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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
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

The 1935–36 season was Port Vale's 30th season of football in the 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. 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.

Final league table

Main article: 1935–36 Football League
Pos Team Pld W D L F A W D L F A F A GA GD Pts
1 Manchester United 42 16 3 2 55 16 6 9 6 30 27 85 43 1.977 + 42 56
2 Charlton Athletic 42 15 6 0 53 17 7 5 9 32 41 85 58 1.466 + 27 55
3 Sheffield United 42 15 4 2 51 15 5 8 8 28 35 79 50 1.580 + 29 52
4 West Ham United 42 13 5 3 51 23 9 3 9 39 45 90 68 1.324 + 22 52
5 Tottenham Hotspur 42 12 6 3 60 25 6 7 8 31 30 91 55 1.655 + 36 49
6 Leicester City 42 14 5 2 53 19 5 5 11 26 38 79 57 1.386 + 22 48
7 Plymouth Argyle 42 15 2 4 50 20 5 6 10 21 37 71 57 1.246 + 14 48
8 Newcastle United 42 13 5 3 56 27 7 1 13 32 52 88 79 1.114 + 9 46
9 Fulham 42 11 6 4 58 24 4 8 9 18 28 76 52 1.462 + 24 44
10 Blackpool 42 14 3 4 64 34 4 4 13 29 38 93 72 1.292 + 21 43
11 Norwich City 42 14 2 5 47 24 3 7 11 25 41 72 65 1.108 + 7 43
12 Bradford City 42 12 7 2 32 18 3 6 12 23 47 55 65 0.846 – 10 43
13 Swansea Town 42 11 3 7 42 26 4 6 11 25 50 67 76 0.882 – 9 39
14 Bury 42 10 6 5 41 27 3 6 12 25 57 66 84 0.786 – 18 38
15 Burnley 42 9 8 4 35 21 3 5 13 15 38 50 59 0.847 – 9 37
16 Bradford Park Avenue 42 13 6 2 43 26 1 3 17 19 58 62 84 0.738 – 22 37
17 Southampton 42 11 3 7 32 24 3 6 12 15 41 47 65 0.723 – 18 37
18 Doncaster Rovers 42 10 7 4 28 17 4 2 15 23 54 51 71 0.718 – 20 37
19 Nottingham Forest 42 8 8 5 43 22 4 3 14 26 54 69 76 0.908 – 7 35
20 Barnsley 42 9 4 8 40 32 3 5 13 14 48 54 80 0.675 – 26 33
21 Port Vale 42 10 5 6 34 30 2 3 16 22 76 56 106 0.528 – 50 32
22 Hull City 42 4 7 10 33 45 1 3 17 14 66 47 111 0.423 – 64 20

Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against;
GA = Goal average; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Legend

Win Draw Loss

Template:Fb rbr header Template:Fb rbr ground Template:Fb rbr result Template:Fb rbr position fl |} Sourced from Statto.[2]

Football League Second Division

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

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 1935 DF England James Bewick Newcastle United Free transfer [3]
May 1935 MF England Michael Curley Manchester City Free transfer [3]
May 1935 FW England Gilbert Glidden Sunderland Free transfer [3]
May 1935 DF England Harry Griffiths Everton Free transfer [3]
May 1935 FW Scotland Henry Pinkerton Hull City Free transfer [3]
May 1935 DF England Roderick Welsh Portsmouth Free transfer [3]
May 1935 FW England John Wilson West Bromwich Albion Free transfer [3]
July 1935 FW Wales Haydn Dackins Swansea Town Free transfer [3]
July 1935 MF England George Stabb Notts County Free transfer [3]
October 1935 MF England Roy Burns Wolverhampton Wanderers Free transfer [3]
October 1935 FW England Cliff Johnson Wolverhampton Wanderers Free transfer [3]
November 1935 MF England Frank Ryder Altrincham Free transfer [3]
November 1935 DF England Roderick Welsh Altrincham £250 [3]
December 1935 FW England Jack Roberts Wigan Athletic 'large' [3]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
November 1935 FW England Fred Mitcheson Plymouth Argyle Undisclosed [3]
December 1935 FW England John Wilson Wigan Athletic Free transfer [3]
January 1936 MF England Roy Burns Bournemouth Trams Contract cancelled [3]
April 1936 FW England James Baker Barrow Released [3]
April 1936 DF England Jack Vickers Newport County Released [3]
May 1936 DF England James Bewick Walsall Released [3]
May 1936 MF England Cliff Birks Torquay United Released [3]
June 1936 FW England Cliff Johnson Torquay United Free transfer [3]
June 1936 DF England George Shenton Shelton Iron and Steel Released [3]
Summer 1936 DF England Ernest Breeze Shrewsbury Town Released [3]
Summer 1936 FW Wales Haydn Dackins Northwich Victoria Released [3]
Summer 1936 FW England Gilbert Glidden Reading Released [3]
Summer 1936 FW Scotland Henry Pinkerton Burnley Released [3]
Summer 1936 GK England John Potts Released [3]

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. ^ Port Vale 1935–1936 : Results & Fixtures. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  3. ^ 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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