Fourth Division
In the pre-season, there were talks of bringing speedway to Vale Park, introducing a new team to the British League Division Two. [1] However, many were opposed to the idea, and a 2,600 strong petition was given to local MP John Forrester. [1] The idea was killed when the council failed to grant planning permission, despite a 3,000 strong petition in favour of the proposal. [1] The club had hoped to profit from the venture; however, many locals were concerned about noise pollution. [1] Gordon Lee meanwhile had little in the way of funds when it came to signing new players, and so he was only able to bring in three new attackers on free transfers: Ken Wookey (Newport County); Stuart Shaw (Southport); and Eric Magee (Oldham Athletic). [1]
They continued from their unbeaten result at the end of the previous season to make a club-record unbeaten sequence of ten away games and nineteen games home and away {5 May to 8 November}. Five of these results were goalless draws, as the defence proved stronger than the attack following the departure of top-scorer Roy Chapman at the end of the previous season. [1] Nevertheless, the run put them at the top of the table. Lee credited his team's hard work and fitness. [1] John James played on despite an injured ankle, Mick Morris found himself a permanent fixture as an energetic utility man, whilst Tommy McLaren also worked his way into the first XI. [1] The defence conceded just six goals in the opening fifteen league games. The run included a 1–0 win over Chesterfield at Saltergate, a 2–0 win over nearby Crewe Alexandra in front of a season-best Burslem crowd of 12,538, and a 'war of attrition' in a 1–1 draw 'full of ugly incidents' with Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground in front of a crowd of 19,946. [1] Some 5,000 Vale supporters had travelled to Wrexham on a British Rail 'Soccer Special' to witness the top-of-the-table clash, and saw two red cards as Wrexham's Steve Ingle and Vale's John James were both sent off. [2] Their 22 November fixture at the Old Showground with Scunthorpe United could have seen the Vale equal the best start to an English League season in the twentieth century. [1] After a Wookey goal put them ahead they lost after a disputed penalty and a bizarre own goal from Roy Sproson. [1] Meanwhile, Vale could not afford the £500 registration fee for Ian Buxton following the player's departure from Notts County. So the club could only sign him for an initial three-month period. [1]
Injuries and suspensions helped to dent the Vale's form, as they lost their status as league leaders. [1] On 17 January, Sproson made his 800th senior appearance in a 2–0 victory over Exeter City. [1] In an attempt to lift the club, Lee signed wing-half Tony Lacey on loan from Stoke City, and also bought Bill Summerscales from Leek Town for £400. [1] Heading into a six-game unbeaten run, Lee signed Buxton permanently despite the player's decision to retire at the end of the season. [1] On 21 February, Vale defeated Bradford (Park Avenue) in "wretched conditions" by four goals to one, with James scoring a hat-trick. [3] In March, Chairman Arthur McPherson pleaded guilty to receiving stolen goods and was sentenced to an eighteen-month suspended sentence and fined £1,500. [1] Resigning his position at the club, he was replaced by Mark Singer. [1] On 9 March, the match against Hartlepool had to be suspended for five minutes after Vale fans continually pelted the opposition keeper with snowballs. [1] On 21 March, Lee named an unchanged side for the eighth successive game as Vale recorded a 4–0 home victory over Darlington, with all four goals coming in the last half hour. [4] Signing Lacey permanently for £2,500, and Sammy Morgan on a free from Gorleston, Vale were in a close battle for promotion . [1] Unbeaten in their final nine games, they secured promotion with what The Sentinel's Peter Hewitt called a 'blockade formula' – they conceded just four goals in this run. [1]
They finished in fourth place with 59 points, three points clear of fifth place. His side promoted, Lee said that 'no team could have deserved reward as much for their hard work and strength of character'. [1] With 33 goals conceded, only Chesterfield conceded fewer. [1] Only seventeen players were used all season, whilst eight barely missed a game between them. [1] On 31 May, they played a Potteries derby friendly with First Division Stoke and won 3–2 at the Victoria Ground. [1]
