1923–24 Port Vale F.C. season

Port Vale
1923–24 season
Chairman Sampson Walker
Manager Joe Schofield
Stadium The Old Recreation Ground
Football League Second Division 16th (38 Points)
FA Cup Fifth Qualification Round
North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup Runners-up
Top goalscorer League: Billy Briscoe (10)
All: Billy Briscoe & Tom Page (10)
Highest home attendance 16,800 vs Stoke (13 October 1923)
Lowest home attendance 3,000 vs South Shields (21 January 1924)
Average home league attendance 8,489
Home colours

The 1923–24 season was Port Vale's fifth consecutive season of football (18th overall) in the Football League.[1] Another season of slow and steady progress saw the club finish one point, and one place higher than the previous campaign. The club still lacked a regular goalscorer since selling Bobby Blood, however Wilf Kirkham made his debut, and goals came from all across the team. A still-standing club record was set on 5 April 1924, when Tom Holford played against Derby County at the age of 46.

The most notable incident in the campaign was the death of Tom Butler on 11 November 1923; he died from complications of a broken arm that he picked up whilst playing for the club.

Tom Holford retired at the end of the season, at the age of 43.
Billy Briscoe spent six months at Congleton Town, before returning to Vale in January to become the club's top scorer.
New-signing Jack Maddock played 22 games.
Sunderland legend Arthur Bridgett ended his professional career with Vale in 1924.

Overview

Second Division

To strengthen the side, pre-season signings included: Stalybridge Celtic goalkeeper Tommy Lonsdale; Macclesfield Town 'penalty king' right-back Jack Maddock; Leeds United tough-tackling half-back Alf Dark; Bolton Wanderers winger Jack Lowe; Clyde's reliable forward Fred Howard; and Exeter City goal machine Harold Crockford.[1] The kit for the season was picked – red jerseys with white shorts.[1]

The season started positively, with two wins recorded, as well as a 14,000 home crowd. However a run of one point won in five games saw the club slump down the table.[1] The arrival of Ireland international Louis Bookman for £250 from Luton Town couldn't reverse the side's fortunes.[1] Their stats by the end of October were: played twelve, lost eight, failed to score in six.[1] This miserable run included two defeats inflicted by rivals Stoke – the first time they had done the double over Vale in the league.[1] Crockford agreed to have his contract cancelled, and talks began to try to re-sign Billy Briscoe.[1] A young Wilf Kirkham made his debut against Leeds United, but failed to make much of an impact.[1]

Their rotten form seemed to have been turned around when the "Valiants" earned a 1–1 draw with Clapton Orient on 3 November 1923.[1] Tom Butler scored the goal, yet paid the ultimate price for his efforts.[1] Near the end of the match he suffered a compound fracture in his left arm, and complications set in whilst he was at Hackney Hospital, causing septic poisoning; he died of lockjaw on 11 November.[1] The club paid his widow the rest of his wages, and Stoke and numerous other clubs donated generously to provide the widow with a £700 benefit fund.[1]

Back to football, and the club signed 41-year-old former England international Arthur Bridgett, despite the fact that he had spent several years in retirement.[1] The winger impressed, and scored within ninety seconds of his debut.[1] Later in the year Peter Pursell returned to the field for the first time in the season following an injury, and was like a new signing.[1] Despite all this, Vale still suffered, and a heavy defeat at Old Trafford saw them stuck at the foot of the table.[1] Turning to 1924, the Vale managed a run of six games unbeaten, and Briscoe was finally given his pay rise and so was re-signed from Congleton Town.[1]

Despite Blackpool putting twelve past the Vale defence, the latter half of the season saw a massive improvement, as they lost just 6 of the 22 games. Briscoe and Kirkham provided the goals necessary to lift the club out of the relegation zone. On 5 April 1924, Tom Holford played against Derby County at the age of 46 – still a club record.[1]

At the end of season, Vale finished in sixteenth place with 38 points, making it two seasons in a row in which the club bettered their previous season tally by one point and one place. Performing poorly at home, only bottom place Bristol City lost more home games, and only second-bottom Nelson conceded more at home. Vale were five points clear of relegation, but thirteen points off a promotion place.

Briscoe, Page, Kirkham, and Bridgett were the major goalscorers. Full-back Len Birks was an ever-present, and Tommy Lonsdale, Jack Hampson, and Jack Lowe were also key first team players. As well as the debut of Kirkham, Roger Jones also made his debut, starting his fourteen-year association with the club. At the end of the season the club let Peter Pursell leave for Wigan Borough, whereas Lonsdale and Hampson both retired due to injury.[1]

Finances

Finances were once again worrying for the club and its supporters.[1] A greatly reduced wage bill of £7,900 still necessitated fund raising activities from fans to keep the club alive.[1] Arthur Prince was also sold to Sheffield Wednesday to raise cash.[1] Season ticket prices ranged from £2 6s. 6d. to £3, 6s. 6d.[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale drew Third Division North Wrexham at the Fifth Round of Qualifying for the second successive season, and another disappointing defeat followed, this time at the Racecourse Ground, with the Welsh club running out 5–1 winners. The North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup went to Stoke, who beat Vale 1–0 at The Old Recreation Ground.

Final league table

Pos Team Pld W D L F A W D L F A F A GA GD Pts
1Leeds United4214524110777202561351.743+ 2654
2Bury4215514276411212863351.800+ 2851
3Derby County42154252156510232775421.786+ 3351
4Blackpool42137143125610293572471.532+ 2549
5Southampton421353369498162252311.677+ 2148
6Stoke4291112710579173244421.048+ 246
7Oldham Athletic421010124124710214045520.865– 745
8The Wednesday4215514291713124254511.059+ 344
9South Shields42135334164512153449500.980– 144
10Clapton Orient42117327103810132640361.111+ 443
11Barnsley42127234164413234557610.934– 443
12Leicester City42134443164413213864541.185+ 1042
13Stockport County4210743221399123144520.846– 842
14Manchester United42107437153711152952441.182+ 840
15Crystal Palace42117337192613164653650.815– 1239
16Port Vale4295733294710173750660.758– 1638
17Hull City4287632232109142846510.902– 537
18Bradford City4287624213810112735480.729– 1337
19Coventry City4296634232712184552680.765– 1635
20Fulham4298430201614153645560.804– 1134
21Nelson428853231251484340740.541– 3433
22Bristol City4258819262712133932650.492– 3329

Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against;
GA = Goal average; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142
GroundAHHAAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAAAHHAHAAAHHHAHAAAHHHA
ResultWWLLDLLWLLLLDWLDWLLWDDWDDLLDDDWLWLWLWLDWDW
Position319111214181416172121212121212122222221212121202020191919191919191919181919181816

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

Football League Second Division

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
25 August 1923Crystal PalaceA2–110,000Crockford, Dark
27 August 1923The WednesdayH2–014,000Collinge, Crockford
1 September 1923Crystal PalaceH3–412,900Howard (2 [1 pen]), Page
3 September 1923The WednesdayA1–212,000Lowe
8 September 1923Stockport CountyA0–012,000
15 September 1923Stockport CountyH0–111,000
22 September 1923Leicester CityA0–219,000
29 September 1923Leicester CityH2–16,400Page, Connelly
6 October 1923StokeA0–121,685
13 October 1923StokeH2–416,800Page, Butler
20 October 1923Leeds UnitedH0–19,300
27 October 1923Leeds UnitedA0–312,000
3 November 1923Clapton OrientA1–115,000Butler
10 November 1923Clapton OrientH1–07,540Bridgett
17 November 1923Bradford CityA0–27,500
24 November 1923Bradford CityH2–26,000Connelly, Bridgett
8 December 1923BarnsleyH4–16,083Page (2), Hampson, Bridgett
15 December 1923Manchester UnitedH0–17,500
22 December 1923Manchester UnitedA0–511,750
29 December 1923BuryH2–18,348Reid, Bridgett
1 January 1924South ShieldsA3–310,000Page, Bridgett, Reid
5 January 1924BuryA0–010,000
19 January 1924Coventry CityA3–18,000Bridgett (2), Kirkham
21 January 1924South ShieldsH1–13,000Hampson
26 January 1924Coventry CityH1–110,000Lowe
2 February 1924BarnsleyA0–37,000
9 February 1924Bristol CityH0–26,000
13 February 1924Bristol CityA0–07,000
16 February 1924SouthamptonA1–110,000Briscoe
1 March 1924FulhamA0–012,000
8 March 1924FulhamH3–19,000Kirkham (2), Briscoe
15 March 1924BlackpoolH2–611,700Briscoe (2 [1 pen])
17 March 1924SouthamptonH1–05,000Kirkham
22 March 1924BlackpoolA1–610,000Page
29 March 1924Derby CountyH2–08,000Maddock (pen), Briscoe
5 April 1924Derby CountyA0–210,000
12 April 1924NelsonA3–16,000Page, Briscoe, Kirkham
18 April 1924Oldham AthleticA0–211,000
19 April 1924NelsonH0–08,000
21 April 1924Oldham AthleticH3–06,000Kirkham, Page, Briscoe
26 April 1924Hull CityH2–25,689Briscoe, Kirkham
3 May 1924Hull CityA2–16,000Briscoe (2)

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
5Q1 December 1923WrexhamA1–58,390Page

North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
Final28 April 1924StokeH0–1

Player statistics

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
1923MFEnglandArthur BridgettSunderlandFree transfer[3]
1923FWEnglandWilf KirkhamCongleton TownFree transfer[3]
April 1923FWEnglandJoe PointonStoke CityFree transfer[3]
May 1923MFEnglandHarold CrockfordExeter CityFree transfer[3]
May 1923MFEnglandJack LoweBolton WanderersFree transfer[3]
June 1923MFEnglandAlf DarkLeeds UnitedFree transfer[3]
June 1923GKEnglandTommy LonsdaleStalybridge CelticFree transfer[3]
June 1923DFEnglandWilliam NewtonRed Street P.S.A.Free transfer[3]
July 1923FWEnglandFred HowardScotland ClydeFree transfer[3]
July 1923MFEnglandRoger JonesRavensdaleFree transfer[3]
July 1923MFEnglandJack MellorNew MillsFree transfer[3]
July 1923GKEnglandRobert RadfordBrereton SocialFree transfer[3]
August 1923DFEnglandJack MaddockMacclesfield TownFree transfer[3]
August 1923DFEnglandJimmy OakesMilton AlbionFree transfer[3]
September 1923MFRepublic of IrelandLouis BookmanLuton Town£250[3]
November 1923FWEnglandAlbert SpencerWolverhampton WanderersFree transfer[3]
January 1924FWEnglandBilly BriscoeCongleton TownFree transfer[3]
February 1924MFEnglandGeorge BensonQueens Park RangersTrial[3]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
September 1923MFEnglandHarold CrockfordChesterfieldMutual consent[3]
November 1923FWEnglandTom ButlerHis death[3]
November 1923FWEnglandFred HowardNew BrightonFree transfer[3]
February 1924MFEnglandGeorge BensonChorleyTrial ended[3]
February 1924DFEnglandWilliam NewtonCongleton TownFree transfer[3]
May 1924MFEnglandArthur PrinceSheffield Wednesday£750[3]
Summer 1924MFRepublic of IrelandLouis BookmanRepublic of Ireland ShelbourneReleased[3]
Summer 1924MFEnglandArthur BridgettSandbach RamblersReleased[3]
Summer 1924MFEnglandAlf DarkHalifax TownReleased[3]
Summer 1924MFEnglandJack HampsonReleased[3]
Summer 1924MFEnglandTom HolfordRetired[3]
Summer 1924GKEnglandTommy LonsdaleReleased[3]
Summer 1924MFEnglandJack MellorNew MillsReleased[3]
Summer 1924DFScotlandPeter PursellWigan BoroughFree transfer[3]
Summer 1924GKEnglandRobert RadfordBrereton SocialReleased[3]
Summer 1924FWEnglandAlbert SpencerWillenhallReleased[3]

References

Specific
  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 Kent, Jeff (1990). "Keeping in Good Company (1919-1929)". The Valiants' Years The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 98–123. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. ↑ Port Vale 1923–1924 : Results & Fixtures. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  3. 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 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
General
  • Kent, Jeff (1993). The Port Vale Record 1879-1993. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9508981-9-8.
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