1977–78 Port Vale F.C. season
Encyclopedia
The 1977–78 season was Port Vale
's sixty-sixth season of football in the Football League
, and their eighth successive season (fourteenth overall) in the Third Division
. Finishing in 21st place, they were relegated to the Fourth Division
. Roy Sproson
was sacked in October after a poor start to the season, though things did not improve under his replacement Bobby Smith, despite Smith spending big money to bring in new players. Smith also left the club at the end of the season.
attempt to re-sign Sammy Morgan
for £12,000, however Morgan refused personal terms. Former Player of the Year David Harris
also refused terms and demanded a transfer, so Terry Alcock
re-joined on a month's trial to take his place. Three players arrived on free transfers: Jeff Hemmerman
and Grahame McGifford
from Hull City
, and Bill Bentley
from Blackpool
. On a 28 June meeting, Sproson was severely criticized for his poor judgement of players and his seeming to place greater priority on his newsagent business than the club. Sproson did not attend the meeting, but was informed the board would review his position after fifteen games. The Football Association
also hit the club with a £500 fine for their continuing problem with player indiscipline, despite Sproson's argument that no Vale players had been sent off in the last two years.
The season began poorly, though Harris returned to the first eleven and Alcock thus departed. Keeper John Connaughton
picked up a knee injury, whilst a reporter from The Sentinel was allegedly told "I'll kill you" by a club official after he criticized the team in the paper. The reporter noted that "there is disenchantment in the air". The situated was calmed on 27 September, when Vale beat high-flying Colchester United
3–2 at Layer Road
, reserve keeper Trevor Dance
making a double penalty save. This was only a reprieve for Sproson however, as Vale would go the next fourteen league games without a victory, and the Vale Park
faithful turned against the team. This run was not too damaging however, as eleven of the games were draws. Included in this was a club record streak of six home draws, lasting from 10 October to 27 December. Sproson complained of Mick Cullerton
's attitude, and had to endure speculation of former Stoke City
manager Tony Waddington
taking his job. Sproson was sacked in October, and he rejected the offer of an executive position at the club. Colin Harper
was made caretaker-manager. The board tried and failed to attract Bill McGarry
to the vacant managerial position, and so advertised the position with a significant salary increase to attract applicants. On 17 November, Bobby Smith was sacked as Bury
manager, and the next day walked into the Vale job. He appointed Dennis Butler
as his assistant, as Harper left the club. Sproson also returned to Vale with an offer 'to help in any capacity'. Victory finally came on New Years Eve with a 3–0 win over Rotherham United
. Soon after this the 'Vale Lottery' was introduced, which proved to be a real money-spinner, and a five-a-side pitch was built for training.
In January, veteran defender Graham Hawkins
was signed as a player-coach from Blackburn Rovers
for £6,000. Forward Neville Chamberlain
also joined the club as a professional, becoming the club's first black
pro. John Froggatt
also joined the club, signing striker from Colchester United
for £10,000. Chairman Arthur McPherson celebrated this abandonment of frugality by declaring "we are going places". Chris Harper slated the board for their decisions, calling them 'berserk'. Froggatt scored fifteen seconds into his debut in a 4–0 win over Exeter City
. However this would be as good as it got for both Froggatt and Vale that season. In February, Vale beat Fort Lauderdale Strikers in a friendly, but also started a five games sequence without a win. Ged Stenson
arrived the next month from Everton
for a 'bargain' £3,000, and John Lumsdon
joined on loan from Stoke City
. Vale improved, and were unbeaten in six of their seven March games, with Chamberlain scoring on his debut. Yet on 28 March they started a club-record streak of twelve home games without a win that would continue into the following season. Encouragement came from the youth side, who reached the Quarter Finals of the FA Youth Cup
. With four games to go, Vale were point clear of the drop, however by losing all of their remaining games they doomed themselves to the Fourth Division
.
They finished in 21st place with 36 points, three short of Rotherham United and safety. Their tally of 46 goals scored was the third-lowest in the division. They had failed to keep a clean sheet on their travels all season, achieving just one away win. Player of the Year Ken Beamish
hit sixteen goals, far outscoring his rivals.
and Grahame McGifford (Northwich Victoria
); Derek Brownbill
(Cleveland Cobras
); Alan Lamb (Dundee
); and Kevin Kennerley
(Stafford Rangers
). Manager Bobby Smith also departed, having taken the vacant position at Swindon Town
– Vale received £10,500 in compensation. Dennis Butler rejected the opportunity to leave with him, and instead was appointed as Smith's replacement at Vale. Graham Hawkins became Butler's assistant.
, Smith's first game in charge was a goalless draw at Midland Counties League side Arnold
. The replay in Burslem
was won 5–2, the club's biggest win since January 1969
. In the Second Round, Vale drew 1–1 with Walsall
at Fellows Park
, before losing the replay 3–1 after Connaughton allowed a speculative shot from 25 yards out to trickle through his hands. He later admitted "I deserve to be strung up!".
In the League Cup
, Vale beat Preston North End
2–1 in the home leg, though the fixture was unsettled by crowd violence. Preston won the return leg at Deepdale
, and also the replay at Edgeley Park
, Stockport
.
P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; 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 sixty-sixth 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 eighth successive season (fourteenth overall) in the Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
. Finishing in 21st place, they were relegated to the Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
. 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...
was sacked in October after a poor start to the season, though things did not improve under his replacement Bobby Smith, despite Smith spending big money to bring in new players. Smith also left the club at the end of the season.
Third Division
The pre-season saw manager Roy SprosonRoy 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...
attempt to re-sign Sammy Morgan
Sammy Morgan
Samuel John "Sammy" Morgan is a Northern Irish former footballer, who now works as Academy Manager at Ipswich Town....
for £12,000, however Morgan refused personal terms. Former Player of the Year David Harris
David Harris (footballer)
David Harris is a former English football defender who had a six year professional career in the Football League with Port Vale from 1973 to 1979. He was voted the club's Player of the Year in 1974 and 1977...
also refused terms and demanded a transfer, so Terry Alcock
Terry Alcock
Terrence "Terry" Alcock is an English former professional football defender.He played for Port Vale from 1963 to 1967, before spending nine years with Blackpool. He played over 100 appearances for Port Vale in the Football League and almost 200 appearances for Blackpool...
re-joined on a month's trial to take his place. Three players arrived on free transfers: Jeff Hemmerman
Jeff Hemmerman
Jeffrey Lawrence Hemmerman is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Hemmerman came through the youth ranks at Hull City but struggled to ever make a big impact on the first team and was loaned out to Scunthorpe United in 1975 to try and gain experience...
and Grahame McGifford
Grahame McGifford
Grahame Leslie McGifford is an English former footballer, who played for Huddersfield Town, Hull City, Port Vale and Northwich Victoria.-Playing career:...
from Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
, and Bill Bentley
Bill Bentley
William John "Bill" Bentley is an English former professional football player. He played as a left-back....
from 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...
. On a 28 June meeting, Sproson was severely criticized for his poor judgement of players and his seeming to place greater priority on his newsagent business than the club. Sproson did not attend the meeting, but was informed the board would review his position after fifteen games. The Football Association
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...
also hit the club with a £500 fine for their continuing problem with player indiscipline, despite Sproson's argument that no Vale players had been sent off in the last two years.
The season began poorly, though Harris returned to the first eleven and Alcock thus departed. Keeper John Connaughton
John Connaughton
Patrick John Connaughton is an English former professional football goalkeeper. He played 387 games in a sixteen year career. He also represented England at youth level on three occasions....
picked up a knee injury, whilst a reporter from The Sentinel was allegedly told "I'll kill you" by a club official after he criticized the team in the paper. The reporter noted that "there is disenchantment in the air". The situated was calmed on 27 September, when Vale beat high-flying Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
3–2 at Layer Road
Layer Road
Layer Road was a Football League stadium in Colchester, England. It was only used for football matches and was the home ground of Colchester United before being replaced by the Weston Homes Community Stadium. The stadium held spectators and was built in 1907, originally for use by Colchester Town...
, reserve keeper Trevor Dance
Trevor Dance
Trevor Dance is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Dance joined Port Vale as an apprentice in August, signing his first professional forms in July 1976 and making his debut in a 2–1 defeat at Mansfield Town on 28 December 1976...
making a double penalty save. This was only a reprieve for Sproson however, as Vale would go the next fourteen league games without a victory, and the 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....
faithful turned against the team. This run was not too damaging however, as eleven of the games were draws. Included in this was a club record streak of six home draws, lasting from 10 October to 27 December. Sproson complained of Mick Cullerton
Mick Cullerton
Michael Joseph Cullerton is a former Scottish footballer. He is noted for his two spells with Port Vale, as well as for being Stafford Rangers' star forward as they were one of the elite non-league clubs in the 1970s....
's attitude, and had to endure speculation of former 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...
manager Tony Waddington
Tony Waddington
Anthony Waddington was an English football player and manager. He managed Stoke City F.C. from 1960 until 1977 and guided them to their only major trophy - the League Cup in 1972. He later managed his only playing club, Crewe Alexandra, from June 1979 to July 1981...
taking his job. Sproson was sacked in October, and he rejected the offer of an executive position at the club. Colin Harper
Colin Harper (footballer)
Colin Harper is an English former professional footballer who played as a left-back.-Playing career:Harper started his career at Ipswich Town, where he made almost 150 appearances between 1964 and 1977. In 1976 he had a short loan spell with Grimsby Town and the following year made 15 league...
was made caretaker-manager. The board tried and failed to attract Bill McGarry
Bill McGarry
William Harry "Bill" McGarry was an English international football player and manager.A right-half as a player, he joined Port Vale following the end of World War II, and spent the next six years with the club. He then moved on to Huddersfield Town in 1951, where he would spend the next ten years...
to the vacant managerial position, and so advertised the position with a significant salary increase to attract applicants. On 17 November, Bobby Smith was sacked as Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
manager, and the next day walked into the Vale job. He appointed Dennis Butler
Dennis Butler
Dennis Anthony Butler is an English former footballer and football manager. He played as a winger for Bolton Wanderers between 1959 and 1968, before ending his playing career following a five year spell at Rochdale...
as his assistant, as Harper left the club. Sproson also returned to Vale with an offer 'to help in any capacity'. Victory finally came on New Years Eve with a 3–0 win over Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
. Soon after this the 'Vale Lottery' was introduced, which proved to be a real money-spinner, and a five-a-side pitch was built for training.
In January, veteran defender Graham Hawkins
Graham Hawkins
Graham Norman Hawkins is an English former football player and manager.A defender, he began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1964, before he moved on to Preston North End three years later. In seven years with Preston he made 245 league appearances, and also served as their captain...
was signed as a player-coach from Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
for £6,000. Forward Neville Chamberlain
Neville Chamberlain (footballer)
Neville Patrick Chamberlain is a retired English footballer. His brother, Mark was also a footballer, and his nephew Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain plays for Arsenal.-Playing career:...
also joined the club as a professional, becoming the club's first black
Black people
The term black people is used in systems of racial classification for humans of a dark skinned phenotype, relative to other racial groups.Different societies apply different criteria regarding who is classified as "black", and often social variables such as class, socio-economic status also plays a...
pro. John Froggatt
John Froggatt
John Lawrence Froggatt is an English former footballer.-Playing career:...
also joined the club, signing striker from Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
for £10,000. Chairman Arthur McPherson celebrated this abandonment of frugality by declaring "we are going places". Chris Harper slated the board for their decisions, calling them 'berserk'. Froggatt scored fifteen seconds into his debut in a 4–0 win over 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...
. However this would be as good as it got for both Froggatt and Vale that season. In February, Vale beat Fort Lauderdale Strikers in a friendly, but also started a five games sequence without a win. Ged Stenson
Ged Stenson
Gerard Patrick Stenson is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Stenson played for Everton before joining Third Division Port Vale in March 1978. The club were relegated that season, but Stenon's debut came on 12 August 1978, in a League Cup round one 3–0 home defeat to Chester...
arrived the next month from Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
for a 'bargain' £3,000, and John Lumsdon
John Lumsdon
John David Lumsdon is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Lumsdon started his career with Stoke City. He was loaned to Potteries derby rivals Port Vale in March 1978 and played five games for the Vale before returning at the end of the season. He later moved on to Telford...
joined on loan from 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...
. Vale improved, and were unbeaten in six of their seven March games, with Chamberlain scoring on his debut. Yet on 28 March they started a club-record streak of twelve home games without a win that would continue into the following season. Encouragement came from the youth side, who reached the Quarter Finals of the FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
. With four games to go, Vale were point clear of the drop, however by losing all of their remaining games they doomed themselves to the Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
.
They finished in 21st place with 36 points, three short of Rotherham United and safety. Their tally of 46 goals scored was the third-lowest in the division. They had failed to keep a clean sheet on their travels all season, achieving just one away win. Player of the Year Ken Beamish
Ken Beamish
Kenneth George "Ken" Beamish is an English former football player, coach and manager. In his playing days he was a forward, and he scored a total of 159 goals in 554 league games....
hit sixteen goals, far outscoring his rivals.
Finances
On the financial side, a loss of £1,575 was made. The massive transfer outlay was paid for by huge donations of £51,428 from the Sportsmen's Association and the Development Fund. The lottery also brought in £600 a week. Gate receipts had brought in £78,965, a downturn in attendance being outweighed by an increase in ticket prices. Seven players were handed free transfers, five of which were: Mick CullertonMick Cullerton
Michael Joseph Cullerton is a former Scottish footballer. He is noted for his two spells with Port Vale, as well as for being Stafford Rangers' star forward as they were one of the elite non-league clubs in the 1970s....
and Grahame McGifford (Northwich Victoria
Northwich Victoria F.C.
Northwich Victoria Football Club are an English football club who play at the Victoria Stadium in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of...
); Derek Brownbill
Derek Brownbill
Derek Anthony Brownbill is a former English footballer who played as a forward. He played in the Football League for Liverpool and Port Vale between 1973 and 1978, before spells with American side Cleveland Cobras and English non-league clubs Wigan Athletic, Stafford Rangers, Oswestry Town,...
(Cleveland Cobras
Cleveland Cobras
The Cleveland Stars were an American soccer club based in Cleveland, Ohio and a member of the American Soccer League in 1972-73. Before the 1974 season, the name was changed to the Cleveland Cobras. The Stars' colors were blue and white...
); Alan Lamb (Dundee
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
); and Kevin Kennerley
Kevin Kennerley
Kevin Robert Kennerley is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. An FA Youth Cup winner with Arsenal, he played professional football for Burnley, Port Vale and Swansea City, before he played non-league football with Stafford Rangers, Nantwich Town and Droylsden.-Playing...
(Stafford Rangers
Stafford Rangers F.C.
Stafford Rangers Football Club is a semi-professional English football team from Stafford which plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.The team wear black and white stripes with black shorts...
). Manager Bobby Smith also departed, having taken the vacant position at Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
– Vale received £10,500 in compensation. Dennis Butler rejected the opportunity to leave with him, and instead was appointed as Smith's replacement at Vale. Graham Hawkins became Butler's assistant.
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...
, Smith's first game in charge was a goalless draw at Midland Counties League side Arnold
Arnold Town F.C.
Arnold Town F.C. is a football club based in Arnold, a suburb of Nottingham, England.It was formed in 1989 following a merger between Arnold F.C. and Arnold Kingswell F.C. It reached the 5th round of the FA Vase in the season 2001-02 and again in 2005-06.The club plays in the Northern Counties East...
. The replay in 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:...
was won 5–2, the club's biggest win since January 1969
1968–69 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1968–69 season was Port Vale's fifty-seventh season of football in the Football League, and their fourth successive season in the Fourth Division. New manager Gordon Lee used the season to consolidate the club after it was readmitted to the Football League immediately after being expelled for...
. In the Second Round, Vale drew 1–1 with Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
at Fellows Park
Fellows Park
Fellows Park was a football stadium in Walsall, England. It was the home ground of Walsall F.C. from 1896 till 1990, when the team moved to the Bescot Stadium....
, before losing the replay 3–1 after Connaughton allowed a speculative shot from 25 yards out to trickle through his hands. He later admitted "I deserve to be strung up!".
In the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
, Vale beat Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
2–1 in the home leg, though the fixture was unsettled by crowd violence. Preston won the return leg at Deepdale
Deepdale
Deepdale is a stadium in the Deepdale area of Preston, England, the home of Preston North End F.C. and, up to 2010, England's National Football Museum. Preston North End are one of the founder members of the Football League.- History :...
, and also the replay at Edgeley Park
Edgeley Park
Edgeley Park is an association football and rugby union stadium in Stockport, England. The stadium was initially built for the rugby league club Stockport in 1901, but by 1902, the rugby club was defunct and in the same year, Stockport County Football Club, who were looking for a bigger ground,...
, Stockport
Stockport
Stockport is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on elevated ground southeast of Manchester city centre, at the point where the rivers Goyt and Tame join and create the River Mersey. Stockport is the largest settlement in the metropolitan borough of the same name...
.
Final league table
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wrexham | 46 | 23 | 15 | 8 | 78 | 45 | 61 | |
| 2 | Cambridge United Cambridge United F.C. Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League... |
46 | 23 | 12 | 11 | 72 | 51 | 58 | |
| 3 | Preston North End Preston North End F.C. Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One... |
46 | 20 | 16 | 10 | 63 | 38 | 56 | |
| 4 | Peterborough United Peterborough United F.C. Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is... |
46 | 20 | 16 | 10 | 47 | 33 | 56 | |
| 5 | 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 | 16 | 22 | 8 | 59 | 56 | 54 | |
| 6 | Walsall Walsall F.C. Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second... |
46 | 18 | 17 | 11 | 61 | 50 | 53 | |
| 7 | Gillingham Gillingham F.C. Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium... |
46 | 15 | 20 | 11 | 67 | 60 | 50 | |
| 8 | Colchester United Colchester United F.C. Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910.... |
46 | 15 | 18 | 13 | 55 | 44 | 48 | |
| 9 | 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 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 58 | 49 | 48 | |
| 10 | Swindon Town Swindon Town F.C. Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011... |
46 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 67 | 60 | 48 | |
| 11 | Shrewsbury Town Shrewsbury Town F.C. Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football... |
46 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 63 | 57 | 47 | |
| 12 | 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 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 57 | 52 | 47 | |
| 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 | 19 | 13 | 59 | 59 | 47 | |
| 14 | Sheffield Wednesday Sheffield Wednesday F.C. Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the... |
46 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 50 | 52 | ||
| 46 | |||||||||
| 15 | Bury Bury F.C. Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the... |
46 | 13 | 19 | 14 | 62 | 56 | 45 | |
| 16 | Lincoln City Lincoln City F.C. Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League.... |
46 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 53 | 61 | ||
| 45 | |||||||||
| 17 | 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... |
46 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 49 | 59 | ||
| 44 | |||||||||
| 18 | Oxford United Oxford United F.C. Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The... |
46 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 64 | 67 | ||
| 40 | |||||||||
| 19 | Plymouth Argyle Plymouth Argyle F.C. Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the... |
46 | 11 | 17 | 18 | 61 | 68 | ||
| 39 | |||||||||
| 20 | Rotherham United Rotherham United F.C. Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history... |
46 | 13 | 13 | 20 | 51 | 68 | ||
| 39 | |||||||||
| 21 | 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 | 8 | 20 | 18 | 46 | 67 | -21 | 36 |
| 22 | 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 | 12 | 10 | 24 | 56 | 86 | ||
| 34 | |||||||||
| 23 | Hereford United Hereford United F.C. Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',... |
46 | 9 | 14 | 23 | 34 | 60 | ||
| 32 | |||||||||
| 24 | Portsmouth Portsmouth F.C. Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from... |
46 | 7 | 17 | 22 | 41 | 75 | ||
| 31 |
P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points
Legend
| Win | Draw | Loss |
Football League Third Division
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 August 1977 | 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 | 1–3 | 4,091 | Hemmerman Jeff Hemmerman Jeffrey Lawrence Hemmerman is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Hemmerman came through the youth ranks at Hull City but struggled to ever make a big impact on the first team and was loaned out to Scunthorpe United in 1975 to try and gain experience... (pen) |
| 27 August 1977 | Wrexham | |A | 1–1 | 5,797 | Brownbill Derek Brownbill Derek Anthony Brownbill is a former English footballer who played as a forward. He played in the Football League for Liverpool and Port Vale between 1973 and 1978, before spells with American side Cleveland Cobras and English non-league clubs Wigan Athletic, Stafford Rangers, Oswestry Town,... |
| 3 September 1977 | Lincoln City Lincoln City F.C. Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League.... |
|H | 2–1 | 3,520 | Hemmerman Jeff Hemmerman Jeffrey Lawrence Hemmerman is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Hemmerman came through the youth ranks at Hull City but struggled to ever make a big impact on the first team and was loaned out to Scunthorpe United in 1975 to try and gain experience... (2 [1 pen]) |
| 10 September 1977 | 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... |
|A | 1–4 | 5,026 | Cullerton Mick Cullerton Michael Joseph Cullerton is a former Scottish footballer. He is noted for his two spells with Port Vale, as well as for being Stafford Rangers' star forward as they were one of the elite non-league clubs in the 1970s.... |
| 12 September 1977 | 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 | 1–0 | 3,814 | Lamb |
| 17 September 1977 | Sheffield Wednesday Sheffield Wednesday F.C. Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the... |
|H | 0–0 | 5,136 | |
| 24 September 1977 | Walsall Walsall F.C. Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second... |
|A | 0–2 | 4,897 | |
| 27 September 1977 | Colchester United Colchester United F.C. Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910.... |
|A | 3–2 | 4,820 | Beamish Ken Beamish Kenneth George "Ken" Beamish is an English former football player, coach and manager. In his playing days he was a forward, and he scored a total of 159 goals in 554 league games.... (2), Beech Kenny Beech Kenneth "Kenny" Beech is a former English footballer. A midfielder, he played for Port Vale between 1976 and 1981, picking up the club's Player of the Year award in 1980, also playing on loan at American club Cleveland Cobras in 1978. In 1981 he was sold to Walsall, before he moved on to... |
| 1 October 1977 | Bury Bury F.C. Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the... |
|H | 1–2 | 3,672 | Cullerton Mick Cullerton Michael Joseph Cullerton is a former Scottish footballer. He is noted for his two spells with Port Vale, as well as for being Stafford Rangers' star forward as they were one of the elite non-league clubs in the 1970s.... |
| 8 October 1977 | Shrewsbury Town Shrewsbury Town F.C. Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football... |
|A | 0–3 | 3,553 | |
| 10 October 1977 | Gillingham Gillingham F.C. Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium... |
|H | 2–2 | 3,418 | Bailey Terry Bailey Terence "Terry" Bailey is a former English footballer who played as a midfielder. His son Mark Bailey also played professional football.After a brief association with Winsford United, he joined Stafford Rangers in 1968... , Brownbill Derek Brownbill Derek Anthony Brownbill is a former English footballer who played as a forward. He played in the Football League for Liverpool and Port Vale between 1973 and 1978, before spells with American side Cleveland Cobras and English non-league clubs Wigan Athletic, Stafford Rangers, Oswestry Town,... |
| 15 October 1977 | Swindon Town Swindon Town F.C. Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011... |
|A | 1–1 | 6,327 | Sutcliffe Peter Sutcliffe (footballer) Peter David Sutcliffe is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Sutcliffe played for Manchester United and Stockport County before he joined Port Vale for £3,000 in March 1977... |
| 22 October 1977 | Peterborough United Peterborough United F.C. Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is... |
|H | 0–0 | 3,502 | |
| 29 October 1977 | Hereford United Hereford United F.C. Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',... |
|A | 1–1 | 5,393 | Sutcliffe Peter Sutcliffe (footballer) Peter David Sutcliffe is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Sutcliffe played for Manchester United and Stockport County before he joined Port Vale for £3,000 in March 1977... |
| 5 November 1977 | Preston North End Preston North End F.C. Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One... |
|H | 0–0 | 4,208 | |
| 12 November 1977 | 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 | 1–2 | 3,321 | Brownbill Derek Brownbill Derek Anthony Brownbill is a former English footballer who played as a forward. He played in the Football League for Liverpool and Port Vale between 1973 and 1978, before spells with American side Cleveland Cobras and English non-league clubs Wigan Athletic, Stafford Rangers, Oswestry Town,... |
| 15 November 1977 | Portsmouth Portsmouth F.C. Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from... |
|A | 1–1 | 7,071 | Hemmerman Jeff Hemmerman Jeffrey Lawrence Hemmerman is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Hemmerman came through the youth ranks at Hull City but struggled to ever make a big impact on the first team and was loaned out to Scunthorpe United in 1975 to try and gain experience... |
| 19 November 1977 | 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 | 1–1 | 3,576 | Hemmerman Jeff Hemmerman Jeffrey Lawrence Hemmerman is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Hemmerman came through the youth ranks at Hull City but struggled to ever make a big impact on the first team and was loaned out to Scunthorpe United in 1975 to try and gain experience... (pen) |
| 3 December 1977 | 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 | 1–1 | 4,323 | Bailey Terry Bailey Terence "Terry" Bailey is a former English footballer who played as a midfielder. His son Mark Bailey also played professional football.After a brief association with Winsford United, he joined Stafford Rangers in 1968... (pen) |
| 9 December 1977 | Plymouth Argyle Plymouth Argyle F.C. Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the... |
|H | 3–3 | 3,650 | Beamish Ken Beamish Kenneth George "Ken" Beamish is an English former football player, coach and manager. In his playing days he was a forward, and he scored a total of 159 goals in 554 league games.... , Harris David Harris (footballer) David Harris is a former English football defender who had a six year professional career in the Football League with Port Vale from 1973 to 1979. He was voted the club's Player of the Year in 1974 and 1977... , Lamb |
| 26 December 1977 | Cambridge United Cambridge United F.C. Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League... |
|A | 0–2 | 6,124 | |
| 27 December 1977 | Oxford United Oxford United F.C. Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The... |
|H | 1–1 | 3,997 | Harris David Harris (footballer) David Harris is a former English football defender who had a six year professional career in the Football League with Port Vale from 1973 to 1979. He was voted the club's Player of the Year in 1974 and 1977... |
| 31 December 1977 | Rotherham United Rotherham United F.C. Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history... |
|H | 3–0 | 3,861 | Beamish Ken Beamish Kenneth George "Ken" Beamish is an English former football player, coach and manager. In his playing days he was a forward, and he scored a total of 159 goals in 554 league games.... (2), Sutcliffe Peter Sutcliffe (footballer) Peter David Sutcliffe is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Sutcliffe played for Manchester United and Stockport County before he joined Port Vale for £3,000 in March 1977... |
| 2 January 1978 | Preston North End Preston North End F.C. Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One... |
|A | 0–2 | 10,940 | |
| 7 January 1978 | Portsmouth Portsmouth F.C. Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from... |
|H | 2–0 | 3,481 | Beamish Ken Beamish Kenneth George "Ken" Beamish is an English former football player, coach and manager. In his playing days he was a forward, and he scored a total of 159 goals in 554 league games.... (2) |
| 14 January 1978 | 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 | 0–2 | 4,619 | |
| 28 January 1978 | Lincoln City Lincoln City F.C. Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League.... |
|A | 0–3 | 3,205 | |
| 8 February 1978 | 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 | 4–0 | 3,333 | Froggatt John Froggatt John Lawrence Froggatt is an English former footballer.-Playing career:... , Sutcliffe Peter Sutcliffe (footballer) Peter David Sutcliffe is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Sutcliffe played for Manchester United and Stockport County before he joined Port Vale for £3,000 in March 1977... , Beamish Ken Beamish Kenneth George "Ken" Beamish is an English former football player, coach and manager. In his playing days he was a forward, and he scored a total of 159 goals in 554 league games.... , (pen) |
| 11 February 1978 | Sheffield Wednesday Sheffield Wednesday F.C. Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the... |
|A | 1–3 | 9,659 | Griffiths Neil Griffiths (footballer) Neil Griffiths is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths joined Port Vale from Chester in exchange for £5,000 and Tony Loska in December 1973. He lined up against his old club in the final of the 1977 Debenhams Cup and scored an own goal in a 4–1 defeat... (pen) |
| 25 February 1978 | Bury Bury F.C. Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the... |
|A | 0–3 | 4,475 | |
| 28 February 1978 | Walsall Walsall F.C. Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second... |
|H | 2–2 | 4,682 | Beamish Ken Beamish Kenneth George "Ken" Beamish is an English former football player, coach and manager. In his playing days he was a forward, and he scored a total of 159 goals in 554 league games.... , Lamb |
| 4 March 1978 | Shrewsbury Town Shrewsbury Town F.C. Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football... |
|H | 1–2 | 3,499 | Griffiths Neil Griffiths (footballer) Neil Griffiths is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths joined Port Vale from Chester in exchange for £5,000 and Tony Loska in December 1973. He lined up against his old club in the final of the 1977 Debenhams Cup and scored an own goal in a 4–1 defeat... (pen) |
| 8 March 1978 | 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 | 6,205 | Bailey Terry Bailey Terence "Terry" Bailey is a former English footballer who played as a midfielder. His son Mark Bailey also played professional football.After a brief association with Winsford United, he joined Stafford Rangers in 1968... |
| 11 March 1978 | Swindon Town Swindon Town F.C. Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011... |
|H | 1–0 | 3,723 | Chamberlain Neville Chamberlain (footballer) Neville Patrick Chamberlain is a retired English footballer. His brother, Mark was also a footballer, and his nephew Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain plays for Arsenal.-Playing career:... |
| 17 March 1978 | Peterborough United Peterborough United F.C. Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is... |
|A | 1–1 | 4,277 | Chamberlain Neville Chamberlain (footballer) Neville Patrick Chamberlain is a retired English footballer. His brother, Mark was also a footballer, and his nephew Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain plays for Arsenal.-Playing career:... |
| 22 March 1978 | Hereford United Hereford United F.C. Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',... |
|H | 1–0 | 3,220 | Froggatt John Froggatt John Lawrence Froggatt is an English former footballer.-Playing career:... |
| 25 March 1978 | Oxford United Oxford United F.C. Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The... |
|A | 1–1 | 4,120 | Beamish Ken Beamish Kenneth George "Ken" Beamish is an English former football player, coach and manager. In his playing days he was a forward, and he scored a total of 159 goals in 554 league games.... |
| 28 March 1978 | Cambridge United Cambridge United F.C. Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League... |
|H | 1–1 | 4,240 | Griffiths Neil Griffiths (footballer) Neil Griffiths is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths joined Port Vale from Chester in exchange for £5,000 and Tony Loska in December 1973. He lined up against his old club in the final of the 1977 Debenhams Cup and scored an own goal in a 4–1 defeat... (pen) |
| 1 April 1978 | Rotherham United Rotherham United F.C. Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history... |
|A | 0–2 | 3,707 | |
| 4 April 1978 | Gillingham Gillingham F.C. Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium... |
|A | 1–1 | 7,627 | Beamish Ken Beamish Kenneth George "Ken" Beamish is an English former football player, coach and manager. In his playing days he was a forward, and he scored a total of 159 goals in 554 league games.... |
| 8 April 1978 | 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 | 0–0 | 3,615 | |
| 11 April 1978 | Wrexham | |H | 1–1 | 6,912 | Hawkins Graham Hawkins Graham Norman Hawkins is an English former football player and manager.A defender, he began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1964, before he moved on to Preston North End three years later. In seven years with Preston he made 245 league appearances, and also served as their captain... |
| 14 April 1978 | 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 | 1–2 | 2,460 | Beamish Ken Beamish Kenneth George "Ken" Beamish is an English former football player, coach and manager. In his playing days he was a forward, and he scored a total of 159 goals in 554 league games.... |
| 22 April 1978 | 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 | 0–1 | 3,942 | |
| 24 April 1978 | Colchester United Colchester United F.C. Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910.... |
|H | 0–3 | 3,684 | |
| 29 April 1978 | Plymouth Argyle Plymouth Argyle F.C. Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the... |
|A | 2–3 | 9,474 | Beamish Ken Beamish Kenneth George "Ken" Beamish is an English former football player, coach and manager. In his playing days he was a forward, and he scored a total of 159 goals in 554 league games.... , Froggatt John Froggatt John Lawrence Froggatt is an English former footballer.-Playing career:... |
FA Cup
| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | 26 November 1977 | Arnold Arnold Town F.C. Arnold Town F.C. is a football club based in Arnold, a suburb of Nottingham, England.It was formed in 1989 following a merger between Arnold F.C. and Arnold Kingswell F.C. It reached the 5th round of the FA Vase in the season 2001-02 and again in 2005-06.The club plays in the Northern Counties East... |
A | 0–0 | 3,600 | |
| R1 Replay | 28 November 1977 | Arnold Arnold Town F.C. Arnold Town F.C. is a football club based in Arnold, a suburb of Nottingham, England.It was formed in 1989 following a merger between Arnold F.C. and Arnold Kingswell F.C. It reached the 5th round of the FA Vase in the season 2001-02 and again in 2005-06.The club plays in the Northern Counties East... |
H | 5–2 | 5,205 | Sutcliffe Peter Sutcliffe (footballer) Peter David Sutcliffe is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Sutcliffe played for Manchester United and Stockport County before he joined Port Vale for £3,000 in March 1977... (2), Bailey Terry Bailey Terence "Terry" Bailey is a former English footballer who played as a midfielder. His son Mark Bailey also played professional football.After a brief association with Winsford United, he joined Stafford Rangers in 1968... , Beamish Ken Beamish Kenneth George "Ken" Beamish is an English former football player, coach and manager. In his playing days he was a forward, and he scored a total of 159 goals in 554 league games.... , Ridley John Ridley (footballer) John Ridley is an English former footballer. A versatile midfielder, he had a twelve year professional career in the Football League, playing for Port Vale and Chesterfield, as well as Leicester City. He also played for non-league Stafford Rangers and for American side Fort Lauderdale Strikers.He... |
| R2 | 17 December 1977 | Walsall Walsall F.C. Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second... |
A | 1–1 | 5,978 | Beamish Ken Beamish Kenneth George "Ken" Beamish is an English former football player, coach and manager. In his playing days he was a forward, and he scored a total of 159 goals in 554 league games.... |
| R2 Replay | 19 December 1977 | Walsall Walsall F.C. Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second... |
H | 1–3 | 7,051 | Beamish Ken Beamish Kenneth George "Ken" Beamish is an English former football player, coach and manager. In his playing days he was a forward, and he scored a total of 159 goals in 554 league games.... |
League Cup
| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 1st Leg | 13 August 1977 | Preston North End Preston North End F.C. Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One... |
H | 2–1 | 4,630 | Beech Kenny Beech Kenneth "Kenny" Beech is a former English footballer. A midfielder, he played for Port Vale between 1976 and 1981, picking up the club's Player of the Year award in 1980, also playing on loan at American club Cleveland Cobras in 1978. In 1981 he was sold to Walsall, before he moved on to... , Alcock Terry Alcock Terrence "Terry" Alcock is an English former professional football defender.He played for Port Vale from 1963 to 1967, before spending nine years with Blackpool. He played over 100 appearances for Port Vale in the Football League and almost 200 appearances for Blackpool... |
| R1 2nd Leg | 16 August 1977 | Preston North End Preston North End F.C. Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One... |
A | 1–2 | 5,816 | Hemmerman Jeff Hemmerman Jeffrey Lawrence Hemmerman is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Hemmerman came through the youth ranks at Hull City but struggled to ever make a big impact on the first team and was loaned out to Scunthorpe United in 1975 to try and gain experience... (pen) |
| R1 Replay | 23 August 1977 | Preston North End Preston North End F.C. Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One... |
N | 1–2 | 2,201 | Alcock Terry Alcock Terrence "Terry" Alcock is an English former professional football defender.He played for Port Vale from 1963 to 1967, before spending nine years with Blackpool. He played over 100 appearances for Port Vale in the Football League and almost 200 appearances for Blackpool... |
Appearances
| Pos. | Name | Football League | FA Cup | League Cup | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| GK |  John ConnaughtonJohn Connaughton Patrick John Connaughton is an English former professional football goalkeeper. He played 387 games in a sixteen year career. He also represented England at youth level on three occasions.... |
38 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 45 | 0 |
| GK | Trevor Dance Trevor Dance Trevor Dance is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Dance joined Port Vale as an apprentice in August, signing his first professional forms in July 1976 and making his debut in a 2–1 defeat at Mansfield Town on 28 December 1976... |
8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| DF | Neil Griffiths Neil Griffiths (footballer) Neil Griffiths is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths joined Port Vale from Chester in exchange for £5,000 and Tony Loska in December 1973. He lined up against his old club in the final of the 1977 Debenhams Cup and scored an own goal in a 4–1 defeat... |
33 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 40 | 4 |
| DF | David Harris David Harris (footballer) David Harris is a former English football defender who had a six year professional career in the Football League with Port Vale from 1973 to 1979. He was voted the club's Player of the Year in 1974 and 1977... |
41 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 2 |
| DF | Garry Dulson Garry Dulson Garry Dulson is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Dulson played for Nottingham Forest before joining Port Vale on loan in October 1974 and signing permanently for £5,000 the next month. He enjoyed fairly regular football over the next four seasons but was loaned to Crewe Alexandra in... |
20 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 |
| DF | Terry Alcock Terry Alcock Terrence "Terry" Alcock is an English former professional football defender.He played for Port Vale from 1963 to 1967, before spending nine years with Blackpool. He played over 100 appearances for Port Vale in the Football League and almost 200 appearances for Blackpool... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
| DF | Phil Sproson Phil Sproson Phillip Jess "Phil" Sproson is a former English footballer who played as a central defender. He played in 500 matches for Port Vale and scored 41 goals , this places him third highest in the list of appearances for Port Vale... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| DF | Colin Harper Colin Harper (footballer) Colin Harper is an English former professional footballer who played as a left-back.-Playing career:Harper started his career at Ipswich Town, where he made almost 150 appearances between 1964 and 1977. In 1976 he had a short loan spell with Grimsby Town and the following year made 15 league... |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| DF | Graham Hawkins Graham Hawkins Graham Norman Hawkins is an English former football player and manager.A defender, he began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1964, before he moved on to Preston North End three years later. In seven years with Preston he made 245 league appearances, and also served as their captain... |
16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 |
| DF | John Lumsdon John Lumsdon John David Lumsdon is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Lumsdon started his career with Stoke City. He was loaned to Potteries derby rivals Port Vale in March 1978 and played five games for the Vale before returning at the end of the season. He later moved on to Telford... |
5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| DF | Grahame McGifford Grahame McGifford Grahame Leslie McGifford is an English former footballer, who played for Huddersfield Town, Hull City, Port Vale and Northwich Victoria.-Playing career:... |
20 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 27 | 0 |
| DF | Bill Bentley Bill Bentley William John "Bill" Bentley is an English former professional football player. He played as a left-back.... |
32 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 37 | 0 |
| DF | Brian Bithell Brian Bithell Brian Bithell is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Bithell started his career with Stoke City. He crossed the Potteries divide in September 1977 to spend time on loan with Port Vale. He only played two games however, before returning to the Potters in October of that year... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| MF | John Ridley John Ridley (footballer) John Ridley is an English former footballer. A versatile midfielder, he had a twelve year professional career in the Football League, playing for Port Vale and Chesterfield, as well as Leicester City. He also played for non-league Stafford Rangers and for American side Fort Lauderdale Strikers.He... |
40 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 47 | 1 |
| MF | Terry Bailey Terry Bailey Terence "Terry" Bailey is a former English footballer who played as a midfielder. His son Mark Bailey also played professional football.After a brief association with Winsford United, he joined Stafford Rangers in 1968... |
39 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 44 | 4 |
| MF | Kenny Beech Kenny Beech Kenneth "Kenny" Beech is a former English footballer. A midfielder, he played for Port Vale between 1976 and 1981, picking up the club's Player of the Year award in 1980, also playing on loan at American club Cleveland Cobras in 1978. In 1981 he was sold to Walsall, before he moved on to... |
26 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 30 | 2 |
| MF |  Alan Lamb |
40 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 47 | 3 |
| MF | Peter Sutcliffe Peter Sutcliffe (footballer) Peter David Sutcliffe is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Sutcliffe played for Manchester United and Stockport County before he joined Port Vale for £3,000 in March 1977... |
30 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 6 |
| MF | Kevin Kennerley Kevin Kennerley Kevin Robert Kennerley is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. An FA Youth Cup winner with Arsenal, he played professional football for Burnley, Port Vale and Swansea City, before he played non-league football with Stafford Rangers, Nantwich Town and Droylsden.-Playing... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| MF | Mick Moore Mick Moore Michael "Mick" Moore is an English former footballer. A midfielder, he played for Preston North End and Port Vale, but made his name at both Southport and Wigan Athletic. He helped Southport to the Fourth Division title in 1972–73, and also played for Wigan in their first ever season in the... |
13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| MF | Russell Bromage Russell Bromage Russell Bromage is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. In a fourteen year career in the Football League he made 400 league appearances, scoring 14 goals.... |
6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| FW | Derek Brownbill Derek Brownbill Derek Anthony Brownbill is a former English footballer who played as a forward. He played in the Football League for Liverpool and Port Vale between 1973 and 1978, before spells with American side Cleveland Cobras and English non-league clubs Wigan Athletic, Stafford Rangers, Oswestry Town,... |
21 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 28 | 3 |
| FW | Mick Cullerton Mick Cullerton Michael Joseph Cullerton is a former Scottish footballer. He is noted for his two spells with Port Vale, as well as for being Stafford Rangers' star forward as they were one of the elite non-league clubs in the 1970s.... |
17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 2 |
| FW | Ken Beamish Ken Beamish Kenneth George "Ken" Beamish is an English former football player, coach and manager. In his playing days he was a forward, and he scored a total of 159 goals in 554 league games.... |
42 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 49 | 16 |
| FW | John Froggatt John Froggatt John Lawrence Froggatt is an English former footballer.-Playing career:... |
12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 3 |
| FW | Jeff Hemmerman Jeff Hemmerman Jeffrey Lawrence Hemmerman is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Hemmerman came through the youth ranks at Hull City but struggled to ever make a big impact on the first team and was loaned out to Scunthorpe United in 1975 to try and gain experience... |
15 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 20 | 6 |
| FW | Neville Chamberlain Neville Chamberlain (footballer) Neville Patrick Chamberlain is a retired English footballer. His brother, Mark was also a footballer, and his nephew Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain plays for Arsenal.-Playing career:... |
10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 2 |
All competitions
| Scorer | Goals |
|---|---|
| Ken Beamish Ken Beamish Kenneth George "Ken" Beamish is an English former football player, coach and manager. In his playing days he was a forward, and he scored a total of 159 goals in 554 league games.... |
16 |
| Jeff Hemmerman Jeff Hemmerman Jeffrey Lawrence Hemmerman is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Hemmerman came through the youth ranks at Hull City but struggled to ever make a big impact on the first team and was loaned out to Scunthorpe United in 1975 to try and gain experience... |
6 |
| Peter Sutcliffe Peter Sutcliffe (footballer) Peter David Sutcliffe is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Sutcliffe played for Manchester United and Stockport County before he joined Port Vale for £3,000 in March 1977... |
4 |
| Neil Griffiths Neil Griffiths (footballer) Neil Griffiths is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths joined Port Vale from Chester in exchange for £5,000 and Tony Loska in December 1973. He lined up against his old club in the final of the 1977 Debenhams Cup and scored an own goal in a 4–1 defeat... |
|
| Terry Bailey Terry Bailey Terence "Terry" Bailey is a former English footballer who played as a midfielder. His son Mark Bailey also played professional football.After a brief association with Winsford United, he joined Stafford Rangers in 1968... |
|
| Alan Lamb |
3 |
| Derek Brownbill Derek Brownbill Derek Anthony Brownbill is a former English footballer who played as a forward. He played in the Football League for Liverpool and Port Vale between 1973 and 1978, before spells with American side Cleveland Cobras and English non-league clubs Wigan Athletic, Stafford Rangers, Oswestry Town,... |
|
| John Froggatt John Froggatt John Lawrence Froggatt is an English former footballer.-Playing career:... |
|
| Neville Chamberlain Neville Chamberlain (footballer) Neville Patrick Chamberlain is a retired English footballer. His brother, Mark was also a footballer, and his nephew Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain plays for Arsenal.-Playing career:... |
2 |
| Mick Cullerton Mick Cullerton Michael Joseph Cullerton is a former Scottish footballer. He is noted for his two spells with Port Vale, as well as for being Stafford Rangers' star forward as they were one of the elite non-league clubs in the 1970s.... |
|
| Kenny Beech Kenny Beech Kenneth "Kenny" Beech is a former English footballer. A midfielder, he played for Port Vale between 1976 and 1981, picking up the club's Player of the Year award in 1980, also playing on loan at American club Cleveland Cobras in 1978. In 1981 he was sold to Walsall, before he moved on to... |
|
| David Harris David Harris (footballer) David Harris is a former English football defender who had a six year professional career in the Football League with Port Vale from 1973 to 1979. He was voted the club's Player of the Year in 1974 and 1977... |
|
| Terry Alcock Terry Alcock Terrence "Terry" Alcock is an English former professional football defender.He played for Port Vale from 1963 to 1967, before spending nine years with Blackpool. He played over 100 appearances for Port Vale in the Football League and almost 200 appearances for Blackpool... |
|
| Graham Hawkins Graham Hawkins Graham Norman Hawkins is an English former football player and manager.A defender, he began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1964, before he moved on to Preston North End three years later. In seven years with Preston he made 245 league appearances, and also served as their captain... |
1 |
| John Ridley John Ridley (footballer) John Ridley is an English former footballer. A versatile midfielder, he had a twelve year professional career in the Football League, playing for Port Vale and Chesterfield, as well as Leicester City. He also played for non-league Stafford Rangers and for American side Fort Lauderdale Strikers.He... |
|
League
| Scorer | Goals |
|---|---|
| Ken Beamish Ken Beamish Kenneth George "Ken" Beamish is an English former football player, coach and manager. In his playing days he was a forward, and he scored a total of 159 goals in 554 league games.... |
13 |
| Jeff Hemmerman Jeff Hemmerman Jeffrey Lawrence Hemmerman is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Hemmerman came through the youth ranks at Hull City but struggled to ever make a big impact on the first team and was loaned out to Scunthorpe United in 1975 to try and gain experience... |
5 |
| Peter Sutcliffe Peter Sutcliffe (footballer) Peter David Sutcliffe is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Sutcliffe played for Manchester United and Stockport County before he joined Port Vale for £3,000 in March 1977... |
4 |
| Neil Griffiths Neil Griffiths (footballer) Neil Griffiths is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths joined Port Vale from Chester in exchange for £5,000 and Tony Loska in December 1973. He lined up against his old club in the final of the 1977 Debenhams Cup and scored an own goal in a 4–1 defeat... |
|
| Terry Bailey Terry Bailey Terence "Terry" Bailey is a former English footballer who played as a midfielder. His son Mark Bailey also played professional football.After a brief association with Winsford United, he joined Stafford Rangers in 1968... |
3 |
| Alan Lamb |
|
| Derek Brownbill Derek Brownbill Derek Anthony Brownbill is a former English footballer who played as a forward. He played in the Football League for Liverpool and Port Vale between 1973 and 1978, before spells with American side Cleveland Cobras and English non-league clubs Wigan Athletic, Stafford Rangers, Oswestry Town,... |
|
| John Froggatt John Froggatt John Lawrence Froggatt is an English former footballer.-Playing career:... |
|
| Neville Chamberlain Neville Chamberlain (footballer) Neville Patrick Chamberlain is a retired English footballer. His brother, Mark was also a footballer, and his nephew Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain plays for Arsenal.-Playing career:... |
2 |
| Mick Cullerton Mick Cullerton Michael Joseph Cullerton is a former Scottish footballer. He is noted for his two spells with Port Vale, as well as for being Stafford Rangers' star forward as they were one of the elite non-league clubs in the 1970s.... |
|
| David Harris David Harris (footballer) David Harris is a former English football defender who had a six year professional career in the Football League with Port Vale from 1973 to 1979. He was voted the club's Player of the Year in 1974 and 1977... |
|
| Kenny Beech Kenny Beech Kenneth "Kenny" Beech is a former English footballer. A midfielder, he played for Port Vale between 1976 and 1981, picking up the club's Player of the Year award in 1980, also playing on loan at American club Cleveland Cobras in 1978. In 1981 he was sold to Walsall, before he moved on to... |
1 |
| Graham Hawkins Graham Hawkins Graham Norman Hawkins is an English former football player and manager.A defender, he began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1964, before he moved on to Preston North End three years later. In seven years with Preston he made 245 league appearances, and also served as their captain... |
|