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1935–36 Port Vale F.C. season

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Port Vale
1935–36 season
ChairmanFrank Huntbach
ManagerTom Holford
(until September)
StadiumThe Old Recreation Ground
Football League Second Division21st (32 Points)
FA CupFourth Round
(knocked out by Grimsby Town)
Top goalscorerLeague: Jack Roberts (12)
All: Jack Roberts (12)
Highest home attendance16,677 vs. Sunderland, 13 January 1936
Lowest home attendance2,669 vs. Hull City, 2 March 1936
Average home league attendance7,787
Biggest win4–0 vs. Hull City, 2 March 1936
Biggest defeat0–7 and 2–9

The 1935–36 season was Port Vale's 30th season of football in the English Football League, and their sixth successive season (29th overall) in the Second Division.[1] The club suffered the second relegation of its history. This occurred primarily through a still-standing club record 106 goals conceded in 42 league matches, as well as through away form that saw the team pick up just five points on their travels, and a streak of twelve defeats in sixteen games from September to January. Finishing with a tally of 32 points, they were just two points shy of safety. The club would have to wait until 1954–55 before playing another season of second tier football. Despite this, one positive of the season was an historic win over Football League champions Sunderland in the FA Cup.

Manager Tom Holford became just a scout in September.
Chairman Frank Huntbach.

Overview

Second Division

The pre-season began with the sale of top-scorer Tom Nolan to Bradford Park Avenue, whilst manager Tom Holford heralded a youth policy.[1] Ten new faces replaced the fourteen retained from the previous season, these included: free-scoring striker George Stabb (Notts County), centre-half Harry Griffiths (Everton), left-winger Arthur Caldwell (Winsford United), left-back Roderick Welsh (Portsmouth), and right-half Michael Curley (Manchester City).[1]

The season started with what would ultimately turn out to be a relegation decider, Vale lost 4–2 to Barnsley at Oakwell, with the "Tykes" scoring twice in the last ten minutes.[1] Still switching the team regularly to find a favourite eleven, the "Valiants" then picked up eight points from their next six games to move into eighth in the table.[1] This run included wins over Plymouth Argyle, Charlton Athletic and Newcastle United at The Old Recreation Ground.[1] On 28 September, the defence was ripped apart with a 5–2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.[1] A further four defeats and thirteen goals conceded followed, resulting in manager Tom Holford being relieved of his management duties to revert to a scouting role.[1] Relief for Vale came on 2 November, with a hard-pushed 3–2 win over Bradford Park Avenue.[1]

Vale's poor form continued with a run of five defeats and two draws in seven games.[1] In November Fred Mitcheson was sold to Plymouth to raise funds for new players. George Heywood was promptly signed from Altrincham for £250.[1] Heywood made his debut on 23 November, as Vale suffered a 9–2 demolition at the City Ground to Nottingham Forest.[1] Forest were only kept from double figures by 'many fine saves' from Potts.[1] On 7 December, a 2–0 loss at Belle Vue from Doncaster Rovers sent Vale to the foot of the table.[1] As a result of this, the club put in a large bid for Wigan Athletic's Jack Roberts, and consequently signed the highly promising forward.[1] Meanwhile, injuries and constant rotation of the first eleven worked against the team.[1] A 4–0 defeat from West Ham United at Upton Park on 21 December was followed by the club's first away win in sixteen attempts five days later.[1] The win came over a poor Hull City side in ankle deep mud.[1] Two days later and Barnsley beat Vale 4–0 at "The Rec", which would again have fatal consequences come May.[1]

Following up on their FA Cup heroics, the Vale recorded a 2–1 victory over Bradford City on 18 January.[1] They then lost 5–1 at home to "Spurs", earned a point at St James' Park, and then were humiliated 7–2 at Old Trafford.[1] Three home wins followed, the last of which was a 4–0 win over doomed Hull City in front of a mere 2,669 supporters.[1] This took them out of the relegation zone.[1] However, on 27 March an extraordinary shareholders meeting was called at the Grand Hotel (Hanley), in which the net weekly income was revealed to be just £181.[1] The directors claimed they were no longer prepared to prop the club up financially, and demanded the supporters raise £2,000 to keep the club afloat.[1] A subsequent public meeting launched a 40,000 Shilling Fund, and a benefit match with cross-city rivals Stoke City raised £528 – helping to ensure the survival of Port Vale.[1]

Two points clear of relegation on 4 April despite losing 5–0 at Bury, it was expected that Vale would be safe.[1] A win over Fulham and a draw with Sheffield United reinforced such expectations.[1] However, on 13 April, they travelled to Craven Cottage, where they were beaten 7–0.[1] Two further defeats meant victory on the final day encounter with Charlton Athletic at The Valley was needed – the "Addicks" needed a point themselves to ensure promotion.[1] 27,778 spectators witnessed Charlton take the lead, a lead wiped out by a Caldwell equalizer on 83 minutes.[1] The team's valiant efforts were futile in any case, as other results went against them.[1]

They finished in 21st place with 32 points. Their 106 goals conceded gave them the fourth worst defensive record in the Football League.[1] Jack Roberts' twelve goals in 21 games were impressive, but not enough to help the club beyond a tally of 56 goals scored.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, a loss of £1,046 was made on the season.[1] Income was supplemented by the £1,800 raised from the Shilling Fund.[1] Gross gate receipts were down to just £9,226, whilst a strict control over wages saw a wage bill of just £6,937.[1] The transfer credit stood at £1,640.[1] Fifteen players were released, the most significant of which were George Shenton, John Potts, Jack Vickers, and James Baker.[1]

Cup competitions

In contrast to their league form, Vale performed well in the FA Cup. Pitted against eventual First Division champions Sunderland at Roker Park, their top player Roberts cup-tied, a heavy defeat seemed likely.[2] Instead an 88th-minute equalizer from Caldwell forced a replay. The highest crowd of the season then witnessed a 2–0 victory at the "Rec", which the "Valiants" "defended brilliantly". The Sentinel's Placer suggested it to be 'the greatest victory in the history of the club'. In the Fourth Round, First Division Grimsby Town would advance with a 4–0 victory in the snow. Before the match the teams paid their respects to the recently deceased George V with Abide with Me, during which the "Mariners" wore overcoats as the Vale players shivered – this was the excuse used to justify their conceding four first half goals.

League table

Main article: 1935–36 Football League

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Manchester United (C, P) 42 22 12 8 85 43 1.977 56 Promotion to the First Division
2 Charlton Athletic (P) 42 22 11 9 85 58 1.466 55
3 Sheffield United 42 20 12 10 79 50 1.580 52
4 West Ham United 42 22 8 12 90 68 1.324 52
5 Tottenham Hotspur 42 18 13 11 91 55 1.655 49
6 Leicester City 42 19 10 13 79 57 1.386 48
7 Plymouth Argyle 42 20 8 14 71 57 1.246 48
8 Newcastle United 42 20 6 16 88 79 1.114 46
9 Fulham 42 15 14 13 76 52 1.462 44
10 Blackpool 42 18 7 17 93 72 1.292 43
11 Norwich City 42 17 9 16 72 65 1.108 43
12 Bradford City 42 15 13 14 55 65 0.846 43
13 Swansea Town 42 15 9 18 67 76 0.882 39
14 Bury 42 13 12 17 66 84 0.786 38
15 Burnley 42 12 13 17 50 59 0.847 37
16 Bradford Park Avenue 42 14 9 19 62 84 0.738 37
17 Southampton 42 14 9 19 47 65 0.723 37
18 Doncaster Rovers 42 14 9 19 51 71 0.718 37
19 Nottingham Forest 42 12 11 19 69 76 0.908 35
20 Barnsley 42 12 9 21 54 80 0.675 33
21 Port Vale (R) 42 12 8 22 56 106 0.528 32 Relegation to the Third Division North
22 Hull City (R) 42 5 10 27 47 111 0.423 20
Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Second Division

Results by matchday

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142
GroundAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHHHAHAHAAHHAAHA
ResultLDWLDWWLLLLLWLLLDLDLWLLWLDLWWWLDLWWLWDLLLD
Position17151018191081318181921202121212122222221212121212121212121212121212020202020202121
Source: Statto[3]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorers
31 August 1935 Barnsley A 2–4 10,145 Caldwell, Stabb
2 September 1935 Burnley H 1–1 9,450 Stabb
7 September 1935 Plymouth Argyle H 2–0 9,178 Gunn, Stabb
9 September 1935 Burnley A 1–5 11,268 Stabb
14 September 1935 Bradford City A 1–1 7,420 Birks
16 September 1935 Charlton Athletic H 2–1 5,395 Baker, Curley
21 September 1935 Newcastle United H 3–0 9,356 Baker, Caldwell, o.g.
28 September 1935 Tottenham Hotspur A 2–5 32,872 Birks, Baker (pen)
5 October 1935 Manchester United H 0–3 9,703
12 October 1935 Norwich City A 2–4 16,324 Caldwell, Rhodes
19 October 1935 Southampton H 0–2 6,263
26 October 1935 Sheffield United A 0–4 12,499
2 November 1935 Bradford Park Avenue H 3–2 8,571 Dackins, Mitcheson (pen), Birks
9 November 1935 Leicester City A 0–2 16,349
16 November 1935 Swansea Town H 0–1 6,541
23 November 1935 Nottingham Forest A 2–9 9,346 Rhodes, Caldwell
30 November 1935 Bury H 2–2 5,586 Rhodes (2)
7 December 1935 Doncaster Rovers A 0–2 7,212
14 December 1935 Blackpool H 2–2 7,106 Ryder (2)
21 December 1935 West Ham United A 0–4 13,905
26 December 1935 Hull City A 2–1 5,359 Caldwell, Roberts
28 December 1935 Barnsley H 0–4 7,381
4 January 1936 Plymouth Argyle A 1–4 13,779 Roberts
18 January 1936 Bradford City H 2–1 7,906 Glidden, Jones
1 February 1936 Tottenham Hotspur H 1–5 10,770 Ryder
5 February 1936 Newcastle United A 2–2 9,238 Stabb, Roberts
8 February 1936 Manchester United A 2–7 22,265 Caldwell, Ryder
15 February 1936 Norwich City H 3–1 6,129 Stabb (pen), Roberts, Rhodes
29 February 1936 Doncaster Rovers H 2–0 4,180 Rhodes, Roberts
2 March 1936 Hull City H 4–0 2,669 Roberts (3), Stabb
7 March 1936 Swansea Town A 2–3 5,151 Roberts (2)
14 March 1936 Leicester City H 1–1 8,331 Roberts
21 March 1936 Bradford Park Avenue A 0–3 4,332
28 March 1936 Nottingham Forest H 2–0 6,204 Dean, Caldwell
30 March 1936 Southampton A 1–0 1,875 Stabb
4 April 1936 Bury A 0–5 3,829
10 April 1936 Fulham H 1–0 11,972 Baker
11 April 1936 Sheffield United H 1–1 12,240 Dean
13 April 1936 Fulham A 0–7 9,954
18 April 1936 Blackpool A 1–3 9,326 Stabb
25 April 1936 West Ham United H 2–3 8,066 Roberts, Caldwell
2 May 1936 Charlton Athletic A 1–1 27,778 Caldwell

FA Cup

Main article: 1935–36 FA Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R3 11 January 1936 Sunderland A 2–2 29,278 Stabb, Caldwell
R3 Replay 13 January 1936 Sunderland H 2–0 16,677 Stabb, Rhodes
R4 25 January 1936 Grimsby Town H 0–4 13,350

Player statistics

Appearances

Pos. Name Football League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK England John Potts 40 0 3 0 1 0
GK Scotland Allan Todd 1 0 0 0 1 0
DF England George Shenton 14 0 0 0 14 0
DF England Jack Vickers 15 0 3 0 18 0
DF England Trevor Rhodes 28 6 2 1 30 7
DF England Ernest Breeze 10 0 0 0 10 0
DF England Eric Hayward 13 0 0 0 13 0
DF England Roderick Welsh 20 0 3 0 23 0
DF England George Heywood 21 0 0 0 21 0
DF England Harry Griffiths 27 0 3 0 30 0
DF England James Bewick 3 0 0 0 3 0
MF England Roger Jones 35 1 3 0 38 1
MF England Cliff Birks 15 3 0 0 15 3
MF Scotland Ken Gunn 28 1 0 0 28 1
MF England Arthur Caldwell 39 9 3 1 42 10
MF England Frank Ryder 17 4 0 0 17 4
MF England Michael Curley 24 1 3 0 27 1
MF England Roy Burns 2 0 0 0 2 0
MF England Frank Baker 0 0 0 0 0 0
FW England Fred Mitcheson 15 1 0 0 15 1
FW England Luke Dean 9 2 0 0 9 2
FW England James Baker 9 4 3 0 12 4
FW England John Wilson 3 0 0 0 3 0
FW England Jack Roberts 21 12 0 0 21 12
FW England George Stabb 30 9 3 2 33 11
FW Scotland Henry Pinkerton 3 0 0 0 3 0
FW England Cliff Johnson 5 0 3 0 8 0
FW England Gilbert Glidden 5 1 1 0 6 1
FW Wales Haydn Dackins 6 1 0 0 6 1

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Name Second Division FA Cup Total
1 FW  England Jack Roberts 12 0 12
2 FW  England George Stabb 9 2 11
3 MF  England Arthur Caldwell 9 1 10
4 DF  England Trevor Rhodes 6 1 7
5 FW  England James Baker 4 0 4
– MF  England Frank Ryder 4 0 4
7 MF  England Cliff Birks 3 0 3
8 FW  England Luke Dean 2 0 2
9 MF  Scotland Ken Gunn 1 0 1
– MF  England Roger Jones 1 0 1
– FW  England Gilbert Glidden 1 0 1
– MF  England Michael Curle 1 0 1
– FW  England Fred Mitcheson 1 0 1
– FW Wales Wales Haydn Dackins 1 0 1
– – – Own goals 1 0 1
TOTALS 56 4 60

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 1935 DF England James Bewick Newcastle United Free transfer [4]
May 1935 MF England Michael Curley Manchester City Free transfer [4]
May 1935 FW England Gilbert Glidden Sunderland Free transfer [4]
May 1935 DF England Harry Griffiths Everton Free transfer [4]
May 1935 FW Scotland Henry Pinkerton Hull City Free transfer [4]
May 1935 DF England Roderick Welsh Portsmouth Free transfer [4]
May 1935 FW England John Wilson West Bromwich Albion Free transfer [4]
July 1935 FW Wales Haydn Dackins Swansea Town Free transfer [4]
July 1935 MF England George Stabb Notts County Free transfer [4]
October 1935 MF England Roy Burns Wolverhampton Wanderers Free transfer [4]
October 1935 FW England Cliff Johnson Wolverhampton Wanderers Free transfer [4]
November 1935 MF England Frank Ryder Altrincham Free transfer [4]
November 1935 DF England Roderick Welsh Altrincham £250 [4]
December 1935 FW England Jack Roberts Wigan Athletic 'large' [4]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
November 1935 FW England Fred Mitcheson Plymouth Argyle Undisclosed [4]
December 1935 FW England John Wilson Wigan Athletic Free transfer [4]
January 1936 MF England Roy Burns Bournemouth Trams Contract cancelled [4]
April 1936 FW England James Baker Barrow Released [4]
April 1936 DF England Jack Vickers Newport County Released [4]
May 1936 DF England James Bewick Walsall Released [4]
May 1936 MF England Cliff Birks Torquay United Released [4]
June 1936 FW England Cliff Johnson Torquay United Free transfer [4]
June 1936 DF England George Shenton Shelton Iron and Steel Released [4]
Summer 1936 DF England Ernest Breeze Shrewsbury Town Released [4]
Summer 1936 FW Wales Haydn Dackins Northwich Victoria Released [4]
Summer 1936 FW England Gilbert Glidden Reading Released [4]
Summer 1936 FW Scotland Henry Pinkerton Burnley Released [4]
Summer 1936 GK England John Potts Released [4]

References

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 ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am Kent, Jeff (1990). "From Glory to Despair (1929–1939)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 124–150. ISBN 978-0-9508981-4-8.
  2. ^ "The Giant Killers". The Giant Killers. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  3. ^ Port Vale 1935–1936 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  4. ^ 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 Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
General
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