1980–81 Port Vale F.C. season

March 2015 March 2015 Port Vale 1980–81 John McGrath Arthur MacPherson(until October)Don Ratcliffe(from October) Vale Park Football League Fourth Division 19th (39 points) FA Cup Third Round(eliminated by Enfield) League Cup First Round(eliminated by Tranmere Rovers) Player of the Year Russell Bromage Mark Chamberlain, Neville Chamberlain (9 each) Neville Chamberlain (13) 7,722 vs. Burnley, 16 December 1980 2,091 vs. Torquay United, 6 October 1980 2,738 4–0 and 5–1 0–5 vs. Mansfield Town, 24 January 1981 _blackline _collarblack _blackline _white stripes _color_3_stripes_black ffffff ffffff ffffff 000000 ffffff FFF400 FFF400 FFF400 228B22 FFF400 1979–80 1981–82 The 1980–81 season was Port Vale's 69th season of football in the English Football League and their third-successive season (ninth overall) in the Fourth Division.Kent Jeff The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale Witan Books 1990 258–290 From Rags to Riches (1979–1990) 0-9508981-4-7 By February, the club found themselves at the very bottom of the league, but a late-season rally prevented the need for re-election, culminating in a 19th‑place finish with 39 points. In the FA Cup, Vale progressed to the Third Round, only to suffer a humiliating 3–0 defeat to non‑League Enfield on live television. Their League Cup campaign, by contrast, ended abruptly in the First Round. Off the field, managerial and administrative changes shaped the season. John McGrath continued as manager, while a leadership shuffle saw Don Ratcliffe replace Arthur MacPherson as chairman in October, helping to rein in spending and stabilise finances. With the club facing financial strain, McGrath opted to focus on youth development — particularly nurturing the Chamberlain brothers, Mark and Neville — as a brighter long-term outlook began to emerge. Neville Chamberlain shared the league top scorer honours with his brother Mark, each netting nine goals, though Neville ended the season as overall top scorer with 13 across all competitions. The club's Player of the Year accolade went to Russell Bromage. Vale's average home attendance plummeted to just 2,738, a then-club record low, despite a high‑profile crowd of 7,722 attending the FA Cup tie against Burnley on 16 December 1980. The lowest turnout was recorded on 6 October 1980 against Torquay United. On the field, the team registered dominant wins by 4–0 and 5–1, but also struggled in heavy defeats, the largest being a 5–0 loss at Mansfield Town on 24 January 1981. Despite a season teetering on the edge of re-election, a late rally, strategic focus on youth, and the emergence of the Chamberlain brothers offered glimmers of recovery amid financial hardship. Overview Fourth Division The pre-season saw John McGrath sign two news players – Leicester City's John Allen and Stoke City's Trevor Brissett. These newcomers were all the Vale could afford. Vale ominously failed to win any of their pre-season friendlies. The club also received a £600 fine for the disciplinary record of the previous season (by now an annual occurrence). The season opened with a 3–0 win over Doncaster Rovers, but then Vale travelled to Roots Hall, where they were beaten 5–1 by Southend United. Lee Harwood damaged his cartilage in the Southend game and was replaced by Paul Bowles, who was struggling with weight issues. This defeat was the first of a run of six games in which the "Valiants" picked up just a solitary point. The Vale consistently lost away from home, but turned Vale Park into a fortress with four successive wins in Burslem. Despite this, attendances remained barely above 2,000. Injuries piled up; Gerry Keenan with ligament damage, Steve Jones with a collarbone injury, whereas Paul Bowles played on as captain despite being overweight.Sentinel Football Annual 1980–81 21 The club in the re-election zone, unable to attract fans, and losing £1,000 a week, Arthur MacPherson resigned as chairman on 2 October, and was replaced by Don Ratcliffe. The team lost 4–1 at York City two days later. Two days after this defeat, just 2,091 fans weathered a "monsoon" at Vale Park to witness a 3–1 win over Torquay United. Mark Chamberlain was then utilised, and scored four goals in his first four games and also created goals for others, starting with a brace in a 5–1 win over Tranmere Rovers. Former top-flight winger Johnny Miller then joined the club after his release from Mansfield Town. Miller's crossing ability had not diminished. He became a key player. Young keeper Mark Harrison in good form, McGrath felt able to sell Trevor Dance to Stafford Rangers for £10,000. Their upturn in form tailed off, and their 4–0 defeat at Plainmoor on 5 November was played in front of a then Torquay United record-low crowd of 1,227 fans. A 1–0 victory over league leaders Southend United was the only win in a sequence of 14 league games, with John Allen scoring the goal.Baggaley Mike Vale's run ends in controversy https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/vales-run-ends-in-controversy 10 November 2024 Valiant's Substack 10 November 2024 Gerry Keenan had to undergo a cartilage operation and was replaced at left-back by midfielder Russell Bromage. On 5 November, Plainmoor had a record low attendance of 1,227, though Torquay fans who weathered the "arctic conditions" did see their team hammer the Vale by four goals to nil. Vale responded well, beating league leaders Southend United five days later. In December, John Rudge was upgraded from coach to assistant manager. However, poor league form continued; on 27 December Vale lost 5–1 to Northampton Town at the County Ground, and Phil Sproson was sent off for swearing at teammate Russell Bromage. More away defeats came, with the Vale defence insistent on playing dangerous balls on the outside of their penalty area. On 24 January, they lost 5–0 at Field Mill to third-placed Mansfield Town; this left them at the foot of the league, four points adrift of safety. McGrath brought in two new signings: big defender Andy Higgins from Chesterfield and midfielder Terry Armstrong; Higgins was restricted mainly to away matches as there the team needed the added strength and height that he provided. He also signed keeper Brian Lloyd on loan from Chester City, and the former Wales international proved to be a revelation. McGrath then installed a five-man defence away from home; the tactic proved a success, as Vale avoided defeat in all but two of their final eight away games. McGrath later reflected that "that Mansfield match was a dreadful experience; I simply could not wait any longer before taking some action; we had to get some better players."Sentinel Football Annual 1981–82 19 Vale went on a streak of seven games unbeaten, recording a 4–0 win over fellow strugglers Hereford United on 16 March. A 2–1 victory at Tranmere Rovers eight days later also proved crucial. On 26 April, the club started a club-record run of six consecutive draws, which would end on 12 September the next season. Their goalless draw with Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road assured them of safety from re-election. They still put in a "dour" performance with a 5–3–2 formation to secure a 1–1 draw at Darlington on the final day. They finished in 19th place with 39 points, three points clear of the re-election places. For the third consecutive season, they had conceded seventy goals, and only Tranmere Rovers and Halifax Town conceded more. The Chamberlain brothers were the top scorers in the league with nine goals, whilst Neville scored 13 in all competitions. McGrath said "it has taken time, but the attitude [of the team] is slowly changing." Finances On the financial side, a £12,496 loss was announced. Income was supplemented by an intake of £174,890 from the commercial department. An average home attendance of 2,738 was the lowest since the club regained their Football League status in 1921. Nevertheless, spending had been slashed to bring finances under control. Six players left at the end of the season on free transfers, most significantly: Neil Griffiths (Crewe Alexandra), Steve Jones, Alan Woolfall (Marine), and John Allen (Hinckley Athletic). Loanee Lloyd also returned to his club, despite the fans demands to sign him up. Kenny Beech was sold to Walsall for £10,000. Cup competitions In the FA Cup, Vale advanced past Bradford City with a 4–2 win, the Chamberlain brothers in deadly form. "Bantams" manager George Mulhall said "it could have been ten!". With Harrison injured, Vale then used Derby County loanee keeper Steve Cherry in a 'magnificent' 1–1 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor. Vale then finished off the Third Division club at home with a 2–0 win in front of a season-high crowd of 7,722. Drawn against Isthmian League side Enfield in the third round, they drew 1–1 at Vale Park before they 'died in shame' with a 3–0 defeat in the replay. This was the first time the Vale had been knocked out of the competition by a non-League club since Gainsborough Trinity beat them 2–1 in 1937. Port Vale were Enfield's third scalp of the season after Barnsley and Hereford United. The loss came in front of the television cameras. It was particularly humiliating as Enfield's keeper had a quiet afternoon, and Cherry gifted Enfield their second goal with a horrible miskick. In the League Cup, Neville Chamberlain scored after only fifty seconds in a 3–2 home defeat by Tranmere Rovers. Vale then beat 1–0 at Prenton Park to exit the competition on away goals. Results Football League Fourth Division 1980–81 Football League League table Fourth Division y PTV Results by matchday table b Round Ground H/A/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/A/H/H/A/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/A/A/H/A/H/H/A/H/H/H/A/A/H/A/H/H/A/H/A/A Result W/L/L/D/L/L/L/W/L/W/L/W/W/L/W/D/L/D/L/D/W/L/D/D/L/L/L/L/L/D/W/L/D/D/W/W/W/D/D/L/W/D/L/D/D/D Position 2/8/17/16/20/21/21/22/24/18/22/19/16/20/17/17/17/18/20/21/17/21/21/21/22/22/22/23/24/23/22/22/22/22/21/20/19/19/19/20/19/19/19/20/20/19 Points 2p/2p/2p/3p/3p/3p/3p/5p/5p/7p/7p/9p/11p/11p/13p/14p/14p/15p/15p/16p/18p/18p/19p/20p/20p/20p/20p/20p/20p/21p/23p/23p/24p/25p/27p/29p/31p/32p/33p/33p/35p/36p/36p/37p/38p/39p Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss green1 red1 StattoPort Vale 1980–1981 : Results & Fixtures https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061247/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/port-vale/1980-1981/results 4 March 2016 . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012. Matches 1 16 August 1980 Port Vale 3–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-doncaster-rovers-16-august-1980-45890/ Doncaster Rovers Jones Griffiths N.Chamberlain Vale Park Burslem 2,846 2 18 August 1980 Southend United 5–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/southend-united-v-port-vale-18-august-1980-45897/ Port Vale N.Chamberlain Roots Hall Southend-on-Sea 4,190 3 23 August 1980 Wimbledon 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/wimbledon-v-port-vale-23-august-1980-45917/ Port Vale Plough Lane Wimbledon, London 1,775 4 30 August 1980 Port Vale 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-mansfield-town-30-august-1980-45926/ Mansfield Town Vale Park Burslem 2,558 5 6 September 1980 Wigan Athletic 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/wigan-athletic-v-port-vale-06-september-1980-45940/ Port Vale Gore Springfield Park Wigan 4,666 6 13 September 1980 Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-aldershot-13-september-1980-45950/ Aldershot Vale Park Burslem 2,370 7 15 September 1980 19:30 BST Stockport County 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/stockport-county-v-port-vale-15-september-1980-45956/ Port Vale Williams 12 Sword 65 pen. N.Chamberlain 85 Edgeley Park Stockport Arnold Challinor 3,480 8 20 September 1980 Port Vale 4–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-darlington-20-september-1980-45973/ Darlington Keenan Allen Farrell Vale Park Burslem 2,158 9 27 September 1980 Bury 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/bury-v-port-vale-27-september-1980-45983/ Port Vale Keenan Gigg Lane Bury, Greater Manchester 2,341 10 29 September 1980 19:30 BST Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-stockport-county-29-september-1980-45991/ Stockport County Beech 32 Allen 84 Vale Park Burslem Morris Baker 2,835 11 4 October 1980 York City 4–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/york-city-v-port-vale-04-october-1980-46014/ Port Vale Griffiths Bootham Crescent York 2,025 12 6 October 1980 Port Vale 3–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-torquay-united-06-october-1980-46016/ Torquay United og. Beech Griffiths pen. Vale Park Burslem 2,091 13 11 October 1980 Port Vale 5–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-tranmere-rovers-11-october-1980-46035/ Tranmere Rovers Bromage M.Chamberlain Allen Vale Park Burslem 2,820 14 18 October 1980 Bradford City 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/bradford-city-v-port-vale-18-october-1980-46043/ Port Vale Bromage Valley Parade Bradford 2,843 15 22 October 1980 Hereford United 2–3 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/hereford-united-v-port-vale-22-october-1980-46060/ Port Vale Dobson 59 86 Beech 25M. Chamberlain 67 85 Edgar Street Hereford 2,101 16 25 October 1980 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-hartlepool-united-25-october-1980-46071/ Hartlepool United Bromage 43 Kerr 57 Vale Park Burslem 3,072 17 27 October 1980 Port Vale 0–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-afc-bournemouth-27-october-1980-46076/ AFC Bournemouth Vale Park Burslem 3,009 18 1 November 1980 Peterborough United 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/peterborough-united-v-port-vale-01-november-1980-46095/ Port Vale Kellock Waugh og. London Road Stadium Peterborough B. Daniels 3,648 19 5 November 1980 Torquay United 4–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/torquay-united-v-port-vale-05-november-1980-46110/ Port Vale Plainmoor Torquay 1,227 20 8 November 1980 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-rochdale-08-november-1980-46119/ Rochdale Bowles 50 Esser 81 Vale Park Burslem 2,774 21 10 November 1980 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-southend-united-10-november-1980-46123/ Southend United Allen Vale Park Burslem 2,780 22 15 November 1980 Doncaster Rovers 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/doncaster-rovers-v-port-vale-15-november-1980-46138/ Port Vale Belle Vue Doncaster 2,422 23 5 December 1980 Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-crewe-alexandra-05-december-1980-46153/ Crewe Alexandra Beech N.Chamberlain Vale Park Burslem 4,154 24 20 December 1980 Halifax Town 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/halifax-town-v-port-vale-20-december-1980-46172/ Port Vale og. Woolfall The Shay Halifax, West Yorkshire 1,215 25 26 December 1980 Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-lincoln-city-26-december-1980-46186/ Lincoln City Vale Park Burslem 4,239 26 27 December 1980 19:30 GMT Northampton Town 5–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/northampton-town-v-port-vale-27-december-1980-46197/ Port Vale Farmer Bowen Sandercock Denyer N. Chamberlain County Cricket Ground Northampton 2,978 27 10 January 1981 Hartlepool United 3–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/hartlepool-united-v-port-vale-10-january-1981-46212/ Port Vale Newton 44 pen. 76 Hogan 69 Victoria Park Hartlepool 3,116 28 24 January 1981 Mansfield Town 5–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/mansfield-town-v-port-vale-24-january-1981-46233/ Port Vale Lumby Caldwell Wood McClelland Field Mill Mansfield 3,864 29 31 January 1981 Port Vale 2–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-wimbledon-31-january-1981-46245/ Wimbledon Miller pen. Vale Park Burslem 2,372 30 7 February 1981 Aldershot 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/aldershot-v-port-vale-07-february-1981-46253/ Port Vale Recreation Ground Aldershot 2,598 31 14 February 1981 Port Vale 3–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-wigan-athletic-14-february-1981-46271/ Wigan Athletic Miller Sproson N.Chamberlain Vale Park Burslem 3,214 32 21 February 1981 Port Vale 1–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bury-21-february-1981-46281/ Bury N.Chamberlain Vale Park Burslem 2,831 33 24 February 1981 Scunthorpe United 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/scunthorpe-united-v-port-vale-24-february-1981-46286/ Port Vale M.Chamberlain Old Show Ground Scunthorpe 1,878 34 3 March 1981 Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-scunthorpe-united-03-march-1981-46294/ Scunthorpe United Miller M.Chamberlain Vale Park Burslem 2,277 35 7 March 1981 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-york-city-07-march-1981-46306/ York City Bennett pen. M.Chamberlain Vale Park Burslem 2,319 36 16 March 1981 Port Vale 4–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-hereford-united-16-march-1981-46324/ Hereford United Bowles 44 52M. Chamberlain 71Armstrong 81 Vale Park Burslem 2,379 37 24 March 1981 Tranmere Rovers 1–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/tranmere-rovers-v-port-vale-24-march-1981-46339/ Port Vale Beech N.Chamberlain Prenton Park Prenton 1,422 38 28 March 1981 AFC Bournemouth 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/afc-bournemouth-v-port-vale-28-march-1981-46343/ Port Vale Dean Court Bournemouth 4,665 39 4 April 1981 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-peterborough-united-04-april-1981-46362/ Peterborough United Armstrong Cooke Vale Park Burslem R. Bridges 2,982 40 12 April 1981 Rochdale 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/rochdale-v-port-vale-12-april-1981-46379/ Port Vale Esser 28Martinez 64 Bowles 85 Spotland Stadium Rochdale 2,590 41 14 April 1981 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bradford-city-14-april-1981-46382/ Bradford City N.Chamberlain Sproson Vale Park Burslem 2,221 42 18 April 1981 15:00 BST Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-northampton-town-18-april-1981-46393/ Northampton Town Sproson Farmer Vale Park Burslem 2,371 43 20 April 1981 Lincoln City 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/lincoln-city-v-port-vale-20-april-1981-46400/ Port Vale Sincil Bank Lincoln 3,784 44 26 April 1981 Port Vale 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-halifax-town-26-april-1981-46414/ Halifax Town Vale Park Burslem 2,301 45 1 May 1981 Crewe Alexandra 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/crewe-alexandra-v-port-vale-01-may-1981-46417/ Port Vale Gresty Road Crewe 4,634 46 5 May 1981 Darlington 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/darlington-v-port-vale-05-may-1981-46431/ Port Vale M.Chamberlain Feethams Darlington 1,576 FA Cup 1980–81 FA Cup R1 22 November 1980 Port Vale 4–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bradford-city-22-november-1980-214682/ Bradford City N.Chamberlain Bennett pen. Beech Vale Park Burslem 4,022 R2 13 December 1980 Burnley 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/burnley-v-port-vale-13-december-1980-214707/ Port Vale Potts 61 Miller Turf Moor Burnley 7,497 Replay 16 December 1980 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-burnley-16-december-1980-214730/ Burnley Farrell M.Chamberlain Vale Park Burslem 7,722 R3 3 January 1981 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-enfield-03-january-1981-214758/ Enfield Beech Vale Park Burslem 5,538 Replay 6 January 1981 Enfield 3–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/enfield-v-port-vale-06-january-1981-214771/ Port Vale Southbury Road Enfield 6,499 League Cup 1980–81 Football League Cup R1 1st Leg 9 August 1980 Port Vale 2–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-tranmere-rovers-09-august-1980-30522/ Tranmere Rovers N.Chamberlain Vale Park Burslem 2,651 R1 2nd Leg 12 August 1980 Tranmere Rovers 0–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/tranmere-rovers-v-port-vale-12-august-1980-30546/ Port Vale Bromage Prenton Park Prenton 2,386 3a–3 yes Squad statistics Appearances and goals Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward Fourth Division FA Cup League Cup GK ENG Mark Harrison 24 0 1 0 0 0 GK WAL Brian Lloyd 16 0 0 0 0 0 DF ENG Paul Bowles 44 4 5 0 0 0 DF ENG Trevor Brissett 41 0 3 0 1 0 DF ENG Russell Bromage 45 4 5 0 2 1 DF ENG Neil Griffiths 21 3 2 0 2 0 DF ENG Lee Harwood 4 0 0 0 2 0 DF ENG Andy Higgins 10 0 0 0 0 0 DF ENG Gerry Keenan 12 3 0 0 1 0 DF ENG Phil Sproson 44 3 4 0 2 0 MF ENG Terry Armstrong 17 2 0 0 0 0 MF ENG Kenny Beech 45 5 5 2 2 0 MF ENG Paul Bennett 26 1 4 1 0 0 MF ENG Mark Chamberlain 31 9 5 1 0 0 MF ENG Ian Elsby 17 0 5 0 1 0 MF ENG Peter Farrell 25 1 4 1 2 0 MF ENG Johnny Miller 26 4 5 1 0 0 FW ENG Neville Chamberlain 35 9 5 2 2 2 FW ENG Alan Woolfall 11 1 0 0 0 0 |- |colspan="14"|Players who featured but departed the club during the season: GK ENG Steve Cherry 4 0 4 0 0 0 GK ENG Trevor Dance 2 0 0 0 0 0 MF ENG Lee Jenkins 1 0 0 0 0 0 FW ENG John Allen 18 4 0 0 2 0 FW ENG Steve Jones 10 1 2 0 2 0 |} Top scorers PlacePositionNationNameFourth DivisionFA CupLeague CupTotal1FWEnglandNeville Chamberlain922132MFEnglandMark Chamberlain910103MFEnglandKenny Beech52074DFEnglandRussell Bromage4015–MFEnglandJohnny Miller41056FWEnglandJohn Allen4004–DFEnglandPaul Bowles40048DFEnglandNeil Griffiths3003–DFEnglandPhil Sproson3003–DFEnglandGerry Keenan300311MFEnglandTerry Armstrong2002–MFEnglandPeter Farrell1102–MFEnglandPaul Bennett110214FWEnglandAlan Woolfall1001–FWEnglandSteve Jones1001–––Own goals3003TOTALS578368 Transfers Transfers in Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref. May 1980 FW ENG John Allen Leicester City Free transfer Kent Jeff Port Vale Personalities Witan Books 1996 0-9529152-0-0 May 1980 DF ENG Trevor Brissett Stoke City Free transfer September 1980 MF ENG Johnny Miller Mansfield Town Free transfer November 1980 MF ENG Lee Jenkins Aston Villa Free transfer February 1981 MF ENG Terry Armstrong Huddersfield Town Free transfer February 1981 DF ENG Andy Higgins Chesterfield Free transfer Transfers out Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref. October 1980 GK ENG Trevor Dance Stafford Rangers £10,000 April 1981 FW ENG John Allen Hinckley Athletic Free transfer April 1981 MF ENG Lee Jenkins FIN RoPS Free transfer April 1981 FW ENG Steve Jones Released May 1981 MF ENG Ian Elsby Macclesfield Town Free transfer May 1981 DF ENG Neil Griffiths Crewe Alexandra Free transfer May 1981 FW ENG Alan Woolfall Marine Free transfer August 1981 MF ENG Kenny Beech Walsall £10,000 Loans in Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref. November 1980 GK ENG Steve Cherry Derby County January 1981 February 1981 GK WAL Brian Lloyd Chester City Summer 1981 Loans out Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref. September 1980 GK ENG Trevor Dance Stafford Rangers October 1980 References Specific General Kent Jeff The Port Vale Record 1879-1993 Witan Books 1993 0-9508981-9-8 Category:Port Vale F.C. seasons Port Vale