1958–59 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1958–59 season was Port Vale's 47th season of football in the English Football League, and their first season in the newly created Fourth Division following their relegation from the Third Division South.[1] They scored a club-record 110 goals in 46 league matches to storm to the Fourth Division title. Forwards Stan Steele, Jack Wilkinson, Graham Barnett, Harry Poole, and John Cunliffe all reached double-figures in front of goal.

Port Vale
1958–59 season
ChairmanJake Bloom
ManagerNorman Low
StadiumVale Park
Football League Fourth Division1st (64 Points)
FA CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Torquay United)
Top goalscorerLeague: Stan Steele (22)
All: Stan Steele (22)
Highest home attendance20,916 vs. Coventry City, 4 April 1959
Lowest home attendance8,851 vs. Chester, 21 February 1959
Average home league attendance12,757
Biggest win8–0 vs. Gateshead, 26 December 1958
Biggest defeat1–4 vs. Northampton Town, 23 August 1958

Overview

Fourth Division

The pre-season saw the arrival of the 'speedy and direct' winger Brian Jackson (signed from Liverpool for £2,000), experienced left-back Roy Pritchard (Notts County), and Peter Hall (Stoke City).[1] There was also a change of chairman, as Jake Bloom took charge.[1] He initiated a change of kit, as Vale played in black and amber striped jerseys with black shorts.[1]

The season opened with a 4–1 home defeat by Northampton Town, Andy Woan scoring the first goal of the new division.[1] Roy Sproson was then dropped from the first eleven, and Vale failed to find a win in Burslem until 29 September.[1] Their away form proved to be outstanding though, as the team recorded seven wins in their first nine away fixtures.[1] On 24 September, Vale Park saw its first match under the new £17,000 floodlights, as the club beat West Bromwich Albion (who included Ronnie Allen in their line-up) 5–3.[1] With a 4–1 win over Southport five days later, The Sentinel's 'T.G.F.' remarked that "the spell is broken".[1] Vale remained unbeaten at home for the rest of the season.[1] Strong in attack, the club took until 11 October before failing to score, in a goalless draw with Oldham Athletic witnessed by Shirley Bassey (as a guest of Norman Low).[1] A fortnight later Vale failed to beat Carlisle United, as referee J.G.Williams blew the full-time whistle just as a Jack Wilkinson header was floating into the opposition's net.[1] On 8 November, Vale beat Exeter City 5–3 in a top-of-the-table clash.[1] Two consecutive away defeats followed soon after, as Vale fell down to third.[1] The 4–2 loss in an 'appalling mud bath' at The Den saw the débuts of keeper Ken Hancock and striker Graham Barnett.[1]

A twelve match unbeaten run followed, taking Vale four points clear at the top.[1] This included a triumphant 8–0 Boxing day win over Gateshead (a Vale Park record and their biggest win since 24 September 1932), followed by a 4–0 win at Redheugh Park on New Year's Day.[1][2] Roy Sproson was then brought back into the defensive line, whilst up front Stan Steele 'did the work of two men', Harry Poole brought 'flexibility and fluidity', and Barnett scored from half-chances.[1] Just as Vale seemed to be running away with the title, defeat came on 16 March at Highfield Road to Coventry City.[1] The following month the "Valiants" beat the "sky blues" 3–0, taking them six points ahead of the chasing pack.[1] Promotion was secured on 18 April with a 1–1 draw at home to Darlington, and the title was secured with a final day victory over Millwall.[1]

They finished as champions with 64 points, four points clear of second, and seven clear of fifth spot.[1] They had secured twelve victories on the road, as despite nobody recording a hat-trick all season, a club-record 110 goals were scored – with five players reaching double-figures.[1] The defence was also strong, only Coventry and York City conceded fewer.[1] Praise came in for manager Norman Low, who in turned praised Barnett as 'the supreme goal poacher', Hancock as 'the find of the season', whilst Steele was 'the model of consistency'.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, gate receipts rose by 20% to £39,934, whilst there was a transfer credit of £6,075.[1] Wages had risen to £26,535, however the club's Sportsmen's Association made a donation of £9,069 to give the club a profit of £8,595.[1] Pleased with his players, Low only released Alan Martin (Northwich Victoria) and reserve Ken Higgs (who went on to enjoy a successful cricket career).[1] The stadium received an upgrade, as the Bycars End was terraced, increasing capacity by 6,500 to 50,000, and the car park was extended and additional drains were installed.[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale exited in the First Round with a 1–0 defeat by Torquay United at Plainmoor.

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Fourth Division
Main article: 1958–59 Football League § Fourth Division

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Port Vale (C, P) 46 26 12 8 110 58 1.897 64 Promoted to the Third Division
2 Coventry City (P) 46 24 12 10 84 47 1.787 60
3 York City (P) 46 21 18 7 73 52 1.404 60
4 Shrewsbury Town (P) 46 24 10 12 101 63 1.603 58
5 Exeter City 46 23 11 12 87 61 1.426 57
Source: rsssf.com
(C) Division Champions; (P) Promoted.

Results by matchday
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHAAHHAAHAAHHAHHAHAHHAAAHAHHHAHAHHAAHAAHHAAHAAH
ResultLWDLDWWDWDLWWWDWDWWWLLWWWWWWDWWWWWLWLWWWLDDDDW
Position171513171796746964333331113222221222111111111111111
Source: Statto[3]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
23 August 1958Northampton TownH1–415,018Wilkinson
26 August 1958WatfordA2–011,948Jackson, Poole
30 August 1958WorkingtonA2–25,998o.g., Steele
1 September 1958WatfordH1–310,458Poole
6 September 1958York CityH2–210,104Steele, Wilkinson
8 September 1958Hartlepools UnitedA5–16,158Wilkinson (2), Cunliffe (2), Steele
13 September 1958Bradford Park AvenueA2–09,683Wilkinson, Steele
15 September 1958Hartlepools UnitedH1–19,313Wilkinson
20 September 1958AldershotA4–06,211Poole, Steele, Cunliffe, o.g.
23 September 1958SouthportA2–23,274Steele, Wilkinson
27 September 1958Crystal PalaceH2–313,952Poole, Hall
29 September 1958SouthportH4–19,788Poole (2), Cunliffe, Wilkinson
4 October 1958ChesterA2–18,197Steele (2)
6 October 1958Torquay UnitedH3–113,102Wilkinson (2), Hall
11 October 1958Oldham AthleticH0–013,432
18 October 1958BarrowA2–14,909Wilkinson, Cunliffe
25 October 1958Carlisle UnitedH1–112,894Wilkinson (pen)
1 November 1958GillinghamA2–09,940Jackson, Steele
8 November 1958Exeter CityH5–314,282Steele (2), Poole, Jackson, Cunliffe
22 November 1958Shrewsbury TownH2–012,047Poole, Wilkinson
29 November 1958DarlingtonA0–26,160
13 December 1958MillwallA2–411,056Steele, Barnett
20 December 1958Northampton TownA4–26,907Poole (2), Kinsey, Barnett
26 December 1958GatesheadH8–016,899Cunliffe (2), Poole (2), Steele (2), Jackson (pen), Barnett
1 January 1959GatesheadA4–04,674Cunliffe (2), Steele, Poole
23 January 1959WalsallH2–111,569Barnett, Wilkinson
31 January 1959Bradford Park AvenueH4–212,377Wilkinson (2), Steele, Kinsey
7 February 1959AldershotH3–210,608Barnett (2), Steele
14 February 1959Crystal PalaceA1–113,305Cunliffe
21 February 1959ChesterH4–08,851Wilkinson, Jackson, Steele, Barnett
28 February 1959Oldham AthleticA2–07,515Barnett (2)
2 March 1959WorkingtonH2–010,978Poole, Kinsey
7 March 1959BarrowH4–110,034Wilkinson (2), Cunliffe, Barnett
14 March 1959Carlisle UnitedA3–06,110Barnett (2), Steele
16 March 1959Coventry CityA0–128,429
21 March 1959GillinghamH3–111,119Steele, Cunliffe, Barnett
27 March 1959Crewe AlexandraA0–215,330
28 March 1959Exeter CityA4–312,088Steele (2), Poole, Sproson
30 March 1959Crewe AlexandraH1–120,524Jackson (pen)
4 April 1959Coventry CityH3–020,916Wilkinson (2), Jackson (pen)
11 April 1959Shrewsbury TownA3–410,619Barnett (2), Cunliffe
15 April 1959York CityA0–09,755
18 April 1959DarlingtonH1–111,577Barnett
22 April 1959Torquay UnitedA1–15,036Barnett
25 April 1959WalsallA1–16,626Barnett
27 April 1959MillwallH5–213,473Barnett (2), Poole, Jackson, Cunliffe

FA Cup
Main article: 1958–59 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R115 November 1958Torquay UnitedA0–16,526

Player statistics

Appearances
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Keith Jones 21010220
GK Ken Hancock 25000250
DF Roy Sproson 21110221
DF David Raine 28010290
DF Selwyn Whalley 11000110
DF Fred Donaldson 11000110
DF Roy Pritchard 18000180
MF Albert Leake 46010470
MF John Cunliffe 4515104615
MF Terry Miles 45010460
MF Alan Martin 16000160
MF Peter Hall 920092
MF Brian Jackson 37810388
FW Harry Poole 3516103616
FW Stan Steele 4622104722
FW Jack Wilkinson 3321103421
FW Noel Kinsey 36310373
FW Dennis Bailey 100010
FW Graham Barnett 2220002220

Top scorers
Place Position Nation Name Fourth Division FA Cup Total
1FW EnglandStan Steele22022
2FW EnglandJack Wilkinson21021
3FW EnglandGraham Barnett20020
4FW EnglandHarry Poole16016
5MF EnglandJohn Cunliffe15015
6MF EnglandBrian Jackson808
7FW WalesNoel Kinsey303
8MF EnglandPeter Hall202
9DF EnglandRoy Sproson101
–––Own goals202
TOTALS 110 0 110

Transfers

Transfers in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
Summer 1958DFRoy PritchardNotts CountyFree transfer[4]
May 1958MFPeter HallStoke CityFree transfer[4]
July 1958MFBrian JacksonLiverpool£1,700[4]
August 1958FWDennis BaileyBolton WanderersFree transfer[4]
November 1958GKKen HancockStoke CityFree transfer[4]

Transfers out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
April 1959GKKeith JonesCrewe AlexandraFree transfer[4]
Summer 1959MFAlan MartinNorthwich VictoriaReleased[4]

References
Specific
  1. Kent, Jeff (1990). "Fame and Fortune (1950–1959)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 171–196. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. Fielding, Rob (3 October 2019). "Five of the best thumping Port Vale home victories". onevalefan.co.uk. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  3. Port Vale 1958–1959 : Results & Fixtures Archived 2 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  4. 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.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.