1955–56 Port Vale F.C. season

Last updated • 3 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Port Vale
1955–56 season
ChairmanFred Burgess
Manager Freddie Steele
Stadium Vale Park
Football LeagueSecond Division 12th (45 Points)
FA Cup Fourth Round
(knocked out by Everton)
Top goalscorerLeague: Cyril Done, Len Stephenson (12 each)
All: Len Stephenson (14)
Highest home attendance44,278 vs. Everton, 28 January 1956
Lowest home attendance11,781 vs. Middlesbrough, 28 April 1956
Average home league attendance18,985
Biggest win3–0 and 4–1
Biggest defeat1–7 vs. Blackburn Rovers, 12 November 1955
←  1954–55
1956–57  →

The 1955–56 season was Port Vale's 44th season of football in the English Football League, and their second-successive season (thirty-first overall) in the Second Division. [1] Gaining ten points on their previous season's total, the club progressed well, achieving their best finish since 1933–34. Finishing one place above rivals Stoke City, it was the first time they outperformed Stoke since 1930–31. Part of the promotion-chasing pack at the season's end, they tailed off with four points from six games as Leeds United finished strongly to end up second. Vale's season was built on the defensive strength of the legendary 1953–54 season, along with record-signing England international Eddie Baily.

Contents

Overview

Second Division

The pre-season saw Stan Turner and Ken Griffiths undergo operations, keeping them out of action for the start of the campaign. [1]

The season began with just one loss in the opening eleven games, including victories at Upton Park and Craven Cottage, and a 1–0 home win over rivals Stoke City in front of a crowd of 37,261. [1] Nevertheless, injuries began to affect the first XI, leaving room for reserves like Derek Mountford, Stan Smith, and Tom Conway to make an impression. [1] The 'Steele Curtain' defence was still in operation, picking up five clean sheets in these eleven games. [1] Journalist Bernard Jones compared 'the Vale Plan' to the Brazilian method of defence, defending the penalty area at all costs as that was from where 95% of all goals were scored. [1] However, manager Freddie Steele responded by claiming there was no such plan, and that the main objective was simply 'to beat the opposition'. [1] On 22 October, Sheffield Wednesday went away from Vale Park with a 1–0 win, this was followed with a 4–1 defeat at Filbert Street. [1] Steele began to initiate a modern pre-match ritual of having the players warm up in their tracksuits fifteen minutes before kick-off, though on 12 November this did them no favours at Ewood Park, as Blackburn Rovers romped to a 7–1 victory. [1] Steele made eight changes following the defeat, which made little difference as Vale extended their run without a win to nine games. [1] This left them in fifteenth place by mid-December, with a host of players out with injuries. [1]

Cyril Done's return to match fitness was marked with a 2–1 win at the Memorial Stadium, beginning a sequence of one defeat in ten games. [1] This left them in seventh place by February, with a shot of promotion. [1] In January, Eddie Baily was signed from Tottenham Hotspur for a club-record £7,000. [1] Signing an inside-forward who was part of England's 1950 FIFA World Cup squad was a sign of the club's ambitions for top-flight football. [1] Outclassed by Wednesday on 3 March, they lost 4–0 at Hillsborough, but followed this with wins over Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City. [1] On 31 March they came to a 'hard-fought' 1–1 draw at Stoke's Victoria Ground, which left the "Valiants" in fifth place, level on points with second-placed Liverpool. [1] In with a great chance of promotion by April, defeats at home to Nottingham Forest and Leicester City, and a 4–1 beating at Anfield ruined their chances. [1] Harry Poole made his debut on the last day of the season, as Vale recorded a 3–2 win over Middlesbrough. [1]

They finished in twelfth position with 45 points, one point and one position above rivals Stoke. [1] The Steele Curtain boasted the best defensive record in the division, though only the bottom five scored fewer goals. [1]

Finances

On the financial side, a loss was made of £4,974, blamed upon a 'crippling burden' of £12,422 in entertainment tax. [1] Home attendances were down by around 2,000 a game to 18,985, leaving gate receipts at £60,784. [1] Steele retained thirty professionals, releasing Albert Mullard and Ray Hancock (Northwich Victoria), and Tom Conway (Leek Town). [1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale narrowly defeated Third Division South Walsall 1–0 at Fellows Park to win a Fourth Round tie with First Division Everton. [1] A crowd of 44,278 saw 'a match that had everything', as the "Toffees" escaped with a 3–2 victory, Vale having had two goals disallowed. [1]

League table

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGAvPtsQualification or relegation
1 Sheffield Wednesday (C, P)4221138101621.62955Promotion to the First Division
2 Leeds United (P)422361380601.33352
3 Liverpool 422161585631.34948
4 Blackburn Rovers 422161584651.29248
5 Leicester City 422161594781.20548
6 Bristol Rovers 422161584701.20048
7 Nottingham Forest 421991468631.07947
8 Lincoln City 4218101479651.21546
9 Fulham 422061689791.12746
10 Swansea Town 422061683811.02546
11 Bristol City 421971680641.25045
12 Port Vale 4216131360581.03445
13 Stoke City 422041871621.14544
14 Middlesbrough 421681876780.97440
15 Bury 421681886900.95640
16 West Ham United 4214111774691.07239
17 Doncaster Rovers 4212111969960.71935
18 Barnsley 4211121947840.56034
19 Rotherham United 421292156750.74733
20 Notts County 421192255820.67131
21 Plymouth Argyle (R)421082454870.62128Relegation to the Third Division South
22 Hull City (R)421062653970.54626Relegation to the Third Division North
Source: [ citation needed ]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Second Division

Results by matchday

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142
GroundHHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAHHAAAHAHAAHAHAHHAAHAHH
ResultDWLWWDWWDWDLLDLLDDLWWLWDDWDWDLWLWLWWDDLLLW
Position104114377453268810131212141211121111108987768676454791012
Source: Statto [2]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
20 August 1955 Bristol Rovers H1–121,270 Cunliffe
22 August 1955 West Ham United H2–119,259 Stephenson, Leake
27 August 1955 Rotherham United A0–111,994
29 August 1955 West Ham United A2–013,052 Smith, Done
3 September 1955 Swansea Town H3–021,769 Cunliffe, Conway, Done
10 September 1955 Notts County A0–014,733
17 September 1955 Leeds United H2–021,348 Sproson, Done
24 September 1955 Fulham A4–125,363 Conway (2), Smith, Done
1 October 1955 Bury H1–120,691 Leake
8 October 1955 Stoke City H1–037,261 Done
15 October 1955 Plymouth Argyle A1–117,124 Cunliffe
22 October 1955 Sheffield Wednesday H0–123,139
29 October 1955 Leicester City A1–426,496 Stephenson
5 November 1955 Lincoln City H1–116,561 Stephenson
12 November 1955 Blackburn Rovers A1–725,464 Leake
19 November 1955 Hull City H0–117,778
26 November 1955 Nottingham Forest A2–29,533 Conway, Cunliffe
3 December 1955 Liverpool H1–116,919 Stephenson
10 December 1955 Doncaster Rovers A0–37,351
17 December 1955 Bristol Rovers A2–119,144 Cunliffe, Stephenson
24 December 1955 Rotherham United H4–113,023 Stephenson (2), Done (2)
26 December 1955 Barnsley H1–219,130 Done
27 December 1955 Barnsley A2–122,067 Stephenson (2)
31 December 1955 Swansea Town A0–024,661
2 January 1956 Middlesbrough A1–121,664 Mullard
14 January 1956 Notts County H3–117,370 Cunliffe, Done (pen), Baily
21 January 1956 Leeds United A1–123,680 Griffiths
4 February 1956 Fulham H2–113,234 Baily, Griffiths
11 February 1956 Bury A2–210,881 Griffiths, Stephenson
18 February 1956 Hull City A1–16,884 Baily
25 February 1956 Plymouth Argyle H3–114,336 Griffiths (3)
3 March 1956 Sheffield Wednesday A0–429,789
10 March 1956 Doncaster Rovers H2–016,389 Baily, Cunliffe
17 March 1956 Lincoln City A0–110,635
24 March 1956 Blackburn Rovers H4–115,217 Stephenson (2), Leake, Smith
30 March 1956 Bristol City H2–024,900 Smith (2)
31 March 1956 Stoke City A1–137,928 Griffiths
2 April 1956 Bristol City A0–024,348
7 April 1956 Nottingham Forest H0–223,018
14 April 1956 Liverpool A1–429,413 Baily
21 April 1956 Leicester City H2–314,302 Done (pen), Baily
28 April 1956 Middlesbrough H3–211,781 Done (2), Baily

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R37 January 1956 Walsall A1–021,836 Stephenson
R428 January 1956 Everton H2–344,278 Stephenson, Sproson

Player statistics

Appearances and goals

Pos.NameFootball LeagueFA CupTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
GK Flag of England.svg Ray King 39020410
GK Flag of England.svg Ray Hancock 200020
GK Flag of England.svg John Poole 100010
DF Flag of England.svg Tommy Cheadle 19000190
DF Flag of England.svg Reg Potts 42020440
DF Flag of England.svg Roy Sproson 42121442
DF Flag of England.svg Stan Turner 26020280
MF Flag of England.svg Alan Bennett 700070
MF Flag of England.svg Albert Leake 36420384
MF Flag of England.svg John Cunliffe 39720417
MF Flag of England.svg Derek Mountford 15000150
MF Flag of England.svg Albert Mullard 611071
MF Flag of England.svg Colin Askey 24020260
FW Flag of England.svg Basil Hayward 41020430
FW Flag of England.svg Ken Griffiths 19720217
FW Flag of England.svg Len Stephenson 3112223314
FW Flag of England.svg Stan Smith 20500205
FW Flag of England.svg Cyril Done 1812001812
FW Flag of England.svg Pat Willdigg 200020
FW Flag of England.svg Harry Poole 100010
FW Flag of England.svg Tom Conway 15400154
FW Flag of England.svg Eddie Baily 17710187

Top scorers

PlacePositionNationNameSecond DivisionFA CupTotal
1FWFlag of England.svg England Cyril Done 12014
2FWFlag of England.svg England Len Stephenson 12212
3FWFlag of England.svg England Ken Griffiths 707
–FWFlag of England.svg England Eddie Baily 707
–MFFlag of England.svg England John Cunliffe 707
6FWFlag of England.svg England Stan Smith 505
7FWFlag of England.svg England Tom Conway 404
–MFFlag of England.svg England Albert Leake 404
9DFFlag of England.svg England Roy Sproson 112
10MFFlag of England.svg England Albert Mullard 101
TOTALS60363

Transfers

Transfers in

Date fromPositionNationalityNameFromFeeRef.
January 1956FW Flag of England.svg Eddie Baily Tottenham Hotspur £7,000 [3]

Transfers out

Date fromPositionNationalityNameToFeeRef.
Summer 1956FW Flag of England.svg Tom Conway Leek Town Free transfer [3]
Summer 1956GK Flag of England.svg Ray Hancock Northwich Victoria Free transfer [3]
Summer 1956MF Flag of England.svg Albert Mullard Northwich VictoriaReleased [3]
Summer 1956FW Flag of England.svg Pat Willdigg Northwich VictoriaFree transfer [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1900–01 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season</span> Burslem Port Vale 1900–01 football season

The 1900–01 season was Burslem Port Vale's third consecutive season of football in the English Football League. Finishing in ninth place for the second time in three years, the club would have to wait over two decades before they would better such a finish. Vale was a typical mid-table team in 1900–01, with their home form slightly disappointing compared to teams around them. The team was settled, however, once again poor attendances were an issue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1921–22 Port Vale F.C. season</span> Port Vale 1921–22 football season

The 1921–22 season was Port Vale's third consecutive season of football in the English Football League. Another difficult season, both on and off the pitch, the club finished with 36 points for the second season in a row. The club had no reliable goal scorer following their sale of Bobby Blood the previous season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1924–25 Port Vale F.C. season</span> Port Vale 1924–25 football season

The 1924–25 season was Port Vale's sixth consecutive season of football in the English Football League. A highly successful season, for the first time in their history they finished above rivals Stoke. Vale's eighth-place finish in the second tier was their best finish since 1893–94. Throughout the 20th century, this finish would be bettered only in 1930–31.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1925–26 Port Vale F.C. season</span> Port Vale 1925–26 football season

The 1925–26 season was Port Vale's seventh consecutive season of football in the English Football League. They improved on their previous season's success by two points. They finished in a higher league position than rivals Stoke City for only the second time in their history. With Stoke relegated in 21st place, they guaranteed playing in a higher league than Stoke for the first time in their history. With seven games left to play, April 1926 would be arguably the club's best-ever chance at reaching the top flight; however, they tallied just two points from their remaining games to finish in eighth place. Despite this, the Vale board proposed a merger with Stoke City and was forced to resign en masse when the scheme failed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1926–27 Port Vale F.C. season</span> Port Vale 1926–27 football season

The 1926–27 season was Port Vale's eighth consecutive season of football in the English Football League. Vale finished in eighth position for the third season running, obtaining 45 points, this time coming nine points off promotion to the top tier in English football. For the first time in the club's history, they played in a league above rivals Stoke City. Wilf Kirkham broke a club record by scoring 38 league goals and 41 goals in all competitions. He scored six braces, four hat-tricks, and also scored four goals in one game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1927–28 Port Vale F.C. season</span> Port Vale 1927–28 football season

The 1927–28 season was Port Vale's ninth consecutive season of football in the English Football League. They finished in ninth place, following three consecutive eighth-placed finishes in the previous campaigns. Vale were once again looking strong in the division, yet unable to find the consistency necessary to win promotion to the top flight. Top scorer Wilf Kirkham managed 14 goals, a whole 27 short of his previous record-breaking tally. Still one of the most successful seasons in their history, they would better this finish on only three occasions over the next 85 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1932–33 Port Vale F.C. season</span> Port Vale 1932–33 football season

The 1932–33 season was Port Vale's 27th season of football in the English Football League, and their third-successive season in the Second Division. The season is notable as the last season of football for legendary striker Wilf Kirkham – who finished as top scorer for the sixth time in his Vale career. It is also notable for a 9–1 thrashing of Chesterfield in which Stewart Littlewood scored six goals – both feats are still standing club records. Otherwise an unremarkable season, the club limped to 17th in the league and exited the FA Cup in the Third Round, whilst rivals Stoke City were promoted as champions.

The 1951–52 season was Port Vale's 40th season of football in the English Football League, and their seventh full season in the Third Division South. Manager Ivor Powell did not last long, and was replaced by Freddie Steele in December. Steele would later be one of the club's greatest and longest-serving managers. He started early, taking a club to the bottom of the league at Christmas to a thirteenth-place finish. He achieved this without making any major signings; rather, he managed the players he had better than Powell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1952–53 Port Vale F.C. season</span> Port Vale 1952–53 football season

The 1952–53 season was Port Vale's 41st season of football in the English Football League, and their first season back in the Third Division North, following their switch from the Third Division South. Using an incredibly settled squad, manager Freddie Steele led the Vale to a second-place finish, just a single point from the promotion spot. Built upon an 'iron curtain defence', just 35 goals were conceded in 46 league games. All this was achieved with the same bottom-placed team Steele inherited in December 1951.

The 1954–55 season was Port Vale's 43rd season of football in the English Football League and their first season back in the Second Division following their promotion from the Third Division North. The club adapted well to their first second tier campaign since 1935–36, finishing in seventeenth place.

The 1956–57 season was Port Vale's 45th season of football in the English Football League, and their third-successive season in the Second Division. An unmitigated disaster from start to finish, they were relegated in bottom place with just 22 points from 42 games. It was the end of an era, as the reputation of 'the Steele Curtain' had taken a severe blow, and its architect Freddie Steele left the club in January. The season was considered to be one where the old guard 'cracked', and thus many loyal servants of the club were let go in the summer of 1957, including Ray King, Reg Potts, Stan Turner, Tommy Cheadle, and Stan Smith.

The 1958–59 season was Port Vale's 47th season of football in the English Football League and their first season in the newly created Fourth Division following their relegation from the Third Division South. They scored a club-record 110 goals in 46 league matches to storm to the Fourth Division title. Forwards Stan Steele, Jack Wilkinson, Graham Barnett, Harry Poole, and John Cunliffe all reached double-figures in front of goal.

The 1958–59 season was Port Vale's 48th season of football in the English Football League, and their first season in the Third Division following their promotion from the Fourth Division. Progressing to the Fifth Round of the FA Cup, there they set a Vale Park and club-record attendance of 49,768, in a 2–1 defeat by Aston Villa on 20 February. In the first of a short-lived Supporters' Clubs' Trophy, they lost to rivals Stoke City 5–3 on aggregate; whilst in the league they finished a respectable fourteenth, thirteen points from both promotion and relegation.

The 1960–61 season was Port Vale's 49th season of football in the English Football League, and their second season in the Third Division. Aiming for promotion, the club were disappointed with their eventual seventh-place finish. The first season of the League Cup ended for Vale in the Second Round, whilst they exited the FA Cup in the Third Round. They did however, taste success in the second and last Supporters' Clubs' Trophy series, beating rivals Stoke City 1–0 in a replay.

The 1961–62 season was Port Vale's 50th season of football in the English Football League, and their third season in the Third Division. The season was most notable for the win over Sunderland in the FA Cup, which followed a goalless draw at Roker Park in which the Vale defence prevented Brian Clough from even having a shot. The club also hosted a friendly against the Czechoslovakia national football team and later took a tour of Poland. In the league, they failed to gain promotion and settled for mid-table obscurity.

The 1962–63 season was Port Vale's 51st season of football in the English Football League, and their fourth season in the Third Division. An impressive season saw them finish in third position, one away from promotion. However, promotions for both their rivals Stoke City and Crewe Alexandra meant that Vale had a poor season in comparison. The major talking point of the season was Norman Low's departure and Freddie Steele's return, which came as a shock to the fans.

The 1963–64 season was Port Vale's 52nd season of football in the English Football League, and their fifth season in the Third Division. Freddie Steele spent big on transfers, bringing in players such as Billy Bingham, Albert Cheesebrough, and Jackie Mudie. However, it was a disappointing season in the league and a disaster financially. The highlights of the season came in the FA Cup, where Vale beat top-flight Birmingham City at St Andrew's, and drew 0–0 with Liverpool at Anfield.

The 1974–75 season was Port Vale's 63rd season of football in the Football League, and their fifth-successive season in the Third Division. It was Roy Sproson's first full season in charge. With cross-town rivals Stoke City competing in Europe and running close for the First Division title, Vale's attendances waned, as they were the third least-supported club in the division. This was despite a promotion challenging season that eventually ended with a sixth-place finish. Vale exited both cup competitions in the opening rounds.

The 1975–76 season was Port Vale's 64th season of football in the Football League, and their sixth-successive season in the Third Division. Manager Roy Sproson brought Mick Cullerton back to Vale Park. Cullerton was to become the top-scorer for the season with 21 goals. However, the ongoing success of rivals Stoke City in winning the League Cup, playing in Europe, and competing at the top of the First Division caused Vale's support to suffer. The loyal support of a few thousand fans was not enough to balance the books, and so Brian Horton was controversially sold to Brighton & Hove Albion for £30,000.

The 1982–83 season was Port Vale's 71st season of football in the English Football League, and their fifth-successive season in the Fourth Division. John McGrath led the Vale to a club-record 88 points, which saw them win promotion in third place. This was some achievement considering McGrath had sold both the Chamberlain brothers and goalkeeper Mark Harrison to rivals Stoke City at the start of the season. Receiving £240,000 for these three players, he spent only £15,000 to bring top-scorer Bob Newton to Vale Park, and signed Player of the Year Wayne Cegielski for free.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Kent, Jeff (1990). "Fame and Fortune (1950–1959)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 171–196. ISBN   0-9508981-4-7.
  2. ↑ Port Vale 1955–1956 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. ISBN   0-9529152-0-0.

Sources

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.