford | H | 1–0 | Smith | 5,578 | 3rd |
| 22 September 1989 | Tranmere Rovers | A | 0–4 | | 7,375 | 4th |
| 26 September 1989 | Fulham | A | 0–0 | | 4,445 | 8th |
| 30 September 1989 | Leyton Orient | H | 2–0 | Cecere (2, 1 pen) | 5,258 | 7th |
| 7 October 1989 | Cardiff City | H | 2–3 | Marsden, O'Regan | 5,835 | 9th |
| 14 October 1989 | Reading | A | 0–0 | | 3,950 | 10th |
| 17 October 1989 | Wigan Athletic | H | 2–0 | Maskell, Smith | 5,119 | 7th |
| 21 October 1989 | Birmingham City | A | 1–0 | Smith | 7,951 | 6th |
| 28 October 1989 | Shrewsbury Town | H | 1–1 | Bent | 6,001 | 6th |
| 1 November 1989 | Bristol Rovers | A | 2–2 | Cecere, Smith | 6,467 | 6th |
| 4 November 1989 | Chester City | A | 1–2 | Wilson | 2,660 | 9th |
| 11 November 1989 | Northampton Town | H | 2–2 | Smith, Mitchell | 4,973 | 9th |
| 25 November 1989 | Notts County | H | 1–2 | Short (og) | 5,416 | 10th |
| 2 December 1989 | Mansfield Town | A | 2–1 | Wilson, Hutchings | 2,966 | 9th |
| 16 December 1989 | Rotherham United | A | 0–0 | | 6,673 | 10th |
| 26 December 1989 | Bury | H | 2–1 | Maskell, O'Connell | 8,483 | 8th |
| 30 December 1989 | Bristol City | H | 2–1 | Smith, Maskell | 7,681 | 5th |
| 1 January 1990 | Blackpool | A | 2–2 | Hutchings, Onuora | 5,097 | 6th |
| 13 January 1990 | Walsall | H | 1–0 | Marsden | 5,856 | 6th |
| 21 January 1990 | Swansea City | A | 3–1 | Wilson, Hutchings (2) | 4,488 | 5th |
| 3 February 1990 | Tranmere Rovers | H | 1–0 | Onuora | 7,005 | 3rd |
| 10 February 1990 | Brentford | A | 1–2 | Wilson | 6,774 | 4th |
| 17 February 1990 | Mansfield Town | H | 1–0 | Maskell | 5,441 | 4th |
| 24 February 1990 | Notts County | A | 0–1 | | 7,632 | 7th |
| 3 March 1990 | Crewe Alexandra | H | 0–1 | | 5,933 | 7th |
| 6 March 1990 | Leyton Orient | A | 0–1 | | 3,040 | 7th |
| 10 March 1990 | Fulham | H | 0–1 | | 4,780 | 8th |
| 13 March 1990 | Crewe Alexandra | A | 0–3 | | 4,384 | 8th |
| 17 March 1990 | Cardiff City | A | 5–1 | Maskell (4), O'Regan | 2,628 | 8th |
| 20 March 1990 | Reading | H | 0–1 | | 4,588 | 8th |
| 24 March 1990 | Wigan Athletic | A | 2–1 | Byrne, Maskell | 3,167 | 8th |
| 31 March 1990 | Birmingham City | H | 1–2 | Withe | 5,837 | 9th |
| 3 April 1990 | Preston North End | H | 0–2 | | 4,381 | 9th |
| 7 April 1990 | Shrewsbury Town | A | 3–3 | Byrne, Maskell (2, 1 pen) | 2,867 | 9th |
| 10 April 1990 | Bristol Rovers | H | 1–1 | Kelly | 4,359 | 9th |
| 14 April 1990 | Blackpool | H | 2–2 | Byrne, Maskell (pen) | 4,845 | 9th |
| 16 April 1990 | Bury | A | 0–6 | | 4,621 | 10th |
| 21 April 1990 | Rotherham United | H | 2–1 | Edwards (2) | 4,963 | 8th |
| 24 April 1990 | Bristol City | A | 1–1 | Duggan | 17,791 | 8th |
| 28 April 1990 | Northampton Town | A | 0–1 | | 2,388 | 8th |
| 1 May 1990 | Bolton Wanderers | A | 2–2 | Edwards, Maskell | 8,550 | 8th |
| 5 May 1990 | Chester City | H | 4–1 | Byrne, Maskell, Edwards, Reeves (og) | 3,514 | 8th |

### FA Cup

| Date | Round | Opponents | Home/ Away | Result F – A | Scorers | Attendance |
| 18 November 1989 | Round 1 | Hartlepool United | A | 2–0 | Cecere (2, 1 pen) | 3,160 |
| 9 December 1989 | Round 2 | Chesterfield | A | 2–0 | Cecere (pen), Maskell | 6,687 |
| 6 January 1990 | Round 3 | Grimsby Town | H | 3–1 | Smith, Maskell, Lever (og) | 9,901 |
| 27 January 1990 | Round 4 | Crystal Palace | A | 0–4 | | 12,920 |

### League Cup

| Date | Round | Opponents | Home/ Away | Result F – A | Scorers | Attendance |
| 22 August 1989 | Round 1 1st Leg | Doncaster Rovers | H | 1–1 | Onuora | 3,983 |
| 29 August 1989 | Round 1 2nd Leg | Doncaster Rovers | A | 2–1 | Wilson (2) | 3,985 Huddersfield won 3–2 on aggregate. |
| 20 September 1989 | Round 2 1st Leg | Nottingham Forest | A | 1–1 | O'Doherty | 18,976 |
| 3 October 1989 | Round 2 2nd Leg | Nottingham Forest | H | 3 – 3 (aet: 90 mins: 3 – 3) | Maskell (2), Cecere | 13,262 4–4 on aggregate. Town lost on away goals rule. |

### League Trophy

| Date | Round | Opponents | Home/ Away | Result F – A | Scorers | Attendance |
| 7 November 1989 | Preliminary Round Group 5 | Doncaster Rovers | H | 2–2 | Smith, Maskell | 1,714 |
| 12 December 1989 | Preliminary Round Group 5 | Grimsby Town | A | 3–3 | Onuora, Maskell (pen), Duggan | 991 |
| 9 January 1990 | Round 1 | Rotherham United | A | 0–3 | | 3,519 |

## Appearances and goals

| Name | Nation | Position | League Apps | League Goals | FA Cup Apps | FA Cup Goals | League Cup Apps | League Cup Goals | FLT Apps | FLT Goals | Total Apps | Total Goals |
| Junior Bent | England | MF | 6 (1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 (1) | 1 |
| Aidy Boothroyd | England | DF | 9 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 (1) | 0 |
| Ian Bray | Wales | DF | 13 (1) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 (1) | 0 |
| Mick Byrne | Republic of Ireland | FW | 17 (2) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 (2) | 4 |
| Mike Cecere | England | FW | 22 (1) | 4 | 3 (1) | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 30 (2) | 8 |
| Simon Charlton | England | DF | 1 (2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 (2) | 0 |
| Kevin Donovan | England | MF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Andy Duggan | England | DF | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 2 |
| Keith Edwards | England | MF | 6 (4) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 (4) | 4 |
| Steve Hardwick | England | GK | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 0 |
| Chris Hutchings | England | DF | 46 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 57 | 5 |
| John Kelly | England | MF | 9 (1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 (1) | 1 |
| Dudley Lewis | Wales | DF | 28 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 37 | 0 |
| Peter Maguire | England | FW | 0 (3) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (3) | 0 |
| Chris Marsden | England | MF | 29 (3) | 2 | 4 | 0 | 3 (1) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 39 (4) | 2 |
| Lee Martin | England | GK | 25 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 30 | 0 |
| Craig Maskell | England | FW | 40 (1) | 15 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 51 (1) | 21 |
| Andy May | England | MF | 40 (1) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 48 (1) | 0 |
| Graham Mitchell | England | DF | 35 (2) | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 42 (3) | 1 |
| Brendan O'Connell | England | FW | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 |
| Ken O'Doherty | Republic of Ireland | DF | 17 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 23 (1) | 1 |
| Iffy Onuora | Scotland | FW | 3 (17) | 3 | 2 (1) | 0 | 0 (3) | 1 | 1 (1) | 1 | 6 (22) | 5 |
| Kieran O'Regan | Republic of Ireland | MF | 31 (6) | 3 | 3 (1) | 0 | 2 (1) | 0 | 2 (1) | 0 | 38 (9) | 3 |
| Mark Smith | England | FW | 39 (5) | 7 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 49 (5) | 9 |
| Simon Trevitt | England | DF | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Robert Wilson | England | MF | 27 (1) | 6 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 37 (1) | 8 |
| Peter Withe | England | FW | 8 (4) | 1 | 0 (1) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 10 (6) | 1 |