2004–05 Port Vale F.C. season

Port Vale
2004–05 season
Chairman Bill Bratt
Manager Martin Foyle
Stadium Vale Park
Football League One 18th (56 Points)
FA Cup Second Round
League Cup First Round
League Trophy Second Round
Player of the Year Billy Paynter
Top goalscorer League: Lee Matthews & Billy Paynter (10)
All: Billy Paynter (13)
Highest home attendance 8,671 vs. Sheffield Wednesday (28 December 2004)
Lowest home attendance 1,970 vs. Barnsley (28 September 2004)
Average home league attendance 4,973
Home colours

The 2004–05 season was Port Vale's 93rd season of football in the Football League, and first in the newly created League One. Martin Foyle's first full season in charge, Vale survived a relegation dogfight to finish in eighteenth place, having struggled to compete with the departures of Stephen McPhee and Steve Brooker. His side exited both the FA Cup and the League Trophy at the Second Round, and left the League Cup at the First Round.

Manager Martin Foyle.
Winger Chris Birchall managed to establish himself as a first team regular.

Overview

League One

The pre-season saw Martin Foyle add to his squad with a number of free signings: Lee Matthews (Bristol City);[1] Jeff Smith (Bolton Wanderers);[2] Dean Smith (Sheffield Wednesday); Daryl McMahon (West Ham United); and Robin Hulbert (Telford United).[3] The pre-season saw Vale finish 5th in the Isle of Man tournament at The Bowl. They also managed to battle to a draw at home to La Liga outfit Racing de Santander.

The season started positively with ten points from five games, though until the end of the season Vale failed to find form, and picked up an average of one point a game despite only playing in five draws all season. At half-time at the opening game of the season at Vale Park, fans were surprised to hear an announcement over the public address system telling them not to sing songs deriding rivals Stoke City.[4] Mark Goodlad picked up an injury, allowing Jonny Brain the chance to impress between the sticks.[5] At the end of September, star midfielder Steve Brooker was sold to Bristol City for £225,000. The club failed to bring in Christian Roberts in return, though Marc Goodfellow was signed on a four-week loan deal the following month.[6] Teenage defender James O'Connor also joined on loan from Aston Villa.[7] In November, Andreas Lipa returned to his homeland to play for Austria Lustenau, after Foyle released the injury-plagued defender.[8] McMahon also left the club to join Leyton Orient.[9] Foyle brought a new signing to Vale Park though, with striker Nathan Lowndes joining on a free transfer from Plymouth Argyle.[10] In December, defender Tyrone Loran joined on a one-month loan from Tranmere Rovers,[11] though returned to Prenton Park when the loan deal was up, after Foyle failed to sign him permanently.[12] Christian Hanson was also signed from non-league Billingham Synthonia. Foyle also signed Nigerian defender George Abbey, who had been released by Macclesfield Town.[13] In January, Dean Smith retired as a player and took up coaching at Leyton Orient. As a replacement, former Vale player Tommy Widdrington joined until the end of the season on non-contract terms.[14] In February, veteran midfielder Danny Sonner joined on a one-month loan from Peterborough United.[15] In March, club legend and former teammate of Foyle, Tony Naylor, joined on an emergency short-term contract, though never took to the field. Tony Dinning also was signed on loan from Bristol City.[16] In addition to this, Mark Innes joined on a free transfer from Chesterfield.[17] Sonner's loan deal was also extended until the end of the season,[18] at which point he was signed permanently,[19] as was Dinning.[20] Vale lost to fellow relegation strugglers Torquay United and Wrexham in the last five games of the season, though a 5–0 win over Barnsley ensured the club's safety from the drop.[21]

They finished in eighteenth place with 56 points, leaving them five points clear of relegated Torquay. Their 59 goals conceded was a highly respectable tally, however they failed to score in almost half of their league games, and only recorded five draws all season. Vale lost more games and scored fewer goals than all club's in the division other than Peterborough United and Stockport County, who were both cut adrift early in the season. Billy Paynter was the club's top-scorer with thirteen goals, with other contributions also coming from Lee Matthews and Chris Birchall.

At the end of the season teenage prodigy David Hibbert was snapped up by Preston North End, who paid Vale £35,000 after a tribunal.[22] Four players were also released: Simon Eldershaw (Northwich Victoria); Christian Hanson (Billingham Synthonia); Levi Reid (Stafford Rangers); and Ryan Brown (Leek Town).[23] Ian Armstrong also retired due to injury.

Finances

On the financial front, Chairman Bill Bratt announced there was a 50-50 chance that an elderly American would put funds into the club,[24][25] though the investment did not come through. Bratt also went public with his idea of Reginald Mitchell Stadium in honour of the inventor of the Spitfire, hopeful that 85-year-old American billionaire Sidney Frank would thus be encouraged to invest in the club.[26][27] Foyle was desperate for more funds to attract better players,[28] and was forced to dismiss speculation that he would sell Billy Paynter to Crewe Alexandra.[29] On 13 December, shareholders voted by a margin of 119 to 3 to limit individual holdings in the club to a maximum of 24.9% "to ensure that no single shareholder can acquire undue influence or control over the company", in the words of Bill Bratt.[30] The club's shirt sponsorship came from mobile phone company Tricell, though the firm could not afford to pay the club any money as they entered administration, worsening an already bleak financial picture for the "Valiants".

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale avoided embarrassment by coming from behind to defeat local side Kidderminster Harriers 3–1.[31] They then lost out to Blackpool in the Second Round with a 1–0 defeat at Bloomfield Road.[32]

In the League Cup, Vale travelled to Belle Vue, where they were knocked out by Doncaster Rovers after a 3–1 defeat.

In the League Trophy, the "Valiants" advanced past Barnsley in front of a Vale Park crowd of just 1,970. However they then exited at the Second Round after a 2–1 defeat to Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park.[33]

Final league table

PWDLFAGDPts
P1Luton Town46291168748+3998
P2Hull City46268128053+2786
 3Tranmere Rovers462213117355+1879
 4Brentford46229155760−375
P5Sheffield Wednesday461915127759+1872
 6Hartlepool United46218177666+1071
 7Bristol City461816127457+1770
 8Bournemouth462010167764+1370
 9Huddersfield Town462010167465+970
 10Doncaster Rovers461618126560+566
 11Bradford City461714156462+265
 12Swindon Town461712176668−263
 13Barnsley461419136964+561
 14Walsall461612186569−460
 15Colchester United461417156050+1059
 16Blackpool461512195459−557
 17Chesterfield461415175562−757
 18Port Vale46175244959−1056
 19Oldham Athletic461410226073−1352
 20Milton Keynes Dons461215195467−1351
R21Torquay United461215195579−2451
R22Wrexham461314196280−1843*
R23Peterborough United46912254973−2439
R24Stockport County4668324898−5026

* Deducted 10 points for going into administration

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

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHHAHAAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
ResultLWWDWLWLLLLWLWDLWLLWLWLLLWLLLWWLLWLDDWDLWLWLLW
Position15114946361316171315131416131517161816161718171717171816171816171718161718171818181818

Source: Statto[34]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Football League One

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
7 August 2004WalsallA2–38,225Paynter, Matthews
10 August 2004Milton Keynes DonsH3–24,602Armstrong (2), Brooker
14 August 2004Hull CityH3–26,736Brooker (2), Collins
21 August 2004WrexhamA1–15,005Brooker
28 August 2004Bristol CityH3–05,377James, Brooker, Armstrong
31 August 2004ChesterfieldA0–15,150
4 September 2004Bradford CityA2–07,043Paynter, J.Smith
11 September 2004Huddersfield TownH0–36,298
18 September 2004BrentfordA0–15,442
25 September 2004BlackpoolH0–35,347
2 October 2004Colchester UnitedA1–23,230Matthews
8 October 2004Doncaster RoversH2–05,314Paynter, Collins
16 October 2004BournemouthA0–46,119
19 October 2004Swindon TownH1–03,872Birchall
23 October 2004Stockport CountyH0–05,025
30 October 2004Hartlepool UnitedA0–14,755
6 November 2004BarnsleyA2–18,642Paynter, Williams (og)
20 November 2004Torquay UnitedH1–24,763Cummins
27 November 2004Peterborough UnitedA0–43,785
7 December 2004Tranmere RoversH3–14,027Birchall (2), Paynter
11 December 2004Luton TownA0–16,974
18 December 2004Oldham AthleticH3–14,849Paynter, Birchall, Matthews (pen)
26 December 2004Huddersfield TownA1–212,243Eldershaw
28 December 2004Sheffield WednesdayH0–28,671
1 January 2005Bradford CityH0–15,001
3 January 2005BlackpoolA2–05,115Matthews (2 [1 pen])
8 January 2005Doncaster RoversA0–25,209
15 January 2005BrentfordH0–14,230
21 January 2005Sheffield WednesdayA0–118,465
5 February 2005BournemouthH2–14,186Paynter, Birchall
12 February 2005Stockport CountyA2–14,587Lowndes, Paynter
19 February 2005Hartlepool UnitedH0–14,366
23 February 2005Swindon TownA0–14,724
26 February 2005Luton TownH3–15,353Hibbert (2), Matthews
5 March 2005Oldham AthleticA0–35,799
8 March 2005Colchester UnitedH0–03,496
12 March 2005Milton Keynes DonsA1–14,676Matthews
19 March 2005WalsallH2–05,085Cummins, Matthews
26 March 2005Hull CityA2–217,678Matthews, Delaney (og)
2 April 2005Bristol CityA0–210,284
9 April 2005ChesterfieldH1–04,489Matthews
16 April 2005Torquay UnitedA0–13,592
23 April 2005BarnsleyH5–04,324Dinning (2), Paynter (2), Birchall
26 April 2005WrexhamH0–24,151
29 April 2005Tranmere RoversA0–18,940
7 May 2005Peterborough UnitedH1–04,815Dinning

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R112 November 2004Kidderminster HarriersH3–14,141Paynter (2), Reid
R24 December 2004BlackpoolA0–14,669

League Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R124 August 2004Doncaster RoversA1–33,943D.Smith

League Trophy

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R128 September 2004BarnsleyH1–01,970Paynter (pen)
R22 November 2004Tranmere RoversA1–23,735Birchall

Player statistics

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
June 2004FWEnglandLee MatthewsBristol CityFree transfer[35]
June 2004MFEnglandJeff SmithBolton WanderersFree transfer[35]
July 2004MFEnglandRobin HulbertTelford UnitedFree transfer[35]
July 2004DFEnglandDean SmithSheffield WednesdayFree transfer[35]
September 2004MFRepublic of IrelandDaryl McMahonWest Ham UnitedNon-contract terms[35]
November 2004FWEnglandNathan LowndesPlymouth ArgyleFree transfer[35]
December 2004DFEnglandChristian HansonBillingham SynthoniaFree transfer[35]
December 2004MFEnglandAndy PorterKidsgrove AthleticFree transfer[35]
January 2005MFEnglandTommy WiddringtonHartlepool UnitedNon-contract terms[35]
March 2005DFScotlandMark InnesChesterfieldFree transfer[35]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
September 2004FWEnglandSteve BrookerBristol City£225,000[35]
November 2004DFAustriaAndreas LipaAustria Austria LustenauFree transfer[35]
November 2004MFRepublic of IrelandDaryl McMahonLeyton OrientFree transfer[35]
December 2004DFNigeriaGeorge AbbeyMacclesfield TownFree transfer[35]
January 2005DFEnglandDean SmithReleased[35]
May 2005DFEnglandRyan BrownLeek TownReleased[35]
May 2005FWEnglandSimon EldershawNorthwich VictoriaReleased[35]
May 2005DFEnglandChristian HansonBillingham SynthoniaReleased[35]
May 2005MFEnglandLevi ReidStafford RangersReleased[35]
May 2005MFEnglandTommy WiddringtonSalisbury CityReleased[35]
June 2005FWEnglandDavid HibbertPreston North End£35,000[35]
Summer 2005MFEnglandIan ArmstrongRetired[35]

Loans in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
4 September 2004DFEnglandJames O'ConnorAston Villa4 December 2004[35]
4 October 2004MFEnglandMarc GoodfellowBristol City4 November 2004[35]
2 December 2004DFNetherlands AntillesTyrone LoranTranmere Rovers4 January 2005[35]
21 February 2005MFNorthern IrelandDanny SonnerPeterborough United8 May 2005[35]
22 March 2005MFEnglandTony DinningBristol City8 May 2005[35]

References

Specific
  1. ↑ "Matthews joins Port Vale". BBC Sport. 9 June 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  2. ↑ "Port Vale snap up Smith". BBC Sport. 22 June 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  3. ↑ "Port Vale sign Hulbert". BBC Sport. 15 July 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  4. ↑ Baggaley, Michael (14 April 2012). "Dear Mr Ryder, the fans need to know your plans". The Sentinel.
  5. ↑ "Goodlad blow for Vale". BBC Sport. 20 September 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  6. ↑ "Loan switch for Goodfellow". BBC Sport. 4 October 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  7. ↑ "Vale to sign Villa defender". BBC Sport. 2 September 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  8. ↑ "Lipa time with Vale comes to end". BBC Sport. 15 November 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  9. ↑ "Vale hand chance to Magpie McClen". BBC Sport. 25 November 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  10. ↑ "Lowndes leaves Plymouth for Vale". BBC Sport. 5 November 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  11. ↑ "Vale sign defender Loran on loan". BBC Sport. 2 December 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  12. ↑ "Vale keen to sign defender Loran". BBC Sport. 4 January 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  13. ↑ "Vale snap up former Macc defender". BBC Sport. 17 December 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  14. ↑ "Widdrington joins Port Vale again". BBC Sport. 14 January 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  15. ↑ "Sonner joins Vale in loan switch". BBC Sport. 21 February 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  16. ↑ "Dinning seals loan deal with Vale". BBC Sport. 22 March 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  17. ↑ "Innes joins Vale from Spireites". BBC Sport. 24 March 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  18. ↑ "Sonner lengthens Vale loan move". BBC Sport. 22 March 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  19. ↑ "Vale sign Posh midfielder Sonner". BBC Sport. 28 May 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  20. ↑ "Port Vale complete Dinning swoop". BBC Sport. 1 June 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  21. ↑ "Port Vale 5-0 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 23 April 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  22. ↑ "Tribunal sets fee on Hibbert move". BBC Sport. 6 September 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  23. ↑ "Vale boss Foyle releases quintet". BBC Sport. 9 May 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  24. ↑ "Vale hopeful on investor interest". BBC Sport. 13 April 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  25. ↑ "Vale made to wait over investment". BBC Sport. 19 May 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  26. ↑ "'Mitchell Stadium' scheme mooted". BBC Sport. 9 February 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  27. ↑ "Vale cash in on Spitfire legend". BBC Sport. 10 February 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  28. ↑ "Vale manager wants better players". BBC Sport. 27 April 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  29. ↑ "Foyle dismisses Paynter rumours". BBC Sport. 16 March 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  30. ↑ What If There Had Been No Port In The Vale?: Startling Port Vale Stories! p. 181 (Witan Books, 2011, ISBN 978-0-9529152-8-7)
  31. ↑ "Port Vale 3-1 Kidderminster". BBC Sport. 12 November 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  32. ↑ "Blackpool 1-0 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 3 December 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  33. ↑ "Tranmere 2-1 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 2 November 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  34. ↑ Port Vale 2004–2005 : Results & Fixtures. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  35. 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 "Port Vale FC Club Details | Transfers | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
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