Port Vale
1919–20 season
ChairmanFrank Huntbach
ManagerTom Holford
Joe Schofield
(from March)
StadiumThe Old Recreation Ground
Football League Second Division13th (40 Points)
FA CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Manchester United)
Staffordshire Senior CupChampions
North Staffordshire Infirmary CupChampions
(shared with Stoke)
Top goalscorerLeague: Bobby Blood (24)
All: Bobby Blood (26)
Highest home attendance22,697 vs Stoke, 6 March 1920
Lowest home attendance3,000 vs Stockport County, 8 April 1920
Average home league attendance11,247+
Biggest win4–0 (three games)
Biggest defeat0–4 vs. Fulham, 1 May 1920

The 1919–20 season was Port Vale's first season of football back in the English Football League (their 14th overall following their brief 1892–96 and 1898–1907 spells in the league).[1] It was their first Football League season at The Old Recreation Ground, and their first season in which they were in the same division as rivals Stoke. The club were also referred to as "the Valiants" for the first time, a nickname coined by chairman Frank Huntbach.

Their return to the Football League completed the success story of a local church team that rose to become a competitor in the second tier of English football. The club considers itself a continuation of the Burslem Port Vale that resigned from the league in 1907, and is recognized as such in an official capacity. The club rose from the North Staffordshire Federation League in 1907–08 to The Central League in 1911–12, and in October 1919 replaced Leeds City in the Football League Second Division.

Vale finished in mid-table, this was due in part to a tremendous season for top scorer Bobby Blood. As well as earning a return to the Football League, the club also enjoyed minor cup success, lifting the Staffordshire Senior Cup and sharing the North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup. In March 1920, Joe Schofield was appointed manager-secretary, a position he would retain throughout the decade.

Back row (players only) Joe Brough, Alf Bourne, unknown, unknown, Peter Pursell
Front row: unknown, unknown, Billy Briscoe, Tom Holford (player manager), unknown, unknown
Chairman Frank Huntbach, who coined the Valiants' nickname.
Player-manager Tom Holford.
Bobby Blood scored 24 Second Division goals against all the odds.
Joe Brough, 33, returned to the Football League after a seven-year absence.
Young forward Billy Briscoe was prolific in The Central League.

Return to the Football League

Following Port Vale's resignation from the English Football League in 1907, and Stoke's resignation the years after, Staffordshire had been without representation in the league for eleven years. Following the end of the Great War, the Football League was organized back into its national form.[1] In March 1919, Stoke, West Ham United, South Shields, Rotherham County, and Coventry City all gained re-election to the league – Port Vale were short by just one vote.[1]

In the Central League, Vale had won five of their eight games against the reserve sides of Football League First Division clubs Aston Villa, Manchester United, Manchester City, Everton, Blackburn Rovers, and the reserve side of Second Division Huddersfield Town.[1]

On 13 October 1919, Leeds City were expelled from the Football League over illegal payments to their players.[1] Port Vale were elected to fill their spot (ahead of a bid from Tranmere Rovers).[1] The club who had competed their 1906–07 season in the North Staffordshire Church League had taken the Port Vale name and played their way to the second tier of the national league within twelve years.[1]

Port Vale's reserve side fulfilled the remaining fixtures in the Central League. Leeds City had already played their games against Blackpool, Coventry City, Hull City, and Wolverhampton Wanderers; leaving Vale with a solid starting point of ten points from eight matches.[1]

Overview

The club built a strong side for the 1919–20 Central League campaign, signing skilful forward William Aitken and former Scotland international Peter Pursell from Rangers.[1]

Second Division

Back in the Second Division, the club faced a battle to register their players in time for the nine-hour trip to South Shields, where they lost 2–0.[1] Two defeats to eventual champions Tottenham Hotspur followed, before the club scored their first goal, and picked up their first win against South Shields on 10 November thanks to an Aaron Lockett strike.[1] The club signed Bobby Blood from Leek United for £50 in order to bolster their strike force, the player had one leg shorter than the other and was riddled with bullets from his valiant efforts in the First World War, and yet he would still prove the doctors wrong who said he would never play football again.[1] The win against South Shields initiated a run of three wins in five games. However, this was followed by a streak of seven games without victory. Vale had settled in the league by January, and went into the derby with Stoke in March having lost just one of their previous eight games.[1] This included a 4–0 win over Rotherham County which saw Blood score all four, and a 4–1 win over Nottingham Forest in which Blood claimed a hat-trick.[1] Stoke dispatched the Vale 3–0 in front of the biggest home crowd of the season, the first ever encounter between the two clubs in the Football League. Seven days later, Vale went to Stoke to claim a point in front of 27,000 fans.[1]

At the end of the season Vale finished with forty points, thirty of which came from their own efforts, and ten from Leeds City.[1] This put them eleven points clear of the re-election zones, and fourteen points shy of promotion.

Easily the club's top scorer was Bobby Blood with 26 goals, 24 of which were in the league (Second Division).[1] Blood was playing in the Football League for the first time at the age of 25. Billy Briscoe scored eight goals in seven Central League games, but failed to transfer this success to the Football League.[1] Peter Pursell played 49 of 51 games, with fellow Scotsman William Aitken also rarely missing game.[1] Tom Lyons and Alfred Bourne missed just four Second Division games between them. Tom Holford was another crucial player, who also acted as manager for much of the season. In March 1920, Joe Schofield was appointed manager-secretary.[1]

Finances

Financially, the club were on much better terms than twelve years ago, with even practice matches well attended, and supporters groups busy raising cash to improve The Old Recreation Ground.[1] Seats were priced between one and two shillings.[1] The club had also made almost £700 on their 1918–19 Central League season.[1] In 1919–20, they recorded a profit of almost £650.[1]

Cup competitions

The club qualified for the FA Cup by easily dispatching Central Alliance side Loughborough Corinthians 4–0.[1] In the First Round the Vale put up a brave fight against Manchester United, going out 1–0 in front of almost 15,000 supporters – thanks in part due to a great performance from opposition keeper Jack Mew.[1] This was particularly remarkable considering that in their Central League game just four months earlier the Vale first team had lost 3–2 to the United Reserve outfit.[1]

The club lifted the Staffordshire Senior Cup for the first time in their history, dispatching Stoke Reserves 1–0 in the First Round, before an epic semi-final with West Bromwich Albion Reserves that was settled after three replays with a Bobby Blood penalty.[1] Billy Fitchford scored the only goal in the final against Birmingham Reserves at the Victoria Ground.[1]

The annual North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup game finished goalless, and so the trophy was shared with Stoke.[1] The match raised £309 for the local hospital.[2]

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
11 Hull City 42 18 6 18 78 72 1.083 42
12 Barnsley 42 15 10 17 61 55 1.109 40
13 Port Vale[lower-alpha 1] 42 16 8 18 59 62 0.952 40[lower-alpha 2]
14 Leicester City 42 15 10 17 41 61 0.672 40
15 Clapton Orient 42 16 6 20 51 59 0.864 38
Source:
Notes:
  1. ↑ New club in the league; elected from Central League
  2. ↑ Leeds City were expelled from the league after 8 games; Port Vale, formerly Burslem Port Vale, took their place and inherited their record.

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Legend

Win Draw Loss

Central League

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
30 August 1919Aston Villa ReservesA2–0Aitken, Briscoe
1 September 1919Huddersfield Town ReservesH3–04,000Aitken (2), Wootton
6 September 1919Aston Villa ReservesH2–2magnificentBriscoe (2)
13 September 1919Everton ReservesA3–12,000Briscoe (2), Aitken
20 September 1919Everton ReservesH4–0very goodBriscoe (2), Fitchford, Broadhouse
22 September 1919Manchester City ReservesH1–05,000Briscoe
27 September 1919Manchester United ReservesA2–33,000Holford (2)
11 October 1919Blackburn Rovers ReservesA1–2Lockett

Football League Second Division

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
18 October 1919South ShieldsA0–214,000
27 October 1919Tottenham HotspurH0–116,000
1 November 1919Tottenham HotspurA0–235,000
10 November 1919South ShieldsH1–08,000Lockett
15 November 1919Clapton OrientA1–28,000Briscoe
22 November 1919Lincoln CityA0–04,000
24 November 1919Clapton OrientH4–27,000Blood (2), Brough, o.g.
29 November 1919Lincoln CityH1–08,000Brough
6 December 1919BuryA1–26,000Brough
13 December 1919BuryH2–26,000Blood (2)
25 December 1919BarnsleyH0–212,000
26 December 1919BarnsleyA0–116,000
1 January 1920FulhamH3–48,000Hill, Blood, Perry
3 January 1920Huddersfield TownA1–48,500Blood
24 January 1920Bristol CityA1–112,000Lockett
26 January 1920Bristol CityH3–17,000Blood (2), Lockett
31 January 1920Nottingham ForestH4–110,000Blood (3), Fitchford
7 February 1920West Ham UnitedA1–325,000Blood
14 February 1920West Ham UnitedH1–015,000Aitken
18 February 1920Nottingham ForestA1–05,000Blood
21 February 1920Rotherham CountyA2–210,000Briscoe, Blood
28 February 1920Rotherham CountyH4–212,000Blood (4)
6 March 1920StokeH0–322,697
13 March 1920StokeA0–027,000
20 March 1920Grimsby TownH2–113,500Blood, Brough
27 March 1920Grimsby TownA0–27,000
29 March 1920Huddersfield TownH0–010,000
2 April 1920Stockport CountyA4–08,000Aitken (2), Blood (2)
3 April 1920BirminghamH1–315,000Fitchford
8 April 1920Stockport CountyH2–03,000Blood (2)
10 April 1920BirminghamA0–330,000
17 April 1920Leicester CityH1–214,000Blood
24 April 1920Leicester CityA1–020,000Aitken
1 May 1920FulhamA0–414,000

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
6Q20 December 1919Loughborough CorinthiansH4–05,000Brough (2), Blood, Lyons (pen)
1R10 January 1920Manchester UnitedH0–114,549

Staffordshire Senior Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
120 October 1919Stoke ReservesH1–08,000+Hill
SF1 December 1919West Bromwich Albion ReservesH1–14,000+Lockett
Replay15 December 1919West Bromwich Albion ReservesA0–02,000Fitchford
Replay23 February 1920West Bromwich Albion ReservesH1–17,000+Aitken
Replay12 April 1920West Bromwich Albion ReservesA1–02,000Blood
Final15 May 1920Birmingham ReservesN1–04,000+

North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
Final3 May 1920StokeA0–04,500

Player statistics

Appearances

Pos. Name Football League FA Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GKEngland Jonathan Hammond 200090110
GKEngland Alfred Bourne 3202060400
DFEngland Edgar Bentley 20000020
DFScotland Peter Pursell 33020140490
DFEngland Tom Lyons 32021130471
DFEngland Percy Ellis 1200030150
DFEngland Ben Marsden 00000000
MFEngland James Wootton 1902091301
MFEngland Arthur McGarry 30020130450
MFEngland Andie Newton 1402060220
MFEngland Ernest Perry 2612060341
MFEngland Tom Holford 26000112372
MFEngland Joe Brough 2241220256
MFEngland Archie Dyke 00002020
MFEngland Billy Fitchford 1922092304
MFEngland James Hill 1510061212
MFEngland Albert Broadhouse 402081141
MFRobert Waine 00001010
MFEngland Tommy Sinclair 00000000
FWEngland George Shelton 20000020
FWEngland Harry Wainwright 40000040
FWAlfred Manning 10000010
FWEngland Albert Pearson 00006060
FWEngland Aaron Lockett 930052145
FWEngland Billy Briscoe 122001382510
FWScotland William Aitken 30410135449
FWEngland Bobby Blood 282421203226
FWEngland Dick Burgess 00000000

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Name Second Division FA Cup Other Total
1FW EnglandBobby Blood241126
2FW EnglandBilly Briscoe20810
3FW ScotlandWilliam Aitken4059
4MF EnglandJoe Brough4206
5FW EnglandAaron Lockett3025
6MF EnglandBilly Fitchford2024
7MF EnglandJames Hill1012
–FW EnglandTom Holford0022
9FWAlbert Broadhouse0011
–MF EnglandErnest Perry1001
–FW EnglandJames Wootton0011
–FW EnglandTom Lyons0101
–––Leeds City170017
–––Own goals1001
TOTALS 59 4 23 86

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
January 1920MFJohn DavisBredbury UnitedFree transfer[3]
April 1920MFEnglandJack MellorNew MillsFree transfer[3]
Summer 1919FWEnglandWilliam AitkenScotland Rangers£500[3]
Summer 1919DFEnglandPercy EllisWalsallFree transfer[3]
August 1919MFEnglandArchie DykeAston VillaFree transfer[3]
August 1919MFEnglandErnest PerryStokeFree transfer[3]
August 1919DFScotlandPeter PursellScotland Rangers£2,500[3]
August 1919MFEnglandJames WoottonLeek AlexandraFree transfer[3]
September 1919FWEnglandAaron LockettStafford RangersFree transfer[3]
November 1919FWEnglandBobby BloodLeek United£50[3]
December 1919FWEnglandHarry WainwrightHighfieldsFree transfer[3]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
October 1919MFEnglandArchie DykeStafford RangersFree transfer[3]
May 1920FWEnglandWilliam AitkenNewcastle United£2,500[3]
Summer 1920DFEnglandEdgar BentleyReleased[3]
Summer 1920MFAlbert BroadhouseReleased[3]
Summer 1920FWEnglandAaron LockettAudleyReleased[3]
Summer 1920FWAlfred ManningShildonFree transfer[3]
Summer 1920MFEnglandAndie NewtonSouthend UnitedReleased[3]
Summer 1920FWEnglandGeorge SheltonReleased[3]
Summer 1920FWEnglandHarry WainwrightHighfieldsReleased[3]

References

Specific
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Kent, Jeff (1990). "Keeping in Good Company (1919-1929)". The Valiants' Years The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 98–123. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. ↑ Kent, Jeff (November 1998). The Potteries Derbies. Witan Books. p. 118. ISBN 0-9529152-3-5.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
General
  • Kent, Jeff (1993). The Port Vale Record 1879-1993. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9508981-9-8.
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