“THE BLACKEST day in Huddersfield Town’s history”.

It is 25 years since the Examiner’s Mel Booth used these words to describe Town’s horrific 10-1 defeat to Manchester City at Maine Road.

The humiliating defeat of Malcolm Macdonald’s side was seen by many as the worst day in the club’s history – and over two decades later this feeling certainly remains.

In what proved to be the club’s worst ever season statistically, it was the fateful events of Saturday, November 7, 1987, that remain vivid in Town fans’ memories.

On first glance Town’s annihilation came at the hands of Paul Stewart, Tony Adcock and David White – a trio of hat trick scorers on the day.

However, it was the away side’s ineptitude and unprofessionalism that condemned them to the horror result.

Neil McNab opened the scoring, while a late Andy May penalty – against his former club – did nothing to raise the spirits of the travelling away fans who struggled to believe what they had been witnessing.

Those same fans had had plenty of reason for optimism in the opening stages of the game.

Town started brightly, May and Duncan Shearer each going close before David Cork lashed a shot wide with only City goalkeeper Eric Nixon to beat.

For a side bottom of the league, Macdonald’s side were playing with an admirable swagger.

That was until City’s first attack on 12 minutes.

McNab collected John Gidman’s quickly-taken throw-in and when the Town defence invited the midfielder to shoot he duly obliged, finding the bottom corner of Brian Cox’s net.

The goal deflated Town. It was the start of an onslaught.

A distinct lack of organisation coupled with City’s ruthlessness in attack made it a surprise the Maine Road side didn’t score more.

Simpson and Paul Lake started running riot for a City side managed by Mel Machin, who later had a short spell as caretaker manager of Town.

By half time Stewart, Adcock and White had all scored their first goals of the afternoon.

If any sort of competition had already been removed then the second half would prove to be a debacle.

In his report, Mel Booth said: “Town left Maine Road in utter disgrace after being reduced to a laughing stock on the blackest day in their history.

“Rampant City revelled in Town’s ineptitude and the way in which Malcolm Macdonald’s side faltered, buckled and threw in the towel amounted to an obituary for the pride and honour of the club they represent.

“Town’s lack of organisation and defensive know-how was appalling.

“Resignation to defeat, and ultimately the Third Division at this rate, was overpowering and pathetic – professional pride hardly anywhere to be seen.”

Booth spared Ian Banks and Cork from criticism, but said the team had let down themselves, the supporters and the club, who were anchored five points adrift of Shrewsbury at the bottom of the table.

A crowd of 19,583 saw the match, and the home contingent loved every minute of rubbing salt in the wounds.

Booth wrote: “The cheers of the CITY fans when Andy May slotted a last-minute penalty against his old club illustrated the sickening depths to which Town sunk – and held the club to ridicule.”

The Examiner report appeared under the headline “Maine Road massacre” and little improved for Town as the season unfolded.

Macdonald lasted only seven months as manager, being sacked in the May as Town were relegated in 23rd position.

If you were there, send us your memories to sport@examiner.co.uk