1953–54 Port Vale F.C. season
Encyclopedia
The 1953–54 season was Port Vale
's forty-second season of football in the Football League
, and their second season (fifth overall) back in the Third Division North
. Quite possibly the greatest season in the club's history
, Freddie Steele
's side were crowned Third Division North champions with 69 points out of a possible 92, eleven points ahead of their nearest rivals. They also reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup
, and would be denied an appearance in the final due to a controversial goal from a dubious penalty. These achievements were based upon a record-breaking 'Iron Curtain' defence, and a solid squad of nineteen players, most of whom had taken the club to second in the league the previous season.
Seven still-standing club records were set this season, including three Football League records. One Football League record was for the fewest Football League goals conceded in a 46 match season – a mere 26, just over one every two games. Just five of these were conceded at home, another Football League record. This was based upon 30 clean sheets, again a Football League record. They also recorded a club record low of three league defeats, and a club record home clean sheet streak of eleven matches, lasting from 7 September 1953 to 13 February 1954. Another club record was a streak of six away draws, lasting from 20 March to 26 April. They were undefeated at home all season, continuing a 42 match unbeaten run started on 8 November 1952, that would last until 18 September 1954.
The key players that formed the first eleven of 1953–54 were: Ray King
(goalkeeper); Tommy Cheadle
, Reg Potts
, Stan Turner
, Roy Sproson
(defence); Albert Leake
, John Cunliffe
, Albert Mullard
, Colin Askey
(midfield); Basil Hayward
, Ken Griffiths
(forwards); Derek Tomkinson
(reserve). Their achievements came as a team, without any outstanding stars, which caused The Sentinel to remark that the whole team were stars.
.
The season began with a 2–1 win at Field Mill
, the first of a seven match unbeaten run – a run in which just two goals were conceded. This run included a 3–0 win over Darlington
at Feethams
, and a 4–0 win over Barrow
in which Basil Hayward
scored a hat-trick. This quickly took them to the top of the table. On 12 September a defeat occurred, Gateshead
winning by the odd goal at Redheugh Park
. A week later the "Valiants" began a sequence of five clean sheets in five games, part of a much larger seventeen game unbeaten run in the league. The defensive five-some of keeper Ray King
, Tommy Cheadle
, Reg Potts
, Stan Turner
, Roy Sproson
were hailed as 'the Iron Curtain
' or 'the Steele Curtain' (a play on the manager's name). A 21 September game against nearby unbeaten Crewe Alexandra
was billed as a 'crunch clash', a Sproson header on 87 minutes won the match. For the return a week later a stadium record 17,883 packed into Gresty Road
to witness a hard-fought goalless draw. On 7 November Vale conceded twice in one game for the first time in the season, as Peel Park
saw their Accrington Stanley
side achieve a 2–2 draw with the Vale. By this time Vale were putting clear daylight between themselves and the chasing pack.
On 28 November, Ken Griffiths
bagged a hat-trick as Vale 'tore apart' a poor Rochdale
side 6–0, then a record for Vale Park
. One piece of bad news came when Steele was investigated by a joint FA
/Football League inquiry for his time as Mansfield Town
manager in regard to suspected illegal payments – found guilty, he was given a £250 (a considerable sum for 1953). Good news off the field came when the club were granted a license to build a stand on the Railway Terrace at a cost of £25,000. Vale struggled in the league in early 1954, losing 2–1 to Hartlepools United
in a fierce wind at Victoria Park
. A further shock came on 6 February, when struggling Workington
earned a 2–0 win at Borough Park
– the only time in the season Vale lost by more than one goal. Three weeks later at Vale Park, Chesterfield
became the first away side to score at Vale Park since September, as they fought back from a two goal deficit to win a point.
By April, Vale were out of the FA Cup and had a number of postponed matches to play, whilst opposing teams had cut their lead down to three points. Playing twelve games in thirty days, they remained unbeaten. On 10 April they thrashed Stockport County
7–0 in a ground record victory, with Hayward bagging a hat-trick – they were 6–0 up after 36 minutes but then proceeded to play at 'a pleasant trot'. The championship title was secured on 17 April at Spotland
with a goalless draw. They finished their final seven league games having conceded just two goals.
They finished top of the table with 69 points, eleven clear of second-placed Barnsley
. Their 26 league goals conceded in a 46 games was a record. Just five of these were conceded at home, another Football League record. This was based upon 30 clean sheets, again a Football League record. They also recorded a club record low of three league defeats. They were undefeated at home all season, continuing a 42 match unbeaten run started on 8 November 1952, that would last until 18 September 1954. Their achievements was built on a settled squad of nineteen players, twelve of which played regularly.
, a 3–1 win took them past Darlington
, whilst in the Second Round Southport
battled to a 1–1 draw at Haig Avenue
on 12 December. Two days later Vale ground out a 2–0 win in the replay. In the Third Round, Queens Park Rangers
of the Third Division South
were beaten 1–0 at Loftus Road
. The Fourth Round held First Division
Cardiff City
at Ninian Park
, but the "Valiants" were not concerned as Graham Barnett
responded to Low's warning that the Wales captain faced them by saying "So fucking what? My mother could play for Wales
". After Vale won 2–0, Cardiff placed a £25,000 offer for winger Colin Askey
, their offer rejected they offered to go higher, but were again denied. In the Fifth Round, they faced holders Blackpool
, and 42,000 tickets were sold for the clash at Vale Park. The victors of the 'Matthews Final' brought Stanley Matthews
and six other internationals to Burslem
, as well a travelling contingent of 10,500. Albert Leake
scored a brace on the waterlogged pitch, as his team put 'a dazzling display in attack and defence' and their 'hard-fighting, quick-on-the-ball play smothered Blackpool's intricate approach work'. In the Sixth Round they faced Second Division
Leyton Orient
at Brisbane Road, as 8,000 Vale fans made up a 31,000 crowd. The odd goal from Leake put Vale into the semi-finals, with the team 'delightedly mobbed' by supporters after the finish.
The 25,000 tickets Vale were allotted for the semi-final clash with West Bromwich Albion
at Villa Park
sold out on the first day, leaving thousands more disappointed. In all 100 coaches and 14 excursion trains took the supporters to Birmingham
for the match on 27 March, at which time high-scoring West Brom were top of the First Division – in all 68,221 spectators packed into the stadium. This meant the match saw £20,086 in gate receipts heading Vale's way. In the match itself, the 'constructive play' of Brom was halted by the Vale defence, and a Leake goal on 40 minutes saw Vale 1–0 up at half-time. The second half saw the throstles switch to a long-ball game, and on 62 minutes Cheadle was bustled off the ball and could only watch the equalizer cross the line. Eight minutes later captain Cheadle was judged to have fouled George Lee
just inside the penalty box, though many would maintain that the challenge took place well outside of the box, and that Lee also handled the ball. Former Valiant star Ronnie Allen
converted the resulting penalty
. Later in the match Leake had an equalizing goal disallowed for offside, and Vale therefore failed to be the first third tier club to reach an FA Cup Final
.
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-second 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 second season (fifth 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...
. Quite possibly the greatest season in the club's history
History of Port Vale F.C.
The history of Port Vale F.C., an English association football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, began when the club was formed in 1876. In 1884, the club moved to the town of Burslem, changing their name to Burslem Port Vale in the process. The club joined the Football League Second Division upon its...
, 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...
's side were crowned Third Division North champions with 69 points out of a possible 92, eleven points ahead of their nearest rivals. They also reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup
FA 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...
, and would be denied an appearance in the final due to a controversial goal from a dubious penalty. These achievements were based upon a record-breaking 'Iron Curtain' defence, and a solid squad of nineteen players, most of whom had taken the club to second in the league the previous season.
Seven still-standing club records were set this season, including three Football League records. One Football League record was for the fewest Football League goals conceded in a 46 match season – a mere 26, just over one every two games. Just five of these were conceded at home, another Football League record. This was based upon 30 clean sheets, again a Football League record. They also recorded a club record low of three league defeats, and a club record home clean sheet streak of eleven matches, lasting from 7 September 1953 to 13 February 1954. Another club record was a streak of six away draws, lasting from 20 March to 26 April. They were undefeated at home all season, continuing a 42 match unbeaten run started on 8 November 1952, that would last until 18 September 1954.
The key players that formed the first eleven of 1953–54 were: 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...
(goalkeeper); Tommy Cheadle
Tommy Cheadle
Thomas Cheadle was an English footballer. He played for Port Vale in various positions for over a decade...
, 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...
, 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:...
, 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...
(defence); 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...
, 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....
, 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...
, 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....
(midfield); Basil Hayward
Basil Hayward
Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward....
, Ken Griffiths
Ken Griffiths
Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League....
(forwards); 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...
(reserve). Their achievements came as a team, without any outstanding stars, which caused The Sentinel to remark that the whole team were stars.
Third Division North
The pre-season saw no new signings, the young, mostly local squad was enough for manager Freddie SteeleFreddie 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...
.
The season began with a 2–1 win at Field Mill
Field Mill
Field Mill is a multi-use stadium in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England.It is currently occupied by its main tenant, Mansfield Town.The stadium has a capacity of around 10,000 when fully open, but due to the Bishop Street Stand being closed and safety restrictions, the ground currently holds less...
, the first of a seven match unbeaten run – a run in which just two goals were conceded. This run included a 3–0 win over 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...
at Feethams
Feethams
Feethams is a cricket ground and the former home of Darlington F.C. for 120 years, from 1883 to 2003, until the club moved into a new stadium on the outskirts of Darlington.- History :...
, and a 4–0 win over 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...
in which Basil Hayward
Basil Hayward
Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward....
scored a hat-trick. This quickly took them to the top of the table. On 12 September a defeat occurred, 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....
winning by the odd goal at Redheugh Park
Redheugh Park
Redheugh Park , a football stadium in Gateshead, England, was built in 1930 when South Shields FC moved to Gateshead from Horsley Hill and became Gateshead AFC. It was their home for more than 40 years.The stadium offered terracing all round...
. A week later the "Valiants" began a sequence of five clean sheets in five games, part of a much larger seventeen game unbeaten run in the league. The defensive five-some of keeper 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...
, Tommy Cheadle
Tommy Cheadle
Thomas Cheadle was an English footballer. He played for Port Vale in various positions for over a decade...
, 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...
, 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:...
, 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...
were hailed as 'the Iron Curtain
Iron Curtain
The concept of the Iron Curtain symbolized the ideological fighting and physical boundary dividing Europe into two separate areas from the end of World War II in 1945 until the end of the Cold War in 1989...
' or 'the Steele Curtain' (a play on the manager's name). A 21 September game against nearby unbeaten 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...
was billed as a 'crunch clash', a Sproson header on 87 minutes won the match. For the return a week later a stadium record 17,883 packed into 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...
to witness a hard-fought goalless draw. On 7 November Vale conceded twice in one game for the first time in the season, as Peel Park
Peel Park (stadium)
Peel Park was a football stadium in Accrington, Lancashire that was the home of Accrington Stanley F.C. between 1919 until their dissolution in 1963....
saw their 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...
side achieve a 2–2 draw with the Vale. By this time Vale were putting clear daylight between themselves and the chasing pack.
On 28 November, Ken Griffiths
Ken Griffiths
Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League....
bagged a hat-trick as Vale 'tore apart' a poor 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...
side 6–0, then a record for 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....
. One piece of bad news came when Steele was investigated by a joint FA
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
/Football League inquiry for his time as 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...
manager in regard to suspected illegal payments – found guilty, he was given a £250 (a considerable sum for 1953). Good news off the field came when the club were granted a license to build a stand on the Railway Terrace at a cost of £25,000. Vale struggled in the league in early 1954, losing 2–1 to 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...
in a fierce wind at Victoria Park
Victoria Park, Hartlepool
Victoria Park is a 7,856 capacity football ground in Hartlepool, County Durham, England and it is the home of Hartlepool United.The four sides of the ground are known as the Town End Terrace , the Niramax Stand , the Cyril Knowles Stand and the Rink End Victoria Park is a 7,856 capacity football...
. A further shock came on 6 February, when struggling Workington
Workington A.F.C.
Workington A.F.C. is an English football club from Workington, Cumbria. They are in the Conference North, and play their home matches at Borough Park, which has a capacity of 3,101 . The club play in red, and are known locally as the Reds...
earned a 2–0 win at Borough Park
Borough Park (Workington)
Borough Park is a stadium in Workington, England. It is home to Workington A.F.C., once members of the Football League, they now play in Conference North, Capacity is 2,500, with around 300 seats. The stadium opened in 1937.- References :...
– the only time in the season Vale lost by more than one goal. Three weeks later at Vale Park, 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...
became the first away side to score at Vale Park since September, as they fought back from a two goal deficit to win a point.
By April, Vale were out of the FA Cup and had a number of postponed matches to play, whilst opposing teams had cut their lead down to three points. Playing twelve games in thirty days, they remained unbeaten. On 10 April they thrashed 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...
7–0 in a ground record victory, with Hayward bagging a hat-trick – they were 6–0 up after 36 minutes but then proceeded to play at 'a pleasant trot'. The championship title was secured on 17 April at Spotland
Spotland Stadium
Spotland Stadium is a sports venue located at Willbutts Lane in the Spotland area of Rochdale, Greater Manchester. It is currently home to Rochdale AFC and Rochdale Hornets RLFC...
with a goalless draw. They finished their final seven league games having conceded just two goals.
They finished top of the table with 69 points, eleven clear of second-placed Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
. Their 26 league goals conceded in a 46 games was a record. Just five of these were conceded at home, another Football League record. This was based upon 30 clean sheets, again a Football League record. They also recorded a club record low of three league defeats. They were undefeated at home all season, continuing a 42 match unbeaten run started on 8 November 1952, that would last until 18 September 1954. Their achievements was built on a settled squad of nineteen players, twelve of which played regularly.
Finances
On the financial side, a new profit of £2,628 was recorded despite the only transfer activity being a £350 credit. Gate receipts had risen by more than £11,000 to £50,940 thanks to a then-record average attendance of 16,702. No players of note departed in the summer due to the club's "no buy, no sell" policy. In July the new stand was completed, providing cover for 4,500 seated and 12,000 standing spectators.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...
, a 3–1 win took them past 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...
, whilst in the Second Round 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...
battled to a 1–1 draw at Haig Avenue
Haig Avenue
Haig Avenue is a football stadium in Southport, England and is the home ground of Southport F.C.-Location:The ground is situated to the east of Southport just off the A570, the main road to Ormskirk...
on 12 December. Two days later Vale ground out a 2–0 win in the replay. In the Third Round, Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
of 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....
were beaten 1–0 at Loftus Road
Loftus Road
Loftus Road is a football stadium in Shepherd's Bush, London. It is home to the English football team Queens Park Rangers of the Premier League and has a capacity of around 18,500. The four stands are called the Loftus Road End , Ellerslie Road Stand, South Africa Road Stand and the School End,...
. The Fourth Round held 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....
Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
at Ninian Park
Ninian Park
Ninian Park was a football stadium in Leckwith, Cardiff, Wales. Until 2009, it was the home ground of Cardiff City F.C., who compete in the English Football League Championship...
, but the "Valiants" were not concerned as Graham Barnett
Graham Barnett
Graham Barnett is a former English footballer who played as an inside-forward.He began his career with Port Vale in 1956, before he was sold on to Tranmere Rovers four years later. In 1961 he signed with Halifax Town, before he emigrated to Australia the following year so as to play for South...
responded to Low's warning that the Wales captain faced them by saying "So fucking what? My mother could play for Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
". After Vale won 2–0, Cardiff placed a £25,000 offer for winger 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....
, their offer rejected they offered to go higher, but were again denied. In the Fifth Round, they faced holders Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
, and 42,000 tickets were sold for the clash at Vale Park. The victors of the 'Matthews Final' brought Stanley Matthews
Stanley Matthews
Sir Stanley Matthews, CBE was an English footballer. Often regarded as one of the greatest players of the English game, he is the only player to have been knighted while still playing, as well as being the first winner of both the European Footballer of the Year and the Football Writers'...
and six other internationals to 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:...
, as well a travelling contingent of 10,500. 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...
scored a brace on the waterlogged pitch, as his team put 'a dazzling display in attack and defence' and their 'hard-fighting, quick-on-the-ball play smothered Blackpool's intricate approach work'. In the Sixth Round they faced 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...
Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
at Brisbane Road, as 8,000 Vale fans made up a 31,000 crowd. The odd goal from Leake put Vale into the semi-finals, with the team 'delightedly mobbed' by supporters after the finish.
The 25,000 tickets Vale were allotted for the semi-final clash with West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
at Villa Park
Villa Park
Villa Park may mean:United Kingdom* Villa Park, an association football stadium in Birmingham, EnglandUnited States* Villa Park, California, a small city in Orange County* Villa Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in DuPage County...
sold out on the first day, leaving thousands more disappointed. In all 100 coaches and 14 excursion trains took the supporters to Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
for the match on 27 March, at which time high-scoring West Brom were top of the First Division – in all 68,221 spectators packed into the stadium. This meant the match saw £20,086 in gate receipts heading Vale's way. In the match itself, the 'constructive play' of Brom was halted by the Vale defence, and a Leake goal on 40 minutes saw Vale 1–0 up at half-time. The second half saw the throstles switch to a long-ball game, and on 62 minutes Cheadle was bustled off the ball and could only watch the equalizer cross the line. Eight minutes later captain Cheadle was judged to have fouled George Lee
George Lee (footballer)
George Lee was an English footballer who played left wing for York City, Nottingham Forest And West Bromwich Albion. After retiring from playing he became coach at West Bromwich Albion and later Norwich City.- Biography :...
just inside the penalty box, though many would maintain that the challenge took place well outside of the box, and that Lee also handled the ball. Former Valiant star Ronnie Allen
Ronnie Allen
Ronald "Ronnie" Allen was an English international football player and manager. He was a professional footballer for nineteen years, between 1946 and 1964, making 638 appearances in the Football League, and scoring 276 goals. He also won five caps for England national team...
converted the resulting penalty
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
. Later in the match Leake had an equalizing goal disallowed for offside, and Vale therefore failed to be the first third tier club to reach an FA Cup Final
FA Cup Final
The FA Cup Final, commonly referred to in England as just the Cup Final, is the last match in the Football Association Challenge Cup. With an official attendance of 89,826 at the 2007 FA Cup Final, it is the fourth best attended domestic club championship event in the world and the second most...
.
Final league table
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GA | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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 | 26 | 17 | 3 | 74 | 21 | 3.524 | 69 |
| 2 | Barnsley Barnsley F.C. Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's... |
46 | 24 | 10 | 12 | 77 | 57 | 1.351 | 58 |
| 3 | 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 | 21 | 15 | 10 | 77 | 56 | 1.375 | 57 |
| 4 | 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 | 21 | 13 | 12 | 74 | 55 | 1.345 | 55 |
| 5 | 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 | 22 | 9 | 15 | 60 | 55 | 1.091 | 53 |
| 6 | 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 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 76 | 64 | 1.188 | 52 |
| 7 | 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 | 20 | 11 | 15 | 88 | 67 | 1.313 | 51 |
| 8 | Wrexham | 46 | 21 | 9 | 16 | 81 | 68 | 1.191 | 51 |
| 9 | 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 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 77 | 68 | 1.132 | 50 |
| 10 | 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 | 18 | 11 | 17 | 77 | 67 | 1.149 | 47 |
| 11 | 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 | 17 | 12 | 17 | 63 | 60 | 1.050 | 46 |
| 12 | 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 | 72 | 71 | 1.014 | 44 |
| 13 | 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 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 83 | 71 | 1.169 | 43 |
| 14 | 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 | 18 | 7 | 21 | 59 | 70 | 0.843 | 43 |
| 15 | 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 | 16 | 10 | 20 | 66 | 74 | 0.892 | 42 |
| 16 | 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 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 49 | 67 | 0.731 | 41 |
| 17 | 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 | 16 | 9 | 21 | 51 | 77 | 0.662 | 41 |
| 18 | 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 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 59 | 65 | 0.908 | 40 |
| 19 | 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 | 15 | 10 | 21 | 59 | 77 | 0.766 | 40 |
| 20 | Workington Workington A.F.C. Workington A.F.C. is an English football club from Workington, Cumbria. They are in the Conference North, and play their home matches at Borough Park, which has a capacity of 3,101 . The club play in red, and are known locally as the Reds... |
46 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 59 | 80 | 0.738 | 40 |
| 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 | 12 | 14 | 20 | 50 | 71 | 0.704 | 38 |
| 22 | 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 | 12 | 13 | 21 | 64 | 86 | 0.744 | 37 |
| 23 | 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 | 12 | 10 | 24 | 44 | 73 | 0.603 | 34 |
| 24 | 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 | 10 | 25 | 48 | 67 | 0.716 | 32 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 August 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 | 2–1 | 10,410 | 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... , Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
| 22 August 1953 | Barnsley Barnsley F.C. Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's... |
|H | 0–0 | 14,223 | |
| 24 August 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 | 0–0 | 7,783 | |
| 29 August 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... |
|A | 3–0 | 6,278 | 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.... |
| 31 August 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 | 4–0 | 13,403 | Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... (3), Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... |
| 5 September 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 | 3–1 | 20,052 | 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.... |
| 7 September 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... |
|H | 2–0 | 19,270 | 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... (2) |
| 12 September 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 | 0–1 | 11,382 | |
| 16 September 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 | 2–1 | 10,960 | 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.... |
| 19 September 1953 | Workington Workington A.F.C. Workington A.F.C. is an English football club from Workington, Cumbria. They are in the Conference North, and play their home matches at Borough Park, which has a capacity of 3,101 . The club play in red, and are known locally as the Reds... |
H | 2–0 | 16,627 | Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... , 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 September 1953 | 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 | 1–0 | 17,482 | 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... |
| 26 September 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 | 2–0 | 12,630 | 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... |
| 28 September 1953 | 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 | 0–0 | 17,883 | |
| 3 October 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 | 5–0 | 18,778 | Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... (2), 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.... , Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... , 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... |
| 10 October 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 | 2–1 | 15,806 | 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.... , Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... |
| 17 October 1953 | 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 | 19,204 | 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.... |
| 24 October 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... |
A | 1–0 | 10,361 | 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... |
| 31 October 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.... |
H | 1–0 | 12,454 | 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... |
| 7 November 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 | 2–2 | 7,895 | 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.... , Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... |
| 14 November 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 | 2–0 | 14,799 | 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... (2) |
| 28 November 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... |
H | 6–0 | 16,841 | Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... (3), 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... (2), Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
| 5 December 1953 | Wrexham | A | 1–1 | 14,570 | Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
| 19 December 1953 | Barnsley Barnsley F.C. Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's... |
A | 1–0 | 11,426 | Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
| 25 December 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 | 1–0 | 15,322 | Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
| 26 December 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 | 1–0 | 10,979 | Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
| 16 January 1954 | 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 | 1–2 | 8,554 | Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... |
| 23 January 1954 | 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 | 0–0 | 20,370 | |
| 6 February 1954 | Workington Workington A.F.C. Workington A.F.C. is an English football club from Workington, Cumbria. They are in the Conference North, and play their home matches at Borough Park, which has a capacity of 3,101 . The club play in red, and are known locally as the Reds... |
A | 0–2 | 13,714 | |
| 13 February 1954 | 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 | 0–0 | 17,240 | |
| 24 February 1954 | 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 | 1–0 | 7,131 | Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
| 27 February 1954 | 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 | 2–2 | 19,886 | Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... , 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.... |
| 6 March 1954 | 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 | 3–1 | 9,946 | 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.... |
| 15 March 1954 | 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 | 2–0 | 10,533 | 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.... , 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... |
| 20 March 1954 | 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 | 0–0 | 9,995 | |
| 30 March 1954 | 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 | 1–0 | 9,367 | 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.... |
| 1 April 1954 | 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 | 3–0 | 18,418 | 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... (2), Barber Len Barber Leonard Barber is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Barber played for Bury before joining Port Vale in June 1947. He spent seven seasons with the club and racked up 47 appearances and 12 goals – all in the league... |
| 3 April 1954 | 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 | 2–2 | 9,952 | 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... , 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.... |
| 5 April 1954 | 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 | 13,060 | Barber Len Barber Leonard Barber is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Barber played for Bury before joining Port Vale in June 1947. He spent seven seasons with the club and racked up 47 appearances and 12 goals – all in the league... |
| 7 April 1954 | 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 | 1–1 | 15,240 | 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.... |
| 10 April 1954 | 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 | 7–0 | 19,513 | Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... (3), 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.... (2), 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.... , 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... |
| 16 April 1954 | 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 | 26,941 | |
| 17 April 1954 | 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 | 0–0 | 14,749 | |
| 19 April 1954 | 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 | 12,328 | |
| 24 April 1954 | Wrexham | H | 2–0 | 18,174 | Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... , 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.... |
| 26 April 1954 | 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 | 1–1 | 11,840 | 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.... |
| 29 April 1954 | 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 | 1–1 | 11,502 | 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... |
FA Cup
| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | 21 November 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... |
A | 3–1 | 10,700 | 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.... , 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.... |
| R2 | 12 December 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... |
A | 1–1 | 12,529 | Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
| R2 Replay | 14 December 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 | 2–0 | 13,024 | 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.... , Hayward Basil Hayward Carl Basil Hayward was an English footballer player and manager. He was the younger brother of Doug and Eric Hayward.... |
| R3 | 9 January 1954 | Queens Park Rangers Queens Park Rangers F.C. Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years... |
A | 1–0 | 17,474 | 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... |
| R4 | 30 January 1954 | Cardiff City Cardiff City F.C. Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for... |
A | 2–0 | 27,295 | Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... , 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... |
| R5 | 20 February 1954 | Blackpool Blackpool F.C. Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the... |
H | 2–0 | 42,000 | 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... (2) |
| R6 | 13 March 1954 | Leyton Orient Leyton Orient F.C. Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63... |
A | 1–0 | 31,000 | 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... |
| SF | 27 March 1954 | West Bromwich Albion West Bromwich Albion F.C. West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands... |
N | 1–2 | 68,221 | 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... |
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... |
45 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 53 | 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... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| DF | Tommy Cheadle Tommy Cheadle Thomas Cheadle was an English footballer. He played for Port Vale in various positions for over a decade... |
38 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 46 | 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... |
42 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 50 | 0 |
| 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 | 8 | 0 | 51 | 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 | 8 | 0 | 53 | 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:... |
7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 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:... |
5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 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:... |
5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 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... |
40 | 13 | 8 | 7 | 48 | 20 |
| 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.... |
42 | 8 | 8 | 1 | 50 | 9 |
| 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... |
46 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 54 | 1 |
| 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.... |
45 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 53 | 6 |
| MF | Roy Brien Roy Brien William Roy Brien is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Brien joined Port Vale in May 1951 and made his debut in a goalless draw at Rochdale on 17 April 1954... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 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 | 8 | 3 | 45 | 25 |
| 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.... |
36 | 16 | 7 | 1 | 43 | 17 |
| 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... |
19 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 5 |
| FW | Len Barber Len Barber Leonard Barber is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Barber played for Bury before joining Port Vale in June 1947. He spent seven seasons with the club and racked up 47 appearances and 12 goals – all in the league... |
8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 |
| FW | Roland Lewis Roland Lewis Roland Lewis is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Lewis played for Congleton Town before joining Port Vale in March 1950. He made his debut in a 2–0 defeat at Norwich City on 19 August 1950, after starting the next two games he lost his position to Cliff Pinchbeck, who had failed to... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 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.... |
25 |
| 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... |
20 |
| Ken Griffiths Ken Griffiths Kenneth James Griffiths is an English former football forward. He scored 59 goals in 221 games in the Football League.... |
17 |
| 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.... |
9 |
| 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.... |
6 |
| 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... |
5 |
| 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 |
| Len Barber Len Barber Leonard Barber is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Barber played for Bury before joining Port Vale in June 1947. He spent seven seasons with the club and racked up 47 appearances and 12 goals – all in the league... |
|
| 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... |
1 |
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.... |
16 |
| 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... |
13 |
| 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.... |
8 |
| 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.... |
5 |
| 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... |
|
| 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 |
| Len Barber Len Barber Leonard Barber is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Barber played for Bury before joining Port Vale in June 1947. He spent seven seasons with the club and racked up 47 appearances and 12 goals – all in the league... |
|
| 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... |
1 |