Port Vale
1935–36 season
ChairmanFrank Huntbach
ManagerTom Holford
(until September)
StadiumThe Old Recreation Ground
Football League Second Division21st (32 Points)
FA CupFourth Round
(knocked out by Grimsby Town)
Top goalscorerLeague: Jack Roberts (12)
All: Jack Roberts (12)
Highest home attendance16,677 vs. Sunderland, 13 January 1936
Lowest home attendance2,669 vs. Hull City, 2 March 1936
Average home league attendance7,787
Biggest win4–0 vs. Hull City, 2 March 1936
Biggest defeat0–7 and 2–9

The 1935–36 season was Port Vale's 30th season of football in the English Football League, and their sixth-successive season (29th overall) in the Second Division.[1] The club suffered the second relegation of its history. This occurred primarily through a still-standing club record 106 goals conceded in 42 league matches, as well as through away form that saw the team pick up just five points on their travels, and a streak of twelve defeats in sixteen games from September to January. Finishing with a tally of 32 points, they were just two points shy of safety. The club would have to wait until 1954–55 before playing another season of second-tier football. Despite this, one positive of the season was an historic win over Football League champions Sunderland in the FA Cup.

Manager Tom Holford became just a scout in September.
Chairman Frank Huntbach.

Overview

Second Division

The pre-season began with the sale of top-scorer Tom Nolan to Bradford Park Avenue, whilst manager Tom Holford heralded a youth policy.[1] Ten new faces replaced the fourteen retained from the previous season, these included: free-scoring striker George Stabb (Notts County), centre-half Harry Griffiths (Everton), left-winger Arthur Caldwell (Winsford United), left-back Roderick Welsh (Portsmouth), and right-half Michael Curley (Manchester City).[1]

The season started with what would ultimately turn out to be a relegation decider, Vale lost 4–2 to Barnsley at Oakwell, with the "Tykes" scoring twice in the last ten minutes.[1] Still switching the team regularly to find a favourite eleven, the "Valiants" then picked up eight points from their next six games to move into eighth in the table.[1] This run included wins over Plymouth Argyle, Charlton Athletic and Newcastle United at The Old Recreation Ground.[1] On 28 September, the defence was ripped apart with a 5–2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.[1] A further four defeats and thirteen goals conceded followed, resulting in manager Tom Holford being relieved of his management duties to revert to a scouting role.[1] Relief for Vale came on 2 November, with a hard-pushed 3–2 win over Bradford Park Avenue.[1]

Vale's poor form continued with a run of five defeats and two draws in seven games.[1] In November Fred Mitcheson was sold to Plymouth to raise funds for new players. George Heywood was promptly signed from Altrincham for £250.[1] Heywood made his debut on 23 November, as Vale suffered a 9–2 demolition at the City Ground to Nottingham Forest.[1] Forest were only kept from double figures by 'many fine saves' from Potts.[1] On 7 December, a 2–0 loss at Belle Vue from Doncaster Rovers sent Vale to the foot of the table.[1] As a result of this, the club put in a large bid for Wigan Athletic's Jack Roberts, and consequently signed the highly promising forward.[1] Meanwhile, injuries and constant rotation of the first XI worked against the team.[1] A 4–0 defeat from West Ham United at Upton Park on 21 December was followed by the club's first away win in sixteen attempts five days later.[1] The win came over a poor Hull City side in ankle deep mud.[1] Two days later and Barnsley beat Vale 4–0 at "The Rec", which would again have fatal consequences come May.[1]

Following up on their FA Cup heroics, the Vale recorded a 2–1 victory over Bradford City on 18 January.[1] They then lost 5–1 at home to "Spurs", earned a point at St James' Park, and then were humiliated 7–2 at Old Trafford.[1] Three home wins followed, the last of which was a 4–0 win over doomed Hull City in front of a mere 2,669 supporters.[1] This took them out of the relegation zone.[1] However, on 27 March an extraordinary shareholders meeting was called at the Grand Hotel (Hanley), in which the net weekly income was revealed to be just £181.[1] The directors claimed they were no longer prepared to prop the club up financially, and demanded the supporters raise £2,000 to keep the club afloat.[1] A subsequent public meeting launched a 40,000 Shilling Fund, and a benefit match with cross-city rivals Stoke City raised £528 – helping to ensure the survival of Port Vale.[1]

Two points clear of relegation on 4 April despite losing 5–0 at Bury, it was expected that Vale would be safe.[1] A win over Fulham and a draw with Sheffield United reinforced such expectations.[1] However, on 13 April, they travelled to Craven Cottage, where they were beaten 7–0.[1] Two further defeats meant victory on the final day encounter with Charlton Athletic at The Valley was needed – the "Addicks" needed a point themselves to ensure promotion.[1] 27,778 spectators witnessed Charlton take the lead, a lead wiped out by a Caldwell equaliser on 83 minutes.[1] The team's valiant efforts were futile in any case, as other results went against them.[1]

They finished in 21st place with 32 points. Their 106 goals conceded gave them the fourth worst defensive record in the Football League.[1] Jack Roberts' twelve goals in 21 games were impressive, but not enough to help the club beyond a tally of 56 goals scored.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, a loss of £1,046 was made on the season.[1] Income was supplemented by the £1,800 raised from the Shilling Fund.[1] Gross gate receipts were down to just £9,226, whilst a strict control over wages saw a wage bill of just £6,937.[1] The transfer credit stood at £1,640.[1] Fifteen players were released, the most significant of which were George Shenton, John Potts, Jack Vickers, and James Baker.[1]

Cup competitions

In contrast to their league form, Vale performed well in the FA Cup. Pitted against eventual First Division champions Sunderland at Roker Park, their top player Roberts cup-tied, a heavy defeat seemed likely.[2] Instead an 88th-minute equalizer from Caldwell forced a replay. The highest crowd of the season then witnessed a 2–0 victory at the "Rec", which the "Valiants" "defended brilliantly". The Sentinel's Placer suggested it to be 'the greatest victory in the history of the club'. In the Fourth Round, First Division Grimsby Town would advance with a 4–0 victory in the snow. Before the match the teams paid their respects to the recently deceased George V with Abide with Me, during which the "Mariners" wore overcoats as the Vale players shivered – this was the excuse used to justify their conceding four first half goals.

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Manchester United (C, P) 42 22 12 8 85 43 1.977 56 Promotion to the First Division
2 Charlton Athletic (P) 42 22 11 9 85 58 1.466 55
3 Sheffield United 42 20 12 10 79 50 1.580 52
4 West Ham United 42 22 8 12 90 68 1.324 52
5 Tottenham Hotspur 42 18 13 11 91 55 1.655 49
6 Leicester City 42 19 10 13 79 57 1.386 48
7 Plymouth Argyle 42 20 8 14 71 57 1.246 48
8 Newcastle United 42 20 6 16 88 79 1.114 46
9 Fulham 42 15 14 13 76 52 1.462 44
10 Blackpool 42 18 7 17 93 72 1.292 43
11 Norwich City 42 17 9 16 72 65 1.108 43
12 Bradford City 42 15 13 14 55 65 0.846 43
13 Swansea Town 42 15 9 18 67 76 0.882 39
14 Bury 42 13 12 17 66 84 0.786 38
15 Burnley 42 12 13 17 50 59 0.847 37
16 Bradford Park Avenue 42 14 9 19 62 84 0.738 37
17 Southampton 42 14 9 19 47 65 0.723 37
18 Doncaster Rovers 42 14 9 19 51 71 0.718 37
19 Nottingham Forest 42 12 11 19 69 76 0.908 35
20 Barnsley 42 12 9 21 54 80 0.675 33
21 Port Vale (R) 42 12 8 22 56 106 0.528 32 Relegation to the Third Division North
22 Hull City (R) 42 5 10 27 47 111 0.423 20
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
GroundAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHHHAHAHAAHHAAHA
ResultLDWLDWWLLLLLWLLLDLDLWLLWLDLWWWLDLWWLWDLLLD
Position17151018191081318181921202121212122222221212121212121212121212121212020202020202121
Source: Statto[3]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
31 August 1935BarnsleyA2–410,145Caldwell, Stabb
2 September 1935BurnleyH1–19,450Stabb
7 September 1935Plymouth ArgyleH2–09,178Gunn, Stabb
9 September 1935BurnleyA1–511,268Stabb
14 September 1935Bradford CityA1–17,420Birks
16 September 1935Charlton AthleticH2–15,395Baker, Curley
21 September 1935Newcastle UnitedH3–09,356Baker, Caldwell, o.g.
28 September 1935Tottenham HotspurA2–532,872Birks, Baker (pen)
5 October 1935Manchester UnitedH0–39,703
12 October 1935Norwich CityA2–416,324Caldwell, Rhodes
19 October 1935SouthamptonH0–26,263
26 October 1935Sheffield UnitedA0–412,499
2 November 1935Bradford Park AvenueH3–28,571Dackins, Mitcheson (pen), Birks
9 November 1935Leicester CityA0–216,349
16 November 1935Swansea TownH0–16,541
23 November 1935Nottingham ForestA2–99,346Rhodes, Caldwell
30 November 1935BuryH2–25,586Rhodes (2)
7 December 1935Doncaster RoversA0–27,212
14 December 1935BlackpoolH2–27,106Ryder (2)
21 December 1935West Ham UnitedA0–413,905
26 December 1935Hull CityA2–15,359Caldwell, Roberts
28 December 1935BarnsleyH0–47,381
4 January 1936Plymouth ArgyleA1–413,779Roberts
18 January 1936Bradford CityH2–17,906Glidden, Jones
1 February 1936Tottenham HotspurH1–510,770Ryder
5 February 1936Newcastle UnitedA2–29,238Stabb, Roberts
8 February 1936Manchester UnitedA2–722,265Caldwell, Ryder
15 February 1936Norwich CityH3–16,129Stabb (pen), Roberts, Rhodes
29 February 1936Doncaster RoversH2–04,180Rhodes, Roberts
2 March 1936Hull CityH4–02,669Roberts (3), Stabb
7 March 1936Swansea TownA2–35,151Roberts (2)
14 March 1936Leicester CityH1–18,331Roberts
21 March 1936Bradford Park AvenueA0–34,332
28 March 1936Nottingham ForestH2–06,204Dean, Caldwell
30 March 1936SouthamptonA1–01,875Stabb
4 April 1936BuryA0–53,829
10 April 1936FulhamH1–011,972Baker
11 April 1936Sheffield UnitedH1–112,240Dean
13 April 1936FulhamA0–79,954
18 April 1936BlackpoolA1–39,326Stabb
25 April 1936West Ham UnitedH2–38,066Roberts, Caldwell
2 May 1936Charlton AthleticA1–127,778Caldwell

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R311 January 1936SunderlandA2–229,278Stabb, Caldwell
R3 Replay13 January 1936SunderlandH2–016,677Stabb, Rhodes
R425 January 1936Grimsby TownH0–413,350

Player statistics

Appearances

Pos. Name Football League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GKEngland John Potts 4003010
GKScotland Allan Todd 100010
DFEngland George Shenton 14000140
DFEngland Jack Vickers 15030180
DFEngland Trevor Rhodes 28621307
DFEngland Ernest Breeze 10000100
DFEngland Eric Hayward 13000130
DFEngland Roderick Welsh 20030230
DFEngland George Heywood 21000210
DFEngland Harry Griffiths 27030300
DFEngland James Bewick 300030
MFEngland Roger Jones 35130381
MFEngland Cliff Birks 15300153
MFScotland Ken Gunn 28100281
MFEngland Arthur Caldwell 399314210
MFEngland Frank Ryder 17400174
MFEngland Michael Curley 24130271
MFEngland Roy Burns 200020
MFEngland Frank Baker 000000
FWEngland Fred Mitcheson 15100151
FWEngland Luke Dean 920092
FWEngland James Baker 9430124
FWEngland John Wilson 300030
FWEngland Jack Roberts 2112002112
FWEngland George Stabb 309323311
FWScotland Henry Pinkerton 300030
FWEngland Cliff Johnson 503080
FWEngland Gilbert Glidden 511061
FWWales Haydn Dackins 610061

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Name Second Division FA Cup Total
1FW EnglandJack Roberts12012
2FW EnglandGeorge Stabb9211
3MF EnglandArthur Caldwell9110
4DF EnglandTrevor Rhodes617
5FW EnglandJames Baker404
–MF EnglandFrank Ryder404
7MF EnglandCliff Birks303
8FW EnglandLuke Dean202
9MF ScotlandKen Gunn101
–MF EnglandRoger Jones101
–FW EnglandGilbert Glidden101
–MF EnglandMichael Curle101
–FW EnglandFred Mitcheson101
–FW WalesHaydn Dackins101
–––Own goals101
TOTALS 56 4 60

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 1935DFEnglandJames BewickNewcastle UnitedFree transfer[4]
May 1935MFEnglandMichael CurleyManchester CityFree transfer[4]
May 1935FWEnglandGilbert GliddenSunderlandFree transfer[4]
May 1935DFEnglandHarry GriffithsEvertonFree transfer[4]
May 1935FWScotlandHenry PinkertonHull CityFree transfer[4]
May 1935DFEnglandRoderick WelshPortsmouthFree transfer[4]
May 1935FWEnglandJohn WilsonWest Bromwich AlbionFree transfer[4]
July 1935FWWalesHaydn DackinsSwansea TownFree transfer[4]
July 1935MFEnglandGeorge StabbNotts CountyFree transfer[4]
October 1935MFEnglandRoy BurnsWolverhampton WanderersFree transfer[4]
October 1935FWEnglandCliff JohnsonWolverhampton WanderersFree transfer[4]
November 1935MFEnglandFrank RyderAltrinchamFree transfer[4]
November 1935DFEnglandRoderick WelshAltrincham£250[4]
December 1935FWEnglandJack RobertsWigan Athletic'large'[4]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
November 1935FWEnglandFred MitchesonPlymouth ArgyleUndisclosed[4]
December 1935FWEnglandJohn WilsonWigan AthleticFree transfer[4]
January 1936MFEnglandRoy BurnsBournemouth TramsContract cancelled[4]
April 1936FWEnglandJames BakerBarrowReleased[4]
April 1936DFEnglandJack VickersNewport CountyReleased[4]
May 1936DFEnglandJames BewickWalsallReleased[4]
May 1936MFEnglandCliff BirksTorquay UnitedReleased[4]
June 1936FWEnglandCliff JohnsonTorquay UnitedFree transfer[4]
June 1936DFEnglandGeorge ShentonShelton Iron and SteelReleased[4]
Summer 1936DFEnglandErnest BreezeShrewsbury TownReleased[4]
Summer 1936FWWalesHaydn DackinsNorthwich VictoriaReleased[4]
Summer 1936FWEnglandGilbert GliddenReadingReleased[4]
Summer 1936FWScotlandHenry PinkertonBurnleyReleased[4]
Summer 1936GKEnglandJohn PottsReleased[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 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 Kent, Jeff (1990). "From Glory to Despair (1929–1939)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 124–150. ISBN 978-0-9508981-4-8.
  2. ↑ "The Giant Killers". The Giant Killers. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  3. ↑ Port Vale 1935–1936 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 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 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 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 978-0-9508981-9-3.
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