1952–53 Port Vale F.C. season
Encyclopedia
The 1952–53 season was Port Vale
's forty-first season of football in the Football League
, and their first season (fourth overall) back in the Third Division North
, following their switch from the Third Division South
. Using an incredibly settled squad (only nineteen players were used all season), manager Freddie Steele
led the Vale to a second-place finish, just a single point from the promotion spot. Built upon an 'iron curtain defence', just 35 goals were conceded in 46 league games. All this was achieved with pretty much the same bottom-placed team that Steele inherited in December 1951.
Following from 9 February the previous season until 8 September the club racked up a club record streak of twelve consecutive home wins.
to the Third Division North
, very much against the wishes of the directors, who believed a loss of income would follow. Manager Freddie Steele
decided against making any new signings, and instead kept faith with the young team he had inherited the previous season. Offers were made for some of the young prospects, but none were accepted.
The season began with a 1–0 defeat at Valley Parade
with a goal from Ray King
's brother George
, managed by Steele's predecessor Ivor Powell
. This did not affect the team's spirits, as they went straight on to a seven match unbeaten run, conceding just three goals. Steele picked up an injury and so selected the versatile Basil Hayward
to replace him. A shrewd move, Hayward would go onto become the club's top scorer. It took awhile to pay off however, as Vale went five games scoring just one goal. Steele attempted to sign a new forward, but to no avail. A 1–0 home defeat to wooden spoon contenders Accrington Stanley
exemplified the club's trouble in front of goal, and also ended their record-breaking run of twelve consecutive home wins. Steele and trainer Ken Fish
put the squad to work on the special fitness regime they devised, as the "Valiants" marched onwards.
Travelling to Boundary Park
on 15 November, they beat Oldham Athletic
1–0, taking themselves up into third place. They dropped points during the Christmas
period, though picked up a useful 4–1 win at Gresty Road
on Boxing day
. Three points out of a possible eight in February allowed leaders Oldham to pull away from the chasing Vale. In March Oldham and Grimsby Town
struggled, and so Vale took advantage with six points from ten, conceding just three goals. With six of the final nine games at home, and all of the chasing pack yet to visit Burslem
, the omens seemed good for promotion. Vale duly remained unbeaten until the season's end, however drawing five of these games proved not enough. The 4 April encounter with Oldham proved to be the title decider, Vale had dominated the game but conceded a fatal equalizing goal on 86 minutes. Two draws against strugglers Chester
were also costly. Nevertheless they finished strongly, hammering Grimsby Town 4–0, Reg Potts
scoring with a lob from 35 yards out.
They finished second, a single point away from top spot. Steele's emphasis on teamwork had turned the team around, and earned the club its best finish since their relegation from the second tier in 1935–36
. Their defensive record of 35 goals conceded was bettered only by Second Division
Huddersfield Town
. Their tally of 58 points was second only to the club's extraordinary 1929–30 campaign
. Their main weakness was an average offence, though Hayward proved to be a revelation with 22 goals.
On 4 May, Vale played Potteries derby
rivals Stoke City
, who had just been relegated from the First Division
. This Coronation Cup match ended in a 2–0 win for the Potters, with £1,053 raised for charity.
(Wellington Town
) and Norman Hallam
(Halifax Town
).
, Third Division South Exeter City
were beaten 2–1. However in the Second Round league leaders Oldham Athletic won 3–0 in front of a season best 25,398 crowd at Vale Park
– 8,000 of them Oldham supporters.
P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GA = Goal average; Pts = Points
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
's forty-first season of football in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
, and their first season (fourth overall) back in the Third Division North
Football League Third Division North
The Third Division North of The Football League was a tier in the English association football league system from 1921 to 1958. It ran parallel to Third Division South with clubs elected to the League or relegated from a higher division allocated to one or the other according to geographical position...
, following their switch from the Third Division South
Football League Third Division South
The Football League Third Division South was a level of English professional football which ran in parallel to Third Division North from 1921 to 1958....
. Using an incredibly settled squad (only nineteen players were used all season), manager Freddie Steele
Freddie Steele (footballer)
Frederick Charles Steele was a footballer who played as a forward for Stoke City and was a former England international. He also had spells at Mansfield Town and Port Vale as a player-manager, leading Vale to a league title...
led the Vale to a second-place finish, just a single point from the promotion spot. Built upon an 'iron curtain defence', just 35 goals were conceded in 46 league games. All this was achieved with pretty much the same bottom-placed team that Steele inherited in December 1951.
Following from 9 February the previous season until 8 September the club racked up a club record streak of twelve consecutive home wins.
Third Division North
The pre-season saw the club switched from the Third Division SouthFootball League Third Division South
The Football League Third Division South was a level of English professional football which ran in parallel to Third Division North from 1921 to 1958....
to the Third Division North
Football League Third Division North
The Third Division North of The Football League was a tier in the English association football league system from 1921 to 1958. It ran parallel to Third Division South with clubs elected to the League or relegated from a higher division allocated to one or the other according to geographical position...
, very much against the wishes of the directors, who believed a loss of income would follow. Manager Freddie Steele
Freddie Steele (footballer)
Frederick Charles Steele was a footballer who played as a forward for Stoke City and was a former England international. He also had spells at Mansfield Town and Port Vale as a player-manager, leading Vale to a league title...
decided against making any new signings, and instead kept faith with the young team he had inherited the previous season. Offers were made for some of the young prospects, but none were accepted.
The season began with a 1–0 defeat at Valley Parade
Valley Parade
Valley Parade, also known as the Coral Windows Stadium through sponsorship rights, is an all-seater football stadium in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. It was built in 1886, and was the home of Manningham Rugby Football Club until 1903, when they changed code from rugby football to association...
with a goal from Ray King
Ray King (footballer)
Raymond King is a former English football goalkeeper. He is the younger brother of George King.A legend at Port Vale, he was their first choice keeper from 1949 to 1957. A key part of the squad, he was at the club during one of their brightest periods...
's brother George
George King (footballer)
George King is an English former footballer. He is the elder brother of goalkeeper Ray King.-Playing career:King played for the Royal Air Force, Newcastle United and Hull City before joining Port Vale for a four-figure fee in April 1949. Scoring twice on his debut; a 3–1 home win over Torquay...
, managed by Steele's predecessor Ivor Powell
Ivor Powell
Ivor Verdun Powell MBE is a Welsh former footballer who gained eight Welsh caps and later became a manager. He was born in Gilfach, Bargoed....
. This did not affect the team's spirits, as they went straight on to a seven match unbeaten run, conceding just three goals. Steele picked up an injury and so selected the versatile Basil Hayward
Basil Hayward
Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward....
to replace him. A shrewd move, Hayward would go onto become the club's top scorer. It took awhile to pay off however, as Vale went five games scoring just one goal. Steele attempted to sign a new forward, but to no avail. A 1–0 home defeat to wooden spoon contenders Accrington Stanley
Accrington Stanley F.C. (1891)
Accrington Stanley was an English football club based in Accrington, Lancashire. Established in 1891, the club played in the Football League between 1921 and 1962, when the club became only the second ever to resign from the League mid-season. The club went into liquidation in 1966...
exemplified the club's trouble in front of goal, and also ended their record-breaking run of twelve consecutive home wins. Steele and trainer Ken Fish
Ken Fish
Kenneth Henry Albert Fish was a South African footballer.-Playing career:Fish played for Railway Association before moving to England to play for Aston Villa. He signed with Port Vale for a sizeable fee in November 1937...
put the squad to work on the special fitness regime they devised, as the "Valiants" marched onwards.
Travelling to Boundary Park
Boundary Park
Boundary Park is the main sports stadium of Oldham, in Greater Manchester, England. It lies at the northwestern extremity of Oldham, with the towns of Royton and Chadderton lying immediately north and west respectively, giving rise to the name Boundary Park....
on 15 November, they beat Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
1–0, taking themselves up into third place. They dropped points during the Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
period, though picked up a useful 4–1 win at Gresty Road
Alexandra Stadium
The Alexandra Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Crewe, England. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Crewe Alexandra...
on Boxing day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
. Three points out of a possible eight in February allowed leaders Oldham to pull away from the chasing Vale. In March Oldham and Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
struggled, and so Vale took advantage with six points from ten, conceding just three goals. With six of the final nine games at home, and all of the chasing pack yet to visit Burslem
Burslem
The town of Burslem, known as the Mother Town, is one of the six towns that amalgamated to form the current city of Stoke-on-Trent, in the ceremonial county of Staffordshire, in the Midlands of England.-Topography:...
, the omens seemed good for promotion. Vale duly remained unbeaten until the season's end, however drawing five of these games proved not enough. The 4 April encounter with Oldham proved to be the title decider, Vale had dominated the game but conceded a fatal equalizing goal on 86 minutes. Two draws against strugglers Chester
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
were also costly. Nevertheless they finished strongly, hammering Grimsby Town 4–0, Reg Potts
Reg Potts
Reginald Potts was an English football defender, nicknamed Dan after Desperate Dan.A key member of Port Vale's history, Potts played close to 300 league games for the club between 1945 and 1957...
scoring with a lob from 35 yards out.
They finished second, a single point away from top spot. Steele's emphasis on teamwork had turned the team around, and earned the club its best finish since their relegation from the second tier in 1935–36
1935–36 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1935–36 season was Port Vale's thirtieth season of football in the Football League, and their sixth successive season in the Second Division. The club suffered the second relegation of its history...
. Their defensive record of 35 goals conceded was bettered only by Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
. Their tally of 58 points was second only to the club's extraordinary 1929–30 campaign
1929–30 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1929–30 season was Port Vale's eleventh consecutive season of football in the Football League, and their first in the Third Division North. They finished as champions and were thus promoted back to the Second Division. With 67 points they broke a division record...
. Their main weakness was an average offence, though Hayward proved to be a revelation with 22 goals.
On 4 May, Vale played Potteries derby
Potteries derby
The Potteries derby is the football local derby in Stoke-on-Trent between Port Vale and Stoke City. The fans of each club both consider the other to be their main rivals; this has led to a heated atmosphere at these matches, especially with the rise of football hooliganism and the 'Naughty Forty'...
rivals Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
, who had just been relegated from the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
. This Coronation Cup match ended in a 2–0 win for the Potters, with £1,053 raised for charity.
Finances
On the financial side, a £1,676 profit was recorded. This was due to a club record average attendance of 14,504 – which took gate receipts to £39,929 – and a £5,000 slash in the wage bill to £18,246. For once the club did not sell its best players, and yet it also made a profit. Steele was rewarded with a three year contract. He again kept on almost all of the squad, with two exceptions being Jimmy ToddJimmy Todd
James "Jimmy" Todd was a footballer from Northern Ireland who played most notably for Port Vale in the 1940s and '50s.-Playing career:...
(Wellington Town
Telford United F.C.
Telford United F.C. was an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire.The club existed under various names for a total of 132 years from its formation in 1872. The club was founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979 and played at this level for 25 years before being wound up in...
) and Norman Hallam
Norman Hallam
Norman Henry Hallam is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Hallam played for Chelsea before joining Port Vale in May 1946. He quit full-time football however in July 1948 to become a Methodist Minister, but played two games in 1950...
(Halifax Town
Halifax Town A.F.C.
Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years...
).
Cup competitions
In the FA CupFA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
, Third Division South Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
were beaten 2–1. However in the Second Round league leaders Oldham Athletic won 3–0 in front of a season best 25,398 crowd at Vale Park
Vale Park
Vale Park is a football stadium in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home ground of Port Vale F.C., who have played at the ground since 1950....
– 8,000 of them Oldham supporters.
Final league table
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GA | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oldham Athletic Oldham Athletic A.F.C. Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league... |
46 | 22 | 15 | 9 | 77 | 45 | 1.711 | 59 |
| 2 | Port Vale Port Vale F.C. Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as... |
46 | 20 | 18 | 8 | 67 | 35 | 1.914 | 58 |
| 3 | Wrexham | 46 | 24 | 8 | 14 | 86 | 66 | 1.303 | 56 |
| 4 | York City York City F.C. York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions... |
46 | 20 | 13 | 13 | 60 | 45 | 1.333 | 53 |
| 5 | Grimsby Town Grimsby Town F.C. Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town... |
46 | 21 | 10 | 15 | 75 | 59 | 1.271 | 52 |
| 6 | Southport Southport F.C. Southport Football Club are an English football club, based in Southport, Merseyside. They are currently in the Conference National, and play their home matches at Haig Avenue, which has a capacity of 6,008... |
46 | 20 | 11 | 15 | 63 | 60 | 1.050 | 51 |
| 7 | Bradford Park Avenue Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C. Bradford Association Football Club, previously also known as Bradford and since its reformation in the 1970s now referred to as Bradford Park Avenue, is a football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England... |
46 | 19 | 12 | 15 | 75 | 61 | 1.230 | 50 |
| 8 | Gateshead Gateshead F.C. Gateshead Football Club are a professional Association football club, based in Gateshead, England. They currently play in the Conference National, the fifth level of the English football league system.Ian Bogie is the current manager.... |
46 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 76 | 60 | 1.267 | 49 |
| 9 | Carlisle United Carlisle United F.C. Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system.... |
46 | 18 | 13 | 15 | 82 | 68 | 1.206 | 49 |
| 10 | Crewe Alexandra Crewe Alexandra F.C. Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club... |
46 | 20 | 8 | 18 | 70 | 68 | 1.029 | 48 |
| 11 | Stockport County Stockport County F.C. Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport... |
46 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 82 | 69 | 1.188 | 47 |
| 12 | Chesterfield Chesterfield F.C. Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower... |
46 | 18 | 11 | 17 | 65 | 63 | 1.032 | 47 |
| 13 | Tranmere Rovers Tranmere Rovers F.C. Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system... |
46 | 21 | 5 | 20 | 65 | 63 | 1.032 | 47 |
| 14 | Halifax Town Halifax Town A.F.C. Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years... |
46 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 68 | 68 | 1.000 | 47 |
| 15 | Scunthorpe & Lindsey United Scunthorpe United F.C. Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One.... |
46 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 62 | 56 | 1.107 | 46 |
| 16 | Bradford City Bradford City A.F.C. Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two.... |
46 | 14 | 18 | 14 | 75 | 80 | 0.938 | 46 |
| 17 | Hartlepools United Hartlepool United F.C. Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season... |
46 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 57 | 61 | 0.934 | 46 |
| 18 | Mansfield Town Mansfield Town F.C. Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910... |
46 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 55 | 62 | 0.887 | 46 |
| 19 | Barrow Barrow A.F.C. Barrow A.F.C. are an English football club founded in 1901 based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Following promotion at the end of the 2007–08 season, they currently play in the Conference National. The club spent over fifty years in the Football League between 1921 and 1972, and have... |
46 | 16 | 12 | 18 | 66 | 71 | 0.930 | 44 |
| 20 | Chester Chester City F.C. Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the... |
46 | 11 | 15 | 20 | 64 | 85 | 0.753 | 37 |
| 21 | Darlington Darlington F.C. Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003... |
46 | 14 | 6 | 26 | 58 | 96 | 0.604 | 34 |
| 22 | Rochdale Rochdale A.F.C. Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921... |
46 | 14 | 5 | 27 | 62 | 83 | 0.747 | 33 |
| 23 | Workington | 46 | 11 | 10 | 25 | 55 | 91 | 0.604 | 32 |
| 24 | Accrington Stanley Accrington Stanley F.C. (1891) Accrington Stanley was an English football club based in Accrington, Lancashire. Established in 1891, the club played in the Football League between 1921 and 1962, when the club became only the second ever to resign from the League mid-season. The club went into liquidation in 1966... |
46 | 8 | 11 | 27 | 39 | 89 | 0.438 | 27 |
P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GA = Goal average; Pts = Points
Legend
| Win | Draw | Loss |
Football League Third Division North
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 August 1952 | Bradford City Bradford City A.F.C. Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two.... |
|A | 0–1 | 16,326 | |
| 25 August 1952 | Tranmere Rovers Tranmere Rovers F.C. Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system... |
H | 2–0 | 17,138 | Mullard Albert Mullard Albert Thomas Mullard was an English footballer. After spending most of World War II in a Prisoner-of-war camp he turned to professional football... , Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... |
| 30 August 1952 | Rochdale Rochdale A.F.C. Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921... |
|H | 5–2 | 15,448 | Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... (2), Steele Freddie Steele (footballer) Frederick Charles Steele was a footballer who played as a forward for Stoke City and was a former England international. He also had spells at Mansfield Town and Port Vale as a player-manager, leading Vale to a league title... , Mullard Albert Mullard Albert Thomas Mullard was an English footballer. After spending most of World War II in a Prisoner-of-war camp he turned to professional football... , Bennett Alan Bennett (English footballer) Alan Bennett is a former English footballer.-Playing style:A skilful and speedy winger, he required the protection of his teammates to prevent opposition hatchet men taking him out of the game.-Playing career:... |
| 2 September 1952 | Tranmere Rovers Tranmere Rovers F.C. Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system... |
A | 1–1 | 10,194 | Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
| 6 September 1952 | Darlington Darlington F.C. Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003... |
A | 2–0 | 8,600 | Mullard Albert Mullard Albert Thomas Mullard was an English footballer. After spending most of World War II in a Prisoner-of-war camp he turned to professional football... , Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
| 8 September 1952 | Stockport County Stockport County F.C. Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport... |
H | 2–0 | 15,185 | Steele Freddie Steele (footballer) Frederick Charles Steele was a footballer who played as a forward for Stoke City and was a former England international. He also had spells at Mansfield Town and Port Vale as a player-manager, leading Vale to a league title... , Mullard Albert Mullard Albert Thomas Mullard was an English footballer. After spending most of World War II in a Prisoner-of-war camp he turned to professional football... |
| 13 September 1952 | Gateshead Gateshead F.C. Gateshead Football Club are a professional Association football club, based in Gateshead, England. They currently play in the Conference National, the fifth level of the English football league system.Ian Bogie is the current manager.... |
H | 1–1 | 17,803 | Steele Freddie Steele (footballer) Frederick Charles Steele was a footballer who played as a forward for Stoke City and was a former England international. He also had spells at Mansfield Town and Port Vale as a player-manager, leading Vale to a league title... |
| 15 September 1952 | Stockport County Stockport County F.C. Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport... |
A | 2–0 | 10,142 | Bennett Alan Bennett (English footballer) Alan Bennett is a former English footballer.-Playing style:A skilful and speedy winger, he required the protection of his teammates to prevent opposition hatchet men taking him out of the game.-Playing career:... , Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
| 20 September 1952 | Hartlepools United Hartlepool United F.C. Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season... |
A | 0–2 | 9,945 | |
| 22 September 1952 | Bradford Park Avenue Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C. Bradford Association Football Club, previously also known as Bradford and since its reformation in the 1970s now referred to as Bradford Park Avenue, is a football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England... |
H | 1–0 | 12,553 | Hulligan Mick Hulligan Michael John Hulligan was an English footballer. He made 209 appearances and scored 23 goals for Port Vale.-Playing career:... |
| 27 September 1952 | Carlisle United Carlisle United F.C. Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system.... |
H | 0–0 | 10,803 | |
| 29 September 1952 | York City York City F.C. York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions... |
A | 0–1 | 7,289 | |
| 4 October 1952 | Southport Southport F.C. Southport Football Club are an English football club, based in Southport, Merseyside. They are currently in the Conference National, and play their home matches at Haig Avenue, which has a capacity of 6,008... |
A | 0–0 | 7,616 | |
| 11 October 1952 | Chesterfield Chesterfield F.C. Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower... |
H | 3–0 | 14,352 | Steele Freddie Steele (footballer) Frederick Charles Steele was a footballer who played as a forward for Stoke City and was a former England international. He also had spells at Mansfield Town and Port Vale as a player-manager, leading Vale to a league title... (2), Sproson Roy Sproson Roy Sproson was an English footballer and football manager for Port Vale. A one-club man, he holds the all-time appearance record for Vale, making 837 starts for Vale between 1950 and 1972. This includes a run of 128 consecutive appearances between April 1954 and March 1957... |
| 18 October 1952 | Workington | A | 1–1 | 6,705 | Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
| 25 October 1952 | Accrington Stanley Accrington Stanley F.C. (1891) Accrington Stanley was an English football club based in Accrington, Lancashire. Established in 1891, the club played in the Football League between 1921 and 1962, when the club became only the second ever to resign from the League mid-season. The club went into liquidation in 1966... |
H | 0–1 | 12,202 | |
| 1 November 1952 | Halifax Town Halifax Town A.F.C. Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years... |
A | 2–1 | 11,693 | Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... (2) |
| 8 November 1952 | Mansfield Town Mansfield Town F.C. Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910... |
H | 1–1 | 14,103 | Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
| 15 November 1952 | Oldham Athletic Oldham Athletic A.F.C. Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league... |
A | 1–0 | 21,407 | o.g. Own goal An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents.... |
| 29 November 1952 | Wrexham | A | 1–3 | 11,082 | Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... |
| 13 December 1952 | Grimsby Town Grimsby Town F.C. Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town... |
A | 1–1 | 13,801 | o.g. Own goal An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents.... |
| 20 December 1952 | Bradford City Bradford City A.F.C. Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two.... |
H | 0–0 | 6,000 | |
| 26 December 1952 | Crewe Alexandra Crewe Alexandra F.C. Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club... |
A | 4–1 | 13,962 | Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... (2), Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... (2) |
| 27 December 1952 | Crewe Alexandra Crewe Alexandra F.C. Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club... |
H | 3–1 | 22,478 | Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... (2), Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... |
| 3 January 1953 | Rochdale Rochdale A.F.C. Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921... |
A | 1–1 | 6,899 | Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
| 17 January 1953 | Darlington Darlington F.C. Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003... |
H | 2–1 | 11,417 | Hulligan Mick Hulligan Michael John Hulligan was an English footballer. He made 209 appearances and scored 23 goals for Port Vale.-Playing career:... , Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
| 24 January 1953 | Gateshead Gateshead F.C. Gateshead Football Club are a professional Association football club, based in Gateshead, England. They currently play in the Conference National, the fifth level of the English football league system.Ian Bogie is the current manager.... |
A | 1–1 | 7,785 | Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
| 31 January 1953 | Scunthorpe & Lindsey United Scunthorpe United F.C. Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One.... |
A | 2–1 | 6,984 | Cunliffe John Cunliffe (footballer born 1930) John "Dickie" Cunliffe was an English football left-winger. He made 309 appearances in the Football League, scoring 55 goals.... , Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
| 7 February 1953 | Hartlepools United Hartlepool United F.C. Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season... |
H | 3–0 | 13,919 | Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... (2), Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... |
| 14 February 1953 | Carlisle United Carlisle United F.C. Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system.... |
A | 0–2 | 10,419 | |
| 21 February 1953 | Southport Southport F.C. Southport Football Club are an English football club, based in Southport, Merseyside. They are currently in the Conference National, and play their home matches at Haig Avenue, which has a capacity of 6,008... |
H | 0–0 | 13,919 | |
| 28 February 1953 | Chesterfield Chesterfield F.C. Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower... |
A | 0–1 | 9,772 | |
| 7 March 1953 | Workington | H | 2–0 | 12,093 | Bennett Alan Bennett (English footballer) Alan Bennett is a former English footballer.-Playing style:A skilful and speedy winger, he required the protection of his teammates to prevent opposition hatchet men taking him out of the game.-Playing career:... , Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
| 14 March 1953 | Accrington Stanley Accrington Stanley F.C. (1891) Accrington Stanley was an English football club based in Accrington, Lancashire. Established in 1891, the club played in the Football League between 1921 and 1962, when the club became only the second ever to resign from the League mid-season. The club went into liquidation in 1966... |
A | 1–1 | 5,499 | Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... |
| 16 March 1953 | Scunthorpe & Lindsey United Scunthorpe United F.C. Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One.... |
H | 4–0 | 11,371 | Cunliffe John Cunliffe (footballer born 1930) John "Dickie" Cunliffe was an English football left-winger. He made 309 appearances in the Football League, scoring 55 goals.... (2), Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... , Leake Albert Leake Albert George Leake was an English former football half-back.He spent the entire 1950s with Port Vale, as the club enjoyed an exciting period of their history. After a total of 43 goals in 293 games, Leake left the club in 1961 for non-league Macclesfield Town, a club he later managed... |
| 21 March 1953 | Halifax Town Halifax Town A.F.C. Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years... |
H | 1–1 | 17,945 | Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
| 28 March 1953 | Mansfield Town Mansfield Town F.C. Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910... |
A | 0–1 | 6,083 | |
| 3 April 1953 | Chester Chester City F.C. Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the... |
H | 1–1 | 19,413 | Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... |
| 4 April 1953 | Oldham Athletic Oldham Athletic A.F.C. Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league... |
H | 1–1 | 24,499 | Sproson Roy Sproson Roy Sproson was an English footballer and football manager for Port Vale. A one-club man, he holds the all-time appearance record for Vale, making 837 starts for Vale between 1950 and 1972. This includes a run of 128 consecutive appearances between April 1954 and March 1957... |
| 6 April 1953 | Chester Chester City F.C. Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the... |
A | 2–2 | 10,553 | Cunliffe John Cunliffe (footballer born 1930) John "Dickie" Cunliffe was an English football left-winger. He made 309 appearances in the Football League, scoring 55 goals.... , Askey Colin Askey Colin Askey is a former English footballer who played on the right wing. He made a total of 313 appearances in the Football League, scoring 35 goals.... |
| 11 April 1953 | Bradford Park Avenue Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C. Bradford Association Football Club, previously also known as Bradford and since its reformation in the 1970s now referred to as Bradford Park Avenue, is a football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England... |
A | 2–2 | 11,790 | Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... , Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
| 13 April 1953 | Barrow Barrow A.F.C. Barrow A.F.C. are an English football club founded in 1901 based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Following promotion at the end of the 2007–08 season, they currently play in the Conference National. The club spent over fifty years in the Football League between 1921 and 1972, and have... |
H | 3–0 | 10,010 | Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... , Hulligan Mick Hulligan Michael John Hulligan was an English footballer. He made 209 appearances and scored 23 goals for Port Vale.-Playing career:... , Mullard Albert Mullard Albert Thomas Mullard was an English footballer. After spending most of World War II in a Prisoner-of-war camp he turned to professional football... |
| 18 April 1953 | Wrexham | H | 0–0 | 21,585 | |
| 20 April 1953 | York City York City F.C. York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions... |
H | 2–0 | 11,379 | Leake Albert Leake Albert George Leake was an English former football half-back.He spent the entire 1950s with Port Vale, as the club enjoyed an exciting period of their history. After a total of 43 goals in 293 games, Leake left the club in 1961 for non-league Macclesfield Town, a club he later managed... , Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
| 25 April 1953 | Barrow Barrow A.F.C. Barrow A.F.C. are an English football club founded in 1901 based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Following promotion at the end of the 2007–08 season, they currently play in the Conference National. The club spent over fifty years in the Football League between 1921 and 1972, and have... |
A | 2–1 | 5,080 | Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... , Leake Albert Leake Albert George Leake was an English former football half-back.He spent the entire 1950s with Port Vale, as the club enjoyed an exciting period of their history. After a total of 43 goals in 293 games, Leake left the club in 1961 for non-league Macclesfield Town, a club he later managed... |
| 30 April 1953 | Grimsby Town Grimsby Town F.C. Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town... |
H | 4–0 | 7,964 | Potts Reg Potts Reginald Potts was an English football defender, nicknamed Dan after Desperate Dan.A key member of Port Vale's history, Potts played close to 300 league games for the club between 1945 and 1957... , Leake Albert Leake Albert George Leake was an English former football half-back.He spent the entire 1950s with Port Vale, as the club enjoyed an exciting period of their history. After a total of 43 goals in 293 games, Leake left the club in 1961 for non-league Macclesfield Town, a club he later managed... , Mullard Albert Mullard Albert Thomas Mullard was an English footballer. After spending most of World War II in a Prisoner-of-war camp he turned to professional football... , Hulligan Mick Hulligan Michael John Hulligan was an English footballer. He made 209 appearances and scored 23 goals for Port Vale.-Playing career:... |
FA Cup
| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | 22 November 1952 | Exeter City Exeter City F.C. Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003... |
H | 2–1 | 14,394 | Mullard Albert Mullard Albert Thomas Mullard was an English footballer. After spending most of World War II in a Prisoner-of-war camp he turned to professional football... , Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... |
| R2 | 6 December 1952 | Oldham Athletic Oldham Athletic A.F.C. Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league... |
H | 0–3 | 25,398 |
Appearances
| Pos. | Name | Football League | FA Cup | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| GK |  Ray KingRay King (footballer) Raymond King is a former English football goalkeeper. He is the younger brother of George King.A legend at Port Vale, he was their first choice keeper from 1949 to 1957. A key part of the squad, he was at the club during one of their brightest periods... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| GK | Ray Hancock Ray Hancock Charles Raymond Hancock is a former English footballer. He is Ken Hancock's elder brother.-Playing career:Hancock played for Abbey Hulton United and Bury before joining Port Vale in May 1948. By September 1952, at age 27, he was believed to be experienced enough to be the first choice keeper, but... |
43 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 46 | 0 |
| DF | Tommy Cheadle Tommy Cheadle Thomas Cheadle was an English footballer. He played for Port Vale in various positions for over a decade... |
46 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 49 | 0 |
| DF | Reg Potts Reg Potts Reginald Potts was an English football defender, nicknamed Dan after Desperate Dan.A key member of Port Vale's history, Potts played close to 300 league games for the club between 1945 and 1957... |
46 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 49 | 1 |
| DF | Stan Turner Stan Turner Stanley Simpson Turner was an English footballer. He made 246 appearances for Port Vale during one of the club's brightest periods.-Playing style:... |
43 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 46 | 0 |
| DF | Roy Sproson Roy Sproson Roy Sproson was an English footballer and football manager for Port Vale. A one-club man, he holds the all-time appearance record for Vale, making 837 starts for Vale between 1950 and 1972. This includes a run of 128 consecutive appearances between April 1954 and March 1957... |
45 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 48 | 2 |
| DF | Jim Elsby Jim Elsby James Elsby is an English former footballer. His nephew is Ian Elsby, also a now retired footballer who played for Port Vale.-Playing career:... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| MF |  Jimmy ToddJimmy Todd James "Jimmy" Todd was a footballer from Northern Ireland who played most notably for Port Vale in the 1940s and '50s.-Playing career:... |
11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| MF | Mick Hulligan Mick Hulligan Michael John Hulligan was an English footballer. He made 209 appearances and scored 23 goals for Port Vale.-Playing career:... |
42 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 45 | 4 |
| MF | Alan Bennett Alan Bennett (English footballer) Alan Bennett is a former English footballer.-Playing style:A skilful and speedy winger, he required the protection of his teammates to prevent opposition hatchet men taking him out of the game.-Playing career:... |
27 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 29 | 3 |
| MF | Albert Leake Albert Leake Albert George Leake was an English former football half-back.He spent the entire 1950s with Port Vale, as the club enjoyed an exciting period of their history. After a total of 43 goals in 293 games, Leake left the club in 1961 for non-league Macclesfield Town, a club he later managed... |
24 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 4 |
| MF | John Cunliffe John Cunliffe (footballer born 1930) John "Dickie" Cunliffe was an English football left-winger. He made 309 appearances in the Football League, scoring 55 goals.... |
19 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 4 |
| MF | Albert Mullard Albert Mullard Albert Thomas Mullard was an English footballer. After spending most of World War II in a Prisoner-of-war camp he turned to professional football... |
40 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 43 | 7 |
| MF | Norman Hallam Norman Hallam Norman Henry Hallam is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Hallam played for Chelsea before joining Port Vale in May 1946. He quit full-time football however in July 1948 to become a Methodist Minister, but played two games in 1950... |
8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| MF | Colin Askey Colin Askey Colin Askey is a former English footballer who played on the right wing. He made a total of 313 appearances in the Football League, scoring 35 goals.... |
9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 |
| FW | Basil Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
37 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 40 | 22 |
| FW | Ken Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... |
44 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 47 | 14 |
| FW | Freddie Steele Freddie Steele (footballer) Frederick Charles Steele was a footballer who played as a forward for Stoke City and was a former England international. He also had spells at Mansfield Town and Port Vale as a player-manager, leading Vale to a league title... |
11 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 5 |
| FW | Derek Tomkinson Derek Tomkinson Derek Tomkinson is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Tomkinson joined Port Vale as an amateur in 1949, he didn't play a game and instead departed for Burton Albion in 1951. He returned to Vale in December 1952 to sign as a professional and made his debut on Boxing Day 1951 in a 4–1 win... |
6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
All competitions
| Scorer | Goals |
|---|---|
| Basil Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
22 |
| Ken Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... |
14 |
| Albert Mullard Albert Mullard Albert Thomas Mullard was an English footballer. After spending most of World War II in a Prisoner-of-war camp he turned to professional football... |
7 |
| Freddie Steele Freddie Steele (footballer) Frederick Charles Steele was a footballer who played as a forward for Stoke City and was a former England international. He also had spells at Mansfield Town and Port Vale as a player-manager, leading Vale to a league title... |
5 |
| Albert Leake Albert Leake Albert George Leake was an English former football half-back.He spent the entire 1950s with Port Vale, as the club enjoyed an exciting period of their history. After a total of 43 goals in 293 games, Leake left the club in 1961 for non-league Macclesfield Town, a club he later managed... |
4 |
| Mick Hulligan Mick Hulligan Michael John Hulligan was an English footballer. He made 209 appearances and scored 23 goals for Port Vale.-Playing career:... |
|
| John Cunliffe John Cunliffe (footballer born 1930) John "Dickie" Cunliffe was an English football left-winger. He made 309 appearances in the Football League, scoring 55 goals.... |
|
| Alan Bennett Alan Bennett (English footballer) Alan Bennett is a former English footballer.-Playing style:A skilful and speedy winger, he required the protection of his teammates to prevent opposition hatchet men taking him out of the game.-Playing career:... |
3 |
| Roy Sproson Roy Sproson Roy Sproson was an English footballer and football manager for Port Vale. A one-club man, he holds the all-time appearance record for Vale, making 837 starts for Vale between 1950 and 1972. This includes a run of 128 consecutive appearances between April 1954 and March 1957... |
2 |
| Colin Askey Colin Askey Colin Askey is a former English footballer who played on the right wing. He made a total of 313 appearances in the Football League, scoring 35 goals.... |
1 |
| Reg Potts Reg Potts Reginald Potts was an English football defender, nicknamed Dan after Desperate Dan.A key member of Port Vale's history, Potts played close to 300 league games for the club between 1945 and 1957... |
|
League
| Scorer | Goals |
|---|---|
| Basil Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
22 |
| Ken Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... |
13 |
| Albert Mullard Albert Mullard Albert Thomas Mullard was an English footballer. After spending most of World War II in a Prisoner-of-war camp he turned to professional football... |
6 |
| Freddie Steele Freddie Steele (footballer) Frederick Charles Steele was a footballer who played as a forward for Stoke City and was a former England international. He also had spells at Mansfield Town and Port Vale as a player-manager, leading Vale to a league title... |
5 |
| Albert Leake Albert Leake Albert George Leake was an English former football half-back.He spent the entire 1950s with Port Vale, as the club enjoyed an exciting period of their history. After a total of 43 goals in 293 games, Leake left the club in 1961 for non-league Macclesfield Town, a club he later managed... |
4 |
| Mick Hulligan Mick Hulligan Michael John Hulligan was an English footballer. He made 209 appearances and scored 23 goals for Port Vale.-Playing career:... |
|
| John Cunliffe John Cunliffe (footballer born 1930) John "Dickie" Cunliffe was an English football left-winger. He made 309 appearances in the Football League, scoring 55 goals.... |
|
| Alan Bennett Alan Bennett (English footballer) Alan Bennett is a former English footballer.-Playing style:A skilful and speedy winger, he required the protection of his teammates to prevent opposition hatchet men taking him out of the game.-Playing career:... |
3 |
| Roy Sproson Roy Sproson Roy Sproson was an English footballer and football manager for Port Vale. A one-club man, he holds the all-time appearance record for Vale, making 837 starts for Vale between 1950 and 1972. This includes a run of 128 consecutive appearances between April 1954 and March 1957... |
2 |
| Colin Askey Colin Askey Colin Askey is a former English footballer who played on the right wing. He made a total of 313 appearances in the Football League, scoring 35 goals.... |
1 |
| Reg Potts Reg Potts Reginald Potts was an English football defender, nicknamed Dan after Desperate Dan.A key member of Port Vale's history, Potts played close to 300 league games for the club between 1945 and 1957... |
|