Port Vale
1930–31 season
ChairmanFrank Huntbach
ManagerTom Morgan
StadiumThe Old Recreation Ground
Football League Second Division5th (47 Points)
FA CupFourth Round
(knocked out by Birmingham)
Top goalscorerLeague: Sam Jennings (16)
All: Sam Jennings (17)
Highest home attendance18,043 vs. West Bromwich Albion, 3 April 1931
Lowest home attendance5,570 vs. Bradford City, 2 May 1931
Average home league attendance10,445
Biggest win8–2 vs. Bradford Park Avenue, 22 September 1930
Biggest defeat0–5 vs. Tottenham Hotspur, 29 November 1930

The 1930–31 season was Port Vale's 25th season of football in the English Football League, and their 34th in the Second Division following their promotion from the Third Division North the previous season.[1] They finished fifth with 47 points, making it the most successful season in the club's history in terms of league position. They were seven points short of promotion to the top-flight, and seventeen points clear of relegation.

Long-serving Billy Briscoe was given a free transfer to Congleton Town at the end of the season.[1]
Chairman Frank Huntbach.
Right-back Jack Maddock joined Crewe Alexandra at the end of the season.
Scottish midfielder Bob Connelly.
Inside-forward Albert Pynegar.
Midfielder Jack Round.

Overview

Second Division

The pre-season saw the arrival of goalscoring forward Harry Roberts from Lincoln City; big goalkeeper Arthur Slater from Clapton Orient; and young outside-left Clarence Spencer from Birmingham F.C.[1]

The season started with a stylish 5–2 victory over Barnsley in front of a disappointingly low attendance of under 10,000.[1] Two defeats followed, and Albert Pynegar put in a transfer request after being dropped from the first team. Bob Connelly picked up an injury and so Jack Round was signed from Bolton Wanderers.[1] On 20 September they travelled to Goodison Park to triumph over previously undefeated league leaders Everton 3–2 in front of 27,142 spectators.[1] Two days later they tore Bradford Park Avenue apart 8–2, with a four-goal haul from Sam Jennings.[1][2] On 4 October they travelled to Home Park, where they lost 2–1 to Plymouth Argyle; later in the day a horrific tragedy almost killed many of the Vale players – they had hired a speedboat at Devon resort which burst into flames whilst at sea, fortunately the pilot managed to extinguish the flames and returned them safely to harbour.[1]

Pynegar left the club in October following rumours of a rift with teammate Jennings, he signed with Chesterfield of the Third Division North.[1] Bert Fishwick was a more than able deputy.[1] The defensive duo of Jimmy Oakes and Shino Shenton also proved formidable at the back.[1] On 29 November promotion dreams took a knock at White Hart Lane, Spurs picking up a 5–0 win.[1] Despite competing at the top end of the table The Old Recreation Ground rarely saw much more than 10,000 spectators.[1] In December, reserve half-back George Whitcombe was sold to Notts County for 'a substantial amount', the money went towards ground improvements.[1] The following month £10,000 worth of mortgage debenture bonds were released to the same ends.[1] The Football Association would reject the club's ground improvement scheme, without giving a reason.[1]

As the season entered its final stretch top scorer Jennings was dropped from the squad, and no adequate replacement was found until Stewart Littlewood was re-signed from Oldham Athletic, with Fishwick sold to Tranmere Rovers in order to meet Oldham's demands.[1] In early April the "Valiants" beat high-flying West Bromwich Albion and Tottenham Hotspur, thereby keeping hopes of promotion high.[1] West Brom won the return leg at The Hawthorns to put daylight between the two clubs.[1] In late April Vale travelled to the Netherlands for a short tour, beating Dutch Southern XI 5–1 and Zwaluwen 2–0.[1]

They finished fifth with 47 points, making it the most successful season in the club's history in terms of league position.[1] They were seven points short of second placed West Bromwich Albion. Only 61 goals were conceded, a record bettered only by West Brom and Spurs. A 67 goals scored tally however, was almost half that of champions Everton. Sam Jennings finished with 17 goals, and Phil Griffiths and Harry Roberts were the only other major contributors. The ground improvements paid for were 3,500 seats on the Bryan Street stand, with a covered terrace.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, an £800 loss was made, with the weather blamed for an average gate figure of 10,537. Numerous players were released, including Billy Briscoe, Frank Watkin, and Jack Maddock.[1] Harry Roberts was also sold to Millwall.[1] Meanwhile, Stewart Littlewood was also selected by the FA for a summer tour of Canada.[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale overcame amateur side Corinthians 3–1 in the Third Round, but then found themselves eliminated by First Division Birmingham at St Andrew's in the Fourth Round. The 44,119 attendance raised £2,763 for the club.[1]

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Relegation
1 Everton (C, P) 42 28 5 9 121 66 1.833 61 Promotion to the First Division
2 West Bromwich Albion (P) 42 22 10 10 83 49 1.694 54
3 Tottenham Hotspur 42 22 7 13 88 55 1.600 51
4 Wolverhampton Wanderers 42 21 5 16 84 67 1.254 47
5 Port Vale 42 21 5 16 67 61 1.098 47
6 Bradford Park Avenue 42 18 10 14 97 66 1.470 46
7 Preston North End 42 17 11 14 83 64 1.297 45
8 Burnley 42 17 11 14 81 77 1.052 45
9 Southampton 42 19 6 17 74 62 1.194 44
10 Bradford City 42 17 10 15 61 63 0.968 44
11 Stoke City 42 17 10 15 64 71 0.901 44
12 Oldham Athletic 42 16 10 16 61 72 0.847 42
13 Bury 42 19 3 20 75 82 0.915 41
14 Millwall 42 16 7 19 71 80 0.888 39
15 Charlton Athletic 42 15 9 18 59 86 0.686 39
16 Bristol City 42 15 8 19 54 82 0.659 38
17 Nottingham Forest 42 14 9 19 80 85 0.941 37
18 Plymouth Argyle 42 14 8 20 76 84 0.905 36
19 Barnsley 42 13 9 20 59 79 0.747 35
20 Swansea Town 42 12 10 20 51 74 0.689 34
21 Reading (R) 42 12 6 24 72 96 0.750 30 Relegation to the Third Division South
22 Cardiff City (R) 42 8 9 25 47 87 0.540 25
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Second Division

Results by matchday

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142
GroundHAAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHAAHAH
ResultWLDLWWWLLWWLDWWWLWLWDLLWLLWWLWWLLDWWWLLDWW
Position71011121010791096997677777771089107666568874448765
Source: Statto[3]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
30 August 1930BarnsleyH5–29,853Pynegar (2), Jennings (2), Griffiths
3 September 1930Bradford CityA1–216,000Jennings
6 September 1930Bristol CityA1–113,206Jennings
8 September 1930Bradford Park AvenueA1–510,296Anstiss
13 September 1930Cardiff CityH2–09,693Griffiths, Baxter
20 September 1930EvertonA3–227,142Baxter, Pynegar, Anstiss
22 September 1930Bradford Park AvenueH8–28,621Jennings (4), Anstiss (2), Griffiths, o.g.
27 September 1930BuryH0–112,906
4 October 1930Plymouth ArgyleA1–220,243Griffiths
11 October 1930Swansea TownH2–010,970Jennings, Griffiths
18 October 1930ReadingA3–010,927Anstiss, Spencer, Jones
25 October 1930Wolverhampton WanderersH0–19,578
1 November 1930Oldham AthleticA3–311,625Fishwick, Marshall, Griffiths
8 November 1930Nottingham ForestH3–29,753Jennings, Fishwick, Griffiths
15 November 1930BurnleyA2–112,277Fishwick (2)
22 November 1930Preston North EndH1–010,086Jennings
29 November 1930Tottenham HotspurA0–523,609
6 December 1930SouthamptonH1–08,828Jennings
13 December 1930Stoke CityA0–126,609
20 December 1930MillwallH3–28,448Roberts, Jennings, Round (pen)
25 December 1930Charlton AthleticH1–115,827Roberts
26 December 1930Charlton AthleticA1–34,768Anstiss
27 December 1930BarnsleyA2–56,469Jennings, Roberts
3 January 1931Bristol CityH1–07,411Griffiths
17 January 1931Cardiff CityA1–210,455Roberts
26 January 1931EvertonH1–39,028Roberts
31 January 1931BuryA3–03,430Jennings, Roberts, Henshall
7 February 1931Plymouth ArgyleH2–110,236Jennings, Roberts
14 February 1931Swansea TownA1–28,602Henshall
21 February 1931ReadingH2–18,474Roberts, Chell
7 March 1931Oldham AthleticH2–07,720Marshall, Oakes
11 March 1931Wolverhampton WanderersA0–34,243
14 March 1931Nottingham ForestA0–19,281
21 March 1931BurnleyH0–09,185
28 March 1931Preston North EndA3–17,696Griffiths (2), Littlewood
3 April 1931West Bromwich AlbionH1–018,043Littlewood
4 April 1931Tottenham HotspurH3–014,290Griffiths (2), Round (pen)
6 April 1931West Bromwich AlbionA1–423,879Griffiths
11 April 1931SouthamptonA0–29,452
18 April 1931Stoke CityH0–013,403
25 April 1931MillwallA1–08,188Roberts
2 May 1931Bradford CityH1–05,570Rowbotham

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R110 January 1931CorinthiansA3–112,832Roberts (2), Jennings
R224 January 1931BirminghamA0–244,119

Player statistics

Appearances

Pos. Name Football League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GKEngland Ben Davies 28020300
GKEngland Arthur Slater 14000140
DFEngland Jimmy Oakes 39120411
DFEngland Jack Maddock 300030
DFEngland Billy Wootton 400040
DFEngland George Shenton 40020420
DFEngland William Cope 35020370
MFScotland Bob Connelly 100010
MFEngland Roger Jones 40120421
MFEngland Jack Simms 100010
MFWales Phil Griffiths 3713203913
MFEngland Bert Fishwick 11410124
MFEngland Tom Baxter 15210162
MFEngland Dennis Izon 100010
MFEngland Clarence Spencer 11110121
MFEngland Jack Round 38220402
MFEngland James Henshall 18200182
MFWales George Whitcombe 300030
MFEngland Jack Sherlock 700070
FWEngland Harry Anstiss 15620176
FWEngland Albert Pynegar 930093
FWEngland Harry Marshall 24200242
FWEngland Sam Jennings 3116113217
FWEngland Harry Roberts 249222611
FWEngland Harry Rowbotham 110011
FWEngland Joseph Chell 210021
FWEngland Stewart Littlewood 10200102

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Name Second Division FA Cup Total
1FW EnglandSam Jennings16117
2MF WalesPhil Griffiths13013
3FW EnglandHarry Roberts9211
4FW EnglandHarry Anstiss606
5MF EnglandBert Fishwick404
6FW EnglandAlbert Pynegar303
7MF EnglandTom Baxter202
–FW EnglandHarry Marshall202
–MF EnglandJack Round202
–FW EnglandStewart Littlewood202
–MF EnglandJames Henshall202
12DF EnglandJimmy Oakes101
–MF EnglandRoger Jones101
–MF EnglandClarence Spencer101
–FW EnglandHarry Rowbotham101
–FW EnglandJoseph Chell101
–––Own goals101
TOTALS 67 3 70

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
June 1930FWEnglandHarry RobertsLincoln City£100[4]
June 1930GKEnglandArthur SlaterClapton OrientFree transfer[4]
March 1931FWEnglandStewart LittlewoodOldham AthleticUndisclosed club record[4]
April 1931FWEnglandHarry RowbothamCheddleton Mental HospitalFree transfer[4]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
October 1930FWEnglandAlbert PynegarChesterfield£200[5]
December 1930MFWalesGeorge WhitcombeNotts County'Substantial'[4]
March 1931FWEnglandBert FishwickTranmere RoversUndisclosed[4]
April 1931FWEnglandHarry RobertsMillwallUndisclosed[4]
April 1931DFEnglandFrank WatkinCongleton TownFree transfer[4]
May 1931FWEnglandHarry AnstissSwansea TownFree transfer[4]
May 1931FWEnglandBilly BriscoeCongleton TownFree transfer[4]
May 1931MFWalesPhil GriffithsEverton£6,000[4]
May 1931MFEnglandJack SimmsSwansea TownFree transfer[4]
July 1931DFEnglandJack MaddockCrewe AlexandraFree transfer[4]
August 1931FWEnglandHenry O'GradySouthamptonFree transfer[4]

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 Kent, Jeff (1990). "From Glory to Despair (1929–1939)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 124–150. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. ↑ Fielding, Rob (7 June 2021). "Photo Essay: Port Vale hit eight in 1930 with Sam Jennings scoring four". onevalefan.co.uk. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  3. ↑ Port Vale 1930–1931 : Results & Fixtures Archived 6 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
  5. ↑ "Misc. Transfer fees from the Chesterfield FC minute books". Google Docs. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
General
  • Kent, Jeff (1993). The Port Vale Record 1879-1993. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9508981-9-8.
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