1935–36 Port Vale F.C. season

March 2015 March 2015 Port Vale 1935–36 Tom Holford(until September) Frank Huntbach Old Recreation Ground Football League Second Division 21st (32 points) FA Cup Fourth Round(eliminated by Grimsby Town) Jack Roberts (12) Jack Roberts (12) 16,677 vs. Sunderland, 13 January 1936 2,669 vs. Hull City, 2 March 1936 7,787 4–0 vs. Hull City, 2 March 1936 0–7 and 2–9 _color_3_stripes_red ff0000 ff0000 ff0000 ffffff 000000 1934–35 1936–37 The 1935–36 season was Port Vale's 30th season of football in the English Football League, and their sixth-successive season (29th overall) in the Second Division.Kent Jeff The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale Witan Books 1990 124–150 From Glory to Despair (1929–1939) 978-0-9508981-4-8 Under manager Tom Holford (until his dismissal during the season), the Valiants endured a disastrous campaign, finishing 21st in the Second Division with just 32 points, and suffering relegation — their second in club history, ultimately ending a six-year stay in the second tier. A principal factor was defence: Vale conceded a league‑record 106 goals in 42 matches, marking the most goals ever allowed in a single season by the club. Away form was particularly poor, as the team picked up only five points on the road and endured a run of twelve defeats in sixteen games between September and January. Individual highlights included centre‑forward Jack Roberts, who scored 12 goals in 21 appearances and finished as both league and season top scorer for Vale. In the FA Cup, the club achieved a celebrated upset by defeating reigning First Division champions Sunderland, before ultimately exiting in the Fourth Round. Off the field, financial woes were severe. A public appeal raised emergency funds—supporters were asked to raise over £2,000 to keep the club afloat—while manager Holford was relieved of his duties amid the crisis. The season had been disastrous,a record number of goals were conceded and relegation after years of stability. But, tempered by a cup performance against top-flight opposition. 200px|thumb|right|Manager Tom Holford became just a scout in September. 200px|thumb|right|Chairman Frank Huntbach. Overview Second Division The pre-season began with the sale of top-scorer Tom Nolan to Bradford Park Avenue, whilst manager Tom Holford heralded a youth policy. Ten new faces replaced the 14 retained from the previous season, these included: free-scoring striker George Stabb (Notts County), centre-half Harry Griffiths (Everton), left-winger Arthur Caldwell (Winsford United), left-back Roderick Welsh (Portsmouth), and right-half Michael Curley (Manchester City). The season started with what would ultimately turn out to be a relegation decider, Vale lost 4–2 to Barnsley at Oakwell, with the "Tykes" scoring twice in the last ten minutes. Still switching the team regularly to find a favourite eleven, the "Valiants" then picked up eight points from their next six games to move into eighth in the table. This run included wins over Plymouth Argyle, Charlton Athletic and Newcastle United at the Old Recreation Ground. On 28 September, the defence was ripped apart with a 5–2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. A further four defeats and 13 goals conceded followed, resulting in manager Tom Holford being relieved of his management duties to revert to a scouting role. Relief for Vale came on 2 November, with a hard-pushed 3–2 win over Bradford Park Avenue. Vale's poor form continued with five defeats and two draws in seven games. In November, Fred Mitcheson was sold to Plymouth to raise funds for new players. George Heywood was promptly signed from Altrincham for £250. Heywood made his debut on 23 November, as Vale suffered a 9–2 demolition at the City Ground to Nottingham Forest. Forest were only kept from double figures by 'many fine saves' from Potts. On 7 December, a 2–0 loss at Belle Vue from Doncaster Rovers sent Vale to the foot of the table. As a result of this, the club put in a large bid for Wigan Athletic's Jack Roberts, and consequently signed the highly promising forward. Meanwhile, injuries and constant rotation of the first XI worked against the team. A 4–0 defeat from West Ham United at Upton Park on 21 December was followed by the club's first away win in 16 attempts five days later. The win came over a poor Hull City side in ankle deep mud. Two days later, Barnsley beat Vale 4–0 at "The Rec", which would again have fatal consequences come May. Following their FA Cup heroics, the Vale recorded a 2–1 victory over Bradford City on 18 January. They then lost 5–1 at home to "Spurs", earned a point at St James' Park, and then were humiliated 7–2 at Old Trafford. Three home wins followed, the last of which was a 4–0 win over doomed Hull City in front of a mere 2,669 supporters. This removed them from the relegation zone. However, on 27 March an extraordinary shareholders meeting was called at the Grand Hotel (Hanley), in which the net weekly income was revealed to be just £181. The directors claimed they were no longer prepared to prop the club up financially, and demanded the supporters raise £2,000 to keep the club afloat. A subsequent public meeting launched a 40,000 Shilling Fund, and a benefit match with cross-city rivals Stoke City raised £528 – helping to ensure the survival of Port Vale. Two points clear of relegation on 4 April despite losing 5–0 at Bury, it was expected that Vale would be safe. A win over Fulham and a draw with Sheffield United reinforced such expectations. However, on 13 April, they travelled to Craven Cottage, where they were beaten 7–0. Two further defeats meant victory on the final day encounter with Charlton Athletic at The Valley was needed – the "Addicks" needed a point themselves to ensure promotion. 27,778 spectators witnessed Charlton take the lead, a lead wiped out by a Caldwell equaliser on 83 minutes. The team's valiant efforts were futile in any case, as other results went against them. They finished in 21st place with 32 points. Their 106 goals conceded gave them the fourth worst defensive record in the Football League. Jack Roberts' twelve goals in 21 games were impressive, but not enough to help the club beyond a tally of 56 goals scored. Finances On the financial side, a loss of £1,046 was made on the season. Income was supplemented by the £1,800 raised from the Shilling Fund. Gross gate receipts were down to just £9,226, whilst a strict control over wages saw a wage bill of just £6,937. The transfer credit stood at £1,640. 15 players were released, the most significant of which were George Shenton, John Potts, Jack Vickers, and James Baker. FA Cup In contrast to their league form, Vale performed well in the FA Cup. Pitted against eventual First Division champions Sunderland at Roker Park, their top player, Roberts cup-tied, a heavy defeat seemed likely.Baggaley Mike Food for thought ahead of Cardiff https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/food-for-thought-ahead-of-cardiff 5 August 2025 Valiant's Substack 4 August 2025 Vale were managerless and in poor form, and though took a half-time lead through Stabb, they had to rely on an 88th-minute equalizer from Caldwell to force a replay.Sherwin Phil Port Vale v Sunderland matchday programme 11 November 2018 Port Vale FC 26–7 The highest crowd of the season then witnessed a 2–0 victory at the "Rec" two days later as the "Valiants" "defended brilliantly". The Sentinel'''s Placer suggested it to be 'the greatest victory in the history of the club'. Stabb put the Vale ahead after five minutes as he connected to a Curley free-kick and the lead was doubled on 24 minutes when Trevor Rhodes capitalised on a miskicked clearance. Raich Carter struck the ball with such force that it knocked Griffiths unconscious as he blocked it on the goalline and late in the match Len Duns rolled an effort past the far post, whilst Vale almost added a third when Baker forced goalkeeper Jimmy Thorpe into making the save of the match. In the Fourth Round, First Division Grimsby Town would advance with a 4–0 victory in the snow. Before the match, the teams paid their respects to the recently deceased George V with Abide with Me, during which the "Mariners" wore overcoats as the Vale players shivered – this was the excuse used to justify their conceding four first-half goals. Results Football League Second Division 1935–36 Football League League table Second Division y PVL Results by matchday table b Round Ground A/H/H/A/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/A/H/A/H/H/A/A/H/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/A/H/H/A/A/H/A Result L/D/W/L/D/W/W/L/L/L/L/L/W/L/L/L/D/L/D/L/W/L/L/W/L/D/L/W/W/W/L/D/L/W/W/L/W/D/L/L/L/D Position 17/15/10/18/19/10/8/13/18/18/19/21/20/21/21/21/21/22/22/22/21/21/21/21/21/21/21/21/21/21/21/21/21/21/20/20/20/20/20/20/21/21 Points 0p/1p/3p/3p/4p/6p/8p/8p/8p/8p/8p/8p/10p/10p/10p/10p/11p/11p/12p/12p/14p/14p/14p/16p/16p/17p/17p/19p/21p/23p/23p/24p/24p/26p/28p/28p/30p/31p/31p/31p/31p/32p Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss green1 red1 StattoPort Vale 1935–1936 : Results & Fixtures https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063232/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/port-vale/1935-1936/results 4 March 2016 . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012. Matches 1 31 August 1935 Barnsley 4–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/barnsley-v-port-vale-31-august-1935-101815/ Port Vale Caldwell Stabb Oakwell Barnsley 10,145 2 2 September 1935 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-burnley-02-september-1935-101830/ Burnley Stabb Old Recreation Ground Hanley 9,450 3 7 September 1935 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-plymouth-argyle-07-september-1935-101844/ Plymouth Argyle Gunn Stabb Old Recreation Ground Hanley 9,178 4 9 September 1935 Burnley 5–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/burnley-v-port-vale-09-september-1935-101850/ Port Vale Stabb Turf Moor Burnley 11,268 5 14 September 1935 Bradford City 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/bradford-city-v-port-vale-14-september-1935-101861/ Port Vale Birks Valley Parade Bradford 7,420 6 16 September 1935 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-charlton-athletic-16-september-1935-101874/ Charlton Athletic Baker Curley Old Recreation Ground Hanley 5,395 7 21 September 1935 Port Vale 3–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-newcastle-united-21-september-1935-101887/ Newcastle United Baker 31 Caldwell 55 Leach og. Old Recreation Ground Hanley J. Rennie 9,356 8 28 September 1935 Tottenham Hotspur 5–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/tottenham-hotspur-v-port-vale-28-september-1935-101901/ Port Vale Howe Morrison Birks Baker pen. White Hart Lane Tottenham, North London 32,872 9 5 October 1935 Port Vale 0–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-manchester-united-05-october-1935-101909/ Manchester United Mutch Bamford Old Recreation Ground Hanley 9,703 10 12 October 1935 Norwich City 4–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/norwich-city-v-port-vale-12-october-1935-101920/ Port Vale Caldwell Rhodes Carrow Road Norwich 16,324 11 19 October 1935 Port Vale 0–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-southampton-19-october-1935-101934/ Southampton Watson Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,263 12 26 October 1935 Sheffield United 4–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/sheffield-united-v-port-vale-26-october-1935-101943/ Port Vale Bramall Lane Sheffield 12,499 13 2 November 1935 Port Vale 3–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bradford-park-avenue-02-november-1935-101956/ Bradford (Park Avenue) Dackins Mitcheson pen. Birks Old Recreation Ground Hanley 8,571 14 9 November 1935 Leicester City 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/leicester-city-v-port-vale-09-november-1935-101962/ Port Vale Carroll Maw Filbert Street Leicester 16,349 15 16 November 1935 Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-swansea-town-16-november-1935-101978/ Swansea Town Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,541 16 23 November 1935 15:00 GMT Nottingham Forest 9–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/nottingham-forest-v-port-vale-23-november-1935-101986/ Port Vale Peacock 2 33 34 66 Simpson 26 Race 46 83 Dent 79 87 Rhodes Caldwell City Ground West Bridgford RA Mortimer 9,346 17 30 November 1935 Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bury-30-november-1935-102000/ Bury Rhodes Old Recreation Ground Hanley 5,586 18 7 December 1935 Doncaster Rovers 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/doncaster-rovers-v-port-vale-07-december-1935-102005/ Port Vale Belle Vue Doncaster 7,212 19 14 December 1935 Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-blackpool-14-december-1935-102021/ Blackpool Ryder Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,106 20 21 December 1935 West Ham United 4–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/west-ham-united-v-port-vale-21-december-1935-102031/ Port Vale Foreman Mangnall Goulden Boleyn Ground Upton Park, London 13,905 21 26 December 1935 14:15 GMT Hull City 1–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/hull-city-v-port-vale-26-december-1935-102042/ Port Vale Cameron 3 Caldwell Roberts Anlaby Road Kingston upon Hull 5,359 22 28 December 1935 Port Vale 0–4 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-barnsley-28-december-1935-102057/ Barnsley Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,381 23 4 January 1936 Plymouth Argyle 4–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/plymouth-argyle-v-port-vale-04-january-1936-102074/ Port Vale Black Roberts Home Park Plymouth R. G. Rudd 13,779 24 18 January 1936 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bradford-city-18-january-1936-102084/ Bradford City Glidden Jones Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,906 25 1 February 1936 Port Vale 1–5 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-tottenham-hotspur-01-february-1936-102100/ Tottenham Hotspur Ryder Evans Morrison Sargent Old Recreation Ground Hanley 10,770 26 5 February 1936 Newcastle United 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/newcastle-united-v-port-vale-05-february-1936-102105/ Port Vale Ware 36 Smith 78 Stabb 33 Roberts 55 St James' Park Newcastle upon Tyne J. Rennie 9,238 27 8 February 1936 Manchester United 7–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/manchester-united-v-port-vale-08-february-1936-102113/ Port Vale Mutch Rowley Manley Caldwell Ryder Old Trafford Old Trafford 22,265 28 15 February 1936 Port Vale 3–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-norwich-city-15-february-1936-102120/ Norwich City Stabb pen. Roberts Rhodes Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,129 29 29 February 1936 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-doncaster-rovers-29-february-1936-102144/ Doncaster Rovers Rhodes Roberts Old Recreation Ground Hanley 4,180 30 2 March 1936 16:00 GMT Port Vale 4–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-hull-city-02-march-1936-102145/ Hull City Roberts Stabb Old Recreation Ground Hanley 2,669 31 7 March 1936 Swansea Town 3–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/swansea-town-v-port-vale-07-march-1936-102158/ Port Vale Roberts Vetch Field Swansea 5,151 32 14 March 1936 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-leicester-city-14-march-1936-102170/ Leicester City Roberts Carroll Old Recreation Ground Hanley 8,331 33 21 March 1936 Bradford (Park Avenue) 3–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/bradford-park-avenue-v-port-vale-21-march-1936-102174/ Port Vale Park Avenue Bradford 4,332 34 28 March 1936 15:00 GMT Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-nottingham-forest-28-march-1936-102193/ Nottingham Forest Dean Caldwell Old Recreation Ground Hanley RA Mortimer 6,204 35 30 March 1936 Southampton 0–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/southampton-v-port-vale-30-march-1936-102195/ Port Vale Stabb The Dell Southampton 1,875 36 4 April 1936 Bury 5–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/bury-v-port-vale-04-april-1936-102200/ Port Vale Gigg Lane Bury, Greater Manchester 3,829 37 10 April 1936 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-fulham-10-april-1936-102216/ Fulham Baker Old Recreation Ground Hanley 11,972 38 11 April 1936 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-sheffield-united-11-april-1936-102228/ Sheffield United Dean Old Recreation Ground Hanley 12,240 39 13 April 1936 Fulham 7–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/fulham-v-port-vale-13-april-1936-102233/ Port Vale Craven Cottage Fulham, West London 9,954 40 18 April 1936 Blackpool 3–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/blackpool-v-port-vale-18-april-1936-102241/ Port Vale Stabb Bloomfield Road Blackpool 9,326 41 25 April 1936 Port Vale 2–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-west-ham-united-25-april-1936-102262/ West Ham United Roberts Caldwell Foxall Mangnall Old Recreation Ground Hanley 8,066 42 2 May 1936 Charlton Athletic 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/charlton-athletic-v-port-vale-02-may-1936-102271/ Port Vale Caldwell The Valley Charlton, London 27,778 FA Cup 1935–36 FA Cup R3 11 January 1936 Sunderland 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/sunderland-v-port-vale-11-january-1936-208662/ Port Vale Connor 61 Gallacher 76 Stabb 30 Caldwell 85 Roker Park Sunderland E.D. Smith 29,278 Replay 13 January 1936 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-sunderland-13-january-1936-208668/ Sunderland Stabb 5 Rhodes 22 Old Recreation Ground Hanley E.D. Smith 16,677 R4 25 January 1936 Port Vale 0–4 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-grimsby-town-25-january-1936-208687/ Grimsby Town Old Recreation Ground Hanley 13,350 Squad statistics Appearances and goals Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; FB – Full back; HB – Half back; FW – Forward Second Division FA Cup GK ENG John Potts 40 0 3 0 GK SCO Allan Todd 1 0 0 0 FB ENG Ernest Breeze 10 0 0 0 FB ENG George Heywood 21 0 0 0 FB ENG George Shenton 14 0 0 0 FB ENG Roderick Welsh 20 0 3 0 HB ENG James Bewick 3 0 0 0 HB ENG Cliff Birks 15 3 0 0 HB ENG Michael Curley 24 1 3 0 HB ENG Harry Griffiths 27 0 3 0 HB SCO Ken Gunn 28 1 0 0 HB ENG Eric Hayward 13 0 0 0 HB ENG Roger Jones 35 1 3 0 HB ENG Trevor Rhodes 28 6 2 1 FW ENG Frank Baker 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Arthur Caldwell 39 9 3 1 FW WAL 1807 Haydn Dackins 9 1 0 0 FW ENG Luke Dean 9 2 0 0 FW ENG Gilbert Glidden 5 1 1 0 FW ENG Cliff Johnson 5 0 3 0 FW SCO Henry Pinkerton 3 0 0 0 FW ENG Jack Roberts 21 12 0 0 FW ENG Frank Ryder 17 4 0 0 FW ENG George Stabb 30 9 3 2 |- |colspan="14"|Players who featured but departed the club during the season:'' FB ENG Jack Vickers 15 0 3 0 FW ENG James Baker 9 4 3 0 FW ENG Roy Burns 2 0 0 0 FW ENG Fred Mitcheson 15 1 0 0 FW ENG John Wilson 3 0 0 0 |} Top scorers PlacePositionNationNameSecond DivisionFA CupTotal1FWEnglandJack Roberts120122FWEnglandGeorge Stabb92113FWEnglandArthur Caldwell91104HBEnglandTrevor Rhodes6175FWEnglandJames Baker404–FWEnglandFrank Ryder4047HBEnglandCliff Birks3038FWEnglandLuke Dean2029HBScotlandKen Gunn101–HBEnglandRoger Jones101–FWEnglandGilbert Glidden101–HBEnglandMichael Curle101–FWEnglandFred Mitcheson101–FWWales 1807Haydn Dackins101–––Own goals101TOTALS56460 Transfers Transfers in Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref. May 1935 HB ENG James Bewick Newcastle United Free transfer Kent Jeff Port Vale Personalities Witan Books 1996 0-9529152-0-0 May 1935 HB ENG Michael Curley Manchester City Free transfer May 1935 FW ENG Gilbert Glidden Sunderland Free transfer May 1935 HB ENG Harry Griffiths Everton Free transfer May 1935 FW SCO Henry Pinkerton Hull City Free transfer May 1935 FB ENG Roderick Welsh Portsmouth Free transfer May 1935 FW ENG John Wilson West Bromwich Albion Free transfer July 1935 FW WAL 1807 Haydn Dackins Swansea Town Free transfer July 1935 FW ENG George Stabb Notts County Free transfer October 1935 FW ENG Roy Burns Wolverhampton Wanderers Free transfer October 1935 FW ENG Cliff Johnson Wolverhampton Wanderers Free transfer November 1935 FW ENG Frank Ryder Altrincham Free transfer November 1935 FB ENG Roderick Welsh Altrincham £250 December 1935 FW ENG Jack Roberts Wigan Athletic 'large' Transfers out Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref. November 1935 FW ENG Fred Mitcheson Plymouth Argyle Undisclosed December 1935 FW ENG John Wilson Wigan Athletic Free transfer January 1936 FW ENG Roy Burns Bournemouth Trams Contract cancelled April 1936 FW ENG James Baker Barrow Released April 1936 FB ENG Jack Vickers Newport County Released May 1936 HB ENG James Bewick Walsall Released May 1936 HB ENG Cliff Birks Torquay United Released June 1936 FW ENG Cliff Johnson Torquay United Free transfer June 1936 FB ENG George Shenton Shelton Iron and Steel Released Summer 1936 FB ENG Ernest Breeze Shrewsbury Town Released Summer 1936 FW WAL 1807 Haydn Dackins Northwich Victoria Released Summer 1936 FW ENG Gilbert Glidden Reading Released Summer 1936 FW SCO Henry Pinkerton Burnley Released Summer 1936 GK ENG John Potts Released References Specific General Kent Jeff The Port Vale Record 1879-1993 Witan Books 1993 978-0-9508981-9-3 Category:Port Vale F.C. seasons Port Vale