Les Massie´s career, which lasted nearly 20 years, saw him play for Huddersfield Town, Darlington, Halifax Town, Bradford Park Avenue, Workington, Drogheda United, and Selby Town. Though he never hit the lofty heights of international recognition, his exploits in front of goal ensured his place in the hearts of fans.
PART ONE
Hailing from the city of Aberdeen, Les Massie caught the eye of Andy Beattie, then manager of Huddersfield Town, who secured his services from Banks o´ Dee in August 1953. However, as is often the case with young hopefuls, the path to the first team was not immediate. The striker toiled in the reserves for three seasons, developing his craft and awaiting an opportunity to shine. And shine he eventually did.
When he finally broke into the Huddersfield first-team, he quickly became an indispensable figure. His predatory instincts in front of goal saw him top the club’s goal scoring charts for four consecutive seasons. In total, he managed to score exactly 100 League goals in 335 appearances—a tally that places him third in the club’s post-war scoring records, trailing only the legendary Jimmy Glazzard and the more contemporary Andy Booth. Moreover, he had the privilege of playing alongside a young Denis Law, whose raw brilliance was already evident, and Kevin McHale, forming an attacking trident that thrilled the Leeds Road faithful.
Tactical adjustments saw Massie eventually transition from an out-and-out forward to a deeper role as a wing-half. While this move may have curtailed his goal output, it underscored his versatility. Nevertheless, the winds of change eventually carried him away from Huddersfield. In October 1966, after more than a decade with The Terriers, he was transferred to Darlington for a modest fee of £2,500. The move, however, was not particularly fruitful. Despite arriving with a reputation as a goal poacher, he found the net just twice in 20 league outings. Worse still, he was unable to prevent The Quakers from slipping into the Fourth Division.
Nevertheless, football has a way of offering second chances, and Massie’s came in the form of Halifax Town. Manager Vic Metcalfe took a gamble on him in the summer of 1967, and it paid off handsomely. He quickly won over Halifax supporters thanks to his knack for finding the back of the net, and in his first season at The Shay, he notched up 25 goals. This remarkable haul saw him share the Fourth Division’s top scorer honours with Port Vale’s Roy Sproson, and he was deservedly named the Supporters’ Club Player of the Year.
What’s more, under the stewardship of Alan Ball Sr., Massie’s contributions during the 1968-69 campaign proved instrumental in Halifax’s historic push for promotion out of the Fourth Division. Forming a lethal partnership with ex-Brentford hero Ian Lawther, Massie continued to terrorise defences, bagging 15 goals, including the all-important promotion clincher against Rochdale. That goal, a powerful header from a Phil McCarthy cross, sent The Shay into raptures and ensured Halifax Town’s first-ever ascent to the Third Division.
Yet, it wasn’t just his goals that made Massie a fan favourite; it was his ability to deliver in the big moments. The FA Cup Fourth Round tie against Tony Waddington´s Stoke City in 1968 is a case in point. Facing a side boasting England’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks, Halifax were expected to crumble. Instead, Massie stepped up, grabbing a dramatic equaliser that forced a lucrative replay. It was a goal that not only reinforced his reputation as a clutch player but also brought much-needed financial relief to the club.
PART TWO
Despite his contributions, contract negotiations soured in the summer of 1969. Massie refused the terms offered and, consequently, found himself frozen out of the Halifax Town squad for the 1969-70 season opener against Shrewsbury Town. The fans were outraged, but their protests fell on deaf ears. Before long, Massie was sold to Bradford Park Avenue for a meagre £1,750—a move that left many scratching their heads.
Unfortunately, his time at Bradford proved to be a brief and underwhelming affair. He mustered only two goals in 14 appearances, prompting yet another move—this time to Workington. There, he enjoyed a more stable stint, making 62 League outings and hitting 15 goals. While Workington were never destined for great things, Massie’s experience helped them secure a respectable tenth-place finish in the 1970-71 campaign.
As his career wound down, Massie returned to Bradford, now competing in the Northern Premier League, before moving on to Selby Town. His final footballing chapter took him across the Irish Sea to Drogheda United, where he played under former Huddersfield teammate Mick Meagan. Though his time in Ireland was short-lived, it marked the end of a career that had been defined by an uncanny ability to score goals.
In 2006, he was named one of Huddersfield Town’s 100 fans’ favourites of all time, an accolade that recognised his contributions to the Yorkshire club and his place in its storied history. It was a fitting tribute to a man who, despite never playing at the highest level, left a lasting impact on the clubs he represented.