Historic day at Huddersfield Town as the Club secured promotion from the Fourth Division
- Town sealed promotion to Division Three on 15 April 1980
- The Terriers beat Scunthorpe United 2-1 at Leeds Road
- Read post-match comments from then-Manager Mick Buxton
A 2-1 win over Scunthorpe United on 15 April 1980 sealed Huddersfield Town’s promotion from the Fourth Division.
A crowd of 10,900 saw Town seal promotion at Leeds Road after two goals from Ian Robins earned the Terriers all three points.
In truth the match was a nervy occasion, but that didn’t stop Buxton’s side from creating some early opportunities; Brian Stanton, Peter Hart and Dave Sutton all went close.
Despite the early dominance it was Scunthorpe who came closest to take the lead, a real let off for the men in blue and white stripes. Malcolm Partridge got on the end of Graham Pugh’s corner, but his header hit the side netting.
That scare didn’t deter Buxton’s men who took the lead just five minutes later. Malcolm Brown’s swerving free-kick was head home by Robins.
The goal really pushed on the Terriers who doubled their lead just before the half hour mark. Sutton’s long-range clearance fell into the path of the prolific Robins, who darted past two defenders and brilliantly drilled a low left-footed shot into the back of the net.
Scunthorpe came out well in the second half and pulled a goal back after just three minutes through Partridge. It set up a nervy end to the game, despite Buxton’s men attacking and looking for a third.
Upon the blow of the final whistle, Huddersfield Town supporters rejoiced and ran on to the pitch to celebrate with Buxton and his men.
Buxton, sipping a celebratory glass of whiskey, joined the press after the game and hailed the Club’s Board of Directors.
“They have backed me to the full and even though I’m not a ‘name’ manager, they have never gone against me.
“The best place to clinch promotion is here at home, in front of our fabulous supporters who have stuck with the Club through the thin times.
“There is a hell of a lot of spirit here and we have got to keep going and advance even further because these fans deserve success.
“The players will get a day off, but they have to report back ready to knuckle down, because our season isn’t finished by a long chalk.”
That result moved Town to within three points of leaders Walsall with three games to go.
