1982–83 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1982–83 season was Port Vale's 71st season of football in the English Football League, and their fifth successive season (11th overall) in the Fourth Division.[1] John McGrath led the Vale to a club-record 88 points (equalled in 1993–94), which saw them win promotion in third place. This was some achievement considering McGrath had sold both the Chamberlain brothers and goalkeeper Mark Harrison to rivals Stoke City at the start of the season. Receiving £240,000 for these three players, he spent only £15,000 to bring top-scorer Bob Newton to Vale Park, and signed Player of the Year Wayne Cegielski for free.

Port Vale
1982–83 season
ChairmanDon Ratcliffe (until October)
Jim Lloyd (from October)
ManagerJohn McGrath
StadiumVale Park
Football League Fourth Division3rd (88 Points)
FA CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Bradford City)
League CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Rochdale)
Player of the YearWayne Cegielski
Top goalscorerLeague: Bob Newton (20)
All: Bob Newton (20)
Highest home attendance8,241 vs. Crewe Alexandra, 5 March 1983
Lowest home attendance2,565 vs. Rochdale, 30 August 1982
Average home league attendance4,806
Biggest win4–0 vs. Rochdale, 30 August 1982
Biggest defeat0–2 (twice)

Overview

Fourth Division

The pre-season saw John McGrath try, and fail, to re-sign the League of Ireland's player of the year, Felix Healy.[1] He instead signed four players on free transfers: John Ridley (a former Valiant), Wayne Cegielski (Wrexham), Les Lawrence (Torquay United), and Steve Waddington (Walsall).[1] The club also signed a shirt sponsorship deal with PMT.[1] In August, rivals Stoke City paid Vale £180,000 for Mark Chamberlain and Mark Harrison.[1] Chamberlain would go on to play for England.[1] McGrath acted quickly to sign replacement keeper Barry Siddall from Sunderland, and take winger Kevin Sheldon on loan from Wigan Athletic.[1]

The season started with five players making their débuts in a 1–0 defeat to Swindon Town at The County Ground.[1] Waddington damaged his cartilages in this game.[1] McGrath attempted to sign Norwich City's Mick Channon, but failed.[1] Instead he took Bob Newton from Hartlepool United for £15,000.[1] Stoke then took Neville Chamberlain to the Victoria Ground for £40,000.[1] Vale's form did not suffer, and they instead won five straight games in October, taking them into third place.[1] Also Chairman Don Ratcliffe was replaced by Jim Lloyd.[1] Winger Steve Fox also arrived from Welsh club Wrexham on a free transfer.[1] During the club's 2–1 win over Crewe Alexandra on 22 October at Gresty Road a petrol bomb was thrown at the 3,000 strong Vale crowd, though it was extinguished by police without doing 'any real damage'.[1] On 6 November, Vale were losing 3–0 to Rochdale at Spotland and The Sentinel headlined their report with "Heavy defeat for Port Vale".[1] This proved to be an inaccurate headline, as substitute Jimmy Greenhoff inspired a Vale fightback, and the match finished 3–3.[1] In December, Colin Tartt was transfer listed following 'a bust-up with McGrath'.[1] Following only one win in a run of five games, Tranmere Rovers' players told the Vale players "see you next season" after picking up a 1–0 win at Vale Park.[1]

A win over Wimbledon started a run of ten wins in twelve games, despite having to sign Everton's Neville Southall on loan following a knee injury to Siddall.[1] Their run put them nine points clear at the top of the table.[1] At the end of February, Southall was recalled, and Stoke refused to loan back Harrison as cover.[1] Wolverhampton Wanderers' Andy Poole proved to be an inadequate replacement.[1] Vale then lost Greenhoff to Rochdale, who offered him the vacant management post.[1] Lol Hamlett's last match as trainer (he retired due to illness) was a 2–0 defeat to Blackpool at Bloomfield Road, as Vale were in danger of failing to win promotion.[1] McGrath decided to sign striker Jim Steel from Oldham Athletic for £10,000, and loaned Mark Lawrence from Hartlepool United.[1] Siddall returned and so did Vale's form, as they recorded five victories in seven games.[1] Ernie Moss left for Lincoln City for a £1,500 fee, McGrath saying 'age caught up with him'.[1] Wimbledon ran away with the championship, though Vale managed to secure promotion with a 2–0 win over Stockport County at Edgeley Park on 6 May.[1] The jubilant players seemed distracted in the final two games, and their two defeats allowed Hull City to take the runners-up spot.[1]

They finished in third place with 88 points, seven points clear of fifth placed Bury.[1] Conceding just 34 goals, theirs was the best defensive record in the top four divisions, along with Hull.[1] Bob Newton was top-scorer with twenty goals, whilst four players were chosen for the PFA Fourth Division team – Phil Sproson, Russell Bromage, Geoff Hunter, and Steve Fox.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, a record £100,888 profit was announced, their first profitable season since 1975–76.[1] The lottery brought in £142,324, the open market rents took in £51,462, whilst Vale's average home attendance was the second highest in the division.[1] Total liabilities stood at £236,850 and the bank overdraft was £128,123.[1] Two players departing at the end of the season were Les Lawrence (Aldershot) and Steve Waddington (Chesterfield), who had not established themselves in the first team.[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, they were knocked out by Third Division side Bradford City 1–0 in the First Round.

In the League Cup, Vale lost out 2–1 on aggregate to Rochdale, following a 2–0 defeat at Spotland.

League table
Main article: 1982–83 Football League
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion
1 Wimbledon 46 29 11 6 96 45 +51 98 Division Champions, promoted
2 Hull City 46 25 15 6 75 34 +41 90 Promoted
3 Port Vale 46 26 10 10 67 34 +33 88
4 Scunthorpe United 46 23 14 9 71 42 +29 83
5 Bury 46 23 12 11 74 46 +28 81
Source:

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Fourth Division

Results by matchday
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHHAHAAHHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAAHAHAAHH
ResultLDDWWDWLWWWWWLDWDLWWWDWWWLWWWWDDLWLWDWWWLWDWLL
Position202017125137974323553565543322322212233334222333223
Source: Statto[2]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
28 August 1982Swindon TownA0–13,785
4 September 1982BuryH0–02,888
6 September 1982Colchester UnitedH0–02,887
11 September 1982Mansfield TownA2–02,316Ridley, Bromage
18 September 1982ChesterH2–13,303Sproson (2)
25 September 1982DarlingtonA0–02,255
28 September 1982AldershotA4–11,781Moss, Tartt, Earle, Newton
2 October 1982Stockport CountyH2–33,474Newton, Armstrong
9 October 1982Hereford UnitedH2–02,875Cegielski, Bright
15 October 1982Halifax TownA2–02,009Moss, Cegielski
18 October 1982Hartlepool UnitedH3–03,664Moss, Armstrong, Hunter
22 October 1982Crewe AlexandraA2–14,713Cegielski, Newton (pen)
30 October 1982BlackpoolH1–05,449Newton (pen)
2 November 1982Scunthorpe UnitedA0–13,766
6 November 1982RochdaleA3–32,220Hunter, Moss, Greenhoff
13 November 1982Hull CityH1–05,298Sproson
27 November 1982Peterborough UnitedA0–03,043
4 December 1982Tranmere RoversH0–13,452
18 December 1982WimbledonH1–02,761Newton
27 December 1982Bristol CityA3–16,852Armstrong, Moss, Newton
28 December 1982Torquay UnitedH1–04,760Moss
1 January 1983Northampton TownA2–23,618Moss, Newton (pen)
3 January 1983York CityH2–16,056Greenhoff, Moss
8 January 1983BuryA1–04,748Hunter
15 January 1983Swindon TownH3–06,397Newton (2), Moss
22 January 1983ChesterA0–14,269
29 January 1983Mansfield TownH4–14,102Armstrong (2), Fox, Newton
5 February 1983DarlingtonH2–14,110Armstrong, Moss
19 February 1983Hereford UnitedA2–03,075Newton, Ridley
26 February 1983Halifax TownH2–15,163Sproson, Hunter
2 March 1983Hartlepool UnitedA2–21,398Ridley, Newton
5 March 1983Crewe AlexandraH1–18,241Tartt
12 March 1983BlackpoolA0–24,519
19 March 1983RochdaleH4–05,129Newton (3), Bromage
26 March 1983Hull CityA0–114,410
2 April 1983Torquay UnitedA1–02,408Steel
4 April 1983Bristol CityH1–16,573Armstrong
8 April 1983Tranmere RoversA2–03,252Newton, Fox
12 April 1983Colchester UnitedA2–13,275Newton, Fox
16 April 1983AldershotH2–15,624Cegielski, Newton (pen)
23 April 1983WimbledonA0–14,061
29 April 1983Peterborough UnitedH2–15,375Cegielski, Newton
2 May 1983York CityA0–04,814
6 May 1983Stockport CountyA2–05,516Steel (2)
9 May 1983Scunthorpe UnitedH0–16,212
14 May 1983Northampton TownH1–26,761Newton (pen)

FA Cup
Main article: 1982–83 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R120 November 1982Bradford CityH0–16,151

League Cup
Main article: 1982–83 Football League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R1 1st Leg30 August 1982RochdaleH1–02,565Moss
R1 2nd Leg14 September 1982RochdaleA0–21,546

Player statistics

Appearances
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Barry Siddall 3301020360
GK Neville Southall 90000090
GK Neil McAdam 20000020
GK Andy Poole 20000020
DF Phil Sproson 4241020454
DF Wayne Cegielski 4551020485
DF Stuart Eccleston 00000000
MF Russell Bromage 4621020492
MF Terry Armstrong 4271020457
MF Colin Tartt 4521020482
MF Geoff Hunter 4641020494
MF Steve Waddington 10001020
MF John Ridley 4131020443
MF Kevin Sheldon 50000050
MF Mark Lawrence 1100000110
MF Robbie Earle 81001091
MF Steve Fox 3431000353
FW Neville Chamberlain 50001060
FW Andy Shankland 40001050
FW Ernie Moss 301010213311
FW Jimmy Greenhoff 1521010172
FW Mark Bright 11000011
FW Jim Steel 1330000133
FW Les Lawrence 80001090
FW Bob Newton 412010004220
FW John Askey 00000000

Top scorers
Place Position Nation Name Fourth Division FA Cup League Cup Total
1FW EnglandBob Newton200020
2FW EnglandErnie Moss100111
3MF EnglandTerry Armstrong7007
4DF WalesWayne Cegielski5005
5DF EnglandPhil Sproson4004
–MF EnglandGeoff Hunter4004
7MF EnglandJohn Ridley3003
–MF EnglandSteve Fox3003
–FW ScotlandJim Steel3003
10MF EnglandRussell Bromage2002
–MF EnglandColin Tartt2002
–FW EnglandJimmy Greenhoff2002
13MF JamaicaRobbie Earle1001
–FW EnglandMark Bright1001
TOTALS 67 0 1 68

Transfers

Transfers in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
1982MFRobbie EarleStoke CityFree transfer[3]
July 1982DFWayne CegielskiWrexhamFree transfer[3]
July 1982FWLes LawrenceTorquay UnitedFree transfer[3]
July 1982MFJohn RidleyChesterfieldFree transfer[3]
July 1982MFSteve WaddingtonWalsallFree transfer[3]
August 1982GKNeil McAdamNorthwich VictoriaFree transfer[3]
August 1982GKBarry SiddallSunderlandFree transfer[3]
September 1982FWBob NewtonHartlepool UnitedFree transfer[3]
March 1983GKAndy PooleWolverhampton WanderersFree transfer[3]

Transfers out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
September 1982FWNeville ChamberlainStoke City£40,000[3]
October 1982MFSteve FoxWrexhamFree transfer[3]
March 1983FWJimmy GreenhoffRochdaleFree transfer[3]
March 1983FWErnie MossLincoln City£1,500[3]
March 1983GKAndy PooleGillinghamFree transfer[3]
March 1983FWJim SteelOldham Athletic£10,000[3]
May 1983GKNeil McAdamOswestry TownFree transfer[3]
July 1983FWLes LawrenceAldershotFree transfer[3]
July 1983MFSteve WaddingtonChesterfieldFree transfer[3]

Loans in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
August 1982MFKevin SheldonWigan AthleticSeptember 1982[3]
January 1983GKNeville SouthallEvertonFebruary 1983[3]
March 1983MFMark LawrenceHartlepool UnitedMay 1983[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 1982–1983 : 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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