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1959–60 Port Vale F.C. season

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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

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.

Overview

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Third Division

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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 XI 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 lost 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 won against Swindon Town 6–1 in a game that was alleged to have been fixed by Jimmy Gauld.[1][2]

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 Czechoslovakia 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.[3] The team defeated Cottwaldov, Přerov, Karlovy Vary; drew with FK Teplice; and were beaten by Jihlava.[4]

Finances

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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

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In the FA Cup, Vale eased past Dorchester Town of the Western League 2–1 after Graham Barnett injured Dorchester's keeper.[5] In the next round Vale beat Queens Park Rangers 2–1 in a replay,[1] after a 50 yards (46 m) strike from David Raine helped them to a 3–3 draw in the original match.[6] 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".[7] 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]

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

League table

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Main article: 1959–60 Football League

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GAv 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: [citation needed]


Results

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Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Third Division

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Results by matchday

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Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHHAAHAAHHAAHHHAHAHHAAHAHAHHAHHAAHAAHAHAAHHAAH
ResultWWLLLDLLWWLLWWWLWLWLDWWDWLDWLWDLWWDLDLLLLWWDLW
Position9281517161819171617181816161616161516161413129101110121011111077911121316171411141514
Source: Statto[8]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

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Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorers
22 August 1959 Reading A 3–2 14,917 Barnett (2), Poole
24 August 1959 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic H 1–0 18,037 Barnett
29 August 1959 Shrewsbury Town H 0–3 18,607
2 September 1959 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic A 0–3 11,689
5 September 1959 Tranmere Rovers A 0–6 11,635
7 September 1959 Southampton H 1–1 13,906 Poole
12 September 1959 Norwich City A 1–5 27,041 Poole
16 September 1959 Southampton A 2–3 17,009 Barnett, Steele
19 September 1959 Brentford H 3–1 12,817 Steele (2), Barnett
21 September 1959 Barnsley H 1–0 10,886 Sproson
26 September 1959 Colchester United A 1–3 7,822 Poole
30 September 1959 Barnsley A 0–1 7,870
3 October 1959 Southend United H 3–1 12,008 Leake, Steele, Jackson
10 October 1959 Accrington Stanley H 2–0 10,712 Jackson (pen), Barnett
12 October 1959 Mansfield Town H 4–1 9,230 Jackson, Oscroft, Barnett, Wilkinson
19 October 1959 Newport County A 3–4 7,996 Whalley (2), Barnett
24 October 1959 Chesterfield H 3–1 7,946 Oscroft, Barnett, Steele
31 October 1959 Wrexham A 0–1 8,150
7 November 1959 York City H 2–0 8,425 Oscroft, o.g.
21 November 1959 Bradford City H 0–2 9,924
28 November 1959 Queens Park Rangers A 2–2 8,775 Poole (2)
12 December 1959 Swindon Town A 3–2 7,716 Barnett, Jackson, Portwood
19 December 1959 Reading H 4–1 6,723 Poole (2), Jackson, Portwood
26 December 1959 Halifax Town A 1–1 6,175 Steele
28 December 1959 Halifax Town H 7–0 9,664 Barnett (4), Jackson (2), Poole
2 January 1960 Shrewsbury Town A 1–2 9,754 Steele
16 January 1960 Tranmere Rovers H 1–1 9,706 Poole
23 January 1960 Norwich City H 2–1 11,040 Steele, Miles
6 February 1960 Brentford A 0–2 10,141
10 February 1960 Grimsby Town H 2–1 22,987 Portwood (2)
13 February 1960 Colchester United H 1–1 10,248 Donaldson
22 February 1960 Southend United A 1–2 6,534 Steele
27 February 1960 Accrington Stanley A 3–1 3,109 Donaldson (2), Steele
5 March 1960 Newport County H 2–1 9,073 Donaldson, Jackson
7 March 1960 Coventry City A 1–1 15,549 Leake
12 March 1960 Chesterfield A 1–4 6,152 o.g.
19 March 1960 Queens Park Rangers H 0–0 7,049
26 March 1960 York City A 0–2 6,415
2 April 1960 Coventry City H 0–1 7,686
9 April 1960 Bradford City A 1–3 5,986 Poole
15 April 1960 Bury A 1–3 6,397 Hall
16 April 1960 Wrexham H 3–1 6,798 Archer (2), Portwood
18 April 1960 Bury H 3–0 7,875 Portwood (2), Poole
23 April 1960 Grimsby Town A 1–1 8,413 Hall
25 April 1960 Mansfield Town A 3–6 4,970 Portwood, Archer, Kinsey
30 April 1960 Swindon Town H 6–1 5,514 Oscroft (4), o.g., Portwood

FA Cup

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Main article: 1959–60 FA Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 14 November 1959 Dorchester Town A 2–1 4,100 Poole, Barnett
R2 5 December 1959 Queens Park Rangers A 3–3 11,143 Portwood, Leake, Raine
R2 Replay 7 December 1959 Queens Park Rangers H 2–1 9,544 Barnett (2)
R3 9 January 1960 Cardiff City A 2–0 25,588 Steele, Portwood
R4 30 January 1960 Scunthorpe United A 1–0 14,043 Portwood
R5 20 February 1960 Aston Villa H 1–2 49,768 Jackson (pen)

Supporters' Clubs' Trophy

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Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
Final 1st Leg 5 October 1959 Stoke City A 1–3 9,045 Jackson
Final 2nd Leg 26 October 1959 Stoke City H 2–2 7,506 Steele, Jackson

Player statistics

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Appearances and goals

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Pos. Name Football League FA Cup Supporters' Club's Trophy Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK England Ken Hancock 23 0 1 0 2 0 26 0
GK England John Poole 23 0 5 0 0 0 28 0
DF England Roy Sproson 41 1 6 0 2 0 49 1
DF England David Raine 39 0 6 1 2 0 47 1
DF England Selwyn Whalley 12 2 0 0 1 0 13 2
DF England Fred Donaldson 8 4 0 0 0 0 8 4
DF England Roy Pritchard 6 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
MF England Albert Leake 33 2 5 1 1 0 39 3
MF England John Cunliffe 6 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
MF England Terry Miles 34 1 6 0 1 0 41 1
MF England Peter Hall 4 2 0 0 0 0 4 2
MF England Brian Jackson 45 8 6 1 2 2 53 11
MF Wales Morgan Hunt 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
MF England Harry Oscroft 26 7 1 0 2 0 29 7
MF England Cliff Portwood 20 9 5 3 0 0 25 12
MF England Peter Ford 25 0 6 0 2 0 33 0
MF England Colin Davies 10 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
FW England Harry Poole 44 12 6 1 2 0 52 13
FW England Stan Steele 46 10 6 1 2 1 54 11
FW England Jack Wilkinson 6 1 0 0 0 0 6 1
FW Wales Noel Kinsey 19 1 1 0 1 0 21 1
FW England Graham Barnett 27 14 6 3 2 0 35 17
FW England Stan March 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
FW England John Archer 6 3 0 0 0 0 6 3

Top scorers

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Place Position Nation Name Third Division FA Cup Other Total
1 FW  England Graham Barnett 14 3 0 17
2 FW  England Harry Poole 12 1 0 13
3 MF  England Cliff Portwood 9 3 0 12
4 FW  England Stan Steele 10 1 1 11
– MF  England Brian Jackson 8 1 2 11
6 MF  England Harry Oscroft 7 0 0 7
7 DF  England Fred Donaldson 4 0 0 4
8 FW  England John Archer 3 0 0 3
– MF  England Albert Leake 2 1 0 3
10 MF  England Peter Hall 2 0 0 2
– DF  England Selwyn Whalley 2 0 0 2
11 FW  England Jack Wilkinson 1 0 0 1
– FW  Wales Noel Kinsey 1 0 0 1
– DF  England Roy Sproson 1 0 0 1
– MF  England Terry Miles 1 0 0 1
– DF  England David Raine 0 1 0 1
– – – Own goals 3 0 0 3
TOTALS 80 11 3 94

Transfers

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Transfers in

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Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
July 1959 MF Wales Morgan Hunt Norwich City 'four figure fee' [9]
August 1959 FW England Stan March Altrincham £250 [9]
August 1959 MF England Cliff Portwood Preston North End £750 [9]
September 1959 MF England Peter Ford Stoke City Exchange [9]
September 1959 MF England Harry Oscroft Stoke City Exchange [9]

Transfers out

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Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
September 1959 MF England John Cunliffe Stoke City Exchange [9]
October 1959 FW England Jack Wilkinson Exeter City £2,500 [9]
March 1960 FW England Graham Barnett Tranmere Rovers £5,000 [9]
May 1960 MF England Jimmy Adams Crewe Alexandra Free transfer [9]
May 1960 DF England Roy Pritchard Wellington Town Free transfer [9]
August 1960 DF England Fred Donaldson Exeter City £2,000 [9]
Summer 1960 MF Wales Morgan Hunt Boston United Released [9]
Summer 1960 FW Scotland Jimmy McLean Wellington Town Released [9]

References

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Specific
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad 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. ^ "Swindon-Town-FC.co.uk - Jimmy GAULD - Player Profile". www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  3. ^ "How Stoke-on-Trent helped Lidice". BBC. 8 March 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  4. ^ "Port Vale and Czechoslovakia - a special relationship". onevalefan.co.uk. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  5. ^ Kent, Jeff (December 1991). Port Vale Tales: A Collection Of Stories, Anecdotes And Memories. Witan Books. p. 27. ISBN 0-9508981-6-3.
  6. ^ Kent, Jeff (December 1991). Port Vale Tales: A Collection Of Stories, Anecdotes And Memories. Witan Books. p. 116. ISBN 0-9508981-6-3.
  7. ^ Kent, Jeff (December 1991). Port Vale Tales: A Collection Of Stories, Anecdotes And Memories. Witan Books. p. 28. ISBN 0-9508981-6-3.
  8. ^ Port Vale 1959–1960 : Results & Fixtures Archived 13 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
General
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