1960–61 Port Vale F.C. season

March 2015 March 2015 Port Vale 1960–61 Norman Low Jake Bloom Vale Park Football League Third Division 7th (49 points) FA Cup Third Round(eliminated by Swansea Town) League Cup Second Round(eliminated by Tranmere Rovers) Supporters' Clubs' Trophy Winners 7–1 vs. Chesterfield, 3 September 1960 0–6 vs. Swindon Town, 1 October 1960 Cliff Portwood (24) Cliff Portwood (26) 15,504 vs. Walsall, 20 August 1960 4,068 vs. Bristol City, 22 April 1961 9,702 _thinblackstripes _thinblackstripes _thinblackstripes _black_thinstripe_color _color_3_stripes_black FFD700 FFD700 FFD700 FFD700 FFD700 1959–60 1961–62 The 1960–61 season was Port Vale's 49th season of football in the English Football League, and their second season in the Third Division.Kent Jeff The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale Witan Books 1990 171–196 Fame and Fortune (1950–1959) 0-9508981-4-7 Under manager Norman Low and chairman Jake Bloom, the Valiants mounted a promotion push but ultimately finished seventh with 49 points from 46 league matches, producing an impressive 96 goals scored — the third‑highest tally in the division — even though their away form (just two wins on the road) ultimately curtailed their ambitions. In cup competitions, Vale reached the Third Round of the FA Cup, falling to Swansea Town, and went out in the Second Round of the inaugural League Cup, beaten by Tranmere Rovers. A highlight came in the final staging of the Supporters' Clubs' Trophy, where Vale beat Potteries derby rivals Stoke City 1–0 in a replay to lift the trophy — marking a rare piece of silverware for the club that season. League goals were shared among a powerful attack, with Cliff Portwood finishing as the season's top scorer with 26 goals (24 in the league), while new signing Bert Llewellyn netted 20 after his mid‑season move from Crewe Alexandra — both proving to be vital to Vale's goal production. At Vale Park, home support held up reasonably given expectations, with an average league attendance of 9,702, peaking at 15,504 in the season opener against Walsall (1–1 draw on 20 August 1960), and hitting a low of just 4,068 against Bristol City in April 1961. Off the pitch, the club reported a modest profit (£4,253), buttressed by a generous £9,501 donation from the Sportsmen's Association and cost‑cutting measures including wage reductions and player departures. Overall, the 1960–61 campaign was one of near success but ultimately mid‑table consolidation. A potent attack and cup success in the Supporters' Clubs' Trophy provided highlights, but inconsistent away results and underwhelming league consistency meant Vale missed out on promotion despite finishing with one of the division's best scoring records. Overview Third Division The pre-season saw the club's management attempt to build a squad capable of promotion, this meant recruiting former Wales international inside-right Noel Kinsey from Birmingham City as a player-coach, and 21-year-old outside-left Dennis Fidler from the Manchester City Reserves. It also meant a concerted effort to sign a star forward, a £10,000 offer for Aston Villa's Gerry Hitchens was rejected, and the club's interest in Ronnie Allen also went nowhere. Instead 'bustling' Ted Calland was signed on a free transfer from Exeter City. Fred Donaldson was sold to Exeter for £2,000. Vale Park was also improved, with yet more new drains installed to help ease the winter mud spots. The season opened with a Harry Poole goal 50 seconds into an eventual 1–1 draw with Walsall in front of a season-best attendance of 15,504 on 20 August. Vale's campaign got going nine days later, however, with three consecutive victories. This included a 7–1 'annihilation' of Chesterfield. Calland scored a brace against Chesterfield and The Sentinel'''s John Abberley reported that "it was a performance of all-round merit and grand team work".Baggaley Mike Making a big impression https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/making-a-big-impression 10 August 2025 The Valiant Substack 10 August 2025 Seven games without a win followed, ending with a 6–0 collapse to an impressive Swindon Town side at The County Ground on 1 October. Vale were much improved after this, recording six wins from eight games. The second game in the sequence saw Vale come from 3–1 down at Bristol City with 16 minutes to go, to win the match 4–3. The following month, Norman Low signed Bert Llewellyn from Crewe Alexandra for £7,000. Llewellyn scored past Barnsley in his debut game on 12 November and scored a hat-trick past Hull City the next month. This win over the "Tigers" came a week after a 5–0 win over high-flying Grimsby Town at Blundell Park, in what Roy Sproson later described as his 'greatest memory' and 'one of their finest hours'. The performance was so impressive they received 'a standing ovation' from the home crowd, as the "Valiants" finished the game 'rolling the ball about like a game of chess'. They followed this up with a 4–1 win over Hull City, where Llewellyn claimed a hat-trick. Up to sixth place in the table, a 6–2 hammering from Walsall at Fellows Park on 17 December set them back. The goals continued, this time in Vale's favour, with a 5–0 win and 3–3 draw with Tranmere Rovers, and a 4–1 victory over Bury. In January, Albert Leake was transferred to Macclesfield Town, leaving Sproson as the only survivor of the legendary 1953–54 club. Vale continued to entertain and win games, as The Sentinel's Jon Abberley described Harry Poole as "one of the best wing-halves ever produced in the Potteries". On 21 January, Vale defeated Southend United by four goals to nil. By 11 February, Vale were four points from second place, as Vale battled to a 1–1 draw with Torquay United in 'a sea of mud' at Plainmoor. A week later, Llewellyn scored a hat-trick past Swindon Town. However, on 4 March QPR ended their promotion hopes with a 1–0 win at Loftus Road, the second of a streak of five games without a win for Vale. The next week Notts County easily beat Vale 3–1, in a game for which Stan Steele was rested after 195 consecutive appearances. Steele immediately handed in a transfer request and got picked up by West Bromwich Albion for a £10,000 fee. Vale's season then petered out, ending with an attendance of only 4,088 for a 1–1 draw with Bristol City at Vale Park, followed by two away draws. They finished in seventh place with 49 points, with their tally of 96 goals bettered only by the two promoted clubs. The season was a disappointment, and their away record of two wins in twelve games was put to blame for killing their promotion hopes. Cliff Portwood scored an impressive 26 goals, followed closely by Bert Llewellyn on 20 (who had also scored 10 for Crewe). Finances On the financial side, a disappointing home attendance average of 9,702 was a concern, though a profit of £4,253 was recorded. This was down to a £9,501 donation from the Sportsmen's Association and a slashing of the wage bill by around £4,000 to £29,915. The management decided to cut the playing staff and increase the wage budget. Eleven players were let go, crucially: Harry Oscroft (Brantham Athletic), Ted Calland (Lincoln City), John Poole (Macclesfield Town), and Peter Hall (Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic). Cup competitions In the FA Cup, Vale were superior to non-League side Chelmsford City, winning 3–2 in the first round clash. Fourth Division club Carlisle United were Vale's second round opponents, who Vale dispatched 2–1 in an "exciting" game. Struggling Second Division side Swansea Town bettered Vale on a mud-filled and hole-ridden Vetch Field. In the League Cup, they bettered Queens Park Rangers in a replay following a 2–2 draw at Loftus Road. The next round held Tranmere Rovers, who eliminated Vale with a 2–0 win. In the Supporters' Clubs' Trophy, the two-leg game with rivals Stoke City came to a 1–1 draw, and so a replay was held at the Victoria Ground on 24 April, which Vale won 1–0 thanks to an own goal. Results Football League Third Division 1960–61 Football League League table Third Division y PTV Results by matchday table b Round Ground H/A/A/H/H/H/A/A/H/H/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/A/H/H/A/A/H/A/H/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/A Result D/D/L/W/W/W/L/D/D/L/L/D/L/W/W/L/D/W/W/W/W/L/W/D/W/D/W/L/W/D/L/W/W/D/L/L/D/L/W/L/D/W/L/D/D/D Position 11/9/19/9/6/1/5/6/7/7/12/12/15/13/13/14/13/11/9/9/7/8/9/8/8/8/7/8/7/7/7/6/6/6/5/6/6/6/6/6/6/4/7/6/5/7 Points 1p/2p/2p/4p/6p/8p/8p/9p/10p/10p/10p/11p/11p/13p/15p/15p/16p/18p/20p/22p/24p/24p/26p/27p/29p/30p/32p/32p/34p/35p/35p/37p/39p/40p/40p/40p/41p/41p/43p/43p/44p/46p/46p/47p/48p/49p Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss green1 red1 StattoPort Vale 1960–1961 : Results & Fixtures https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054717/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/port-vale/1960-1961/results 4 March 2016 . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012. Matches 1 20 August 1960 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-walsall-20-august-1960-126430/ Walsall Poole Vale Park Burslem 15,504 2 24 August 1960 Shrewsbury Town 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/shrewsbury-town-v-port-vale-24-august-1960-126445/ Port Vale Steele Gay Meadow Shrewsbury 9,022 3 27 August 1960 Bury 3–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/bury-v-port-vale-27-august-1960-126448/ Port Vale Fidler Gigg Lane Bury, Greater Manchester 6,593 4 29 August 1960 Port Vale 4–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-shrewsbury-town-29-august-1960-126460/ Shrewsbury Town Steele Fidler Portwood Vale Park Burslem 9,212 5 3 September 1960 Port Vale 7–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-chesterfield-03-september-1960-126477/ Chesterfield Calland Jackson Steele Portwood Miles Fidler Vale Park Burslem 10,104 6 5 September 1960 Port Vale 3–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-watford-05-september-1960-126487/ Watford Portwood og. Vale Park Burslem 15,175 7 10 September 1960 Southend United 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/southend-united-v-port-vale-10-september-1960-126505/ Port Vale Portwood Roots Hall Southend-on-Sea 8,758 8 13 September 1960 Watford 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/watford-v-port-vale-13-september-1960-126512/ Port Vale Vicarage Road Watford 16,719 9 17 September 1960 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-reading-17-september-1960-126524/ Reading Portwood Vale Park Burslem 11,521 10 19 September 1960 Port Vale 2–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-halifax-town-19-september-1960-126531/ Halifax Town Steele Fidler Vale Park Burslem 10,251 11 24 September 1960 Port Vale 0–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-torquay-united-24-september-1960-126548/ Torquay United Vale Park Burslem 10,502 12 26 September 1960 Halifax Town 3–3 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/halifax-town-v-port-vale-26-september-1960-126555/ Port Vale Portwood Oscroft Steele The Shay Halifax, West Yorkshire 5,967 13 1 October 1960 Swindon Town 6–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/swindon-town-v-port-vale-01-october-1960-126572/ Port Vale Woodruff 7 24 70 Hunt 49 Corbett 53 Summerbee 85 County Ground Swindon R.J. Sturgeon 11,960 14 3 October 1960 Port Vale 3–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-brentford-03-october-1960-126577/ Brentford Whalley Portwood Towers Peplow Vale Park Burslem 6,843 15 8 October 1960 Bristol City 3–4 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/bristol-city-v-port-vale-08-october-1960-126588/ Port Vale Portwood Jackson pen. Whalley Ashton Gate Ashton Gate, Bristol 8,803 16 15 October 1960 Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-queens-park-rangers-15-october-1960-126601/ Queens Park Rangers Bedford Vale Park Burslem 8,802 17 22 October 1960 Notts County 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/notts-county-v-port-vale-22-october-1960-126618/ Port Vale Portwood Miles Meadow Lane Nottingham 10,725 18 29 October 1960 Port Vale 3–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bournemouth-and-boscombe-athletic-29-october-1960-126626/ Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic Steele Calland Fidler Vale Park Burslem 7,752 19 12 November 1960 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-barnsley-12-november-1960-126636/ Barnsley Llewellyn Fidler Vale Park Burslem 10,760 20 3 December 1960 Grimsby Town 0–5 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/grimsby-town-v-port-vale-03-december-1960-126659/ Port Vale Portwood og. Jackson Fidler Blundell Park Cleethorpes 8,843 21 10 December 1960 15:15 GMT Port Vale 4–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-hull-city-10-december-1960-126668/ Hull City Llewellyn Jackson Chilton 38 Vale Park Burslem 9,006 22 17 December 1960 Walsall 6–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/walsall-v-port-vale-17-december-1960-126684/ Port Vale Poole Steele Fellows Park Walsall 8,381 23 26 December 1960 Port Vale 5–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-tranmere-rovers-26-december-1960-126699/ Tranmere Rovers Portwood Llewellyn Fidler Vale Park Burslem 14,029 24 27 December 1960 Tranmere Rovers 3–3 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/tranmere-rovers-v-port-vale-27-december-1960-126707/ Port Vale Llewellyn Jackson pen. Portwood Prenton Park Prenton 7,838 25 31 December 1960 Port Vale 4–3 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bury-31-december-1960-126715/ Bury Poole Llewellyn Jackson Portwood Vale Park Burslem 14,453 26 14 January 1961 Chesterfield 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/chesterfield-v-port-vale-14-january-1961-126728/ Port Vale Saltergate Chesterfield, Derbyshire 5,816 27 21 January 1961 Port Vale 4–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-southend-united-21-january-1961-126739/ Southend United Llewellyn Portwood Jackson pen. Oscroft Vale Park Burslem 9,517 28 4 February 1961 Reading 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/reading-v-port-vale-04-february-1961-126762/ Port Vale Portwood Elm Park Reading, Berkshire 6,394 29 6 February 1961 Port Vale 3–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-colchester-united-06-february-1961-126766/ Colchester United Poole Portwood Vale Park Burslem 6,504 30 11 February 1961 Torquay United 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/torquay-united-v-port-vale-11-february-1961-126776/ Port Vale Oscroft Plainmoor Torquay 5,606 31 13 February 1961 Newport County 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/newport-county-v-port-vale-13-february-1961-126780/ Port Vale McPherson G. Smith Portwood Somerton Park Newport, Wales 5,107 32 18 February 1961 Port Vale 4–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-swindon-town-18-february-1961-126789/ Swindon Town Llewellyn 1 50 57 Oscroft 79 Jackson Vale Park Burslem J. Powell 9,673 33 25 February 1961 Port Vale 3–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-grimsby-town-25-february-1961-126799/ Grimsby Town Llewellyn Portwood Steele Vale Park Burslem 9,367 34 28 February 1961 Bradford City 3–3 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/bradford-city-v-port-vale-28-february-1961-126808/ Port Vale Llewellyn Steele Valley Parade Bradford 6,883 35 4 March 1961 Queens Park Rangers 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/queens-park-rangers-v-port-vale-04-march-1961-126818/ Port Vale Evans Loftus Road Shepherd's Bush, West London 12,711 36 11 March 1961 Port Vale 1–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-notts-county-11-march-1961-126827/ Notts County Miles Vale Park Burslem 10,931 37 18 March 1961 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/bournemouth-and-boscombe-athletic-v-port-vale-18-march-1961-126839/ Port Vale Portwood Dean Court Bournemouth 8,735 38 25 March 1961 Port Vale 2–4 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bradford-city-25-march-1961-126861/ Bradford City Poole Llewellyn Vale Park Burslem 6,278 39 31 March 1961 Port Vale 3–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-coventry-city-31-march-1961-126874/ Coventry City Llewellyn Fidler own goal Vale Park Burslem 6,528 40 1 April 1961 Barnsley 5–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/barnsley-v-port-vale-01-april-1961-126877/ Port Vale Poole Oakwell Barnsley 5,680 41 4 April 1961 Coventry City 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/coventry-city-v-port-vale-04-april-1961-126900/ Port Vale Hill Jackson pen. Highfield Road Coventry 8,285 42 8 April 1961 Port Vale 3–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-newport-county-08-april-1961-126907/ Newport County Fidler Oscroft Llewellyn McSeveney Vale Park Burslem 6,302 43 15 April 1961 Colchester United 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/colchester-united-v-port-vale-15-april-1961-126926/ Port Vale King Layer Road Colchester 3,437 44 22 April 1961 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bristol-city-22-april-1961-126941/ Bristol City Llewellyn Vale Park Burslem 4,068 45 25 April 1961 Brentford 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/brentford-v-port-vale-25-april-1961-126954/ Port Vale Griffin Park Brentford, West London 3,503 46 29 April 1961 15:00 BST Hull City 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/hull-city-v-port-vale-29-april-1961-126968/ Port Vale King 11 Chilton 65 Llewellyn Fidler Boothferry Park Kingston upon Hull 4,439 FA Cup 1960–61 FA Cup R1 5 November 1960 Chelmsford City 2–3 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/chelmsford-city-v-port-vale-05-november-1960-211479/ Port Vale Portwood New Writtle Street Stadium Chelmsford 9,000 R2 26 November 1960 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-carlisle-united-26-november-1960-211532/ Carlisle United Jackson Fidler Vale Park Burslem 12,113 R3 7 January 1961 Swansea Town 3–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/swansea-town-v-port-vale-07-january-1961-205712/ Port Vale Vetch Field Swansea 10,601 League Cup 1960–61 Football League Cup R1 17 October 1960 Queens Park Rangers 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/queens-park-rangers-v-port-vale-17-october-1960-28073/ Port Vale Lazarus Rutter Steele Loftus Road Shepherd's Bush, West London 6,564 Replay 19 October 1960 Port Vale 3–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-queens-park-rangers-19-october-1960-28085/ Queens Park Rangers Steele Kinsey Fidler Bedford Vale Park Burslem 6,829 R2 24 October 1960 Port Vale 0–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-tranmere-rovers-24-october-1960-28092/ Tranmere Rovers Vale Park Burslem 8,206 Supporters' Clubs' Trophy Final 1st Leg 10 October 1960 Port Vale 1–0 W Stoke City Steele Vale Park Burslem 7,267 Final 2nd Leg 7 March 1961 Stoke City 1–0 L Port Vale Victoria Ground Stoke-upon-Trent 9,605 1–1 Replay 24 April 1961 Stoke City 1–0 L Port Vale og. Victoria Ground Stoke-upon-Trent 4,000 Squad statistics Appearances and goals Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward Third Division FA Cup League Cup Supporters' Club's Trophy GK ENG John Cooke 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 GK ENG Ken Hancock 39 0 3 0 3 0 2 0 GK ENG John Poole 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 DF ENG Terry Lowe 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 DF ENG David Raine 38 0 3 0 3 0 1 0 DF ENG Roy Sproson 43 0 3 0 3 0 3 0 DF ENG Selwyn Whalley 13 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 MF ENG Colin Corbishley 3 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 MF ENG Colin Davies 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 MF ENG Dennis Fidler 34 11 3 1 2 1 2 0 MF ENG Peter Ford 41 0 3 0 3 0 3 0 MF ENG Roy Gater 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 MF ENG Peter Hall 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 MF ENG Brian Jackson 43 8 3 2 1 0 2 0 MF ENG Terry Miles 46 3 3 0 3 0 3 0 MF ENG Harry Oscroft 21 5 0 0 0 0 1 0 MF ENG Cliff Portwood 41 24 3 2 3 0 2 0 FW ENG John Archer 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Ted Calland 12 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Barry Hancock 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 FW WAL Noel Kinsey 3 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 FW ENG Bert Llewellyn 28 20 2 0 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Harry Poole 45 7 3 0 3 0 3 0 |- |colspan="14"|Players who featured but departed the club during the season:'' MF ENG Albert Leake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Stan Steele 35 10 3 0 3 3 2 1 |} Top scorers PlacePositionNationNameThird DivisionFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal1MFEnglandCliff Portwood24200262FWEnglandBert Llewellyn20000203FWEnglandStan Steele10031144MFEnglandDennis Fidler11110135MFEnglandBrian Jackson8200106FWEnglandHarry Poole700077MFEnglandHarry Oscroft500058FWEnglandTed Calland30003–MFEnglandTerry Miles30003–DFEnglandSelwyn Whalley3000311FWWalesNoel Kinsey00101–––Own goals20013TOTALS98452109 Transfers Transfers in Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref. 1960 FW ENG Derek Edge Stoke City Free transfer Kent Jeff Port Vale Personalities Witan Books 1996 0-9529152-0-0 May 1960 MF ENG Dennis Fidler Manchester City Free transfer June 1960 DF ENG Terry Lowe Stoke City Free transfer August 1960 FW ENG Ted Calland Exeter City Free transfer November 1960 FW ENG Bert Llewellyn Everton £7,000 Transfers out Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref. January 1961 MF ENG Albert Leake Macclesfield Town Free transfer March 1961 FW ENG Stan Steele West Bromwich Albion £10,000 May 1961 FW ENG John Archer Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic Free transfer May 1961 FW ENG Dennis Bailey Released May 1961 DF ENG Colin Davies Stourbridge Free transfer May 1961 MF ENG Peter Hall Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic Free transfer May 1961 MF ENG Harry Oscroft Brantham Athletic Free transfer May 1961 GK ENG John Poole Macclesfield Town Free transfer July 1961 FW ENG Ted Calland Lincoln City Free transfer July 1961 MF ENG Cliff Portwood Grimsby Town £6,000 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