1959–60 Port Vale F.C. season

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.[1] 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.

Port Vale
1959–60 season
ChairmanFred Burgess
ManagerNorman Low
StadiumVale Park
Football League Third Division14th (46 Points)
FA CupFifth Round
(knocked out by Aston Villa)
Supporters' Clubs' TrophyRunners–up
(knocked out by Stoke City)
Top goalscorerLeague: Graham Barnett (14)
All: Graham Barnett (17)
Highest home attendance49,768 vs. Aston Villa, 20 February 1960
Lowest home attendance5,514 vs. Swindon Town, 30 April 1960
Average home league attendance10,733
Biggest win7–0 vs. Halifax Town, 28 December 1959
Biggest defeat0–6 vs. Tranmere Rovers, 5 September 1959

Overview

Third Division

The pre-season saw the arrival of Morgan Hunt from Norwich City for a four-figure fee, and outside-left Cliff Portwood from Preston North End for £750.[1]

The season began with a 3–2 win over Reading at Elm Park, Norman Low having selected a first eleven without any of the new signings.[1] However, after a 1–0 win over Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic Vale began to struggle, picking up just a point in their next six games.[1] Low tried to sign Stanley Matthews, still going strong aged 44 for Blackpool, but a deal could not be reached.[1] On 5 September, Tranmere Rovers beat Vale 6–0 at Prenton Park after Roy Sproson left the field in the first half with a gashed leg.[1] Low then traded John Cunliffe and £2,000 to Stoke City in exchange for winger Harry Oscroft and centre-half Peter Ford.[1] An improvement took place, and despite trouble in front of goal, the team won seven successive games at Burslem.[1] In October, Jack Wilkinson was sold to Exeter City for £2,500, having lost his place in the starting eleven.[1] On 28 December, Vale recorded a 7–0 win over Halifax Town, causing The Sentinel's "T.G.F." to remark that "rarely have the opposition been so completely outplayed".[1]

In March, Graham Barnett was sold to Tranmere Rovers for £5,000, having lost his form.[1] The "Valiants" continued to perform well at home, but lose on their travels.[1] The departure of top-scorer Barnett meant the club 'urgently needed a top-class inside-forward'.[1] This was proven with a run of just four goals in seven matches, culminating in only two points and dashed hopes of promotion.[1] In danger of relegation, the players rallied to win seven points from the final five games.[1] The penultimate match was a 6–3 loss to Mansfield Town at Field Mill, whilst Vale then destroyed Swindon Town 6–1 in front of a season-low Vale Park crowd of 5,514.[1]

They finished in fourteenth spot with 46 points, a good finish for a club just promoted.[1] Stan Steele had put in his third successive ever-present season, whilst Barnett was the top-scorer despite leaving in March.[1] The club toured Czechoslavakia at the end of the season, due to Stoke-on-Trent's close relationship with the town of Lidice that developed from local MP Barnett Stross's Lidice Shall Live campaign.[2] The team defeated Cottwaldov, Přerov, Karlovy Vary; drew with FK Teplice; and were beaten by Jihlava.[3]

Finances

On the financial side, a £1,454 loss was announced despite a £10,352 donation from the Sportsmen's Association.[1] Gate receipts had risen by £1,680 due to the Aston Villa game, however average home attendance was down by around 2,000.[1] Wages also increased by a more considerable £7,064, though there was a transfer credit of £3,500.[1] There were 22 players retained, Roy Pritchard and Morgan Hunt were not amongst them, leaving for Wellington Town and Boston United respectively.[1]

In May, the club took a five-match tour of Czechoslovakia.[1] They experienced a culture shock, playing with a smaller, 'half-inflated' ball, and finding referees much more strict. However the tour was a success and much enjoyed by the players and their hosts.[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale eased past Dorchester Town of the Western League 2–1 after Graham Barnett injured Dorchester's keeper.[4] In the next round Vale beat Queens Park Rangers 2–1 in a replay,[1] after a fifty-yard strike from David Raine helped them to a 3–3 draw in the original match.[5] In the Third Round, they met Second Division high-flyers Cardiff City at Ninian Park, and were not concerned as Graham Barnett responded to Low's warning that the Wales captain faced them by saying "So fucking what? My mother could play for Wales".[6] They beat Cardiff 2–0 with a solid performance.[1] Drawn against Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park, 'the defence took the honours' in a 1–0 win.[1] The Fifth Round draw saw Vale face a home tie with Aston Villa, another second tier club. A still-standing club-record attendance of 49,768 turned up for the game on 20 February, resulting in £8,500 worth of gate receipts for the Vale.[1] Brian Jackson gave Vale a 36th-minute lead, but the "Villans" came back to win the match with six minutes to spare.[1]

In the Supporters' Clubs' Trophy, Vale lost to Stoke 5–3 on aggregate.[1]

League table
Main article: 1959–60 Football League
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts
12 Southend United 46 19 8 19 76 74 1.027 46
13 Newport County 46 20 6 20 80 79 1.013 46
14 Port Vale 46 19 8 19 80 79 1.013 46
15 Halifax Town 46 18 10 18 70 72 0.972 46
16 Swindon Town 46 19 8 19 69 78 0.885 46
Source:

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Third Division

Results by matchday
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHHAAHAAHHAAHHHAHAHHAAHAHAHHAHHAAHAAHAHAAHHAAH
ResultWWLLLDLLWWLLWWWLWLWLDWWDWLDWLWDLWWDLDLLLLWWDLW
Position9281517161819171617181816161616161516161413129101110121011111077911121316171411141514
Source: Statto[7]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
22 August 1959ReadingA3–214,917Barnett (2), Poole
24 August 1959Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticH1–018,037Barnett
29 August 1959Shrewsbury TownH0–318,607
2 September 1959Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticA0–311,689
5 September 1959Tranmere RoversA0–611,635
7 September 1959SouthamptonH1–113,906Poole
12 September 1959Norwich CityA1–527,041Poole
16 September 1959SouthamptonA2–317,009Barnett, Steele
19 September 1959BrentfordH3–112,817Steele (2), Barnett
21 September 1959BarnsleyH1–010,886Sproson
26 September 1959Colchester UnitedA1–37,822Poole
30 September 1959BarnsleyA0–17,870
3 October 1959Southend UnitedH3–112,008Leake, Steele, Jackson
10 October 1959Accrington StanleyH2–010,712Jackson (pen), Barnett
12 October 1959Mansfield TownH4–19,230Jackson, Oscroft, Barnett, Wilkinson
19 October 1959Newport CountyA3–47,996Whalley (2), Barnett
24 October 1959ChesterfieldH3–17,946Oscroft, Barnett, Steele
31 October 1959WrexhamA0–18,150
7 November 1959York CityH2–08,425Oscroft, o.g.
21 November 1959Bradford CityH0–29,924
28 November 1959Queens Park RangersA2–28,775Poole (2)
12 December 1959Swindon TownA3–27,716Barnett, Jackson, Portwood
19 December 1959ReadingH4–16,723Poole (2), Jackson, Portwood
26 December 1959Halifax TownA1–16,175Steele
28 December 1959Halifax TownH7–09,664Barnett (4), Jackson (2), Poole
2 January 1960Shrewsbury TownA1–29,754Steele
16 January 1960Tranmere RoversH1–19,706Poole
23 January 1960Norwich CityH2–111,040Steele, Miles
6 February 1960BrentfordA0–210,141
10 February 1960Grimsby TownH2–122,987Portwood (2)
13 February 1960Colchester UnitedH1–110,248Donaldson
22 February 1960Southend UnitedA1–26,534Steele
27 February 1960Accrington StanleyA3–13,109Donaldson (2), Steele
5 March 1960Newport CountyH2–19,073Donaldson, Jackson
7 March 1960Coventry CityA1–115,549Leake
12 March 1960ChesterfieldA1–46,152o.g.
19 March 1960Queens Park RangersH0–07,049
26 March 1960York CityA0–26,415
2 April 1960Coventry CityH0–17,686
9 April 1960Bradford CityA1–35,986Poole
15 April 1960BuryA1–36,397Hall
16 April 1960WrexhamH3–16,798Archer (2), Portwood
18 April 1960BuryH3–07,875Portwood (2), Poole
23 April 1960Grimsby TownA1–18,413Hall
25 April 1960Mansfield TownA3–64,970Portwood, Archer, Kinsey
30 April 1960Swindon TownH6–15,514Oscroft (4), o.g., Portwood

FA Cup
Main article: 1959–60 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R114 November 1959Dorchester TownA2–14,100Poole, Barnett
R25 December 1959Queens Park RangersA3–311,143Portwood, Leake, Raine
R2 Replay7 December 1959Queens Park RangersH2–19,544Barnett (2)
R39 January 1960Cardiff CityA2–025,588Steele, Portwood
R430 January 1960Scunthorpe UnitedA1–014,043Portwood
R520 February 1960Aston VillaH1–249,768Jackson (pen)

Supporters' Clubs' Trophy
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
Final 1st Leg5 October 1959Stoke CityA1–39,045Jackson
Final 2nd Leg26 October 1959Stoke CityH2–27,506Steele, Jackson

Player statistics

Appearances
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup Supporters' Club's Trophy Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Ken Hancock 2301020260
GK John Poole 2305000280
DF Roy Sproson 4116020491
DF David Raine 3906120471
DF Selwyn Whalley 1220010132
DF Fred Donaldson 84000084
DF Roy Pritchard 60000060
MF Albert Leake 3325110393
MF John Cunliffe 60000060
MF Terry Miles 3416010411
MF Peter Hall 42000042
MF Brian Jackson 45861225311
MF Morgan Hunt 20000020
MF Harry Oscroft 2671020297
MF Cliff Portwood 20953002512
MF Peter Ford 2506020330
MF Colin Davies 1000000100
FW Harry Poole 441261205213
FW Stan Steele 461061215411
FW Jack Wilkinson 61000061
FW Noel Kinsey 1911010211
FW Graham Barnett 271463203517
FW Stan March 10001020
FW John Archer 63000063

Top scorers
Place Position Nation Name Third Division FA Cup Other Total
1FW EnglandGraham Barnett143017
2FW EnglandHarry Poole121013
3MF EnglandCliff Portwood93012
4FW EnglandStan Steele101111
–MF EnglandBrian Jackson81211
6MF EnglandHarry Oscroft7007
7DF EnglandFred Donaldson4004
8FW EnglandJohn Archer3003
–MF EnglandAlbert Leake2103
10MF EnglandPeter Hall2002
–DF EnglandSelwyn Whalley2002
11FW EnglandJack Wilkinson1001
–FW WalesNoel Kinsey1001
–DF EnglandRoy Sproson1001
–MF EnglandTerry Miles1001
–DF EnglandDavid Raine0101
–––Own goals3003
TOTALS 80 11 3 94

Transfers

Transfers in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
July 1959MFMorgan HuntNorwich City'four figure fee'[8]
August 1959FWStan MarchAltrincham£250[8]
August 1959MFCliff PortwoodPreston North End£750[8]
September 1959MFPeter FordStoke CityExchange[8]
September 1959MFHarry OscroftStoke CityExchange[8]

Transfers out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
September 1959MFJohn CunliffeStoke CityExchange[8]
October 1959FWJack WilkinsonExeter City£2,500[8]
March 1960FWGraham BarnettTranmere Rovers£5,000[8]
May 1960MFJimmy AdamsCrewe AlexandraFree transfer[8]
May 1960DFRoy PritchardWellington TownFree transfer[8]
August 1960DFFred DonaldsonExeter City£2,000[8]
Summer 1960MFMorgan HuntBoston UnitedReleased[8]
Summer 1960FWJimmy McLeanWellington TownReleased[8]

References
Specific
  1. Kent, Jeff (1990). "Flattering Only to Deceive (1960–1969)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 196–226. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. "How Stoke-on-Trent helped Lidice". BBC. 8 March 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  3. "Port Vale and Czechoslovakia - a special relationship". onevalefan.co.uk. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  4. Kent, Jeff (December 1991). Port Vale Tales: A Collection Of Stories, Anecdotes And Memories. Witan Books. p. 27. ISBN 0-9508981-6-3.
  5. Kent, Jeff (December 1991). Port Vale Tales: A Collection Of Stories, Anecdotes And Memories. Witan Books. p. 116. ISBN 0-9508981-6-3.
  6. Kent, Jeff (December 1991). Port Vale Tales: A Collection Of Stories, Anecdotes And Memories. Witan Books. p. 28. ISBN 0-9508981-6-3.
  7. Port Vale 1959–1960 : Results & Fixtures Archived 13 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  8. 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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