In this instalment we see if Town could achieve promotion with victory over Coventry City at Leeds Road at the end of 1965/1966 season. Plus we look back 39 years to the day when England won the World Cup ... ah those were the days!
Coming from the memory bank of our feature writer.

Final match on the road Carlisle 2 Town 0

Despite the demoralising defeat in Cumbria by the end of the week Tom Johnston and the lads had got the fans back in a positive frame of mind. We had it all to play for promotion was still up for grabs though we now had to rely on others.

What a weekend in store (the final weekend of the 1965/1966 season).

The Sky Blues were in Town, still smarting from the total footballing lesson we had inflicted on them at Highfield Road when the Blue and White Stripes had truly endorsed their promotion pedigree with as an emphatic team performance as you would every hope to witness.

The TV cameras were in the gantry, the sun shone, thousands packed into Leeds Road. The scene was set.

Huddersfield Town 0 Coventry City 2.

It would be wrong not to pay credit to the visitors who performed on the day, we didn't. What anti-climax, that Coventry didn't gain promotion either was no consolation. Victory would still have seen us in the same division next campaign but the manner of defeat, two successive losses when all to play for.

It was what many Town fans had feared a step too far. Yet this was a good side, competent, combative with skill and ability yet we were still some way away from the promise land.

It would be totally churlish to say the summer came and went. Despite heavy hearts surrounding our team. England our country was in World Cup '66, and become World Champions.

We won the World Cup at Wembley on a glorious sunny Saturday 30th July 1966. Mum's birthday was the birthday celebration to beat all.

In the morning I had the little matter of a trial at Town, along with a school-mate Ronnie Kelly. Seems unbelievable does it not but it happened. Thanks mainly to Henry Cockburn, that man again, followed by a hasty bus ride home to settle down for the, 'the' Match.

No one needs reminding of the score but the pride we Town fans felt in the wearer of the No 3 shirt for England was immense. OK by now Ray Wilson was plying his trade with Everton but he was still a Town 'player', still a Town man.

With England now World Football Champions, the best, the leading Soccer Nation what would the new season bring to our game. What could we hope for down Leeds Road way.

Had the World Cup success made up for the immense disappointment of narrowly missing out on promotion?

We hope you have enjoyed our latest "Those Were The Days" articles, and find them an interesting look at some special memories of Town through the years. Memories that will not, and can not be forgotten - and memories only our beloved Town could have created

For other "Those Were The Days" articles visit the main history page

© thisisthebarmyarmy.co.uk, 2005