1979–80 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1979–80 season was Port Vale's 68th season of football in the Football League, and their second successive season (eighth overall) in the Fourth Division.[1] One of the club's worst ever seasons, Vale finished twentieth in the league, and exited both cup competitions at the first stage. They also lost a tremendous amount of money. There was also a managerial merry-go-round, with Dennis Butler replaced by Alan Bloor, who was in turned replaced by John McGrath, with Bill Bentley also spending a short period as caretaker-manager.

Port Vale
1979–80 season
ChairmanArthur McPherson
ManagerDennis Butler (until 30 August)
Alan Bloor (30 August to 1 December)
Bill Bentley (caretaker in December)
John McGrath (from December)
StadiumVale Park
Football League Fourth Division20th (36 Points)
FA CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Doncaster Rovers)
League CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Tranmere Rovers)
Player of the YearKenny Beech
Top goalscorerLeague: Neville Chamberlain (11)
All: Neville Chamberlain (11)
Highest home attendance6,756 vs. Walsall, 8 March 1980
Lowest home attendance2,338 vs. Doncaster Rovers, 3 May 1980
Average home league attendance3,462
Biggest win5–0 vs. Northampton Town, 15 September 1979
Biggest defeat1–7 vs. Huddersfield Town, 22 September 1979

Overview

Fourth Division

The pre-season saw manager Dennis Butler sign three players on free transfers: Terry Owen (Rochdale), Alan Woolfall (Bury), and Steve Jones (Manchester United).[1] Meanwhile, the club was fined £500 by The Football Association for the team's ongoing poor disciplinary record.[1]

The season began with four straight league defeats, which resulted in the dismissal of Butler as manager.[1] Alan Bloor took over as caretaker manager, who threatened the players with a place on the bench if they failed to deliver in the first eleven, to prove his point he replaced Bernie Wright with Neville Chamberlain.[1] Chamberlain rewarded him with both goals in a 2–0 victory over Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road.[1] A 5–0 thrashing of Northampton Town followed eight days later, with both Chamberlain and Wright claiming a brace.[1] However the following week they were 'massacred' 7–1 at high-flying Huddersfield Town's Leeds Road.[1] Despite this, Trevor Dance retained his place in goal, with John Connaughton 'in a huff' with the club.[1] By the end of September, Bloor was made manager on a permanent basis.[1] Vale celebrated with a 5–1 beating of Rochdale, whilst Ken Todd was sold to Portsmouth for £20,000.[1] Ged Stenson had his contract cancelled, and signed with Morecambe.[1] Losing five of their seven games in October, Vale drifted to third-from-bottom.[1] Bloor spent £30,000 on Crewe Alexandra defender Paul Bowles.[1] Undefeated in November in the league, Vale then lost 5–1 to York City at Bootham Crescent.[1] Later in the month, Vale became the first Fourth Division club to strike a shirt advertising deal, signing a deal with TI Creda for £5,000.[1] A surprise came though when Bloor resigned his position, stating that "I do not have what it takes".[1] Gordon Banks was also dismissed, and he blamed the players for his downfall, claiming they did not like hard work.[1] Bill Bentley was appointed as caretaker-manager, as the club approached numerous managers – including former player Ronnie Allen.[1] The job went to John McGrath, who had been working as a coach at Southampton.[1] He appointed Torquay United coach John Rudge as his second in command.[1]

Finding his new team to be undisciplined, McGrath said 'the holiday is over', and began fining players for various reasons.[1] He offloaded Connaughton to Altrincham, loaned Paul Bowles to Southampton, and discovered that Wright was no longer willing to play for the club.[1] In February, McGrath signed goalkeeper Mark Harrison and defender Lee Harwood from Southampton, as well as forward Tony Sealy on loan from Crystal Palace.[1] He also placed fifteen players on the transfer list, after which the Vale went on a six-game unbeaten run.[1] Harwood and Phil Sproson made a solid defensive pair, whilst young Mark Chamberlain (brother of Neville) was used in midfield.[1] The end of their run was a 2–2 draw with league leaders Walsall.[1] In March John Fleming arrived on loan from Lincoln City, and the club went on a run of one win in twelve games, ending with a 2–1 defeat at Vale Park to fellow strugglers York City.[1] In April, Felix Healy left the club to return to his native Northern Ireland.[1] A Sealy goal earned Vale two points in their penultimate game with Stockport County at Edgeley Park, and their final game was a 3–0 win over Doncaster Rovers in front of just 2,338 supporters.[1] These wins took Vale out of the re-election zone on goal difference.[1]

They finished in twentieth place with 36 points, finishing ahead of Hereford United in the re-election zone on goals scored.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, a loss of £82,069 was recorded.[1] The financial picture led Chairman Arthur McPherson to describe 1979–80 as 'probably the worst season in the club's history'.[1] Leaving the club at the end of the season were: Bernie Wright (Kidderminster Harriers); Bill Bentley (Stafford Rangers); Terry Owen (Northwich Victoria); Bob Delgado (Miami Americans); and Kevin Tully (Chorley).[1] Several players remained in Burslem on virtue of having extended contracts.[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale were knocked out in the First Round after losing 3–1 at home to Doncaster Rovers.

In the League Cup, Vale were defeated by Tranmere Rovers 3–1 on aggregate.

League table
Main article: 1979–80 Football League
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion
18 Halifax Town 46 13 13 20 46 72 −26 39
19 Hartlepool United 46 14 10 22 59 64 −5 38
20 Port Vale 46 12 12 22 56 70 −14 36
21 Hereford United 46 11 14 21 38 52 −14 36 Re-elected
22 Darlington 46 9 17 20 50 74 −24 35
Source:

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Fourth Division

Results by matchday
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHAHAHHAHAHAAHHAHAAHAHAHHHAAAHAHHAHAHAAHAHAHAH
ResultLLLLWWLLWLLDLWLLWLLLLLDWLDWLLDWWDDDLWLDLLDLLWW
Position14182324211719211719222121212122212221212222222222222022222220191918182120212020222121222020
Source: Statto[2]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
18 August 1979Newport CountyA1–24,008Tully
20 August 1979Hereford UnitedH0–12,744
25 August 1979AldershotA1–32,538Todd
1 September 1979Peterborough UnitedH0–12,794
7 September 1979Crewe AlexandraA2–04,539Chamberlain (2)
15 September 1979Northampton TownH5–02,847Chamberlain (2), Wright (2), Sproson
17 September 1979Bradford CityH1–24,724Sproson
22 September 1979Huddersfield TownA1–74,299Chamberlain
29 September 1979RochdaleH5–12,835Wright (2), Farrell, Owen
3 October 1979Bradford CityA0–24,393
6 October 1979Lincoln CityH1–23,127Wright
10 October 1979Hereford UnitedA0–02,741
13 October 1979Hartlepool UnitedA1–22,441Wright
20 October 1979DarlingtonH2–02,618Beech, Farrell
22 October 1979Tranmere RoversH0–12,990
27 October 1979WalsallA1–24,976Woolfall
3 November 1979Newport CountyH2–02,980Farrell, o.g.
10 November 1979Halifax TownA0–01,798
12 November 1979Tranmere RoversA1–12,140Wright
17 November 1979Torquay UnitedH1–12,643Wright
1 December 1979York CityA1–52,402Chamberlain
7 December 1979Stockport CountyH1–22,799Chamberlain
21 December 1979PortsmouthA2–212,022Griffiths (2)
26 December 1979Scunthorpe UnitedH1–03,433Wright
29 December 1979AldershotH0–22,559
5 January 1980BournemouthH1–12,875o.g.
12 January 1980Doncaster RoversA3–23,859Chamberlain (2), Sproson
26 January 1980Peterborough UnitedA0–33,287
2 February 1980Northampton TownA1–31,946Woolfall
9 February 1980Huddersfield TownH1–15,143Elsby
15 February 1980RochdaleA2–01,784Sealy, Beech
20 February 1980Crewe AlexandraH2–06,655Sealy, Farrell
23 February 1980Hartlepool UnitedH1–13,702Chamberlain
1 March 1980DarlingtonA1–12,102Sealy
8 March 1980WalsallH2–26,756Griffiths (pen), Chamberlain
15 March 1980Lincoln CityA0–32,969
22 March 1980Halifax TownH1–02,993o.g.
26 March 1980Wigan AthleticA1–34,854Beech
29 March 1980Torquay UnitedA1–12,109Keenan
1 April 1980PortsmouthH2–33,614Harwood, Sealy
5 April 1980Scunthorpe UnitedA0–11,981
7 April 1980Wigan AthleticH1–13,814Sealy
12 April 1980BournemouthA1–32,863Owen
19 April 1980York CityH1–22,640Owen
25 April 1980Stockport CountyA1–02,404Sealy
3 May 1980Doncaster RoversH3–02,338Jones, Griffiths (pen), Bromage

FA Cup
Main article: 1979–80 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R123 November 1979Doncaster RoversH1–34,973Beech

League Cup
Main article: 1979–80 Football League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R1 1st Leg11 August 1979Tranmere RoversH1–23,213
R1 2nd Leg15 August 1979Tranmere RoversA0–13,026Woolfall

Player statistics

Appearances
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK John Connaughton 70002090
GK Trevor Dance 3901000400
DF Neil Griffiths 4041000414
DF Phil Sproson 3931000403
DF Graham Hawkins 30000030
DF Bill Bentley 3201020350
DF Gerry Keenan 4111020441
DF Bob Delgado 1702000190
DF Lee Harwood 1510000151
DF Billy Leese 10000010
DF Paul Bowles 1001000110
MF Kenny Beech 4631120494
MF Russell Bromage 2910010301
MF Ged Stenson 10000010
MF Ken Todd 31000031
MF Kevin Tully 51002071
MF Mark Chamberlain 1100000110
MF Peter Farrell 3251000335
MF Ian Elsby 2110010221
MF Felix Healy 1800020200
MF John Fleming 30000030
FW Neville Chamberlain 351100003511
FW Bernie Wright 3091020339
FW Alan Woolfall 721021103
FW Tony Sealy 1760000176
FW Terry Owen 1730020193
FW Steve Jones 1511000161

Top scorers
Place Position Nation Name Fourth Division FA Cup League Cup Total
1FW EnglandNeville Chamberlain110011
2FW EnglandBernie Wright9009
3FW EnglandTony Sealy6006
4MF EnglandPeter Farrell5005
5DF EnglandNeil Griffiths4004
–MF EnglandKenny Beech3104
7DF EnglandPhil Sproson3003
–FW EnglandTerry Owen3003
9FW EnglandAlan Woolfall2013
10DF EnglandGerry Keenan1001
–DF EnglandLee Harwood1001
–MF EnglandKen Todd1001
–MF EnglandKevin Tully1001
–MF EnglandIan Elsby1001
–FW EnglandSteve Jones1001
–MF EnglandRussell Bromage1001
–––Own goals3003
TOTALS 56 1 1 58

Transfers

Transfers in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 1979FWSteve JonesManchester UnitedFree transfer[3]
Summer 1979FWTerry OwenRochdaleFree transfer[3]
August 1979FWAlan WoolfallBuryFree transfer[3]
October 1979DFPaul BowlesCrewe Alexandra£30,000[3]
February 1980GKMark HarrisonSouthamptonFree transfer[3]
February 1980DFLee HarwoodLeatherheadFree transfer[3]

Transfers out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
August 1979FWBrian SinclairWinsford UnitedSacked[3]
October 1979DFGraham HawkinsRetired[3]
October 1979MFGed StensonMorecambeReleased[3]
October 1979MFKen ToddPortsmouth£20,000[3]
1980GKJohn ConnaughtonAltrinchamFree transfer[3]
1980FWTerry OwenNorthwich VictoriaFree transfer[3]
February 1980MFKevin TullyChorleyReleased[3]
May 1980DFBill BentleyStafford RangersFree transfer[3]
May 1980DFBob Delgado Miami AmericansReleased[3]
July 1980FWFelix Healy ColeraineFree transfer[3]
Summer 1980DFBilly LeeseRetired[3]
Summer 1980FWBernie WrightKidderminster HarriersFree transfer[3]

Loans in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
February 1980FWTony SealyCrystal PalaceMay 1980[3]
March 1980MFJohn FlemingLincoln CityMarch 1980[3]

Loans out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref.
January 1980DFPaul BowlesSouthamptonJanuary 1980[3]

References
Specific
  1. Kent, Jeff (1990). "From Rags to Riches (1979–1990)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 258–290. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. Port Vale 1979–1980 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  3. 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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