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1933–34 Port Vale F.C. season

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Port Vale
1933–34 season
ChairmanFrank Huntbach
ManagerTom Holford
StadiumThe Old Recreation Ground
Football League Second Division8th (45 Points)
FA CupThird Round
(knocked out by Charlton Athletic)
Welsh CupSemi-final
(knocked out by Bristol City)
Top goalscorerLeague: Tom Nolan (22)
All: Tom Nolan (22)
Highest home attendance14,216 vs. Blackpool, 20 January 1934
Lowest home attendance2,990 vs. Nottingham Forest, 5 May 1934
Average home league attendance10,051
Biggest win4–0 and 5–1
Biggest defeat1–6 vs. Nottingham Forest, 23 December 1933

The 1933–34 season was Port Vale's 28th season of football in the English Football League, and their fourth-successive season (27th overall) in the Second Division.[1] Finishing eighth in the second tier with 45 points, they would not reach such a peak again until 1996–97. It was their joint-second best ever finish after the 1930–31 season, along with the 1924–25, 1925–26, 1926–27, and 1996–97 campaigns.

A strong defence and two lengthy series of good results raised belief and expectation of promotion to the top-flight for the first time in the club's history. However, two runs of poor results dashed such hopes, resulting in a downward slide lasting until the end of World War II. After pushing for promotion, the club's directors were forced to initiate a cull of players at the season's end.

Manager Tom Holford.
Chairman Frank Huntbach stated that an average attendance of 12,000 was needed to bring the club forward, and also hit out against the Hanley traders.[1]
Midfielder Jack Round.

Overview

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Second Division

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The pre-season saw the arrival of ten new professionals, six of which were forwards.[1] The most significant newcomers were Trevor Rhodes (Bradford Park Avenue), Jack Vickers (Charlton Athletic), as well as Ken Gunn and Billy Tabram (both from Swansea Town).[1]

The season started excellently with ten wins in the opening fifteen matches. At the end of this run, Sydney Dickinson was brought in from Bradford Park Avenue. However, the Vale then went on to lose five of their next six matches, conceding sixteen goals and scoring just three.[1] The slide was halted with a 1–0 Boxing day victory over Lincoln City in which top-scorer Tom Nolan became one of only two Vale players sent off in the period between 1918 and 1947.[1] The result nevertheless kept the club within a point of the promotion places.[1] This was supplemented by seven of a possible eight points in their next four games, including victories at The Dell and Valley Parade.[1]

Their run ended on 5 February at The Old Recreation Ground with a 1–0 defeat to eventual champions Grimsby Town.[1] From this point, the promotion campaign completely collapsed, with a 4–0 loss soon coming to Welsh strugglers Swansea.[1] New signing Jack Blackwell from Charlton couldn't reverse the trend despite helping the side to their biggest win of the season with a 5–1 thrashing of Millwall the following week.[1] A fortnight later and a 2–0 win over promotion-chasing Preston North End meant promotion was back on the cards for the "Valiants".[1] The Sentinel's "Placer" commented that Vale had the easiest remaining fixtures of the chasing pack and thus had a "great chance of ascending to the First Division for the first time in their career".[1]

Their remaining eleven games yielded a return of merely seven points, lacking a reserve team, fatigue had set into the first-team.[1] One significant defeat came at Old Trafford, which helped Manchester United avoid relegation to the third tier for what would have been the only time in their history. Young Fred Mitcheson did make a name for himself, however, scoring a hat-trick in his debut in a 4–0 win over Plymouth Argyle.[1]

They finished in eighth position, gaining 45 points from 42 games.[1] Seven more points were required to match promoted Preston North End, though they finished twelve points clear of relegated Millwall. Billy Tabram had helped secure the Vale's defence, their 55 goals conceded the lowest in the division behind Preston.[1] Attacking-wise, their 60 goals were a poor return for a top-of-the-table club, with 33 of these coming from Tom Nolan (22) and Trevor Rhodes (11).[1]

Finances

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On the financial side, a loss of £2,771 was announced despite strict economic budgeting.[1] Gate receipts had risen slowly to £11,868, though a rare transfer deficit was made, and expenses had risen sharply.[1] The club announced that it would consider offers for any of its players, blaming the fans for a lack of enthusiasm, exemplified by an attendance of 2,990 (raising just £136) for the end-of-season clash with Nottingham Forest, despite having recently built a stand with cover for 15,000 spectators.[1] The upshot of this was the release of a massive fifteen players, a list which included: Bill Cope, Sydney Dickinson, Len Armitage, and Jimmy McGrath.[1] Billy Tabram was also sold to Hull City for a large fee, whilst Fred Mills' transfer to Leeds United and George Poyser's move to Brentford also brought in some much-needed cash.[1] In the boardroom, Adrian Capes announced his retirement.[1] It was, according to historian Jeff Kent, "the end of an era".[1]

Cup competitions

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In the FA Cup, defeat came in the Third Round to Third Division South side Charlton Athletic at The Valley despite 'special training' measures beforehand.[1]

For the first and only time the club also entered the Welsh Cup.[2] Vale lost out to Bristol City at the semi-final stage.

League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Grimsby Town (C, P) 42 27 5 10 103 59 1.746 59 Promotion to the First Division
2 Preston North End (P) 42 23 6 13 71 52 1.365 52
3 Bolton Wanderers 42 21 9 12 79 55 1.436 51
4 Brentford 42 22 7 13 85 60 1.417 51
5 Bradford Park Avenue 42 23 3 16 86 67 1.284 49
6 Bradford City 42 20 6 16 73 67 1.090 46
7 West Ham United 42 17 11 14 78 70 1.114 45
8 Port Vale 42 19 7 16 60 55 1.091 45
9 Oldham Athletic 42 17 10 15 72 60 1.200 44
10 Plymouth Argyle 42 15 13 14 69 70 0.986 43
11 Blackpool 42 15 13 14 62 64 0.969 43
12 Bury 42 17 9 16 70 73 0.959 43
13 Burnley 42 18 6 18 60 72 0.833 42
14 Southampton 42 15 8 19 54 58 0.931 38
15 Hull City 42 13 12 17 52 68 0.765 38
16 Fulham 42 15 7 20 48 67 0.716 37
17 Nottingham Forest 42 13 9 20 73 74 0.986 35
18 Notts County 42 12 11 19 53 62 0.855 35
19 Swansea Town 42 10 15 17 51 60 0.850 35
20 Manchester United 42 14 6 22 59 85 0.694 34
21 Millwall (R) 42 11 11 20 39 68 0.574 33 Relegation to the Third Division South
22 Lincoln City (R) 42 9 8 25 44 75 0.587 26 Relegation to the Third Division North
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
GroundAHHAAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAAHAHAH
ResultLWWLWWWLWWWDWDWLLLDLLWDWWWLDLWDWLLWLLDLWLW
Position181071254162211122234468664323365435656879688
Source: Statto[3]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

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Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorers
26 August 1933 Fulham A 0–3 21,070
28 August 1933 Bury H 4–1 8,416 Nolan (3), McGrath
2 September 1933 Southampton H 2–1 11,237 Gunn (2)
9 September 1933 Blackpool A 0–1 16,988
11 September 1933 Bury A 3–0 6,197 Rhodes, Gunn, Tabram
16 September 1933 Bradford City H 3–1 11,453 Rhodes, Morton, Nolan
23 September 1933 Grimsby Town A 2–1 10,505 Nolan, Morton
30 September 1933 Notts County A 2–3 15,364 Nolan (2)
7 October 1933 Swansea Town H 1–0 9,478 Rhodes
14 October 1933 Millwall A 3–0 12,045 Gunn, Rhodes, Nolan
21 October 1933 Bradford Park Avenue H 3–1 13,122 Nolan (2), Morton
28 October 1933 Preston North End A 0–0 14,160
4 November 1933 Oldham Athletic H 2–0 12,228 Nolan, Rhodes
11 November 1933 Burnley A 0–0 13,445
18 November 1933 Brentford H 1–0 11,349 Gunn
25 November 1933 Bolton Wanderers A 0–3 14,925
2 December 1933 Manchester United H 2–3 10,316 Nolan, Rhodes
9 December 1933 Plymouth Argyle A 0–3 13,672
16 December 1933 West Ham United H 0–0 6,610
23 December 1933 Nottingham Forest A 1–6 9,239 Rhodes
25 December 1933 Lincoln City A 0–1 11,584
26 December 1933 Lincoln City H 1–0 13,910 Nolan
30 December 1933 Fulham H 2–2 8,151 Gunn, Rhodes
6 January 1934 Southampton A 4–1 9,987 Rhodes (3), Morton
20 January 1934 Blackpool H 1–0 14,216 McGrath
27 January 1934 Bradford City A 2–1 12,719 Dickinson, Mills
5 February 1934 Grimsby Town H 0–1 12,662
10 February 1934 Notts County H 0–0 10,645
22 February 1934 Swansea Town A 0–4 5,764
24 February 1934 Millwall H 5–1 8,578 Blackwell (2), Gunn, Mills, Nolan
3 March 1934 Bradford Park Avenue A 2–2 11,548 Gunn, Dickinson
10 March 1934 Preston North End H 2–0 12,972 Morton (2)
17 March 1934 Oldham Athletic A 1–5 5,900 Nolan
24 March 1934 Burnley H 0–2 7,367
30 March 1934 Hull City H 3–0 10,502 Nolan (3)
31 March 1934 Brentford A 0–2 19,758
2 April 1934 Hull City A 1–2 13,333 Blackwell
7 April 1934 Bolton Wanderers H 0–0 9,923
14 April 1934 Manchester United A 0–2 14,777
21 April 1934 Plymouth Argyle H 4–0 4,956 Mitcheson (3), Nolan
28 April 1934 West Ham United A 0–1 9,893
5 May 1934 Nottingham Forest H 3–1 2,990 Nolan (3)

FA Cup

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Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R3 13 January 1934 Charlton Athletic A 0–2 18,821

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 Scotland Allan Todd 28 0 1 0 29 0
GK Wales Ormond Jones 14 0 0 0 14 0
DF England George Shenton 10 0 0 0 10 0
DF England William Cope 13 0 1 0 14 0
DF England George Poyser 38 0 1 0 39 0
DF England Len Armitage 1 0 1 0 2 0
DF England Jack Vickers 32 0 1 0 33 0
DF England Trevor Rhodes 30 11 1 0 31 11
DF England Ernest Breeze 4 0 0 0 4 0
MF England Roger Jones 28 0 1 0 29 0
MF England Jack Round 3 0 0 0 3 0
MF England Jimmy McGrath 38 3 1 0 39 3
MF England Fred Mills 37 2 1 0 38 2
MF England Bob Morton 33 5 0 0 33 5
MF England Horace Baker 3 0 0 0 3 0
MF England Cliff Birks 11 0 0 0 11 0
MF Wales Billy Tabram 35 1 1 0 36 1
MF England Richard Twiss 1 0 0 0 1 0
MF England Albert Purcell 2 0 0 0 2 0
MF England Sydney Dickinson 12 2 0 0 12 2
MF Scotland Ken Gunn 38 8 1 0 39 8
MF England Billy Webster 0 0 0 0 0 0
FW England Tom Nolan 32 22 0 0 32 22
FW Wales Robert G. Davies 2 0 0 0 2 0
FW England Fred Mitcheson 3 3 0 0 3 3
FW England Jack Blackwell 12 3 0 0 12 3
FW Scotland Peter Cunningham 2 0 0 0 2 0

Top scorers

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Place Position Nation Name Second Division FA Cup Total
1 FW  England Tom Nolan 22 0 22
2 DF  England Trevor Rhodes 11 0 11
3 MF  Scotland Ken Gunn 8 0 8
4 MF  England Bob Morton 5 0 5
5 MF  England Jimmy McGrath 3 0 3
FW  England Fred Mitcheson 3 0 3
FW  England Jack Blackwell 3 0 3
8 MF  England Fred Mills 2 0 2
MF  England Sydney Dickinson 2 0 2
10 MF  Wales Billy Tabram 1 0 1
TOTALS 60 0 60

Transfers

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Transfers in

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Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 1933 FW Scotland Peter Cunningham Barnsley Free transfer [4]
May 1933 MF Scotland Ken Gunn Swansea Town £400 [4]
May 1933 GK Wales Ormond Jones Yeovil & Petters United Free transfer [4]
May 1933 DF England Jack Vickers Charlton Athletic £200 [4]
June 1933 MF England Trevor Rhodes Bradford Park Avenue Free transfer [4]
July 1933 FW England Fred Mitcheson Wolverhampton Wanderers Free transfer [4]
August 1933 MF England Richard Twiss Wolverhampton Wanderers Free transfer [4]
November 1933 MF England Sydney Dickinson Bradford Park Avenue 'Substantial' [4]
November 1933 MF England Albert Purcell Kidsgrove Liverpool Road Free transfer [4]
February 1934 FW England Jack Blackwell Charlton Athletic Free transfer [4]

Transfers out

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Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
November 1933 FW Scotland Peter Cunningham Crewe Alexandra Free transfer [4]
May 1934 DF England William Allsop Halifax Town Free transfer [4]
May 1934 DF England Len Armitage Tranmere Rovers Free transfer [4]
May 1934 MF England Horace Baker Longton Hall Free transfer [4]
May 1934 FW England Robert G. Davies Torquay United Free transfer [4]
May 1934 GK Wales Ormond Jones Norwich City Free transfer [4]
May 1934 DF England Billy Tabram Hull City Free transfer [4]
June 1934 MF England Jimmy McGrath Notts County Free transfer [4]
June 1934 MF England Fred Mills Leeds United Undisclosed [4]
June 1934 DF England George Poyser Brentford £1,550 [4]
Summer 1934 DF England Bill Cope Released [4]
Summer 1934 MF England Sydney Dickinson Lincoln City Released [4]
Summer 1934 MF England Richard Twiss Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic 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. ^ Sherwin, Phil (2010). The Port Vale Miscellany. Brimscombe Port: The History Press. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-7524-5777-2.
  3. ^ Port Vale 1933–1934 : 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 Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
General