1958–59 Port Vale F.C. season

March 2015 March 2015 Port Vale 1958–59 Norman Low Jake Bloom Vale Park Football League Fourth Division 1st (64 points) FA Cup First Round(eliminated by Torquay United) Stan Steele (22) Stan Steele (22) 20,916 vs. Coventry City, 4 April 1959 8,851 vs. Chester, 21 February 1959 12,757 8–0 vs. Gateshead, 26 December 1958 1–4 vs. Northampton Town, 23 August 1958 _black_stripes _blackstripes3 _black_stripes _black_thinstripe_color _color_3_stripes_black FFD700 FFD700 FFD700 FFD700 FFD700 1957–58 1959–60 The 1958–59 season was Port Vale's 47th season of football in the English Football League and their first season in the newly created Fourth Division following their relegation from the Third Division South.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, Vale stormed to the Fourth Division championship, amassing 64 points, finishing four clear of Coventry City, and scoring a club-record 110 league goals across 46 matches. A potent forward line — with Stan Steele, Jack Wilkinson, Graham Barnett, Harry Poole, and John Cunliffe all reaching double figures — drove the attack and provided consistent goal returns. In the FA Cup, Vale were surprisingly eliminated in the First Round, with a narrow defeat at Torquay United denying further progress. At home, Vale Park saw an average attendance of 12,757, dropping to a low of 8,851 against Chester on 21 February 1959 and a high of 20,916 against Coventry City on 4 April 1959 — reflecting solid support for a dominant campaign despite an early cup exit. Several landmark achievements defined the season; notably, Vale endured a rough start with just two points from their first five home games, before turning Vale Park into a fortress. A mid‑season unbeaten run of twelve league games, capped by an emphatic 8–0 Boxing Day victory over Gateshead, underlined their attacking might. Manager Norman Low reinforced the squad with astute signings such as Brian Jackson, Roy Pritchard, Peter Hall, and debutants Ken Hancock and Graham Barnett, whose contributions proved decisive. Veteran stalwart Roy Sproson also returned to defensive duties, anchoring a side filled with goals and cohesion. For Port vale, the overall campaign, represented goalscoring, a division title, record, forward performances, which made them back into the league pyramid. Overview Fourth Division The pre-season saw the arrival of the 'speedy and direct' winger Brian Jackson (signed from Liverpool for £2,000), experienced left-back Roy Pritchard (Notts County), and Peter Hall (Stoke City). There was also a change of chairman, as Jake Bloom took charge. He initiated a change of kit, as Vale played in black and amber striped jerseys with black shorts. The season opened with a 4–1 home defeat by Northampton Town, Andy Woan scoring the first goal of the new division. Roy Sproson was then dropped from the first XI, and Vale failed to find a win in Burslem until 29 September. Their away form proved to be outstanding though, as the team recorded seven wins in their first nine away fixtures. On 8 September, Vale won 5–1 at Hartlepools United, with John Cunliffe missing a penalty which would have given him a hat-trick. Another four-goal margin of victory came at Aldershot 12 days later. On 24 September, Vale Park saw its first match under the new £17,000 floodlights, as the club beat West Bromwich Albion (who included Ronnie Allen in their line-up) by five goals to three in front of a crowd of 13,000, with Jack Wilkinson claiming a hat-trick.Baggaley Mike Ten-man Vale battle for a point https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/ten-man-vale-battle-for-a-point 17 August 2025 Valiant's Substack 17 August 2025 With a 4–1 win over Southport five days later, The Sentinel's 'T.G.F.' remarked that "the spell is broken". Vale remained unbeaten at home for the rest of the season. Strong in attack, the club took until 11 October before failing to score, in a goalless draw with Oldham Athletic witnessed by Shirley Bassey (as a guest of Norman Low). A fortnight later Vale failed to beat Carlisle United, as referee J.G.Williams blew the full-time whistle just as a Wilkinson header was floating into the opposition's net. On 8 November, Vale beat Exeter City 5–3 in a top-of-the-table clash. Two consecutive away defeats followed soon after, as Vale fell to third. The 4–2 loss in an 'appalling mud bath' at The Den saw the débuts of keeper Ken Hancock and striker Graham Barnett. A twelve-match unbeaten run followed, taking Vale four points clear at the top. This included a triumphant 8–0 Boxing day win over Gateshead, a Vale Park record and their biggest win since 24 September 1932, with their opponents "humiliated and reduced to the point of despair".Baggaley Mike Talks to turn results around https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/talks-to-turn-results-around 28 November 2025 Valiant's Substack 27 November 2025 It was followed by a 4–0 win at Redheugh Park on New Year's Day.Fielding Rob Five of the best thumping Port Vale home victories https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2019/10/five-best-thumping-port-vale-home-victories/ 5 June 2020 onevalefan.co.uk 3 October 2019 Roy Sproson was then brought back into the defensive line, whilst up front Stan Steele 'did the work of two men', Harry Poole brought 'flexibility and fluidity', and Barnett scored from half-chances. Just as Vale seemed to be running away with the title, defeat came on 16 March at Highfield Road to second-placed Coventry City. Another defeat came against Crewe Alexandra on 27 March. The following month, the Valiants beat the Sky Blues 3–0, taking them six points ahead of the chasing pack. Promotion was secured on 18 April with a 1–1 draw at home to Darlington, and the title was secured on the final day with victory over Millwall. The 5–2 win over Millwall had been superfluous as second-placed Coventry City had lost their final game away at Hartlepools United by half-time in Vale's game; the Vale game had kicked off later in the evening as Vale Park had new floodlights.Baggaley Mike Back to Barnsley https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/back-to-barnsley 26 September 2025 Valiant's Substack 26 September 2025 They finished as champions with 64 points, four points clear of second, and seven points clear of fifth spot. They had secured twelve victories on the road, as despite nobody recording a hat-trick all season, a club-record 110 goals were scored – with five players reaching double-figures. The defence was also strong, only Coventry and York City conceded fewer. Praise came in for manager Norman Low, who in turn praised Barnett as 'the supreme goal poacher', Hancock as 'the find of the season', whilst Steele was 'the model of consistency'. Finances On the financial side, gate receipts rose by 20% to £39,934, whilst there was a transfer credit of £6,075. Wages had risen to £26,535; however, the club's Sportsmen's Association donated £9,069 to give the club a profit of £8,595. Pleased with his players, Low only released Alan Martin (Northwich Victoria) and reserve Ken Higgs (who went on to enjoy a successful cricket career). The stadium received an upgrade, as the Bycars End was terraced, increased capacity by 6,500 to 50,000, extended the car park, and installed additional drains. FA Cup In the FA Cup, Vale were eliminated in the first round after being defeated 1–0 by Torquay United at Plainmoor. Results Football League Fourth Division 1958–59 Football League#Fourth Division League table y Fourth Division PTV Results by matchday table b Round Ground H/A/A/H/H/A/A/H/A/A/H/H/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/A/A/H/A/H/H/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/A/H/A/A/H/H/A/A/H/A/A/H Result L/W/D/L/D/W/W/D/W/D/L/W/W/W/D/W/D/W/W/W/L/L/W/W/W/W/W/W/D/W/W/W/W/W/L/W/L/W/D/W/L/D/D/D/D/W Position 17/15/13/17/17/9/6/7/4/6/9/6/4/3/3/3/3/3/1/1/1/3/2/2/2/2/2/1/2/2/2/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1 Points 0p/2p/3p/3p/4p/6p/8p/9p/11p/12p/12p/14p/16p/18p/19p/21p/22p/24p/26p/28p/28p/28p/30p/32p/34p/36p/38p/40p/41p/43p/45p/47p/49p/51p/51p/53p/53p/55p/57p/58p/58p/59p/60p/61p/62p/64p Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss gold green1 red1 StattoPort Vale 1958–1959 : Results & Fixtures https://web.archive.org/web/20151002204033/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/port-vale/1958-1959/results 2 October 2015 . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012. Matches 1 23 August 1958 15:00 BST Port Vale 1–4 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-northampton-town-23-august-1958-33797/ Northampton Town Wilkinson Woan 1 Hawkings Kirkup Vale Park Burslem 15,018 2 26 August 1958 Watford 0–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/watford-v-port-vale-26-august-1958-33806/ Port Vale Jackson Poole Vicarage Road Watford 11,948 3 30 August 1958 Workington 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/workington-v-port-vale-30-august-1958-33821/ Port Vale og. Steele Borough Park Workington 5,998 4 1 September 1958 Port Vale 1–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-watford-01-september-1958-33829/ Watford Poole Gavin Meadows Vale Park Burslem 10,458 5 6 September 1958 Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-york-city-06-september-1958-33845/ York City Steele Wilkinson Vale Park Burslem 10,104 6 8 September 1958 Hartlepools United 1–5 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/hartlepools-united-v-port-vale-08-september-1958-33848/ Port Vale Anderson 67 pen. Wilkinson 18 25 Cunliffe 68 85 Steele 78 Victoria Park Hartlepool J Cook 6,158 7 13 September 1958 Bradford (Park Avenue) 0–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/bradford-park-avenue-v-port-vale-13-september-1958-33860/ Port Vale Wilkinson Steele Park Avenue Bradford 9,683 8 15 September 1958 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-hartlepools-united-15-september-1958-33875/ Hartlepools United Wilkinson 48 Mitchell 32 Vale Park Burslem W Hickson 9,313 9 20 September 1958 Aldershot 0–4 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/aldershot-v-port-vale-20-september-1958-33882/ Port Vale Poole Steele Cunliffe og. Recreation Ground Aldershot 6,211 10 23 September 1958 Southport 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/southport-v-port-vale-23-september-1958-33901/ Port Vale Steele Wilkinson Haig Avenue Southport 3,274 11 27 September 1958 Port Vale 2–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-crystal-palace-27-september-1958-33911/ Crystal Palace Poole Hall Vale Park Burslem 13,952 12 29 September 1958 Port Vale 4–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-southport-29-september-1958-33918/ Southport Poole Cunliffe Wilkinson Vale Park Burslem 9,788 13 4 October 1958 Chester 1–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/chester-v-port-vale-04-october-1958-33930/ Port Vale Webster Steele Sealand Road Chester 8,197 14 6 October 1958 Port Vale 3–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-torquay-united-06-october-1958-33940/ Torquay United Wilkinson Hall Vale Park Burslem 13,102 15 11 October 1958 Port Vale 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-oldham-athletic-11-october-1958-33956/ Oldham Athletic Vale Park Burslem 13,432 16 18 October 1958 Barrow 1–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/barrow-v-port-vale-18-october-1958-33964/ Port Vale Wilkinson Cunliffe Holker Street Barrow-in-Furness 4,909 17 25 October 1958 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-carlisle-united-25-october-1958-33981/ Carlisle United Wilkinson pen. Vale Park Burslem 12,894 18 1 November 1958 Gillingham 0–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/gillingham-v-port-vale-01-november-1958-33996/ Port Vale Jackson Steele Priestfield Stadium Gillingham, Kent 9,940 19 8 November 1958 Port Vale 5–3 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-exeter-city-08-november-1958-34006/ Exeter City Steele Poole Jackson Cunliffe Rees Vale Park Burslem 14,282 20 22 November 1958 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-shrewsbury-town-22-november-1958-34018/ Shrewsbury Town Poole Wilkinson Vale Park Burslem 12,047 21 29 November 1958 Darlington 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/darlington-v-port-vale-29-november-1958-34028/ Port Vale Feethams Darlington 6,160 22 13 December 1958 Millwall 4–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/millwall-v-port-vale-13-december-1958-34044/ Port Vale Steele Barnett The Den New Cross, Lewisham 11,056 23 20 December 1958 15:00 GMT Northampton Town 2–4 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/northampton-town-v-port-vale-20-december-1958-34053/ Port Vale Fowler Poole Kinsey Barnett County Cricket Ground Northampton 6,907 24 26 December 1958 Port Vale 8–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-gateshead-26-december-1958-34067/ Gateshead Cunliffe Poole Steele Jackson pen. Barnett Vale Park Burslem 16,899 25 1 January 1959 Gateshead 0–4 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/gateshead-v-port-vale-01-january-1959-34084/ Port Vale Cunliffe Steele Poole Redheugh Park Gateshead 4,674 26 23 January 1959 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-walsall-23-january-1959-34106/ Walsall Barnett Wilkinson Vale Park Burslem 11,569 27 31 January 1959 Port Vale 4–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bradford-park-avenue-31-january-1959-34124/ Bradford (Park Avenue) Wilkinson Steele Kinsey Vale Park Burslem 12,377 28 7 February 1959 Port Vale 3–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-aldershot-07-february-1959-34133/ Aldershot Barnett Steele Vale Park Burslem 10,608 29 14 February 1959 Crystal Palace 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/crystal-palace-v-port-vale-14-february-1959-34143/ Port Vale Cunliffe Selhurst Park Selhurst, Croydon 13,305 30 21 February 1959 Port Vale 4–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-chester-21-february-1959-34159/ Chester Wilkinson Jackson Steele Barnett Vale Park Burslem 8,851 31 28 February 1959 Oldham Athletic 0–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/oldham-athletic-v-port-vale-28-february-1959-34174/ Port Vale Barnett Boundary Park Oldham 7,515 32 2 March 1959 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-workington-02-march-1959-34177/ Workington Poole Kinsey Vale Park Burslem 10,978 33 7 March 1959 Port Vale 4–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-barrow-07-march-1959-34186/ Barrow Wilkinson Cunliffe Barnett Vale Park Burslem 10,034 34 14 March 1959 Carlisle United 0–3 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/carlisle-united-v-port-vale-14-march-1959-34195/ Port Vale Barnett Steele Brunton Park Carlisle 6,110 35 16 March 1959 Coventry City 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/coventry-city-v-port-vale-16-march-1959-34206/ Port Vale Straw Highfield Road Coventry 28,429 36 21 March 1959 Port Vale 3–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-gillingham-21-march-1959-34216/ Gillingham Steele Cunliffe Barnett Vale Park Burslem 11,119 37 27 March 1959 Crewe Alexandra 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/crewe-alexandra-v-port-vale-27-march-1959-34223/ Port Vale Gresty Road Crewe 15,330 38 28 March 1959 Exeter City 3–4 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/exeter-city-v-port-vale-28-march-1959-34237/ Port Vale Rees 47 Stiffle 60 Calland 75 Poole 18 Sproson 80 Steele 43 86 St James Park Exeter 12,088 39 30 March 1959 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-crewe-alexandra-30-march-1959-34249/ Crewe Alexandra Jackson pen. Vale Park Burslem 20,524 40 4 April 1959 Port Vale 3–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-coventry-city-04-april-1959-34263/ Coventry City Wilkinson Jackson pen. Vale Park Burslem 20,916 41 11 April 1959 Shrewsbury Town 4–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/shrewsbury-town-v-port-vale-11-april-1959-34283/ Port Vale Barnett Cunliffe Gay Meadow Shrewsbury 10,619 42 15 April 1959 York City 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/york-city-v-port-vale-15-april-1959-34290/ Port Vale Bootham Crescent York 9,755 43 18 April 1959 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-darlington-18-april-1959-34298/ Darlington Barnett Vale Park Burslem 11,577 44 22 April 1959 Torquay United 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/torquay-united-v-port-vale-22-april-1959-34313/ Port Vale Barnett Plainmoor Torquay 5,036 45 25 April 1959 Walsall 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/walsall-v-port-vale-25-april-1959-34326/ Port Vale Barnett Fellows Park Walsall 6,626 46 27 April 1959 19:15 BST Port Vale 5–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-millwall-27-april-1959-34329/ Millwall Barnett Poole Jackson Cunliffe Vale Park Burslem 13,473 FA Cup 1958–59 FA Cup R1 15 November 1958 Torquay United 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/torquay-united-v-port-vale-15-november-1958-211187/ Port Vale Plainmoor Torquay 6,526 Squad statistics Appearances and goals Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; FB – Full back; HB – Half back; FW – Forward Fourth Division FA Cup GK ENG Ken Hancock 25 0 0 0 GK WAL 1953 Keith Jones 21 0 1 0 FB ENG Fred Donaldson 11 0 0 0 FB ENG Roy Pritchard 18 0 0 0 FB ENG David Raine 28 0 1 0 FB ENG Selwyn Whalley 11 0 0 0 HB ENG Albert Leake 46 0 1 0 HB ENG Alan Martin 16 0 0 0 HB ENG Terry Miles 45 0 1 0 HB ENG Roy Sproson 21 1 1 0 FW ENG Dennis Bailey 1 0 0 0 FW ENG Graham Barnett 22 20 0 0 FW ENG John Cunliffe 45 15 1 0 FW ENG Peter Hall 9 2 0 0 FW ENG Brian Jackson 37 8 1 0 FW WAL 1953 Noel Kinsey 36 3 1 0 FW ENG Harry Poole 35 16 1 0 FW ENG Stan Steele 46 22 1 0 FW ENG Jack Wilkinson 33 21 1 0 |} Top scorers PlacePositionNationNameFourth DivisionFA CupTotal1FWEnglandStan Steele220222FWEnglandJack Wilkinson210213FWEnglandGraham Barnett200204FWEnglandHarry Poole160165FWEnglandJohn Cunliffe150156FWEnglandBrian Jackson8087FWWales 1953Noel Kinsey3038FWEnglandPeter Hall2029HBEnglandRoy Sproson101–––Own goals202TOTALS1100110 Transfers Transfers in Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref. Summer 1958 FB ENG Roy Pritchard Notts County Free transfer Kent Jeff Port Vale Personalities Witan Books 1996 0-9529152-0-0 May 1958 FW ENG Peter Hall Stoke City Free transfer July 1958 FW ENG Brian Jackson Liverpool £1,700 August 1958 FW ENG Dennis Bailey Bolton Wanderers Free transfer November 1958 GK ENG Ken Hancock Stoke City Free transfer Transfers out Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref. April 1959 GK WAL 1953 Keith Jones Crewe Alexandra Free transfer Summer 1959 HB ENG Alan Martin Northwich Victoria Released 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