1957–58 Port Vale F.C. season

pMarch 2015 March 2015 Port Vale 1957–58 Norman Low Fred Burgess Vale Park Football League Third Division South 15th (42 points) FA Cup Second Round(eliminated by Hull City) Stan Steele (21) Stan Steele (22) 17,286 vs. Coventry City, 26 December 1957 5,149 vs. Brentford, 24 March 1958 10,457 5–0 and 6–1 0–3 and 1–4 _collarblack ffffff ffffff ffffff 000000 ffffff 1956–57 1958–59 The 1957–58 season was Port Vale's 46th season of football in the English Football League and their first full season (eighth overall) back in the Third Division South following their relegation from the Second 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 An unusual season, the regional split was to be abolished at the season's end, meaning the bottom two clubs of the Second Division and the clubs placed 2nd to 12th in the Third Division North and the Third Division South would be the founder members of the Third Division. It also meant that the bottom twelve clubs of the Third Division North and the Third Division South would be the founder members of the Fourth Division. In effect, the team's performance in this season could see them placed in either the second, third or fourth tier the following season. Under manager Norman Low, the side started brightly, winning four of their first six fixtures and notably doing the league double over Southampton — including a 4–0 victory at Vale Park. The attacking policy soon paid off as Stan Steele, Jack Wilkinson, and Harry Poole all reached double figures in goals by mid-season. Despite this promising form, a poor run after Christmas — highlighted by eight defeats in their final 12 matches — dragged them to a 15th‑place finish, and they were placed in the newly formed Fourth Division for the 1958–59 campaign. In the FA Cup, Vale progressed past Shrewsbury Town in the first round courtesy of Wilkinson's brace, but exited in the Second Round, losing 4–3 away to Hull City in the replay. Financially, average attendance dipped to 10,457, resulting in reduced gate receipts (~£33,800), though tight budgeting and transfer sales allowed the club to register a modest profit of £145. Highlights off the pitch included the arrival of key signings such as goalkeeper Keith Jones and forward Jack Wilkinson, although a mid‑season acquisition of Noel Kinsey failed to arrest the late slump. Steele ended the campaign as Vale's top scorer with 22 goals — his efforts emblematic of a squad in transition and a season of high hopes ultimately unfulfilled. Overview Third Division South The pre-season saw manager Norman Low sign several young new players to replace those released at the end of the previous season, saying his team would 'fight like hell to get back into the Second Division'. Four of these signings were: impressive forward Jack Wilkinson (Sheffield United); Welsh international goalkeeper Keith Jones (signed from Aston Villa for £3,500); defender Bert Carberry (Gillingham); and Alan Martin – who returned to the club as a part-time professional. The season opened with a 1–0 win over Aldershot at the Recreation Ground. This started a sequence of just four defeats in 17 games, which included doing the double over Southampton (a 3–0 win at The Dell followed by a 4–0 win at Vale Park). This was achieved with Low's attacking policy, a stark contrast to 'the Steele Curtain' defence. However, their five clean sheets in their first eight games also illustrated their defensive strength. In September, right-half Selwyn Whalley turned part-time, dividing his duties between playing football and teaching at Hanley High School. Winger Alan Bennett was also transferred to Crewe Alexandra. By November, Vale were third in the league, and Low signed Bert Carberry and Jack Wilkinson. On 2 November, Vale recorded a 4–0 home win over Crystal Palace. Despite their attacking nature, Vale had by this time conceded fewer goals than any other side in the Football League. Following this top-scorer Stan Steele went off the boil, as the Vale lost their form in the Christmas period, losing 1–0 twice to Coventry City in two days. Though before this, a 6–1 victory was recorded over Aldershot to put the club into fourth position. In January, Ken Griffiths was sold to Mansfield Town for a four-figure fee, having mostly languished in the reserves. By February, Vale were in seventh position, only four points off the top spot (with three games in hand) despite their loss of form. Four straight defeats dragged them down towards the bottom half of the table. They bought former Wales international Noel Kinsey from Birmingham City for £5,000 in an attempt to bolster their form. He helped the club achieve a 5–0 win over Watford during a blizzard on 8 March, scoring two goals. Though as injuries developed, the club's form again declined, and the team lost eight of their final twelve games. They laboured to a 2–1 win over Torquay United on 5 April, which was their only victory in the final ten games. Two points from their final six games doomed them to the fourth tier. On 12 April, Keith Jones allowed a free-kick to go into the net after he mistakenly thought it was an indirect free kick, and Norwich City went on to win the game by three goals. Vale lost 3–2 at home to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic the following week after Kinsey missed a penalty. A 4–1 defeat at Brentford confirmed Vale's lower-half finish with a game to spare. They finished in 15th position with 42 points from 46 games. Five points away from the top half of the table, their 'remarkable decline' continued with a second relegation in two years. Their 58 goals conceded were a respectable total, as was their 67 goals scored. Stan Steele, Jack Wilkinson, and Harry Poole all proved themselves consistent goal scorers, scoring 22, 19, and 16 goals respectively. Finances On the financial side, a decline in average attendance by around 3,500 left the club with an average gate of 10,457. Gate receipts were down to £33,800. However, a small staff helped to make a profit of £145 despite player wages rising to £24,158. Five players were released in the summer, most notably Bert Carberry (Exeter City) and Bill Cleary (King's Lynn). Low also sold Colin Askey to Walsall for 'a fairly substantial fee' and Basil Hayward to Portsmouth for 'a fair fee'. FA Cup In the FA Cup, Vale narrowly defeated Shrewsbury Town with two goals from Wilkinson. Third Division North Hull City knocked the Vale out in the second round, however, winning the replay 4–3 at Boothferry Park. Results Football League Third Division South 1957–58 Football League League table Third Division South y PTV Results by matchday table b Round Ground A/A/H/H/A/A/H/H/A/H/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/A/A/H/H/H/A/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/A/H/H/A/H/H/A/A Result W/L/W/D/L/W/W/W/L/W/D/D/L/W/W/W/D/L/L/D/W/W/L/L/D/D/D/W/W/L/L/L/L/W/L/W/L/L/L/W/D/L/L/D/L/L Position 1/12/5/5/10/6/3/2/4/2/2/3/7/6/4/3/5/5/6/6/5/4/5/9/7/7/9/7/7/8/10/11/11/11/12/13/13/13/13/13/13/13/15/14/15/15 Points 2p/2p/4p/5p/5p/7p/9p/11p/11p/13p/14p/15p/15p/17p/19p/21p/22p/22p/22p/23p/25p/27p/27p/27p/28p/29p/30p/32p/34p/34p/34p/34p/34p/36p/36p/38p/38p/38p/38p/40p/41p/41p/41p/42p/42p/42p Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss gold green1 red1 StattoPort Vale 1957–1958 : Results & Fixtures https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003331/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/port-vale/1957-1958/results 4 March 2016 . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012. Matches 1 24 August 1957 Aldershot 0–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/aldershot-v-port-vale-24-august-1957-172952/ Port Vale Steele Recreation Ground Aldershot 6,802 2 26 August 1957 Shrewsbury Town 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/shrewsbury-town-v-port-vale-26-august-1957-172966/ Port Vale Gay Meadow Shrewsbury 9,869 3 31 August 1957 Port Vale 3–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-swindon-town-31-august-1957-172982/ Swindon Town Steele 12 18 Wilkinson 38 Richards 70 Vale Park Burslem J.H. Clough 16,503 4 2 September 1957 Port Vale 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-shrewsbury-town-02-september-1957-172991/ Shrewsbury Town Vale Park Burslem 15,538 5 7 September 1957 Millwall 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/millwall-v-port-vale-07-september-1957-173004/ Port Vale Poole The Den New Cross, Lewisham 17,429 6 11 September 1957 Southampton 0–3 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/southampton-v-port-vale-11-september-1957-173019/ Port Vale Steele Poole Askey The Dell Southampton 18,887 7 14 September 1957 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-gillingham-14-september-1957-173032/ Gillingham Poole Vale Park Burslem 14,717 8 16 September 1957 Port Vale 4–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-southampton-16-september-1957-173039/ Southampton Steele Wilkinson Vale Park Burslem 11,021 9 21 September 1957 Exeter City 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/exeter-city-v-port-vale-21-september-1957-173051/ Port Vale Robinson St James Park Exeter 9,397 10 28 September 1957 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-queens-park-rangers-28-september-1957-173076/ Queens Park Rangers Steele Hayward Locke Vale Park Burslem 12,816 11 30 September 1957 Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-newport-county-30-september-1957-173084/ Newport County Poole Terry Harris Vale Park Burslem 8,669 12 5 October 1957 Southend United 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/southend-united-v-port-vale-05-october-1957-173102/ Port Vale Steele Roots Hall Southend-on-Sea 11,943 13 12 October 1957 Reading 3–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/reading-v-port-vale-12-october-1957-173114/ Port Vale Elm Park Reading, Berkshire 11,501 14 19 October 1957 Port Vale 3–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-northampton-town-19-october-1957-173126/ Northampton Town Steele Wilkinson Vale Park Burslem Les Hamer 12,443 15 26 October 1957 Watford 0–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/watford-v-port-vale-26-october-1957-173143/ Port Vale Wilkinson Askey Vicarage Road Watford 9,513 16 2 November 1957 Port Vale 4–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-crystal-palace-02-november-1957-173151/ Crystal Palace Wilkinson Poole Askey Vale Park Burslem 13,602 17 9 November 1957 Torquay United 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/torquay-united-v-port-vale-09-november-1957-173165/ Port Vale Poole Plainmoor Torquay 7,620 18 11 November 1957 Newport County 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/newport-county-v-port-vale-11-november-1957-173168/ Port Vale McSeveney Rodger Poole Somerton Park Newport, Wales 8,480 19 23 November 1957 Colchester United 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/colchester-united-v-port-vale-23-november-1957-173171/ Port Vale Plant 5Williams 45 Askey 79 Layer Road Colchester C. Woan 9,106 20 30 November 1957 Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-norwich-city-30-november-1957-173188/ Norwich City Steele Poole Vale Park Burslem 13,816 21 14 December 1957 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-walsall-14-december-1957-173202/ Walsall Wilkinson Poole Vale Park Burslem 8,827 22 21 December 1957 Port Vale 6–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-aldershot-21-december-1957-173213/ Aldershot Wilkinson Poole Cunliffe Vale Park Burslem 8,273 23 25 December 1957 Coventry City 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/coventry-city-v-port-vale-25-december-1957-173222/ Port Vale Straw Highfield Road Coventry 13,713 24 26 December 1957 Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-coventry-city-26-december-1957-173236/ Coventry City Smith Vale Park Burslem 17,286 25 28 December 1957 Swindon Town 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/swindon-town-v-port-vale-28-december-1957-173251/ Port Vale County Ground Swindon G.W. Pullin 15,000 26 4 January 1958 Brighton & Hove Albion 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/brighton-and-hove-albion-v-port-vale-04-january-1958-173254/ Port Vale Goldstone Ground Hove 13,312 27 11 January 1958 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-millwall-11-january-1958-173267/ Millwall Steele Vale Park Burslem 9,002 28 18 January 1958 Gillingham 0–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/gillingham-v-port-vale-18-january-1958-173274/ Port Vale Wilkinson Steele Priestfield Stadium Gillingham, Kent 7,407 29 1 February 1958 Port Vale 3–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-exeter-city-01-february-1958-173296/ Exeter City Wilkinson Cunliffe Calland Vale Park Burslem 9,300 30 8 February 1958 Queens Park Rangers 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/queens-park-rangers-v-port-vale-08-february-1958-173307/ Port Vale Cameron Longbottom Askey Loftus Road Shepherd's Bush, West London 7,594 31 15 February 1958 Port Vale 1–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-southend-united-15-february-1958-173320/ Southend United Wilkinson Vale Park Burslem 7,642 32 22 February 1958 Port Vale 1–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-reading-22-february-1958-173332/ Reading Steele Vale Park Burslem 5,940 33 1 March 1958 Northampton Town 3–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/northampton-town-v-port-vale-01-march-1958-173342/ Port Vale B.Hawkings O'Neil Steele County Cricket Ground Northampton 8,711 34 8 March 1958 Port Vale 5–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-watford-08-march-1958-173360/ Watford Kinsey Wilkinson Steele Whalley Vale Park Burslem 8,515 35 15 March 1958 Crystal Palace 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/crystal-palace-v-port-vale-15-march-1958-173371/ Port Vale Selhurst Park Selhurst, Croydon 13,577 36 22 March 1958 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-colchester-united-22-march-1958-173388/ Colchester United Steele Wilkinson Vale Park Burslem 7,151 37 24 March 1958 Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-brentford-24-march-1958-173394/ Brentford Towers Vale Park Burslem 5,149 38 29 March 1958 Walsall 3–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/walsall-v-port-vale-29-march-1958-173407/ Port Vale Fellows Park Walsall 8,613 39 4 April 1958 Plymouth Argyle 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/plymouth-argyle-v-port-vale-04-april-1958-173414/ Port Vale Kearns Home Park Plymouth 22,458 40 5 April 1958 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-torquay-united-05-april-1958-173425/ Torquay United Sproson Wilkinson Vale Park Burslem 7,504 41 7 April 1958 Port Vale 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-plymouth-argyle-07-april-1958-173435/ Plymouth Argyle Vale Park Burslem 11,059 42 12 April 1958 Norwich City 3–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/norwich-city-v-port-vale-12-april-1958-173448/ Port Vale Carrow Road Norwich 17,843 43 19 April 1958 Port Vale 2–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bournemouth-and-boscombe-athletic-19-april-1958-173468/ Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic Steele Cunliffe Vale Park Burslem 8,481 44 23 April 1958 Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-brighton-and-hove-albion-23-april-1958-173480/ Brighton & Hove Albion Poole Askey Vale Park Burslem 7,256 45 26 April 1958 Brentford 4–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/brentford-v-port-vale-26-april-1958-173486/ Port Vale Towers Rainford Steele Griffin Park Brentford, West London 11,923 46 30 April 1958 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic 3–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/bournemouth-and-boscombe-athletic-v-port-vale-30-april-1958-173499/ Port Vale Wilkinson Dean Court Bournemouth 10,683 FA Cup 1957–58 FA Cup R1 16 November 1957 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-shrewsbury-town-16-november-1957-211030/ Shrewsbury Town Wilkinson Vale Park Burslem 17,660 R2 7 December 1957 14:15 GMT Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-hull-city-07-december-1957-211062/ Hull City Poole Askey Davidson 72 Bradbury 80 Vale Park Burslem 14,338 Replay 9 December 1957 19:15 GMT Hull City 4–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/hull-city-v-port-vale-09-december-1957-211070/ Port Vale 34 og. Bulless 36 Bradbury 85 109 Poole Steele Sproson Boothferry Park Kingston upon Hull 17,403 yes Squad statistics Appearances and goals Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; FB – Full back; HB – Half back; FW – Forward Third Division South FA Cup GK WAL 1953 Keith Jones 43 0 3 0 GK ENG John Poole 3 0 0 0 FB ENG Jimmy Adams 1 0 0 0 FB ENG Fred Donaldson 27 0 0 0 FB ENG David Raine 31 0 3 0 FB ENG Selwyn Whalley 13 1 0 0 HB SCO Bert Carberry 29 0 3 0 HB ENG Bill Cleary 8 0 2 0 HB ENG Albert Leake 32 0 2 0 HB ENG Alan Martin 3 0 0 0 HB ENG Terry Miles 6 0 0 0 HB ENG Roy Sproson 37 1 3 1 FW ENG Colin Askey 35 6 2 1 FW ENG John Cunliffe 42 4 3 0 FW ENG Basil Hayward 42 1 3 0 FW ENG Fred Hough 4 0 0 0 FW WAL 1953 Noel Kinsey 14 2 0 0 FW SCO Jimmy McLean 3 0 0 0 FW ENG Harry Poole 41 14 3 2 FW ENG Stan Steele 46 21 3 1 FW ENG Jack Wilkinson 41 17 3 2 |- |colspan="14"|Players who featured but departed the club during the season: GK ENG Leslie Wood 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Brian Hopkins 2 0 0 0 FW ENG Alan Bennett 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Ken Griffiths 3 0 0 0 |} Top scorers PlacePositionNationNameThird Division SouthFA CupTotal1FWEnglandStan Steele211222FWEnglandJack Wilkinson172193FWEnglandHarry Poole142164FWEnglandColin Askey6175FW EnglandJohn Cunliffe4046HBEnglandRoy Sproson112–FWWales 1953Noel Kinsey2028FB EnglandSelwyn Whalley101–FW EnglandBasil Hayward101–––Own goals000TOTALS67774 Transfers Transfers in Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref. June 1957 FW ENG Jack Wilkinson Sheffield United Free transfer Kent Jeff Port Vale Personalities Witan Books 1996 0-9529152-0-0 July 1957 HB SCO Bert Carberry Gillingham Free transfer July 1957 GK WAL 1953 Keith Jones Aston Villa £3,500 July 1957 HB ENG Alan Martin Bangor City Non-contract November 1957 HB ENG Bill Cleary Wisbech Town Free transfer February 1958 FW WAL 1953 Noel Kinsey Birmingham City £5,000 March 1958 FW SCO Jimmy McLean Alva Rangers Free transfer Transfers out Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref. September 1957 FW ENG Alan Bennett Crewe Alexandra Free transfer January 1958 FW ENG Ken Griffiths Mansfield Town 'four-figure fee' January 1958 GK ENG Leslie Wood Southport Free transfer March 1958 FW ENG Brian Hopkins Burton Albion Free transfer May 1958 FW ENG Basil Hayward Portsmouth 'fair' May 1958 FW ENG Fred Hough Released July 1958 FW ENG Colin Askey Walsall 'fairly substantial' July 1958 HB ENG Bill Cleary Boston United Free transfer August 1957 HB SCO Bert Carberry Exeter City 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