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

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=GK | name= Bob Hesford}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=GK | name= Harry Mills}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=DF | name= Eddie Boot}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=DF | name= Tom Briggs}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=Republic of Ireland | pos=DF | name= Bill Hayes}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=DF | name= George Hepplewhite}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=DF | name= George Howe}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=DF | name= Jack Percival}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=DF | name= Alan Stewart}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=DF | name= Henry Stewart}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=MF | name= Albert Bateman}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=MF | name= Vic Metcalfe}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=Ireland | pos=FW | name= Peter Doherty}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=FW | name= Jimmy Glazzard}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=FW | name= Harold Hassall}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=FW | name= Albert Nightingale}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=Scotland | pos=FW | name= Frank Reid}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=FW | name= Arnold Rodgers}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=FW | name= Conway Smith}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=FW | name= John Tanner}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=FW | name= Arthur Thompson}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=FW | name= Alf Whittingham}}

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

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=GK | name= Bob Hesford}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=GK | name= Harry Mills}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=GK | name= Jack Wheeler}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=DF | name= Eddie Boot}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=DF | name= Tom Briggs}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=Republic of Ireland | pos=DF | name= Bill Hayes}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=DF | name= George Hepplewhite}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=DF | name= George Howe}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=DF | name= Donald Hunter}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=DF | name= Jack Percival}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=DF | name= Alan Stewart}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=DF | name= Henry Stewart}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=DF | name= Bill Whittaker}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=England | pos=MF | name= Albert Bateman}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=Denmark | pos=MF | name= Karl Aage Hansen}}

{{football squad player | no=-- | nat=Ireland | pos=MF | name= Johnny McKenna}}