1974–75 Port Vale F.C. season

March 2015 March 2015 Port Vale 1974–75 Roy Sproson Mark Singer Vale Park Football League Third Division 6th (51 points) FA Cup First Round(eliminated by Lincoln City) League Cup First Round(eliminated by Northampton Town) Player of the Year John Connaughton Ray Williams (14) Terry Bailey, Ray Williams (14 each) 9,135 vs. Blackburn Rovers, 26 April 1975 2,704 vs. Gillingham, 7 September 1974 4,346 4–0 vs. Huddersfield Town, 14 December 1974 0–3 and 1–4 _black_stripes _collarblack _black_stripes _white stripes _3_stripes_white ffffff ffffff ffffff 000000 000000 1973–74 1975–76 The 1974–75 season was Port Vale's 63rd season of football in the Football League, and their fifth-successive season (11th overall) in the Third Division.Kent Jeff The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale Witan Books 1990 227–257 Surviving on a Shoestring (1969–1979) 0-9508981-4-7 It marked Roy Sproson's first full season as manager, following his appointment in April 1974. Strengthening the squad, Sproson added midfielder Terry Bailey, winger Frank Sharp, defender Garry Dulson, and goalkeeper John Connaughton. Vale mounted a steady promotion challenge, finishing sixth with 51 points, just four points shy of a promotion spot. In contrast, Potteries derby rivals Stoke City, bolstered by European competition and a push for the First Division title, overshadowed Vale — contributing to them having the third-lowest average attendance in the division at 4,346. In cup competitions, Vale bowed out at the first-round stage of both the FA Cup (losing to Lincoln City) and the League Cup. Leading the scoring charts for the club were Ray Williams and Terry Bailey, each netting 14 goals across all competitions. The season's highest attendance was 9,135, recorded against Blackburn Rovers on 26 April 1975, while the lowest was 2,704 against Gillingham on 7 September 1974. Despite financial constraints and dwindling support, Port Vale delivered a spirited promotion push under Roy Sproson, combining notable individual performances with a solid sixth‑place finish in the league. Overview Third Division The pre-season saw Roy Sproson attempt to construct a new attacking style by signing attacking midfielder Terry Bailey from Stafford Rangers for £2,500, orthodox winger Frank Sharp from Grimsby Town, and 24-year-old goalkeeper John Connaughton from Sheffield United. There was also a dispute with John Woodward who asked for a transfer after a disagreement over his contract; Sproson said "he is trying to hold us to ransom and we are not having that". The season opened with two Bailey goals in a 2–2 draw at Wrexham. Vale would have to wait until their fourth match for a victory, at which point their coffers were boosted by £10,000 following Sammy Morgan's success at Aston Villa. On 31 August, Bill Summerscales was sent off in a 3–0 loss at Grimsby Town. The first win of the season came the following week, as Gillingham were defeated by two goals to one in front of only 2,704 at Vale Park. In September, Sproson made a £10,000 bid for Keith Leonard that was rejected. Instead he brought in 20-year-old left-back Garry Dulson on loan from Nottingham Forest, and later bought him permanently for £5,000, using another £5,400 Villa were forced to pay Vale after Morgan hit another target. On 8 October, they managed a 0–0 draw away at Walsall and were accused of "spoiling tactics" as John Brodie was sent off for timewasting on 75 minutes. On 2 November, Sproson "liberally handed out cigars" following a 2–1 victory at Bournemouth. A week later, they produced "a sparkling display of open, attacking football" to recover a two-goal deficit and defeat Chesterfield by three goals to two. Sproson tried playing Keith Chadwick at centre-forward, which created more scoring opportunities as he was good in the air. The "Valiants" proved difficult to beat, and heading into Christmas they won six of their last nine league games. Their 4–0 win over Huddersfield Town lifted them into third place, with reporter Chris Harper writing that "the real strength of the performance again emanated from midfield where (Tommy) McLaren, Bailey, Lacey and Horton reigned supreme", though attendances were still below 4,000.Baggaley Mike Injury news and selection debate as Port Vale prepare for Wigan https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/injury-news-and-selection-debate 15 December 2023 Valiant's Substack 14 December 2023 They only lost 1–0 at Preston North End the following week due to a hotly-disputed goal, with Tommy McLaren sent off for his violent protestations that the goal was offside. A 3–1 win over Southend United at Roots Hall then put the club into second spot, at which point Bob Mountford was sold to Rochdale for £2,000. A four-day holiday in Benidorm in the new year did not seem to help the Vale, as three straight defeats followed to drag them down the table. To halt the slide, Sproson bought "stocky and brave" striker Derek Brownbill from Liverpool for £5,000. On 3 March, Vale recorded a 1–0 home win over Charlton Athletic as Brownbill scored his first goal for the club, though Connaughton was particularly brave and impressive to earn his clean sheet.Baggaley Mike Vale frustration in Harrogate stalemate https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/vale-frustration-in-harrogate-stalemate 5 March 2025 Valiant's Substack 5 March 2025 Five days later Vale had two sendings off in a 3–1 defeat to bottom club Huddersfield Town at Leeds Road – John Brodie also managed to break his leg in the challenge that earned him a red card – forced Sproson to defend his team after that took the Vale's red card tally to seven for the season. Chadwick was then lost to a knee injury, which required a cartilage operation. A 2–1 win over Preston North End at Vale Park on 29 March was opposition player-manager Bobby Charlton's last appearance in the Football League.Baggaley Mike Port Vale selection questions for season-defining games https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/port-vale-selection-questions-for#poll-113222 23 October 2023 Valiant's Substack 23 October 2023 Bailey scored a brace after Colin Tartt put the ball into his own net with a misshit attempt at a clearance.Baggaley Mike Battling in league and cup https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/battling-in-league-and-cup 13 January 2026 Valiant's Substack 12 January 2026 A solid spell put Vale back into the promotion race by March, though their form dropped off again, and their hopes were crushed completely on 26 April with a 3–1 defeat at home to Gordon Lee's champions-elect Blackburn Rovers. They finished in sixth place with 51 points, leaving them four points shy of promoted Charlton Athletic. Just two home losses were matched by only three victories on the road. The three main scorers were Ray Williams (14), Terry Bailey (14), and Brian Horton (13). At the end of the season the players took a break in Malta, where they drew 1–1 with Floriana.Baldacchino Carmel Shadows from the past: Port Vale in Malta for Floriana celebrations https://timesofmalta.com/article/shadows-from-the-past-port-vale-in-malta-for-floriana-celebrations.653691#:~:text=Then%2C%20English%20Third%20Division%20club,club%20was%20formed%20in%201879. 29 February 2024 Times of Malta 20 July 2017 en-gb Tommy McLaren spent the summer in Oregon, playing for the Portland Timbers. Finances On the financial side, there was a loss of £16,964 despite donations of £13,803 from the development funds. The supporters group also paid £1,200 for video equipment, allowing the club to record games and show players their mistakes.Kent Jeff Port Vale Tales: A Collection Of Stories, Anecdotes And Memories Witan Books December 1991 42 0-9508981-6-3 The average home attendance of 4,346 was the third-lowest in the division. Wages stood at £72,874, gate receipts took in £43,199, and there was a loss in the transfer market of £6,000. The financial situation meant that seven players were released and 13 were retained. Amongst those departing were: John Woodward (Scunthorpe United); Frank Sharp (Northwich Victoria); Roy Cross (Nuneaton Borough); Bill Summerscales (Rochdale); and Reg Edwards (Brereton Social). Cup competitions In the FA Cup, Vale lost their first round replay 2–0 at Lincoln City's Sincil Bank, following a 2–2 draw in Burslem. Dulson scored an own goal in the original match and was sent off in the replay for punching Dick Krzywicki. In the League Cup, Vale left the competition at the first stage with a 1–0 defeat at Fourth Division side Northampton Town's Sixfields Stadium. Results Football League Third Division 1974–75 Football League League table Third Division PVL Results by matchday table b Round Ground A/H/A/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/A/H/A/A/H/A/H/H/A/A/H/H/A/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/H/H/H/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/A/H/H Result D/D/L/W/L/D/W/D/D/L/D/W/L/D/W/W/D/W/L/W/W/W/L/W/W/L/L/L/D/D/D/W/W/L/W/W/D/W/L/D/D/W/D/L/L/W Position 9/9/22/14/16/16/12/16/12/16/16/13/14/14/13/13/11/11/14/10/9/3/7/2/2/6/7/11/9/10/9/9/7/9/7/4/6/5/5/5/6/4/4/6/8/6 Points 1p/2p/2p/4p/4p/5p/7p/8p/9p/9p/10p/12p/12p/13p/15p/17p/18p/20p/20p/22p/24p/26p/26p/28p/30p/30p/30p/30p/31p/32p/33p/35p/37p/37p/39p/41p/42p/44p/44p/45p/46p/48p/49p/49p/49p/51p Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss green1 red1 StattoPort Vale 1974–1975 : Results & Fixtures https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063201/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/port-vale/1974-1975/results 4 March 2016 . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012. Matches 1 17 August 1974 15:00 BST Wrexham 2–2 D https://www.wrexhamafcarchive.co.uk/matchdetails.php?id=3372 Port Vale Smallman 26 42 Bailey 34 81 Racecourse Ground Wrexham Ken Walmsley A.A. Booth, E.N. Darks 6,314 2 24 August 1974 Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-swindon-town-24-august-1974-134172/ Swindon Town Williams 34 Sharp 64 MacLean 15 Moss 17 Vale Park Burslem D. Lloyd 3,446 3 31 August 1974 Grimsby Town 3–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/grimsby-town-v-port-vale-31-august-1974-134179/ Port Vale Blundell Park Cleethorpes 5,383 4 7 September 1974 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-gillingham-07-september-1974-134201/ Gillingham Horton pen. Sharp Vale Park Burslem 2,704 5 13 September 1974 Tranmere Rovers 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/tranmere-rovers-v-port-vale-13-september-1974-134205/ Port Vale Prenton Park Prenton 3,033 6 18 September 1974 Brighton & Hove Albion 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/brighton-and-hove-albion-v-port-vale-18-september-1974-134222/ Port Vale Bailey Goldstone Ground Hove 12,340 7 21 September 1974 Port Vale 3–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-hereford-united-21-september-1974-134234/ Hereford United Williams 66Horton 71Bailey 85 Vale Park Burslem 3,433 8 28 September 1974 Halifax Town 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/halifax-town-v-port-vale-28-september-1974-134253/ Port Vale Bailey The Shay Halifax, West Yorkshire 1,935 9 30 September 1974 Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-colchester-united-30-september-1974-134259/ Colchester United Williams 64Bailey 72 Froggatt 9Lindsay 47 Vale Park Burslem J Cross 3,722 10 5 October 1974 Aldershot 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/aldershot-v-port-vale-05-october-1974-134272/ Port Vale Horton Recreation Ground Aldershot 3,406 11 8 October 1974 Walsall 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/walsall-v-port-vale-08-october-1974-134285/ Port Vale Fellows Park Walsall 6,507 12 12 October 1974 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-plymouth-argyle-12-october-1974-134295/ Plymouth Argyle Horton Woodward Vale Park Burslem R. Kirkpatrick 3,634 13 15 October 1974 Colchester United 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/colchester-united-v-port-vale-15-october-1974-134298/ Port Vale Svarc 11 30 Layer Road Colchester Ray Tinkler 5,184 14 19 October 1974 Blackburn Rovers 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/blackburn-rovers-v-port-vale-19-october-1974-134305/ Port Vale Bailey Woodward Ewood Park Blackburn 9,777 15 26 October 1974 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-crystal-palace-26-october-1974-134330/ Crystal Palace Bailey Horton Vale Park Burslem 5,148 16 2 November 1974 AFC Bournemouth 1–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/afc-bournemouth-v-port-vale-02-november-1974-134337/ Port Vale Williams Dean Court Bournemouth 5,143 17 4 November 1974 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-walsall-04-november-1974-134347/ Walsall Williams Vale Park Burslem 4,859 18 9 November 1974 Port Vale 3–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-chesterfield-09-november-1974-134363/ Chesterfield Woodward Williams Vale Park Burslem 3,941 19 16 November 1974 Watford 3–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/watford-v-port-vale-16-november-1974-134378/ Port Vale Jenkins Lees Mayes Bailey og. Vicarage Road Watford 6,659 20 30 November 1974 Peterborough United 0–2 W https://www.theposhtrust.co.uk/match/1009/19741130 Port Vale Chadwick Horton London Road Stadium Peterborough E. Read 7,627 21 7 December 1974 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bury-07-december-1974-134401/ Bury Horton pen. Vale Park Burslem 4,038 22 14 December 1974 Port Vale 4–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-huddersfield-town-14-december-1974-134405/ Huddersfield Town Horton Chadwick Bailey Lacey Vale Park Burslem 3,986 23 21 December 1974 Preston North End 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/preston-north-end-v-port-vale-21-december-1974-134413/ Port Vale Deepdale Preston, Lancashire 8,743 24 26 December 1974 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-tranmere-rovers-26-december-1974-134426/ Tranmere Rovers Horton Vale Park Burslem 6,196 25 28 December 1974 Southend United 1–3 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/southend-united-v-port-vale-28-december-1974-134437/ Port Vale Williams Chadwick Horton pen. Roots Hall Southend-on-Sea 6,535 26 11 January 1975 Bury 3–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/bury-v-port-vale-11-january-1975-134450/ Port Vale Horton Gigg Lane Bury, Greater Manchester 7,204 27 18 January 1975 Port Vale 1–3 L https://www.theposhtrust.co.uk/match/1009/19750118 Peterborough United Horton Gregory Nixon Vale Park Burslem E. Jolly 4,979 28 1 February 1975 Chesterfield 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/chesterfield-v-port-vale-01-february-1975-134477/ Port Vale Saltergate Chesterfield, Derbyshire 4,348 29 8 February 1975 Port Vale 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-afc-bournemouth-08-february-1975-134497/ AFC Bournemouth Vale Park Burslem 3,710 30 15 February 1975 Charlton Athletic 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/charlton-athletic-v-port-vale-15-february-1975-134505/ Port Vale Chadwick The Valley Charlton, London 9,449 31 22 February 1975 Port Vale 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-watford-22-february-1975-134524/ Watford Vale Park Burslem 4,164 32 1 March 1975 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-grimsby-town-01-march-1975-134540/ Grimsby Town Williams Vale Park Burslem 3,335 33 3 March 1975 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-charlton-athletic-03-march-1975-134541/ Charlton Athletic Brownbill Vale Park Burslem 4,638 34 8 March 1975 Huddersfield Town 3–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/huddersfield-town-v-port-vale-08-march-1975-134551/ Port Vale Garner Gowling pen. Dolan Williams Leeds Road Huddersfield 6,705 35 15 March 1975 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-halifax-town-15-march-1975-134565/ Halifax Town Brownbill Bailey Vale Park Burslem 3,334 36 17 March 1975 19:30 GMT Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.wrexhamafcarchive.co.uk/matchdetails.php?id=957 Wrexham McLaren 21 Lacey 62 Vale Park Burslem M. Lowe J.H. Rees, C.J. Riley 4,661 37 22 March 1975 Gillingham 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/gillingham-v-port-vale-22-march-1975-134584/ Port Vale Priestfield Stadium Gillingham, Kent 7,524 38 29 March 1975 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-preston-north-end-29-march-1975-134609/ Preston North End Bailey Vale Park Burslem 6,583 39 31 March 1975 Hereford United 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/hereford-united-v-port-vale-31-march-1975-134616/ Port Vale Gregory 90 Edgar Street Hereford 6,976 40 1 April 1975 Port Vale 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-southend-united-01-april-1975-134620/ Southend United Vale Park Burslem 4,178 41 5 April 1975 Crystal Palace 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/crystal-palace-v-port-vale-05-april-1975-134629/ Port Vale Horton pen. Selhurst Park Selhurst, Croydon 15,195 42 12 April 1975 Port Vale 3–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-aldershot-12-april-1975-134651/ Aldershot Williams Brownbill Vale Park Burslem 3,382 43 19 April 1975 Plymouth Argyle 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/plymouth-argyle-v-port-vale-19-april-1975-134668/ Port Vale Delve Brownbill Home Park Plymouth A. Turvey 22,447 44 22 April 1975 Swindon Town 3–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/swindon-town-v-port-vale-22-april-1975-134678/ Port Vale Prophett 32 Moss 34 pen. Anderson 37 Harris Williams County Ground Swindon K. Salmon 7,637 45 26 April 1975 Port Vale 1–4 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-blackburn-rovers-26-april-1975-134691/ Blackburn Rovers Williams Vale Park Burslem 9,135 46 28 April 1975 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-brighton-and-hove-albion-28-april-1975-134695/ Brighton & Hove Albion Woodward Vale Park Burslem 2,754 FA Cup 1974–75 FA Cup R1 23 November 1974 Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-lincoln-city-23-november-1974-213701/ Lincoln City Bailey Mountford Vale Park Burslem 4,840 Replay 27 November 1974 Lincoln City 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/lincoln-city-v-port-vale-27-november-1974-213724/ Port Vale Sincil Bank Lincoln 6,824 League Cup 1974–75 Football League Cup R1 20 August 1974 19:45 BST Northampton Town 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/northampton-town-v-port-vale-20-august-1974-29638/ Port Vale Robertson County Cricket Ground Northampton 5,688 Squad statistics Appearances and goals Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward Third Division FA Cup League Cup GK ENG John Connaughton 44 0 2 0 1 0 GK ENG Reg Edwards 2 0 0 0 0 0 DF ENG John Brodie 28 0 1 0 1 0 DF ENG Roy Cross 2 0 0 0 0 0 DF ENG Garry Dulson 32 0 2 0 0 0 DF ENG Neil Griffiths 12 0 1 0 1 0 DF ENG David Harris 20 1 1 0 1 0 DF ENG Bill Summerscales 27 0 1 0 1 0 MF ENG Terry Bailey 44 13 2 1 1 0 MF ENG Kenny Beech 1 0 0 0 0 0 MF ENG Keith Chadwick 22 5 1 0 0 0 MF ENG Brian Horton 44 13 2 0 1 0 MF ENG Tony Lacey 39 2 1 0 0 0 MF SCO Tommy McLaren 39 1 2 0 1 0 MF ENG John Ridley 18 0 0 0 1 0 MF SCO Frank Sharp 24 2 2 0 1 0 MF ENG Colin Tartt 37 0 1 0 0 0 FW ENG Derek Brownbill 16 4 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Ray Williams 40 14 0 0 1 0 FW ENG John Woodward 39 5 2 0 0 0 |- |colspan="14"|Players who featured but departed the club during the season: FW ENG Bob Mountford 3 0 2 1 0 0 |} Top scorers PlacePositionNationNameThird DivisionFA CupLeague CupTotal1FWEnglandRay Williams140014–MFEnglandTerry Bailey1310143MFEnglandBrian Horton1300134MFEnglandKeith Chadwick5005–FWEnglandJohn Woodward50056FWEnglandDerek Brownbill40047MFEnglandTony Lacey2002–MFScotlandFrank Sharp20029MFScotlandTommy McLaren1001–DFEnglandDavid Harris1001–FWEnglandBob Mountford0101–––Own goals1001TOTALS612063 Transfers Transfers in Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref. May 1974 MF ENG Terry Bailey Stafford Rangers £3,000 Kent Jeff Port Vale Personalities Witan Books 1996 0-9529152-0-0 May 1974 GK ENG John Connaughton Sheffield United Free transfer May 1974 MF SCO Frank Sharp Grimsby Town Free transfer November 1974 DF ENG Garry Dulson Nottingham Forest £5,000 February 1975 FW ENG Derek Brownbill Liverpool £5,000 Transfers out Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref. December 1974 FW ENG Bob Mountford Rochdale £2,000 May 1975 DF ENG Andy Carr Northwich Victoria Free transfer May 1975 DF ENG Roy Cross Nuneaton Borough Free transfer May 1975 GK ENG Reg Edwards Brereton Social Free transfer May 1975 MF SCO Frank Sharp Northwich Victoria Free transfer May 1975 DF ENG Bill Summerscales Rochdale Free transfer May 1975 FW ENG John Woodward Scunthorpe United Free transfer Loans in Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref. October 1974 DF ENG Garry Dulson Nottingham Forest November 1974 Loans out Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref. October 1974 FW ENG Bob Mountford Scunthorpe United November 1974 December 1974 FW ENG Bob Mountford Crewe Alexandra December 1974 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