1892–93 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season

March 2015 March 2015 Burslem Port Vale 1892–93 Athletic Ground Football League Second Division 11th (15 points) FA Cup First Qualifying Round(eliminated by Burton Swifts) Birmingham Senior Cup Second Round(eliminated by Aston Villa) Staffordshire Senior Cup First Round(eliminated by Burton Wanderers) Meshach Dean (5) Meshach Dean (6) 2,000 vs Darwen, 1 October 1892 500 vs Grimsby Town, 17 February 1893 1,344+ 4–0 vs. Northwich Victoria, 4 March 1893 0–10 vs. Sheffield United, 10 December 1892 FF0000 FF0000 FF0000 000000 000000 1891–92 1893–94 The 1892–93 season was Burslem Port Vale's first season of football in the English Football League. The club were founding members of the Football League Second Division, the First Division having been in operation for four seasons before 1892–93. The club finished 11th in the league, accumulating 15 points from 6 wins, 3 draws, and 13 losses, with a goal difference of 30 scored to 57 conceded. Their highest home attendance was 2,000 against Darwen on 1 October 1892, while the lowest was 500 versus Grimsby Town on 17 February 1893. In cup competitions, Vale were eliminated in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup by Burton Swifts, the Second Round of the Birmingham Senior Cup by Aston Villa, and the First Round of the Staffordshire Senior Cup by Burton Wanderers. Meshach Dean was the club's top scorer, netting six goals, with five of those in league matches. A 10–0 humiliation in a snowstorm at home to Sheffield United on 10 December 1892 remains a Football League record for a home defeat.Kent Jeff The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale Witan Books 1990 26–50 Trying to make the Grade (1888-1898) 0-9508981-4-7 Other than the record defeat (which saw right-half Billy Delves play in goal) and two away performances where five goals were conceded, the Vale were competitive in most matches, winning three of their games by at least a three-goal margin. If not for the capitulation against Sheffield United, then the club would have had one of the better defensive records in the league. However, a run of one goal scored in five consecutive games highlighted their lack of offensive firepower. This run saw them lose eight of ten games. Winning Football League status Having spent their early history playing only friendly matches, cup games, and in minor leagues such as the Midland Football League; 1892–93 marked the club's first season in the English Football League. The Football League's merger with the Football Alliance saw the club granted Second Division status, due to their third place standing in the Midland League in 1891–92, along with Northwich Victoria and Sheffield United. Overview Second Division The pre-season started terribly, with star striker Frank McGinnes dying of kidney disease before a ball was kicked. His replacement was Wallace Bliss, and local headmaster Fred Farrington was appointed captain. The first match continued in desperately poor fashion; Billy Beats missed the train, and so Vale played with ten men against Small Heath, losing 5–1, with Bliss scoring the club's first Football League goal – his only goal in the league ever.Baggaley Mike Gauci signs as Vale prepare for Blackpool https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/gauci-signs-as-vale-prepare-for-blackpool 12 August 2025 Valiant's Substack 11 August 2025 Small Heath's first goal came as "the right wing took the ball in front of goal, and after a little scrimmaging it was sent between the posts";Saturday's Football Matches Birmingham Daily Post 5 September 1892 5 the goal was credited to Fred Wheldon. Vale rallied, and the game, "more vigorous than scientific",Observer Notes Birmingham Daily Gazette 6 September 1892 6 was even until Small Heath scored twice just before half-time. In the second half, with the advantage of the wind, Port Vale pulled a goal back, but the final score was 5–1.Matthews, Complete Record, p. 10. Away matches were difficult for the "Valeites" as players had trouble gaining permission from their employers to miss work. The first point was earned away at Bootle on 12 September, with a 1–1 draw secured despite the team's lunch basket being left at Longport railway station. The first victory came 12 days later, as Crewe Alexandra were dispatched by four goals to one in front of a crowd of 1,500 at the Athletic Ground – 800 of which were visiting Crewe fans. C. McAlpine made a return to the club after starting the campaign with Darlington; he was, though, given a six-week suspension as a punishment for having signed contracts with both Darlington and Port Vale. On 22 October, the first away league win was secured, as a 4–3 victory was claimed at Lincoln City and the players left the pitch at John O'Gaunts performing celebratory somersaults. Vale had gone two goals up before half-time, though conceded when Frank Smallman scored out of a scrimmage; in the second half, the home side pressed forward and James Gresham levelled, then Vale put on the pressure and scored twice in four minutes before Smallman scored a late goal.Football http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000354/18921028/002/0002?browse=false 17 January 2016 Lincolnshire Chronicle 28 October 1892 British Newspaper Archive subscription On 3 December, they faced the return fixture with Lincoln City, and although the opening exchanges were even, Lincoln were soon leading by two goals, before Vale pulled one back before half-time and then pressed forward in the second half. Vale were unable to add another goal, however, thus giving Lincoln their first away league win.Football http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000354/18921209/001/0002 24 January 2016 Lincolnshire Chronicle 9 December 1892 British Newspaper Archive subscription Vale secured only one point from six games until the end of the calendar year, at which point they beat Walsall Town Swifts by three goals to nil; new player Johnny Lander scored a brace. The sequence of losses included a 10–0 defeat in a snowstorm at home to Sheffield United on 10 December, a Football League record for a home defeat.Fielding Rob Clipping: A match report on Vale's record defeat... https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2018/01/clipping-a-match-report-on-vales-record-defeat/ 5 June 2020 onevalefan.co.uk 15 January 2018 Regular custodian Joe Frail was ill, leaving reserve team right-half Billy Delves to play in goal on his behalf. Frail played in the return fixture at Bramall Lane seven days later, which ended in a 4–0 defeat. Two defeats to Grimsby Town were the only league fixtures in the first five weeks of 1893, with right-back James Clutton needing police protection from Grimsby fans in the away fixture and goalkeeper Levi Higginson failing to show up for the home game, leaving left-half Billy Elson to deputise for him. William McFarlane was signed to bolster the forward line, and he made his debut in a 3–0 defeat at Walsall Town Swifts that saw Vale replace Walsall as the Second Division's bottom club. A 4–0 home win over Northwich Victoria followed, and a further point was gained with a 3–3 draw at Burton Swifts – Burton had only equalised after three players held back Frail to prevent him from saving the shot. After the game, winger Tommy Walker was transferred to Burton Swifts. A 3–0 home defeat by Small Heath concluded the home fixtures, Billy Walton opening the scoring just before half-time with a penalty kick.Saturday's Football. The League. Division II Birmingham Daily Post 27 March 1893 7 This left the team needing to claim a point at Northwich Victoria to avoid finishing last. Vale claimed a second league win of the campaign to secure an 11th-place finish ahead of bottom club Walsall Town Swifts. Port Vale retained their league status despite their poor showing (disbanded Bootle were the only team to lose their status), and the next season, three more teams were added to the league. Management decided to retain the entire first team, sans McApline. Cup competitions Despite reaching the fifth round of the FA Cup in 1885–86, they failed to make it through the qualifying stages this time round. In the Staffordshire Senior Cup, they exited in the first round to Burton Wanderers in front of just 100 spectators. In the Birmingham Senior Cup, they left in the second round after a 4–1 defeat by Aston Villa. right|thumb|Billy Beats, one of the club's key players during the campaign. Results Football League Second Division 1892–93 Football League League table Second Division y BPV Results by matchday table b Round Ground A/A/A/H/H/H/H/A/A/H/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A Result L/L/D/W/L/W/L/W/L/D/L/L/L/L/W/L/L/L/W/D/L/W Position 10/12/9/7/8/7/7/6/7/7/7/8/8/8/8/9/11/12/12/11/11/11 Points 0p/0p/1p/3p/3p/5p/5p/7p/7p/8p/8p/8p/8p/8p/10p/10p/10p/10p/12p/13p/13p/15p green1 Win yellow1 Draw red1 Loss Home Away gold green1 red1 StattoPort Vale 1892–1893 : Results & Fixtures https://web.archive.org/web/20160119124800/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/port-vale/1892-1893/results 19 January 2016 . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012. Matches 1 3 September 1892 Small Heath 5–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/small-heath-v-burslem-port-vale-03-september-1892-90582/ Burslem Port Vale Wheldon Short Hallam Edwards Bliss Muntz Street Small Heath 2,500 2 12 September 1892 Ardwick 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/ardwick-v-burslem-port-vale-12-september-1892-90593/ Burslem Port Vale Weir Angus Hyde Road Gorton 2,000 3 17 September 1892 Bootle 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/bootle-v-burslem-port-vale-17-september-1892-90594/ Burslem Port Vale Dean Hawthorne Road Bootle 3,000 4 24 September 1892 Burslem Port Vale 4–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-crewe-alexandra-24-september-1892-90603/ Crewe Alexandra Farrington Walker Dean Athletic Ground Cobridge 1,500 5 1 October 1892 Burslem Port Vale 2–4 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-darwen-01-october-1892-90610/ Darwen Walker Bliss Athletic Ground Cobridge 2,000 6 8 October 1892 Burslem Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-burton-swifts-08-october-1892-90615/ Burton Swifts Farrington Athletic Ground Cobridge 7 10 October 1892 Burslem Port Vale 1–2 L https://www.statcity.co.uk/Match/10/Port-Vale-10-10-1892 Ardwick Walker Weir Athletic Ground Cobridge 1,000 8 22 October 1892 Lincoln City 3–4 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/lincoln-city-v-burslem-port-vale-22-october-1892-90620/ Burslem Port Vale Smallman J.Gresham J.Mountford Bliss unknown unknown John O'Gaunts Lincoln 1,000 9 5 November 1892 Darwen 4–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/darwen-v-burslem-port-vale-05-november-1892-90628/ Burslem Port Vale Farrington Barley Bank Darwen 3,000 10 12 November 1892 Burslem Port Vale 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-bootle-12-november-1892-90632/ Bootle Athletic Ground Cobridge 1,300 11 26 November 1892 Crewe Alexandra 5–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/crewe-alexandra-v-burslem-port-vale-26-november-1892-90634/ Burslem Port Vale Alexandra Recreation Ground Crewe 12 3 December 1892 Burslem Port Vale 1–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-lincoln-city-03-december-1892-90642/ Lincoln City Beats J.Gresham Cameron Athletic Ground Cobridge 13 10 December 1892 Burslem Port Vale 0–10 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-sheffield-united-10-december-1892-90644/ Sheffield United Drummond Wallace Hammond Watson Davies Athletic Ground Cobridge 1,000 14 17 December 1892 Sheffield United 4–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/sheffield-united-v-burslem-port-vale-17-december-1892-90649/ Burslem Port Vale Needham Hammond Howell Drummond Bramall Lane Sheffield 2,000 15 31 December 1892 Burslem Port Vale 3–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-walsall-town-swifts-31-december-1892-90659/ Walsall Town Swifts Lander unknown Athletic Ground Cobridge 1,000 16 14 January 1893 Grimsby Town 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/grimsby-town-v-burslem-port-vale-14-january-1893-90667/ Burslem Port Vale Abbey Park Grimsby 500 17 11 February 1893 Burslem Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-grimsby-town-11-february-1893-90677/ Grimsby Town Athletic Ground Cobridge 500 18 18 February 1893 Walsall Town Swifts 3–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/walsall-town-swifts-v-burslem-port-vale-18-february-1893-90684/ Burslem Port Vale The Chuckery Walsall 1,000 19 4 March 1893 Burslem Port Vale 4–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-northwich-victoria-04-march-1893-90691/ Northwich Victoria Wood Beats Dean Athletic Ground Cobridge 800 20 18 March 1893 Burton Swifts 3–3 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/burton-swifts-v-burslem-port-vale-18-march-1893-90694/ Burslem Port Vale Dean Scarratt Peel Croft Burton upon Trent 21 25 March 1893 Burslem Port Vale 0–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-small-heath-25-march-1893-90699/ Small Heath Walton Hallam Athletic Ground Cobridge 3,000 22 8 April 1893 Northwich Victoria 2–4 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/northwich-victoria-v-burslem-port-vale-08-april-1893-90708/ Burslem Port Vale Beats G.Mountford Drill Field Northwich 1,000 FA Cup 1892–93 FA Cup 1Q 15 October 1892 Burslem Port Vale 0–2 L Burton Swifts Athletic Ground Cobridge Birmingham Senior Cup R2 2 February 1893 Burslem Port Vale 1–4 L Aston Villa Elson Athletic Ground Cobridge 2,000 Staffordshire Senior Cup R1 7 January 1893 Burslem Port Vale 2–4 L Burton Wanderers Scarratt Dean Athletic Ground Cobridge 100 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 Joe Frail 19 0 1 0 2 0 GK ENG Levi Higginson 1 0 0 0 0 0 FB ENG James Clutton 21 0 1 0 2 0 FB W. E. Powell 3 0 0 0 0 0 FB ENG Albert Skinner 1 0 0 0 0 0 FB ENG George Youds 2 0 0 0 0 0 HB W. Downwood 3 0 1 0 0 0 HB ENG Billy Delves 2 0 0 0 0 0 HB ENG Billy Elson 16 0 1 0 2 1 HB Fred Farrington 18 4 1 0 1 0 HB SCO Bob McCrindle 20 0 1 0 2 0 HB ENG Jos Randles 2 0 0 0 0 0 HB ENG Jimmy Scarratt 20 1 1 0 2 1 HB James Smith 4 0 1 0 0 0 HB ENG Alf Wood 7 2 0 0 2 0 FW ENG Billy Beats 21 4 1 0 1 0 FW ENG Wallace Bliss 13 3 1 0 0 0 FW ENG Meshach Dean 16 5 1 0 2 1 FW Jimmy Ditchfield 11 0 0 0 1 0 FW Charles Garner 1 0 0 0 0 0 FW W. Jones 1 0 0 0 0 0 FW Johnny Lander 3 2 0 0 0 0 FW William McFarlane 4 0 0 0 0 0 FW George Mountford 3 2 0 0 0 0 FW James Mountford 1 1 0 0 0 0 FW ENG John Nash 2 0 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Arthur Pimlott 1 0 0 0 0 0 |- |colspan="14"|Players who featured but departed the club during the season: FB C. McAlpine 10 0 0 0 1 0 FW Tommy Walker 15 3 1 0 2 0 |} Top scorers PlacePositionNationNameMidland LeagueFA CupOtherTotal1FWEnglandMeshach Dean50162FWEnglandBilly Beats4004–HBFred Farrington40044FWTommy Walker3003–FWEnglandWallace Bliss30036FWGeorge Mountford2002–HBEnglandAlf Wood2002–FWJohnny Lander2002–HBEnglandJimmy Scarratt101210HBEnglandBilly Elson0011–FWJames Mountford1001–––Unknown3003TOTALS300636 Transfers Transfers in Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref. October 1892 FB C. McAlpine Darlington Free transfer Kent Jeff Port Vale Personalities Witan Books 1996 0-9529152-0-0 November 1892 FB George Youds Kettering Town Free transfer December 1892 HB ENG Alf Wood Smallthorne Albion Free transfer Transfers out Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref. February 1893 FB C. McAlpine Released March 1893 FW Tommy Walker Burton Swifts Free transfer Summer 1893 FW ENG Wallace Bliss Released Summer 1893 HB Billy Delves Released Summer 1893 HB W. Downwood Released Summer 1893 FW Charles Garner Released Summer 1893 FW W. Jones) Released Summer 1893 FW Johnny Lander Released Summer 1893 FW William McFarlane Released Summer 1893 FW George Mountford Released Summer 1893 FW James Mountford Released Summer 1893 FW ENG John Nash Released Summer 1893 FW ENG Arthur Pimlott Released Summer 1893 FB W. E. Powell Released Summer 1893 FB ENG Albert Skinner Released References Specific General Kent, Jeff Jeff Kent (author) The Port Vale Record 1879-1993 Witan Books 1993 0-9508981-9-8 Category:Port Vale F.C. seasons Burslem Port Vale