1929–30 Port Vale F.C. season

March 2015 March 2015 Port Vale 1929–30 Joe Schofield(until 29 September)Tom Morgan(from October) Frank Huntbach Old Recreation Ground Football League Third Division North 1st (67 points) FA Cup Second Round(eliminated by Chesterfield) North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary Cup Runners-up(eliminated by Stoke) Sam Jennings (24) Sam Jennings (27) 15,346 vs. York City, 18 April 1930 4,519 vs. Halifax Town, 28 December 1929 9,176 7–1 vs. Rotherham United, 22 February 1930 0–2 (three games) and 2–4 _color_3_stripes_red ff0000 ff0000 ff0000 ffffff 000000 1928–29 1930–31 The 1929–30 season was Port Vale's 11th consecutive season of football (24th overall) in the English Football League, and their first in the Third Division North.Kent Jeff The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale Witan Books 1990 124–150 From Glory to Despair (1929–1939) 0-9508981-4-7 Under manager Joe Schofield (until his death in September) and subsequently Tom Morgan, the club rebounded impressively to finish as champions with 67 points, earning promotion back to the Second Division and setting a new division record for points accrued. Vale's success was built on a dominant home record and a strong defence: they won 30 of their 42 league matches — a club record — and conceded just 37 goals, the best in all four Football League divisions that season. Veteran striker Sam Jennings led the attack, finishing as league top scorer with 24 goals and 27 in all competitions. Attendances varied widely, peaking at 15,346 for the York City match on 18 April 1930, although the average crowd was a respectable 9,176. In the FA Cup, Vale progressed to the Second Round before succumbing to Chesterfield. They also finished as runners-up in the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary Cup, losing to Potteries derby rivals Stoke. The season was overshadowed early on by the passing of respected manager Joe Schofield, who died with the team top of the table, and saw reserve coach Tom Morgan take charge and maintain the momentum toward the club’s first-ever league title and promotion in league football history. 200px|thumb|right|Billy Briscoe played ten games. 200px|thumb|right|Chairman Frank Huntbach. 200px|thumb|right|Right-back Jack Maddock played only a cameo role. thumb|Scottish midfielder Bob Connelly. Overview Third Division North The pre-season saw the directors spend some of the £2,600 they received in the sale of Wilf Kirkham. In came Tom Baxter (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Frank Watkin (Stoke City), Sam Jennings (Nottingham Forest), Arthur Brown (Reading), and Bill Cope (Bolton Wanderers).Press coverage of Port Vale's first-ever promotion in the Football League https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2025/07/press-coverage-of-port-vales-first-ever-promotion-in-the-football-league/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=press-coverage-of-port-vales-first-ever-promotion-in-the-football-league 10 July 2025 OneValeFan Jennings was a proven goalscorer, whilst Brown had kept goal for Wales. Jennings and Pynegar would form a solid striking partnership despite rumours of a rift between the pair. The season started well, continued at a high tempo, and finished in style. Winning ten of their opening eleven games, Vale marked themselves as promotion favourites early on. The run included a 5–0 win over Barrow and 5–1 victory over New Brighton, with Albert Pynegar scoring a hat-trick in the latter game.Fielding Rob Eleven games played, won ten - Port Vale's amazing start to 1929-30 https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2020/04/eleven-games-played-won-ten-port-vales-amazing-start-to-1929-30/ 5 June 2020 onevalefan.co.uk 18 April 2020 However, during this sequence, tragedy struck on 29 September with the death of manager Joe Schofield, aged 58, following a short illness. The Sentinel described him as a man adept at developing young players, who remained close to his players to help them realise their full potential. His funeral took place on 3 October, with Stoke City fans also mourning his death, as he had managed both clubs – the only man ever to do so. Tom Morgan moved out of the backroom staff to take charge for the remainder of the season. The team were four points clear at the top at the time of Schofield's death, his final game being a 4–1 victory at Carlisle United. Morgan won his first game in charge, the victory over Nelson stretching Vale's lead at the top to six points. In mid-October, the side suffered a mini-slump, drawing three games in a row. One of these draws came in a first visit to Rotherham United on 19 October, when Vale let slip a 2–1 first half lead after Frank Watkin was forced off with a knee injury.Press clippings of Port Vale's first-ever game against Rotherham https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2025/07/press-clippings-of-port-vales-first-ever-game-against-rotherham/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=press-clippings-of-port-vales-first-ever-game-against-rotherham 10 July 2025 OneValeFan To rectify things Bill Rawlings was signed from Manchester United for a four-figure fee, Ben Davies also arrived from Crewe Alexandra in a straight swap for Arthur Brown. Five wins on the bounce followed. Two defeats to Stockport County within two days (Christmas and Boxing Day) left the race for the title open despite the "Valiants" excellent start. Despite having nine players out injured, the Vale marched on, winning nine and drawing two of their following eleven games. This included a 4–0 win over Carlisle United and a 7–1 mauling over Rotherham United – Watkin scoring five in the latter match. The team defeated Halifax Town by three goals to nil on 28 December, though they were held to a 1–1 draw at bottom club Barrow on 4 January. The directors took the players on a week-long excursion to Llandudno to help them recover. The three following matches were won by a total margin of ten goals, with none conceded. Stockport County, the only challengers for the league title, dropped points in February. On 22 February, Vale inflicted a 7–1 win over Rotherham United, with Watkin claiming five of the goals after four months without playing. Just as Vale were looking unbeatable, Jack Mandley was sold to Aston Villa for £5,000. Protestations from the supporters were quelled slightly by the arrival of Harry Marshall from Wolves. They slumped in March, winning two, losing two and drawing one. Despite being top of the league, a small minority of fans protested against the directors. The final four games were away, and Stockport were still breathing down the Vale's necks. All four games were won, with 16 goals scored in the season's final five games. They took the title at Crewe Alexandra's Gresty Road, with 1,000 supporters cheering them on. They finished as champions with 67 points from 42 matches, then a division record. This put them 17 points clear of third-placed Darlington, and four points clear of Stockport. The previous season County had finished one point off champions Bradford City. Vale were one of five teams in the Football League to score a century of league goals (the others Sheffield Wednesday, West Bromwich Albion, Stockport County, and Darlington). Sam Jennings and Albert Pynegar scored nearly fifty goals combined. They conceded just 37 goals, fewer than any other team in the four divisions. At a Burslem Town Hall reception, 2,000 supporters congratulated the team on their achievement, amongst them Stoke's Wilf Kirkham. Finances On the financial side, a profit of £363 was made. Yet attendances were again a concern, a £725 drop in gate receipts saw an intake of just £13,302 on the gates. Wages came to £8,079. The directors again began talk of moving stadia to Cobridge. Leaving the club were Robert Gillespie, Jack Prince, and Bill Rawlings; they left for Wrexham, Rochdale, and New Milton respectively. Cup competitions In the FA Cup, Vale progressed into the second round after beating Gainsborough Trinity 5–0 in a replay. During the first encounter Bob Connelly made his 122nd consecutive appearance, but was injured during the rough match. The matchday programme at Vale Park was highly disparaging of Trinity's rough tactics. They then came up against league rivals Chesterfield at Saltergate. Chesterfield would win all but three of their home games in the league and were equally stubborn opposition for the "Valiants", whom they defeated 2–0 after Bob Connelly was forced off with an injury. Results Football League Third Division North 1929–30 Football League League table Third Division North y PTV Results by matchday table b Round Ground A/A/H/H/A/A/H/H/A/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/H/H/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/A/A/A Result W/W/W/W/W/L/W/W/W/W/W/D/D/D/W/W/W/W/W/L/L/W/D/W/W/W/W/W/W/D/W/W/L/L/W/D/D/W/W/W/W/W Position 6/2/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1 Points 2p/4p/6p/8p/10p/10p/12p/14p/16p/18p/20p/21p/22p/23p/25p/27p/29p/31p/33p/33p/33p/35p/36p/38p/40p/42p/44p/46p/48p/49p/51p/53p/53p/53p/55p/56p/57p/59p/61p/63p/65p/67p Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss green1 red1 StattoPort Vale 1929–1930 : Results & Fixtures https://web.archive.org/web/20150919114142/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/port-vale/1929-1930/results 19 September 2015 . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012. Matches 1 31 August 1929 Halifax Town 1–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/halifax-town-v-port-vale-31-august-1929-147624/ Port Vale Jennings The Shay Halifax, West Yorkshire 8,101 2 2 September 1929 New Brighton 0–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/new-brighton-v-port-vale-02-september-1929-147634/ Port Vale Jennings Sandheys Park New Brighton, Merseyside 4,883 3 7 September 1929 Port Vale 5–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-barrow-07-september-1929-147647/ Barrow Griffiths Pynegar Baxter Anstiss Old Recreation Ground Hanley 9,882 4 9 September 1929 Port Vale 5–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-new-brighton-09-september-1929-147657/ New Brighton Pynegar pen. Griffiths Anstiss Old Recreation Ground Hanley 8,260 5 14 September 1929 15:00 BST Wrexham 0–2 W https://www.wrexhamafcarchive.co.uk/matchdetails.php?id=5664 Port Vale Watkin 42 Baxter 71 Racecourse Ground Wrexham G Stephenson 8,828 6 16 September 1929 Lincoln City 3–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/lincoln-city-v-port-vale-16-september-1929-147674/ Port Vale Watkin Sincil Bank Lincoln 5,842 7 21 September 1929 Port Vale 4–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-wigan-borough-21-september-1929-147684/ Wigan Borough Pynegar Baxter Jennings Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,915 8 23 September 1929 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-crewe-alexandra-23-september-1929-147690/ Crewe Alexandra Pynegar Old Recreation Ground Hanley 10,674 9 28 September 1929 Carlisle United 1–4 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/carlisle-united-v-port-vale-28-september-1929-147693/ Port Vale Griffiths Pynegar Baxter Brunton Park Carlisle 8,784 10 5 October 1929 Port Vale 3–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-nelson-05-october-1929-147712/ Nelson Jennings Pynegar Kelly Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,746 11 12 October 1929 Southport 1–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/southport-v-port-vale-12-october-1929-147723/ Port Vale Watkin Baxter Ash Lane Southport 4,746 12 19 October 1929 Rotherham United 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/rotherham-united-v-port-vale-19-october-1929-147736/ Port Vale Fishwick Pynegar Millmoor Rotherham 6,583 13 26 October 1929 Port Vale 3–3 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-rochdale-26-october-1929-147743/ Rochdale Fishwick Pynegar pen. Griffiths Milsom Brown Old Recreation Ground Hanley 8,902 14 2 November 1929 South Shields 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/south-shields-afc-v-port-vale-02-november-1929-147753/ Port Vale Horsley Hill South Shields 5,984 15 9 November 1929 Port Vale 5–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-accrington-stanley-09-november-1929-147765/ Accrington Stanley Pynegar Anstiss Rawlings Baxter Old Recreation Ground Hanley 11,294 16 16 November 1929 Darlington 0–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/darlington-v-port-vale-16-november-1929-147773/ Port Vale Griffiths Feethams Darlington 7,982 17 23 November 1929 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-hartlepools-united-23-november-1929-147786/ Hartlepools United Anstiss Rawlings Pape Old Recreation Ground Hanley FH Harris 7,166 18 7 December 1929 Port Vale 4–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-chesterfield-07-december-1929-147796/ Chesterfield Anstiss Baxter Griffiths Jennings Old Recreation Ground Hanley 5,682 19 21 December 1929 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-tranmere-rovers-21-december-1929-147810/ Tranmere Rovers Anstiss Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,852 20 25 December 1929 Port Vale 1–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-stockport-county-25-december-1929-147822/ Stockport County Oakes Tompkinson Newton Old Recreation Ground Hanley 14,494 21 26 December 1929 Stockport County 4–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/stockport-county-v-port-vale-26-december-1929-147833/ Port Vale Newton Newton Lincoln Stockton Jennings Edgeley Park Stockport 22,668 22 28 December 1929 Port Vale 3–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-halifax-town-28-december-1929-147841/ Halifax Town Jennings Stockton Old Recreation Ground Hanley 4,519 23 4 January 1930 Barrow 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/barrow-v-port-vale-04-january-1930-147854/ Port Vale Mandley Holker Street Barrow-in-Furness 5,765 24 18 January 1930 14:45 GMT Port Vale 3–0 W https://www.wrexhamafcarchive.co.uk/matchdetails.php?id=5686 Wrexham Stockton 83 86 Jennings 90 Old Recreation Ground Hanley G Stephenson 10,519 25 25 January 1930 Wigan Borough 0–3 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/wigan-borough-v-port-vale-25-january-1930-147891/ Port Vale Jennings Fishwick Springfield Park Wigan 6,567 26 1 February 1930 Port Vale 4–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-carlisle-united-01-february-1930-147899/ Carlisle United Jennings Anstiss Old Recreation Ground Hanley 9,279 27 8 February 1930 Nelson 2–3 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/nelson-v-port-vale-08-february-1930-147908/ Port Vale Carmedy Weedall Anstiss Jennings Pynegar Seedhill Football Ground Nelson, Lancashire 5,045 28 15 February 1930 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-southport-15-february-1930-147922/ Southport Baxter Old Recreation Ground Hanley 8,338 29 22 February 1930 Port Vale 7–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-rotherham-united-22-february-1930-147934/ Rotherham United Watkin Jennings Anstiss Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,989 30 1 March 1930 Rochdale 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/rochdale-v-port-vale-01-march-1930-147950/ Port Vale Spotland Stadium Rochdale 7,177 31 8 March 1930 Port Vale 3–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-south-shields-afc-08-march-1930-147960/ South Shields Jennings Old Recreation Ground Hanley 9,748 32 15 March 1930 Accrington Stanley 0–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/accrington-stanley-v-port-vale-15-march-1930-147967/ Port Vale Anstiss Marshall Peel Park Accrington 4,431 33 22 March 1930 Port Vale 0–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-darlington-22-march-1930-147984/ Darlington Old Recreation Ground Hanley 10,543 34 29 March 1930 Hartlepools United 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/hartlepools-united-v-port-vale-29-march-1930-147998/ Port Vale Pedwell Thompson Victoria Park Hartlepool FH Harris 7,473 35 5 April 1930 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-doncaster-rovers-05-april-1930-148009/ Doncaster Rovers Fishwick Pynegar Old Recreation Ground Hanley 9,905 36 12 April 1930 Chesterfield 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/chesterfield-v-port-vale-12-april-1930-148019/ Port Vale Griffiths Saltergate Chesterfield, Derbyshire 7,450 37 18 April 1930 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-york-city-18-april-1930-148036/ York City Anstiss Gardner Old Recreation Ground Hanley 15,346 38 19 April 1930 Port Vale 5–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-lincoln-city-19-april-1930-148045/ Lincoln City Jennings Griffiths Pynegar Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,649 39 21 April 1930 York City 0–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/york-city-v-port-vale-21-april-1930-148059/ Port Vale Griffiths Fulfordgate Fulford, North Yorkshire 9,439 40 26 April 1930 Tranmere Rovers 1–5 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/tranmere-rovers-v-port-vale-26-april-1930-148070/ Port Vale Pynegar Jennings Griffiths Prenton Park Prenton 3,784 41 1 May 1930 Doncaster Rovers 0–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/doncaster-rovers-v-port-vale-01-may-1930-148073/ Port Vale Baxter Anstiss Belle Vue Doncaster 5,313 42 3 May 1930 Crewe Alexandra 0–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/crewe-alexandra-v-port-vale-03-may-1930-148076/ Port Vale Pynegar Gresty Road Crewe 7,014 FA Cup 1929–30 FA Cup R1 30 November 1929 Gainsborough Trinity 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/gainsborough-trinity-v-port-vale-30-november-1929-207746/ Port Vale The Northolme Gainsborough, Lincolnshire 4,000 Replay 4 December 1929 Port Vale 5–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-gainsborough-trinity-04-december-1929-207772/ Gainsborough Trinity Jennings Anstiss Pynegar Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,253 R2 14 December 1929 Chesterfield 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/chesterfield-v-port-vale-14-december-1929-207781/ Port Vale Saltergate Chesterfield, Derbyshire 11,740 Staffordshire Senior Cup Final 5 May 1930 Port Vale 1–2 L Stoke City Jennings Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,343 North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary Cup Final 5 May 1930 Port Vale 1–2 L Stoke City Jennings Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,343 thumb|Inside-forward Albert Pynegar. Squad statistics thumb|400px|Team photo taken in 1929. Appearances and goals Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; FB – Full back; HB – Half back; FW – Forward Third Division North FA Cup Other GK ENG Ben Davies 29 0 3 0 1 0 GK ENG Jack Prince 12 0 0 0 0 0 FB ENG Bill Cope 40 0 3 0 0 0 FB ENG Jack Maddock 4 0 0 0 0 0 FB ENG Jimmy Oakes 33 1 3 0 0 0 FB ENG George Shenton 31 0 3 0 1 0 FB ENG George Stockton 6 4 0 0 0 0 FB ENG Billy Wootton 20 0 0 0 1 0 HB SCO Bob Connelly 25 0 2 0 0 0 HB ENG Dennis Izon 4 0 0 0 0 0 HB ENG Roger Jones 38 0 3 0 1 0 HB ENG Jack Sherlock 5 0 0 0 0 0 HB WAL 1807 George Whitcombe 1 0 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Harry Anstiss 33 13 3 2 1 0 FW ENG Tom Baxter 39 9 3 0 1 0 FW ENG Billy Briscoe 8 0 1 0 1 0 FW ENG Robert Gillespie 1 0 0 0 0 0 FW WAL 1807 Phil Griffiths 30 14 0 0 1 0 FW ENG Bert Fishwick 5 4 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Sam Jennings 30 24 2 2 1 1 FW ENG Harry Marshall 4 1 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Henry O'Grady 1 0 0 0 1 0 FW ENG Albert Pynegar 29 21 3 1 1 0 FW ENG Bill Rawlings 5 2 1 0 0 0 FW ENG Jack Simms 3 0 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Sam Spencer 0 0 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Frank Watkin 13 9 0 0 0 0 |- |colspan="14"|Players who featured but departed the club during the season: GK WAL 1807 Arthur Brown 1 0 0 0 0 0 FB ENG Jack Mandley 12 1 3 0 0 0 |} Top scorers PlacePositionNationNameThird Division NorthFA CupInfirmary CupTotal1FWEnglandSam Jennings2421272FWEnglandAlbert Pynegar2110223FWEnglandHarry Anstiss1320154FWWales 1807Phil Griffiths1400145FWEnglandTom Baxter9009–FWEnglandFrank Watkin90097FBEnglandGeorge Stockton4004–FWEnglandBert Fishwick40049FWEnglandBill Rawlings200210FBEnglandJimmy Oakes1001–FBEnglandJack Mandley1001–FWEnglandHarry Marshall1001TOTALS10351109 Transfers Transfers in Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref. May 1929 GK WAL 1807 Arthur Brown Reading Free transfer Kent Jeff Port Vale Personalities Witan Books 1996 0-9529152-0-0 May 1929 FW ENG Sam Jennings Nottingham Forest Free transfer May 1929 HB ENG Jack Sherlock Hanley Y.M.C.A. Free transfer June 1929 FW ENG Frank Watkin Stoke City Free transfer July 1929 FB ENG Bill Cope Bolton Wanderers Free transfer October 1929 HB ENG Arnold Bliss Dartford Free transfer October 1929 GK ENG Ben Davies Crewe Alexandra Free transfer November 1929 HB ENG Cliff Birks Stoke City Free transfer November 1929 FW ENG Henry O'Grady Witton Albion Free transfer November 1929 FW ENG Bill Rawlings Manchester United 'four-figure' March 1930 FW ENG Harry Marshall Wolverhampton Wanderers 'sizeable outlay' Transfers out Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref. October 1929 GK WAL 1807 Arthur Brown Crewe Alexandra Free transfer March 1930 FB ENG Jack Mandley Aston Villa £7,000 May 1930 GK ENG Jack Prince Rochdale Released Summer 1930 FW ENG Bill Rawlings New Milton Free transfer 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