1934–35 Port Vale F.C. season

March 2015 March 2015 Port Vale 1934–35 Tom Holford Frank Huntbach Old Recreation Ground Football League Second Division 18th (34 points) FA Cup Third Round(eliminated by West Bromwich Albion) Tom Nolan (16) Tom Nolan (16) 18,989 vs. West Bromwich Albion, 12 January 1935 3,860 vs. Fulham, 27 April 1935 8,463 4–0 vs. Barnsley, 5 January 1935 0–8 vs. Brentford, 20 April 1935 _color_3_stripes_red ff0000 ff0000 ff0000 ffffff 000000 1933–34 1935–36 The 1934–35 season was Port Vale's 29th season of football in the English Football League and their fifth-successive season (28th 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 While a promising start fuelled hopes of a return to the top half, Vale ultimately finished in 18th place, accumulating 34 points from a record of 11 wins, 12 draws, and 19 defeats, scoring 55 goals and conceding 74. Under manager Tom Holford, the early season surge came to nothing as form collapsed from October onward, leaving Vale embroiled in a relegation battle before surviving comfortably on goal average. In January 1935, Vale recorded their largest win, a 4–0 victory over Barnsley, but endured their harshest reverse in April with an 8–0 home defeat to Brentford. Tom Nolan emerged as the standout player, finishing the campaign as both league and season top scorer with 16 goals in 40 appearances, in what would be his third successive season leading Vale's scoring charts. In the FA Cup, Port Vale made a relatively brief appearance, exiting in the Third Round, consistent with recent seasons. Off the pitch, the club faced considerable upheaval: supporters and directors held a six-week consultation on a proposed name change, with ideas like "Stoke Central", "Stoke United", and "Hanley Port Vale" considered, although nothing ultimately changed. Financial constraints persisted — Vale's average attendance dipped to 8,463, with a season-low crowd of 3,860 versus Fulham on 27 April. 200px|thumb|right|Manager Tom Holford. 200px|thumb|right|Chairman Frank Huntbach declared "the prospects of this club are very bright" at the start of the campaign. thumb|Midfielder Jack Round. Overview Second Division The pre-season saw the arrival of eight new signings, the most significant of these were: 'safe as houses' goalkeeper John Potts (Leeds United), 'outstanding' outside-right John Friar (Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic), inside-left David Galloway (Preston North End), and centre-half Joe Craven (Swansea Town). The season started with just one defeat in the opening eight games, leaving the club in fourth place by the end of September – mostly down to the goalscoring partnership of Friar and Nolan. Home victories over Sheffield United, Southampton, Manchester United, and Burnley nevertheless saw attendances of only 7,311 to 11,975. Following this they went on a run of twelve games without a win, with an over-reliance on Friar and Nolan in attack, whilst the defence lacked understanding. The team was changed around but to no avail, as they slipped down the league towards a relegation battle. On 24 November, Vale lost 2–1 at home to second-from-bottom Hull City. In the middle of December Friar was sold to Preston North End, having scored ten goals in 18 games, with the 'more steady' Ted Critchley heading in the other direction. Vale fell to third-from-bottom following a 1–1 draw with Bradford (Park Avenue) on 22 December. Their poor form was halted with a Christmas day victory over Bradford City, the club's first win since September. The team were then inconsistent until the end of the season. The 2 February matchday programme (for a 2–1 victory over Swansea) recorded a discussion on whether or not the club should change its name. Concluding that many people didn't know where Port Vale was, Stoke Central and Stoke United were put forward as possible new names. A discussion with the fans resulted in Stoke United being decided as the best alternative, despite calls from some for the name Hanley to be included. On 2 March (a 1–1 draw with Norwich City), each supporter was given a ballot slip upon entering the Old Recreation Ground, with the result of the poll being that 3,737 were in favour of a change of name, and 3,633 opposed a change. A shareholders' meeting on 18 March at the Grand Hotel (Hanley) saw the directors suggest the name of Stoke North End to the 100 members present. Finding little support, a resolution was instead passed for the new name of Hanley Port Vale. The Football League forced them to wait until the end of the season to implement a name change, having already printed countless papers with the original name. However, the new name proved unpopular with the public, who criticised the club for being too parochial and lacking civic pride. The name change never occurred. Back on the pitch, the team were bobbing along, picking up enough points to avoid relegation concerns – whereas Oldham Athletic and Notts County were rapidly drifting away from safety. On 9 March at St James' Park the Vale picked up a shock result by beating promotion hopefuls Newcastle United 2–1 – their first away win in 24 attempts, ending a run going back to January 1934. Nolan's stand-in James Baker bagged both of the goals. On 19 April, a 5–3 beating of Notts County proved enough to guarantee safety, yet Vale still earned just two points from their final four games. On 20 April, they lost a massive 8–0 to champions Brentford – the biggest defeat in the division that season. They finished 18th with 34 points, eight points clear of relegation and 22 points short of promotion. Away from home, they recorded just one win, whilst in front of goal, their 55 goals scored was their lowest total since 1925 (after which the offside rule had been changed to make scoring easier). Tom Nolan's 16 goals and the departed John Friar's ten goals were the only significant contributions. Finances On the financial side, a mere £11,120 was made on the gates, though a £3,775 credit on transfers ensured a profit of £2,415. Only 14 players were retained, with those leaving including: James Baker (Barrow), Bob Morton (Throckley Welfare), Jack Blackwell (Boston United), Joe Craven (Newport County), David Galloway (Carlisle United), Ted Critchley (South Liverpool), and 128 game veteran Jack Round (also Carlisle). FA Cup In the FA Cup, Vale were defeated 2–1 by eventual runners-up West Bromwich Albion of the First Division at The Hawthorns. The 18,989 crowd saw £1,000 raised in gate receipts, and a comeback from the "Throstles" just six minutes from time. Results Football League Second Division 1934–35 Football League League table Second Division y PVL Results by matchday table b Round Ground H/A/A/H/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/A/H/A Result W/D/L/W/D/W/D/W/L/L/D/L/L/D/L/L/L/D/L/D/W/L/L/W/L/W/L/D/W/L/D/W/D/L/L/L/W/W/L/L/D/D Position 1/4/11/4/5/4/4/4/5/10/9/12/13/14/15/18/18/18/19/20/16/18/19/19/19/18/18/18/17/18/17/17/16/17/19/19/18/17/17/18/19/18 Points 2/3/3/5/6/8/9/11/11/11/12/12/12/13/13/13/13/14/14/15/17/17/17/19/19/21/21/22/24/24/25/27/28/28/28/28/30/32/32/32/33/34 Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss green1 red1 StattoPort Vale 1934–1935 : Results & Fixtures https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062118/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/port-vale/1934-1935/results 4 March 2016 . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012. Matches 1 25 August 1934 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-sheffield-united-25-august-1934-101361/ Sheffield United Nolan Friar Old Recreation Ground Hanley 11,975 2 27 August 1934 Southampton 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/southampton-v-port-vale-27-august-1934-101368/ Port Vale The Dell Southampton 6,977 3 1 September 1934 Barnsley 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/barnsley-v-port-vale-01-september-1934-101372/ Port Vale Oakwell Barnsley 9,370 4 3 September 1934 Port Vale 4–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-southampton-03-september-1934-101388/ Southampton Friar Nolan Morton Fishlock Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,746 5 8 September 1934 Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-plymouth-argyle-08-september-1934-101399/ Plymouth Argyle Nolan Cookson Old Recreation Ground Hanley 10,133 6 15 September 1934 Port Vale 3–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-manchester-united-15-september-1934-101412/ Manchester United Friar pen. Nolan Mutch Jones Old Recreation Ground Hanley 9,037 7 22 September 1934 Swansea Town 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/swansea-town-v-port-vale-22-september-1934-101428/ Port Vale Nolan Vetch Field Swansea 5,698 8 29 September 1934 Port Vale 3–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-burnley-29-september-1934-101437/ Burnley Friar Nolan Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,311 9 6 October 1934 Oldham Athletic 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/oldham-athletic-v-port-vale-06-october-1934-101448/ Port Vale Boundary Park Oldham 6,069 10 13 October 1934 Port Vale 1–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bolton-wanderers-13-october-1934-101459/ Bolton Wanderers Nolan Old Recreation Ground Hanley 16,839 11 20 October 1934 Norwich City 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/norwich-city-v-port-vale-20-october-1934-101470/ Port Vale The Nest Norwich 14,195 12 27 October 1934 Port Vale 1–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-newcastle-united-27-october-1934-101481/ Newcastle United Rhodes 47 Smith 27 80 Murray 56 Old Recreation Ground Hanley C. Booth 11,036 13 3 November 1934 West Ham United 3–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/west-ham-united-v-port-vale-03-november-1934-101495/ Port Vale Ruffell Mills Rhodes Boleyn Ground Upton Park, London 19,391 14 10 November 1934 Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-blackpool-10-november-1934-101503/ Blackpool Gunn Rhodes Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,656 15 17 November 1934 Bury 3–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/bury-v-port-vale-17-november-1934-101510/ Port Vale Friar Gigg Lane Bury, Greater Manchester 8,278 16 24 November 1934 14:35 GMT Port Vale 1–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-hull-city-24-november-1934-101525/ Hull City Friar Hubbard 69 Duncan 73 Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,086 17 1 December 1934 15:00 GMT Nottingham Forest 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/nottingham-forest-v-port-vale-01-december-1934-101537/ Port Vale Dent 43 Race 89 City Ground West Bridgford H Dedman 13,576 18 8 December 1934 Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-brentford-08-december-1934-101547/ Brentford Friar Nolan Hopkins Robson pen. Old Recreation Ground Hanley 8,054 19 15 December 1934 Fulham 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/fulham-v-port-vale-15-december-1934-101555/ Port Vale Craven Cottage Fulham, West London 8,138 20 22 December 1934 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bradford-park-avenue-22-december-1934-101569/ Bradford (Park Avenue) Morton Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,251 21 25 December 1934 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bradford-city-25-december-1934-101581/ Bradford City Nolan Old Recreation Ground Hanley 8,436 22 26 December 1934 Bradford City 3–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/bradford-city-v-port-vale-26-december-1934-101583/ Port Vale Valley Parade Bradford 13,727 23 29 December 1934 Sheffield United 3–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/sheffield-united-v-port-vale-29-december-1934-101601/ Port Vale Bramall Lane Sheffield 16,520 24 5 January 1935 Port Vale 4–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-barnsley-05-january-1935-101617/ Barnsley Rhodes Morton Mitcheson Blackwell Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,074 25 19 January 1935 Plymouth Argyle 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/plymouth-argyle-v-port-vale-19-january-1935-101626/ Port Vale Briggs Rhodes Home Park Plymouth 14,051 26 2 February 1935 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-swansea-town-02-february-1935-101645/ Swansea Town Nolan Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,081 27 6 February 1935 Manchester United 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/manchester-united-v-port-vale-06-february-1935-101649/ Port Vale Jones Rowley Rhodes Old Trafford Old Trafford 7,372 28 9 February 1935 Burnley 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/burnley-v-port-vale-09-february-1935-101655/ Port Vale Dean Turf Moor Burnley 9,830 29 16 February 1935 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-oldham-athletic-16-february-1935-101668/ Oldham Athletic Dean Critchley Old Recreation Ground Hanley 5,473 30 23 February 1935 Bolton Wanderers 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/bolton-wanderers-v-port-vale-23-february-1935-101671/ Port Vale Burnden Park Bolton 18,897 31 2 March 1935 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-norwich-city-02-march-1935-101688/ Norwich City Morton Old Recreation Ground Hanley 8,284 32 9 March 1935 Newcastle United 1–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/newcastle-united-v-port-vale-09-march-1935-101700/ Port Vale Pearson 43 Baker 25 50 St James' Park Newcastle upon Tyne C. Booth 23,934 33 16 March 1935 Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-west-ham-united-16-march-1935-101710/ West Ham United Baker Mitcheson Mangnall Marshall Old Recreation Ground Hanley 12,853 34 23 March 1935 Blackpool 3–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/blackpool-v-port-vale-23-march-1935-101715/ Port Vale Baker Bloomfield Road Blackpool 7,268 35 30 March 1935 Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bury-30-march-1935-101734/ Bury Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,869 36 6 April 1935 15:15 BST Hull City 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/hull-city-v-port-vale-06-april-1935-101743/ Port Vale Pinkerton 25 Anlaby Road Kingston upon Hull 3,569 37 13 April 1935 15:00 GMT Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-nottingham-forest-13-april-1935-101757/ Nottingham Forest Nolan Old Recreation Ground Hanley HE Hull 6,389 38 19 April 1935 Port Vale 5–3 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-notts-county-19-april-1935-101769/ Notts County Birks Mitcheson Nolan Old Recreation Ground Hanley 9,010 39 20 April 1935 Brentford 8–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/brentford-v-port-vale-20-april-1935-101772/ Port Vale Holliday Robson Burns Hopkins Griffin Park Brentford, West London 18,194 40 22 April 1935 Notts County 3–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/notts-county-v-port-vale-22-april-1935-101784/ Port Vale Blackwell Nolan Meadow Lane Nottingham 6,765 41 27 April 1935 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-fulham-27-april-1935-101799/ Fulham Birks Old Recreation Ground Hanley 3,860 42 4 May 1935 Bradford (Park Avenue) 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/bradford-park-avenue-v-port-vale-04-may-1935-101805/ Port Vale Birks Park Avenue Bradford 3,634 FA Cup 1934–35 FA Cup R3 12 January 1935 West Bromwich Albion 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/west-bromwich-albion-v-port-vale-12-january-1935-208521/ Port Vale Morton The Hawthorns West Bromwich 18,989 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 42 0 1 0 FB ENG Ernest Breeze 25 0 1 0 FB ENG George Shenton 15 0 0 0 FB ENG Percy Thorpe 1 0 0 0 FB ENG Jack Vickers 26 0 1 0 HB ENG Cliff Birks 11 4 0 0 HB ENG Sam Briddon 0 0 0 0 HB ENG Joe Craven 11 0 0 0 HB SCO Ken Gunn 31 1 0 0 HB ENG Eric Hayward 4 0 0 0 HB ENG Roger Jones 29 0 1 0 HB SCO Jim Kelso 15 0 0 0 HB ENG Trevor Rhodes 35 6 1 0 HB ENG Jack Round 26 0 1 0 FW ENG James Baker 9 4 0 0 FW ENG Jack Blackwell 12 2 1 0 FW ENG Arthur Caldwell 1 0 0 0 FW ENG Ted Critchley 18 1 1 0 FW ENG Luke Dean 10 3 0 0 FW SCO David Galloway 12 0 0 0 FW ENG Fred Mitcheson 31 4 1 0 FW ENG Bob Morton 35 4 1 1 FW ENG Tom Nolan 39 16 1 0 FW ENG Albert Purcell 2 0 0 0 FW ENG Albert Titley 4 0 0 0 |- |colspan="14"|Players who featured but departed the club during the season: FW SCO John Friar 18 10 0 0 |} Top scorers PlacePositionNationNameSecond DivisionFA CupTotal1FWEnglandTom Nolan160162FWScotlandJohn Friar100103HBEnglandTrevor Rhodes6064FWEnglandBob Morton4155HBEnglandCliff Birks404–FWEnglandFred Mitcheson404–FWEnglandJames Baker4048FWEnglandLuke Dean3039FWEnglandJack Blackwell20210HBScotlandKen Gunn101–FWEnglandTed Critchley101–––Own goals000TOTALS55156 Transfers Transfers in Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref. May 1934 GK ENG John Potts Leeds United Free transfer Kent Jeff Port Vale Personalities Witan Books 1996 0-9529152-0-0 May 1934 FW ENG Albert Titley West Bromwich Albion Free transfer June 1934 FW ENG James Baker Charlton Athletic Free transfer June 1934 HB ENG Joe Craven Swansea Town Free transfer June 1934 FW SCO David Galloway Preston North End Free transfer June 1934 HB SCO Jim Kelso Bradford Park Avenue Free transfer July 1934 FW SCO John Friar Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic Free transfer July 1934 HB ENG Eric Hayward Hanley and Wardle's Free transfer August 1934 FW ENG Luke Dean Downing's Tileries Free transfer November 1934 FB ENG Percy Thorpe Accrington Stanley Free transfer December 1934 FW ENG Ted Critchley Preston North End Exchange May 1935 FW ENG Arthur Caldwell Winsford United Free transfer Transfers out Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref. December 1934 FW SCO John Friar Preston North End Exchange May 1935 FW ENG Jack Blackwell Boston United Released May 1935 HB SCO Jim Kelso Newport County Free transfer May 1935 FW ENG Albert Titley Macclesfield Town Free transfer July 1935 FW ENG Tom Nolan Bradford Park Avenue Free transfer Summer 1935 HB ENG Joe Craven Newport County Free transfer Summer 1935 FW ENG Ted Critchley South Liverpool Released Summer 1935 FW SCO David Galloway Carlisle United Free transfer Summer 1935 FW ENG Bob Morton Throckley Welfare Free transfer Summer 1935 FW ENG Albert Purcell Released Summer 1935 FB ENG Percy Thorpe 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