1923–24 Port Vale F.C. season

March 2015 March 2015 Port Vale 1923–24 Joe Schofield Secretary-manager Sampson Walker Old Recreation Ground Football League Second Division 16th (38 points) FA Cup Fifth Qualification Round(eliminated by Wrexham) North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup Runners-up(eliminated by Stoke) Billy Briscoe (10) Billy Briscoe, Tom Page (10 each) 16,800 vs Stoke, 13 October 1923 3,000 vs South Shields, 21 January 1924 8,489 3–0 and 4–1 0–5 and 1–6 _buttons ff0000 ff0000 ff0000 ffffff ff0000 1922–23 1924–25 The 1923–24 season was Port Vale's fifth consecutive season of football (18th overall) in the English Football League.Kent Jeff The Valiants' Years The Story Of Port Vale Witan Books 1990 98–123 Keeping in Good Company (1919-1929) 0-9508981-4-7 Managed by Joe Schofield and chaired by Sampson Walker, the team played their home matches at the Old Recreation Ground. The club finished 17th in the 22-team division, earning 37 points from 14 wins, 9 draws, and 19 losses, scoring 45 goals while conceding 58. Despite a steady if unspectacular league performance, the club struggled to build consistent form throughout the season. Wilf Kirkham debuted, and goals came from all across the team. A still-standing club record was set on 5 April 1924, when Tom Holford played against Derby County at the age of 46. The most notable incident in the campaign was the death of Tom Butler on 11 November 1923; he died from complications of a broken arm that he picked up whilst playing for the club. In cup competitions, Vale were knocked out in the Fifth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup after a 5–1 defeat away at Wrexham. The club also participated in the North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup but again finished runners-up, losing 3–1 to Potteries derby rivals Stoke. These early cup exits denied the club any significant cup success to brighten an otherwise difficult campaign. Off the pitch, Port Vale continued to face financial challenges, struggling with low attendances and rising wage bills. Nevertheless, the club's management remained focused on stability and gradual improvement. The 1923–24 season ended with the club narrowly avoiding relegation, highlighting the need for reinvestment and squad strengthening in the seasons ahead. 400px|thumb|Back row: John Hampson, Tom Holford (trainer), Jack Maddock, Alf Dark, Thomas Lonsdale, Len Birks, Joe Schofield (manager) Front row: Jack Lowe, Tom Page, Fred Howard, Tom Butler, Louis Bookman, Bob Connelly 200px|thumb|right|Tom Holford retired at the end of the season, at the age of 43. 200px|thumb|right|Billy Briscoe spent six months at Congleton Town, before returning to Vale in January to become the club's top scorer. 200px|thumb|right|New-signing Jack Maddock played 22 games. Overview Second Division To strengthen the side, pre-season signings included: Stalybridge Celtic goalkeeper Tommy Lonsdale; Macclesfield Town 'penalty king' right-back Jack Maddock; Leeds United tough-tackling half-back Alf Dark; Bolton Wanderers winger Jack Lowe; Clyde's reliable forward Fred Howard; and Exeter City goal machine Harold Crockford. The kit for the season was picked – red jerseys with white shorts. The season started positively, with two wins recorded, as well as a 14,000 home crowd. However, a run of one point won in five games saw the club slump down the table. The arrival of Ireland international Louis Bookman for £250 from Luton Town couldn't reverse the side's fortunes. Their stats by the end of October were: played twelve, lost eight, failed to score in six. This miserable run included two defeats inflicted by rivals Stoke – the first time they had done the double over Vale in the league. Crockford agreed to have his contract cancelled, and talks began to try to re-sign Billy Briscoe. A young Wilf Kirkham made his debut against Leeds United, but failed to make much of an impact. Their rotten form seemed to have been turned around when the "Valiants" earned a 1–1 draw with Clapton Orient on 3 November 1923. Tom Butler scored the goal, yet paid the ultimate price for his efforts. Near the end of the match, he suffered a compound fracture in his left arm, and complications set in whilst he was at Hackney Hospital, causing septic poisoning; he died of lockjaw on 11 November. The club paid his widow the rest of his wages, and Stoke and numerous other clubs donated generously to provide the widow with a £700 benefit fund. Back to football, and the club signed 41-year-old former England international Arthur Bridgett, even though he had spent several years in retirement. The winger impressed and scored within ninety seconds of his debut. Later in the year, Peter Pursell returned to the field for the first time in the season following an injury, and it was like a new signing. Despite all this, Vale still suffered, and a heavy defeat at Old Trafford saw them stuck at the foot of the table. Turning to 1924, the Vale managed a run of six games unbeaten, and Briscoe was finally given his pay rise, and so was re-signed from Congleton Town. Fred Howard was subsequently given a free transfer. Despite Blackpool putting twelve past the Vale defence, the latter half of the season saw a massive improvement, losing just 6 of the 22 games. Briscoe and Kirkham provided the goals to lift the club out of the relegation zone. On 5 April, Tom Holford played against Derby County at the age of 46 – still a club record. At the end of the season, Vale finished in 16th place with 38 points, making it a consecutive season that the club bettered their previous season tally by one point and one place. Performing poorly at home, only bottom place Bristol City lost more home games, and only second-bottom Nelson conceded more at home. Vale were five points clear of relegation but 13 points off a promotion place. Briscoe, Page, Kirkham, and Bridgett were the major goalscorers. Full-back Len Birks was an ever-present, and Tommy Lonsdale, Jack Hampson, and Jack Lowe were also key first-team players. As well as the debut of Kirkham, Roger Jones also made his debut, starting his 14-year association with the club. At the end of the season, the club let Peter Pursell leave for Wigan Borough, whereas Lonsdale and Hampson both retired due to injuries. Finances Finances were once again worrying for the club and its supporters. A greatly reduced wage bill of £7,900 still necessitated fundraising activities from fans to keep the club alive. Arthur Prince was also sold to Sheffield Wednesday to raise cash. Season ticket prices ranged from £2 6s. 6d. to £3, 6s. 6d. Cup competitions In the FA Cup, Vale drew Third Division North Wrexham in the fifth round of Qualifying for the second successive season, and another disappointing defeat followed, this time at the Racecourse Ground, with the Welsh club running out 5–1 winners. The North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup went to Stoke, who beat Vale 1–0 at the Old Recreation Ground. Results Football League Second Division 1923–24 Football League League table Second Division y PTV Results by matchday table b Round Ground A/H/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/A/H/A/H/H/H/A/H/A/A/A/H/H/A/H/A/A/A/H/H/H/A/H/A/A/A/H/H/H/A Result W/W/L/L/D/L/L/W/L/L/L/L/D/W/L/D/W/L/L/W/D/D/W/D/D/L/L/D/D/D/W/L/W/L/W/L/W/L/D/W/D/W Position 3/1/9/11/12/14/18/14/16/17/21/21/21/21/21/21/21/22/22/22/21/21/21/21/20/20/20/19/19/19/19/19/19/19/19/19/18/19/19/18/18/16 Points 2p/4p/4p/4p/5p/5p/5p/7p/7p/7p/7p/7p/8p/10p/10p/11p/13p/13p/13p/15p/16p/17p/19p/20p/21p/21p/21p/22p/23p/24p/26p/26p/28p/28p/30p/30p/32p/32p/33p/35p/36p/38p Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss gold green1 red1 StattoPort Vale 1923–1924 : Results & Fixtures https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063728/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/port-vale/1923-1924/results 4 March 2016 . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012. Matches 1 25 August 1923 Crystal Palace 1–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/crystal-palace-v-port-vale-25-august-1923-96275/ Port Vale Crockford Dark Croydon Common Old Recreation Ground Selhurst, Croydon 10,000 2 27 August 1923 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-sheffield-wednesday-27-august-1923-96291/ The Wednesday Collinge Crockford Old Recreation Ground Hanley 14,000 3 1 September 1923 Port Vale 3–4 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-crystal-palace-01-september-1923-96301/ Crystal Palace Howard pen. Page Old Recreation Ground Hanley 12,900 4 3 September 1923 The Wednesday 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/sheffield-wednesday-v-port-vale-03-september-1923-96311/ Port Vale Taylor pen. Trotter Lowe Hillsborough Stadium Owlerton 12,000 5 8 September 1923 Stockport County 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/stockport-county-v-port-vale-08-september-1923-96324/ Port Vale Edgeley Park Stockport 12,000 6 15 September 1923 Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-stockport-county-15-september-1923-96336/ Stockport County Woodcock Old Recreation Ground Hanley 11,000 7 22 September 1923 Leicester City 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/leicester-city-v-port-vale-22-september-1923-96344/ Port Vale Chandler Filbert Street Leicester 19,000 8 29 September 1923 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-leicester-city-29-september-1923-96359/ Leicester City Page Connelly Graham Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,400 9 6 October 1923 Stoke 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/stoke-v-port-vale-06-october-1923-96371/ Port Vale Clarke Victoria Ground Stoke-upon-Trent 21,685 10 13 October 1923 Port Vale 2–4 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-stoke-13-october-1923-96382/ Stoke Page Butler J Broad Eyres Old Recreation Ground Hanley 16,800 11 20 October 1923 Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-leeds-united-20-october-1923-96393/ Leeds United Richmond Old Recreation Ground Hanley 9,300 12 27 October 1923 Leeds United 3–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/leeds-united-v-port-vale-27-october-1923-96402/ Port Vale Swann Richmond Elland Road Beeston, Leeds 12,000 13 3 November 1923 Clapton Orient 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/leyton-orient-v-port-vale-03-november-1923-96412/ Port Vale Butler Clapton Stadium Clapton, London 15,000 14 10 November 1923 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-leyton-orient-10-november-1923-96425/ Clapton Orient Bridgett Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,540 15 17 November 1923 Bradford City 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/bradford-city-v-port-vale-17-november-1923-96428/ Port Vale Valley Parade Bradford 7,500 16 24 November 1923 Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bradford-city-24-november-1923-96445/ Bradford City Connelly Bridgett Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,000 17 8 December 1923 Port Vale 4–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-barnsley-08-december-1923-96461/ Barnsley Page Hampson Bridgett Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,083 18 15 December 1923 Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-manchester-united-15-december-1923-96473/ Manchester United Grimwood Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,500 19 22 December 1923 Manchester United 5–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/manchester-united-v-port-vale-22-december-1923-96482/ Port Vale Bain Lochhead Spence Old Trafford Old Trafford 11,750 20 29 December 1923 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bury-29-december-1923-96513/ Bury Reid Bridgett Old Recreation Ground Hanley 8,348 21 1 January 1924 South Shields 3–3 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/south-shields-afc-v-port-vale-01-january-1924-96516/ Port Vale Page Bridgett Reid Horsley Hill South Shields 10,000 22 5 January 1924 Bury 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/bury-v-port-vale-05-january-1924-96520/ Port Vale Gigg Lane Bury, Greater Manchester 10,000 23 19 January 1924 Coventry City 1–3 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/coventry-city-v-port-vale-19-january-1924-96533/ Port Vale Shea Bridgett Kirkham Highfield Road Coventry 8,000 24 21 January 1924 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-south-shields-afc-21-january-1924-96542/ South Shields Hampson Old Recreation Ground Hanley 3,000 25 26 January 1924 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-coventry-city-26-january-1924-96552/ Coventry City Lowe Pynegar Old Recreation Ground Hanley 10,000 26 2 February 1924 Barnsley 3–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/barnsley-v-port-vale-02-february-1924-96554/ Port Vale Oakwell Barnsley 7,000 27 9 February 1924 Port Vale 0–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bristol-city-09-february-1924-96568/ Bristol City Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,000 28 13 February 1924 Bristol City 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/bristol-city-v-port-vale-13-february-1924-96572/ Port Vale Ashton Gate Ashton Gate, Bristol 7,000 29 16 February 1924 Southampton 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/southampton-v-port-vale-16-february-1924-96583/ Port Vale Dominy Briscoe The Dell Southampton 10,000 30 1 March 1924 Fulham 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/fulham-v-port-vale-01-march-1924-96600/ Port Vale Craven Cottage Fulham, West London 12,000 31 8 March 1924 Port Vale 3–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-fulham-08-march-1924-96615/ Fulham Kirkham Briscoe Old Recreation Ground Hanley 9,000 32 15 March 1924 Port Vale 2–6 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-blackpool-15-march-1924-96630/ Blackpool Briscoe pen. Old Recreation Ground Hanley 11,700 33 17 March 1924 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-southampton-17-march-1924-96632/ Southampton Kirkham Old Recreation Ground Hanley 5,000 34 22 March 1924 Blackpool 6–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/blackpool-v-port-vale-22-march-1924-96634/ Port Vale Page Bloomfield Road Blackpool 10,000 35 29 March 1924 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-derby-county-29-march-1924-96654/ Derby County Maddock pen. Briscoe Old Recreation Ground Hanley 8,000 36 5 April 1924 Derby County 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/derby-county-v-port-vale-05-april-1924-96661/ Port Vale Galloway Bromage Baseball Ground Derby 10,000 37 12 April 1924 Nelson 1–3 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/nelson-v-port-vale-12-april-1924-96675/ Port Vale Cameron Page Briscoe Kirkham Seedhill Football Ground Nelson, Lancashire 6,000 38 18 April 1924 Oldham Athletic 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/oldham-athletic-v-port-vale-18-april-1924-96685/ Port Vale Boundary Park Oldham 11,000 39 19 April 1924 Port Vale 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-nelson-19-april-1924-96695/ Nelson Old Recreation Ground Hanley 8,000 40 21 April 1924 Port Vale 3–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-oldham-athletic-21-april-1924-96706/ Oldham Athletic Kirkham Page Briscoe Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,000 41 26 April 1924 15:30 BST Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-hull-city-26-april-1924-96722/ Hull City Briscoe Kirkham Martin 10 63 Old Recreation Ground Hanley 5,689 42 3 May 1924 15:00 BST Hull City 1–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/hull-city-v-port-vale-03-may-1924-96729/ Port Vale Mills 30 Briscoe Anlaby Road Kingston upon Hull 6,000 FA Cup 1923–24 FA Cup 5Q 1 December 1923 14:15 GMT Wrexham 5–1 L https://www.wrexhamafcarchive.co.uk/matchdetails.php?id=5375 Port Vale Cotton 16 35 55 Toms 57 Jackson 77 Page 75 Racecourse Ground Wrexham J Cahill 8,390 North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup Final 28 April 1924 Port Vale 0–1 L Stoke Old Recreation Ground Hanley 200px|thumb|right|Sunderland legend Arthur Bridgett ended his professional career with Vale in 1924. thumb|right|Club record goalscorer Wilf Kirkham. thumb|Scottish midfielder Bob Connelly. Squad statistics Appearances and goals Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; FB – Full back; HB – Half back; FW – Forward Second Division FA Cup Other GK ENG Sidney Brown 8 0 1 0 1 0 GK ENG Tommy Lonsdale 31 0 0 0 0 0 GK ENG Robert Radford 3 0 0 0 0 0 FB ENG Len Birks 42 0 1 0 1 0 FB ENG Jack Maddock 21 1 0 0 0 0 FB ENG Jimmy Oakes 2 0 0 0 0 0 FB SCO Peter Pursell 24 0 0 0 1 0 HB ENG Ernest Collinge 18 1 1 0 0 0 HB SCO Bob Connelly 24 2 0 0 1 0 HB ENG Alf Dark 25 1 1 0 0 0 HB ENG Tom Davis 14 0 0 0 0 0 HB WAL 1807 Jack Hampson 31 2 1 0 1 0 HB ENG Tom Holford 2 0 0 0 0 0 HB ENG Roger Jones 1 0 1 0 0 0 HB ENG Jack Mellor 6 0 0 0 0 0 FW IRE Louis Bookman 10 0 1 0 0 0 FW ENG Arthur Bridgett 14 7 1 0 0 0 FW ENG Billy Briscoe 20 10 1 0 0 0 FW ENG Wilf Kirkham 21 7 0 0 1 0 FW ENG Harry Lovatt 0 0 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Jack Lowe 30 2 1 0 1 0 FW ENG Tom Page 37 9 1 1 1 0 FW ENG Joe Pointon 6 0 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Arthur Prince 27 0 0 0 1 0 FW SCO Tom Reid 17 2 1 0 0 0 FW Albert Spencer 1 0 0 0 0 0 |- |colspan="14"|Players who featured but departed the club during the season: FB ENG William Newton 1 0 0 0 0 0 FW ENG George Benson 1 0 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Tom Butler 7 2 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Harold Crockford 6 2 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Fred Howard 12 2 0 0 0 0 |} Top scorers PlacePositionNationNameSecond DivisionFA CupInfirmary CupTotal1FWEnglandTom Page91010–FWEnglandBilly Briscoe1000103FWEnglandWilf Kirkham7007–FWEnglandArthur Bridgett70075FWEnglandFred Howard2002–FWEnglandTom Butler2002–FWScotlandTom Reid2002–FWEnglandHarold Crockford2002–FWEnglandJack Lowe2002–HBWales 1807Jack Hampson2002–HBScotlandBob Connelly200212FBEnglandJack Maddock1001–HBEnglandErnest Collinge1001–HBEnglandAlf Dark1001TOTALS501051 Transfers Transfers in Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref. 1923 FW ENG Arthur Bridgett Sunderland Free transfer Kent Jeff Port Vale Personalities Witan Books 1996 0-9529152-0-0 1923 FW ENG Wilf Kirkham Congleton Town Free transfer April 1923 FW ENG Joe Pointon Stoke City Free transfer May 1923 FW ENG Harold Crockford Exeter City Free transfer May 1923 FW ENG Jack Lowe Bolton Wanderers Free transfer June 1923 HB ENG Alf Dark Leeds United Free transfer June 1923 GK ENG Tommy Lonsdale Stalybridge Celtic Free transfer June 1923 FB ENG William Newton Red Street P.S.A. Free transfer July 1923 FW ENG Fred Howard SCO Clyde Free transfer July 1923 HB ENG Roger Jones Ravensdale Free transfer July 1923 HB ENG Jack Mellor New Mills Free transfer July 1923 GK ENG Robert Radford Brereton Social Free transfer August 1923 FB ENG Jack Maddock Macclesfield Town Free transfer August 1923 FB ENG Jimmy Oakes Milton Albion Free transfer September 1923 FW Ireland 1783 Louis Bookman Luton Town £250 November 1923 FW ENG Albert Spencer Wolverhampton Wanderers Free transfer January 1924 FW ENG Billy Briscoe Congleton Town Free transfer February 1924 FW ENG George Benson Queens Park Rangers Trial Transfers out Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref. September 1923 FW ENG Harold Crockford Chesterfield Mutual consent November 1923 FW ENG Tom Butler His death November 1923 FW ENG Fred Howard New Brighton Free transfer February 1924 FW ENG George Benson Chorley Trial ended February 1924 FB ENG William Newton Congleton Town Free transfer May 1924 FW ENG Arthur Prince Sheffield Wednesday £750 Summer 1924 FW Ireland 1783 Louis Bookman Ireland 1783 Shelbourne Released Summer 1924 FW ENG Arthur Bridgett Sandbach Ramblers Released Summer 1924 HB ENG Alf Dark Halifax Town Released Summer 1924 HB ENG Jack Hampson Released Summer 1924 HB ENG Tom Holford Retired Summer 1924 GK ENG Tommy Lonsdale Released Summer 1924 HB ENG Jack Mellor New Mills Released Summer 1924 FB SCO Peter Pursell Wigan Borough Free transfer Summer 1924 GK ENG Robert Radford Brereton Social Released Summer 1924 FW ENG Albert Spencer Willenhall Released 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