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1930–31 Port Vale F.C. season

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Port Vale
1930–31 season
ChairmanFrank Huntbach
ManagerTom Morgan
StadiumThe Old Recreation Ground
Football League Second Division5th (47 Points)
FA CupFourth Round
(knocked out by Birmingham)
Top goalscorerLeague: Sam Jennings (16)
All: Sam Jennings (17)
Highest home attendance18,043 vs. West Bromwich Albion, 3 April 1931
Lowest home attendance5,570 vs. Bradford City, 2 May 1931
Average home league attendance10,445
Biggest win8–2 vs. Bradford Park Avenue, 22 September 1930
Biggest defeat0–5 vs. Tottenham Hotspur, 29 November 1930

The 1930–31 season was Port Vale's 25th season of football in the English Football League, and their 34th in the Second Division following their promotion from the Third Division North the previous season.[1] They finished fifth with 47 points, making it the most successful season in the club's history in terms of league position. They were seven points short of promotion to the top flight and seventeen points clear of relegation.

Long-serving Billy Briscoe was given a free transfer to Congleton Town at the end of the season.[1]
Chairman Frank Huntbach.
Right-back Jack Maddock joined Crewe Alexandra at the end of the season.
Scottish midfielder Bob Connelly.
Inside-forward Albert Pynegar.
Midfielder Jack Round.

Overview

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Second Division

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The pre-season saw the arrival of goalscoring forward Harry Roberts from Lincoln City; big goalkeeper Arthur Slater from Clapton Orient; and young outside-left Clarence Spencer from Birmingham F.C.[1]

The season started with a stylish 5–2 victory over Barnsley in front of a disappointingly low attendance of under 10,000.[1] Two defeats followed, and Albert Pynegar put in a transfer request after being dropped from the first team. Bob Connelly picked up an injury and so Jack Round was signed from Bolton Wanderers.[1] On 20 September they travelled to Goodison Park to triumph over previously undefeated league leaders Everton 3–2 in front of 27,142 spectators.[1] Two days later, they tore Bradford Park Avenue apart 8–2, with a four-goal haul from Sam Jennings.[1][2] On 4 October they travelled to Home Park, where they lost 2–1 to Plymouth Argyle; later in the day a horrific tragedy almost killed many of the Vale players – they had hired a speedboat at Devon resort which burst into flames whilst at sea, fortunately the pilot managed to extinguish the flames and returned them safely to harbour.[1]

Pynegar left the club in October following rumours of a rift with teammate Jennings. He signed with Chesterfield of the Third Division North.[1] Bert Fishwick was a more than able deputy.[1] The defensive duo of Jimmy Oakes and Shino Shenton also proved formidable at the back.[1] On 29 November promotion dreams took a knock at White Hart Lane, Spurs picking up a 5–0 win.[1] Despite competing at the top end of the table The Old Recreation Ground rarely saw much more than 10,000 spectators.[1] In December, reserve half-back George Whitcombe was sold to Notts County for 'a substantial amount', the money went towards ground improvements.[1] The following month £10,000 worth of mortgage debenture bonds were released to the same ends.[1] The Football Association would reject the club's ground improvement scheme without giving a reason.[1]

As the season entered its final stretch, top scorer Jennings was dropped from the squad. No adequate replacement was found until Stewart Littlewood was re-signed from Oldham Athletic, with Fishwick sold to Tranmere Rovers to meet Oldham's demands.[1] In early April, the "Valiants" beat high-flying West Bromwich Albion and Tottenham Hotspur, thereby keeping hopes of promotion high.[1] West Brom won the return leg at The Hawthorns to put daylight between the two clubs.[1] In late April, Vale travelled to the Netherlands for a short tour, beating Dutch Southern XI 5–1 and Zwaluwen 2–0.[1]

They finished fifth with 47 points, making it the most successful season in the club's history regarding league position.[1] They were seven points short of second placed West Bromwich Albion. Only 61 goals were conceded, a record bettered only by West Brom and Spurs. However, the 67 goals scored tally was almost half that of champions Everton. Sam Jennings finished with 17 goals, and Phil Griffiths and Harry Roberts were the only other major contributors. The ground improvements paid for were 3,500 seats on the Bryan Street stand, with a covered terrace.[1]

Finances

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On the financial side, an £800 loss was made, with the weather blamed for an average gate figure of 10,537. Numerous players were released, including Billy Briscoe, Frank Watkin, and Jack Maddock.[1] Harry Roberts was also sold to Millwall.[1] Meanwhile, Stewart Littlewood was also selected by the FA for a summer tour of Canada.[1]

Cup competitions

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In the FA Cup, Vale overcame amateur side Corinthians 3–1 in the Third Round but then found themselves eliminated by First Division Birmingham at St Andrew's in the Fourth Round. The 44,119 attendance raised £2,763 for the club.[1]

League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Relegation
1 Everton (C, P) 42 28 5 9 121 66 1.833 61 Promotion to the First Division
2 West Bromwich Albion (P) 42 22 10 10 83 49 1.694 54
3 Tottenham Hotspur 42 22 7 13 88 55 1.600 51
4 Wolverhampton Wanderers 42 21 5 16 84 67 1.254 47
5 Port Vale 42 21 5 16 67 61 1.098 47
6 Bradford Park Avenue 42 18 10 14 97 66 1.470 46
7 Preston North End 42 17 11 14 83 64 1.297 45
8 Burnley 42 17 11 14 81 77 1.052 45
9 Southampton 42 19 6 17 74 62 1.194 44
10 Bradford City 42 17 10 15 61 63 0.968 44
11 Stoke City 42 17 10 15 64 71 0.901 44
12 Oldham Athletic 42 16 10 16 61 72 0.847 42
13 Bury 42 19 3 20 75 82 0.915 41
14 Millwall 42 16 7 19 71 80 0.888 39
15 Charlton Athletic 42 15 9 18 59 86 0.686 39
16 Bristol City 42 15 8 19 54 82 0.659 38
17 Nottingham Forest 42 14 9 19 80 85 0.941 37
18 Plymouth Argyle 42 14 8 20 76 84 0.905 36
19 Barnsley 42 13 9 20 59 79 0.747 35
20 Swansea Town 42 12 10 20 51 74 0.689 34
21 Reading (R) 42 12 6 24 72 96 0.750 30 Relegation to the Third Division South
22 Cardiff City (R) 42 8 9 25 47 87 0.540 25
Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Results

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Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Second Division

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Results by matchday

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Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142
GroundHAAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHAAHAH
ResultWLDLWWWLLWWLDWWWLWLWDLLWLLWWLWWLLDWWWLLDWW
Position71011121010791096997677777771089107666568874448765
Source: Statto[3]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

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Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorers
30 August 1930 Barnsley H 5–2 9,853 Pynegar (2), Jennings (2), Griffiths
3 September 1930 Bradford City A 1–2 16,000 Jennings
6 September 1930 Bristol City A 1–1 13,206 Jennings
8 September 1930 Bradford Park Avenue A 1–5 10,296 Anstiss
13 September 1930 Cardiff City H 2–0 9,693 Griffiths, Baxter
20 September 1930 Everton A 3–2 27,142 Baxter, Pynegar, Anstiss
22 September 1930 Bradford Park Avenue H 8–2 8,621 Jennings (4), Anstiss (2), Griffiths, o.g.
27 September 1930 Bury H 0–1 12,906
4 October 1930 Plymouth Argyle A 1–2 20,243 Griffiths
11 October 1930 Swansea Town H 2–0 10,970 Jennings, Griffiths
18 October 1930 Reading A 3–0 10,927 Anstiss, Spencer, Jones
25 October 1930 Wolverhampton Wanderers H 0–1 9,578
1 November 1930 Oldham Athletic A 3–3 11,625 Fishwick, Marshall, Griffiths
8 November 1930 Nottingham Forest H 3–2 9,753 Jennings, Fishwick, Griffiths
15 November 1930 Burnley A 2–1 12,277 Fishwick (2)
22 November 1930 Preston North End H 1–0 10,086 Jennings
29 November 1930 Tottenham Hotspur A 0–5 23,609
6 December 1930 Southampton H 1–0 8,828 Jennings
13 December 1930 Stoke City A 0–1 26,609
20 December 1930 Millwall H 3–2 8,448 Roberts, Jennings, Round (pen)
25 December 1930 Charlton Athletic H 1–1 15,827 Roberts
26 December 1930 Charlton Athletic A 1–3 4,768 Anstiss
27 December 1930 Barnsley A 2–5 6,469 Jennings, Roberts
3 January 1931 Bristol City H 1–0 7,411 Griffiths
17 January 1931 Cardiff City A 1–2 10,455 Roberts
26 January 1931 Everton H 1–3 9,028 Roberts
31 January 1931 Bury A 3–0 3,430 Jennings, Roberts, Henshall
7 February 1931 Plymouth Argyle H 2–1 10,236 Jennings, Roberts
14 February 1931 Swansea Town A 1–2 8,602 Henshall
21 February 1931 Reading H 2–1 8,474 Roberts, Chell
7 March 1931 Oldham Athletic H 2–0 7,720 Marshall, Oakes
11 March 1931 Wolverhampton Wanderers A 0–3 4,243
14 March 1931 Nottingham Forest A 0–1 9,281
21 March 1931 Burnley H 0–0 9,185
28 March 1931 Preston North End A 3–1 7,696 Griffiths (2), Littlewood
3 April 1931 West Bromwich Albion H 1–0 18,043 Littlewood
4 April 1931 Tottenham Hotspur H 3–0 14,290 Griffiths (2), Round (pen)
6 April 1931 West Bromwich Albion A 1–4 23,879 Griffiths
11 April 1931 Southampton A 0–2 9,452
18 April 1931 Stoke City H 0–0 13,403
25 April 1931 Millwall A 1–0 8,188 Roberts
2 May 1931 Bradford City H 1–0 5,570 Rowbotham

FA Cup

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Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 10 January 1931 Corinthians A 3–1 12,832 Roberts (2), Jennings
R2 24 January 1931 Birmingham A 0–2 44,119

Player statistics

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Appearances and goals

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Pos. Name Football League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK England Ben Davies 28 0 2 0 30 0
GK England Arthur Slater 14 0 0 0 14 0
DF England Jimmy Oakes 39 1 2 0 41 1
DF England Jack Maddock 3 0 0 0 3 0
DF England Billy Wootton 4 0 0 0 4 0
DF England George Shenton 40 0 2 0 42 0
DF England William Cope 35 0 2 0 37 0
MF Scotland Bob Connelly 1 0 0 0 1 0
MF England Roger Jones 40 1 2 0 42 1
MF England Jack Simms 1 0 0 0 1 0
MF Wales Phil Griffiths 37 13 2 0 39 13
MF England Bert Fishwick 11 4 1 0 12 4
MF England Tom Baxter 15 2 1 0 16 2
MF England Dennis Izon 1 0 0 0 1 0
MF England Clarence Spencer 11 1 1 0 12 1
MF England Jack Round 38 2 2 0 40 2
MF England James Henshall 18 2 0 0 18 2
MF Wales George Whitcombe 3 0 0 0 3 0
MF England Jack Sherlock 7 0 0 0 7 0
FW England Harry Anstiss 15 6 2 0 17 6
FW England Albert Pynegar 9 3 0 0 9 3
FW England Harry Marshall 24 2 0 0 24 2
FW England Sam Jennings 31 16 1 1 32 17
FW England Harry Roberts 24 9 2 2 26 11
FW England Harry Rowbotham 1 1 0 0 1 1
FW England Joseph Chell 2 1 0 0 2 1
FW England Stewart Littlewood 10 2 0 0 10 2

Top scorers

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Place Position Nation Name Second Division FA Cup Total
1 FW  England Sam Jennings 16 1 17
2 MF  Wales Phil Griffiths 13 0 13
3 FW  England Harry Roberts 9 2 11
4 FW  England Harry Anstiss 6 0 6
5 MF  England Bert Fishwick 4 0 4
6 FW  England Albert Pynegar 3 0 3
7 MF  England Tom Baxter 2 0 2
FW  England Harry Marshall 2 0 2
MF  England Jack Round 2 0 2
FW  England Stewart Littlewood 2 0 2
MF  England James Henshall 2 0 2
12 DF  England Jimmy Oakes 1 0 1
MF  England Roger Jones 1 0 1
MF  England Clarence Spencer 1 0 1
FW  England Harry Rowbotham 1 0 1
FW  England Joseph Chell 1 0 1
Own goals 1 0 1
TOTALS 67 3 70

Transfers

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Transfers in

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Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
June 1930 FW England Harry Roberts Lincoln City £100 [4]
June 1930 GK England Arthur Slater Clapton Orient Free transfer [4]
March 1931 FW England Stewart Littlewood Oldham Athletic Undisclosed club record [4]
April 1931 FW England Harry Rowbotham Cheddleton Mental Hospital Free transfer [4]

Transfers out

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Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
October 1930 FW England Albert Pynegar Chesterfield £200 [5]
December 1930 MF Wales George Whitcombe Notts County 'Substantial' [4]
March 1931 FW England Bert Fishwick Tranmere Rovers Undisclosed [4]
April 1931 FW England Harry Roberts Millwall Undisclosed [4]
April 1931 DF England Frank Watkin Congleton Town Free transfer [4]
May 1931 FW England Harry Anstiss Swansea Town Free transfer [4]
May 1931 FW England Billy Briscoe Congleton Town Free transfer [4]
May 1931 MF Wales Phil Griffiths Everton £6,000 [4]
May 1931 MF England Jack Simms Swansea Town Free transfer [4]
July 1931 DF England Jack Maddock Crewe Alexandra Free transfer [4]
August 1931 FW England Henry O'Grady Southampton Free transfer [4]

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 Kent, Jeff (1990). "From Glory to Despair (1929–1939)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 124–150. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. ^ Fielding, Rob (7 June 2021). "Photo Essay: Port Vale hit eight in 1930 with Sam Jennings scoring four". onevalefan.co.uk. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  3. ^ Port Vale 1930–1931 : Results & Fixtures Archived 6 September 2015 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 Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
  5. ^ "Misc. Transfer fees from the Chesterfield FC minute books". Google Docs. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
General