Jack Mandley
Encyclopedia
John Mandley (12 February 1909 – 18 December 1988) was an English
footballer, he was noted for his pinpoint crosses
. He spent eight years in the Football League
, playing for Port Vale
from 1926 to 1930 and top flight Aston Villa
from 1930 to 1934.
as an amateur in August 1926 and signed as a professional in May 1928. He played regular first team football in the 1928–29
and 1929–30
seasons, but did suffer a spell on the sidelines between May and December 1929 due to injury. He was sold to Aston Villa
for a £5,000 fee in March 1930 (Syd Puddefoot
had become the first £5,000 player just eight years previous), despite great protests from the Vale supporters.
He spent just over four years at Villa Park
, making 106 First Division
and six cup appearances, scoring one cup goal and 25 league goals.
In August 1934, still only 25, he moved from one of the top clubs in the country, to Altrincham
, who were then playing in the Cheshire County League
. Also playing in the Cheshire league were the reserve outfit of his former team, Port Vale.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
footballer, he was noted for his pinpoint crosses
Cross (football)
In football, a cross is a delivery of a ball from either side of the field across to the front of the goal by applying various kicking techniques. A cross is there to provide a goal-scoring opportunity...
. He spent eight years 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...
, playing for 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...
from 1926 to 1930 and top flight Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
from 1930 to 1934.
Playing career
Mandley joined Port ValePort 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...
as an amateur in August 1926 and signed as a professional in May 1928. He played regular first team football in the 1928–29
1928–29 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1928–29 season was Port Vale's tenth consecutive season of football in the Football League. For the first time in their history they suffered relegation. This was down to poor away form, at home they went a club record 19 games without a draw, picking up all but five of their points in front...
and 1929–30
1929–30 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1929–30 season was Port Vale's eleventh consecutive season of football in the Football League, and their first in the Third Division North. They finished as champions and were thus promoted back to the Second Division. With 67 points they broke a division record...
seasons, but did suffer a spell on the sidelines between May and December 1929 due to injury. He was sold to Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
for a £5,000 fee in March 1930 (Syd Puddefoot
Syd Puddefoot
Sydney Charles Puddefoot was a footballer who played as a forward for West Ham United...
had become the first £5,000 player just eight years previous), despite great protests from the Vale supporters.
He spent just over four years 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...
, making 106 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....
and six cup appearances, scoring one cup goal and 25 league goals.
In August 1934, still only 25, he moved from one of the top clubs in the country, to Altrincham
Altrincham F.C.
Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
, who were then playing in the Cheshire County League
Cheshire County League
The Cheshire County League was a football league founded in the north west of England in 1919, drawing its teams largely from Cheshire, surrounding English counties and North Wales....
. Also playing in the Cheshire league were the reserve outfit of his former team, Port Vale.
Honours
with Aston Villa- Football League First DivisionFootball League First DivisionThe 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....
runner-up: 1930–31 & 1932–33