1935–36 Port Vale F.C. season

Port Vale
1935–36 season
Chairman Frank Huntbach
Manager Tom Holford
(until September)
Stadium The Old Recreation Ground
Football League Second Division 21st (32 Points)
FA Cup Fourth Round
Top goalscorer League: Jack Roberts (12)
All: Jack Roberts (12)
Highest home attendance 16,677 vs. Sunderland (13 January 1936)
Lowest home attendance 2,669 vs. Hull City (2 March 1936)
Average home league attendance 7,787
Home colours
← 1934–35 1936–37 →

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

Pos Team Pld W D L F A W D L F A F A GA GD Pts
1Manchester United4216325516696302785431.977+ 4256
2Charlton Athletic4215605317759324185581.466+ 2755
3Sheffield United4215425115588283579501.580+ 2952
4West Ham United4213535123939394590681.324+ 2252
5Tottenham Hotspur4212636025678313091551.655+ 3649
6Leicester City42145253195511263879571.386+ 2248
7Plymouth Argyle42152450205610213771571.246+ 1448
8Newcastle United42135356277113325288791.114+ 946
9Fulham4211645824489182876521.462+ 2444
10Blackpool42143464344413293893721.292+ 2143
11Norwich City42142547243711254172651.108+ 743
12Bradford City42127232183612234755650.846– 1043
13Swansea Town42113742264611255067760.882– 939
14Bury42106541273612255766840.786– 1838
15Burnley4298435213513153850590.847– 937
16Bradford Park Avenue42136243261317195862840.738– 2237
17Southampton42113732243612154147650.723– 1837
18Doncaster Rovers42107428174215235451710.718– 2037
19Nottingham Forest4288543224314265469760.908– 735
20Barnsley4294840323513144854800.675– 2633
21Port Vale421056343023162276561060.528– 5032
22Hull City424710334513171466471110.423– 6420

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
Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142
GroundAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHHHAHAHAAHHAAHA
Result L D W L D W W L L L L L W L L L D L D L W L L W L D L W W W L D L W W L W D L L L D
Position 17 15 10 18 19 10 8 13 18 18 19 21 20 21 21 21 21 22 22 22 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 20 20 20 20 20 20 21 21

Sourced from Statto.[2]

Football League Second Division

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
31 August 1935 BarnsleyA2–410,145Caldwell, Stabb
2 September 1935 BurnleyH1–19,450Stabb
7 September 1935 Plymouth ArgyleH2–09,178Gunn, Stabb
9 September 1935 BurnleyA1–511,268Stabb
14 September 1935 Bradford CityA1–17,420Birks
16 September 1935 Charlton AthleticH2–15,395Baker, Curley
21 September 1935 Newcastle UnitedH3–09,356Baker, Caldwell, o.g.
28 September 1935 Tottenham HotspurA2–532,872Birks, Baker (pen)
5 October 1935 Manchester UnitedH0–39,703
12 October 1935 Norwich CityA2–416,324Caldwell, Rhodes
19 October 1935 SouthamptonH0–26,263
26 October 1935 Sheffield UnitedA0–412,499
2 November 1935 Bradford Park AvenueH3–28,571Dackins, Mitcheson (pen), Birks
9 November 1935 Leicester CityA0–216,349
16 November 1935 Swansea TownH0–16,541
23 November 1935 Nottingham ForestA2–99,346Rhodes, Caldwell
30 November 1935 BuryH2–25,586Rhodes (2)
7 December 1935 Doncaster RoversA0–27,212
14 December 1935 BlackpoolH2–27,106Ryder (2)
21 December 1935 West Ham UnitedA0–413,905
26 December 1935 Hull CityA2–15,359Caldwell, Roberts
28 December 1935 BarnsleyH0–47,381
4 January 1936 Plymouth ArgyleA1–413,779Roberts
18 January 1936 Bradford CityH2–17,906Glidden, Jones
1 February 1936 Tottenham HotspurH1–510,770Ryder
5 February 1936 Newcastle UnitedA2–29,238Stabb, Roberts
8 February 1936 Manchester UnitedA2–722,265Caldwell, Ryder
15 February 1936 Norwich CityH3–16,129Stabb (pen), Roberts, Rhodes
29 February 1936 Doncaster RoversH2–04,180Rhodes, Roberts
2 March 1936 Hull CityH4–02,669Roberts (3), Stabb
7 March 1936 Swansea TownA2–35,151Roberts (2)
14 March 1936 Leicester CityH1–18,331Roberts
21 March 1936 Bradford Park AvenueA0–34,332
28 March 1936 Nottingham ForestH2–06,204Dean, Caldwell
30 March 1936 SouthamptonA1–01,875Stabb
4 April 1936 BuryA0–53,829
10 April 1936 FulhamH1–011,972Baker
11 April 1936 Sheffield UnitedH1–112,240Dean
13 April 1936 FulhamA0–79,954
18 April 1936 BlackpoolA1–39,326Stabb
25 April 1936 West Ham UnitedH2–38,066Roberts, Caldwell
2 May 1936 Charlton AthleticA1–127,778Caldwell

FA Cup

Main article: 1935–36 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R311 January 1936 SunderlandA2–229,278Stabb, Caldwell
R3 Replay13 January 1936 SunderlandH2–016,677Stabb, Rhodes
R425 January 1936 Grimsby TownH0–413,350

Player statistics

Appearances

Pos. Name Football League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GKEngland John Potts 4003010
GKScotland Allan Todd 100010
DFEngland George Shenton 14000140
DFEngland Jack Vickers 15030180
DFEngland Trevor Rhodes 28621307
DFEngland Ernest Breeze 10000100
DFEngland Eric Hayward 13000130
DFEngland Roderick Welsh 20030230
DFEngland George Heywood 21000210
DFEngland Harry Griffiths 27030300
DFEngland James Bewick 300030
MFEngland Roger Jones 35130381
MFEngland Cliff Birks 15300153
MFScotland Ken Gunn 28100281
MFEngland Arthur Caldwell 399314210
MFEngland Frank Ryder 17400174
MFEngland Michael Curley 24130271
MFEngland Roy Burns 200020
FWEngland Fred Mitcheson 15100151
FWEngland Luke Dean 920092
FWEngland James Baker 9430124
FWEngland John Wilson 300030
FWEngland Jack Roberts 2112002112
FWEngland George Stabb 309323311
FWScotland Henry Pinkerton 300030
FWEngland Cliff Johnson 503080
FWEngland Gilbert Glidden 511061
FWWales Haydn Dackins 610061

Scorers

All competitions

Scorer Goals
England Jack Roberts 12
England George Stabb 11
England Arthur Caldwell 10
England Trevor Rhodes 7
England James Baker 4
England Frank Ryder
England Cliff Birks 3
England Luke Dean 2
Scotland Ken Gunn 1
England Roger Jones
England Gilbert Glidden
England Michael Curley
England Fred Mitcheson
Wales Haydn Dackins

League

Scorer Goals
England Jack Roberts 12
England George Stabb 9
England Arthur Caldwell 9
England Trevor Rhodes 6
England James Baker 4
England Frank Ryder
England Cliff Birks 3
England Luke Dean 2
Scotland Ken Gunn 1
England Roger Jones
England Gilbert Glidden
England Michael Curley
England Fred Mitcheson
Wales Haydn Dackins

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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
General
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