1895–96 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season

March 2015 March 2015 Burslem Port Vale 1895–96 Athletic Ground Football League Second Division 14th (18 points) FA Cup Second Qualifying Round(eliminated by Burton Swifts) Birmingham Senior Cup First Round(eliminated by Stourbridge) Staffordshire Senior Cup First Round(eliminated by Stoke) Ernest Beckett (8) Ernest Beckett (8) 5,000 vs Burton Wanderers, 18 January 1896 500 vs Rotherham Town, 25 January 1896 1,771 4–0 vs. Rotherham Town, 25 January 1896 2–8 vs. Darwen, 19 October 1895 FF0000 FF0000 FF0000 000000 000000 1894–95 1896–97 The 1895–96 season was Burslem Port Vale's fourth consecutive season of football in the English Football League.Kent Jeff The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale Witan Books 1990 26–50 Trying to make the Grade (1888-1898) 0-9508981-4-7 This season marked a significant downturn for the club, as they finished 14th with 18 points from 30 matches (8 wins, 2 draws, 20 losses), culminating in their failure to gain re-election to the Football League, leading to two seasons in the Midlands League before their return in 1898. In league play, Vale's defence struggled, keeping only five clean sheets across 30 league and cup matches. A notable highlight was a 5–4 victory over eventual champions Liverpool, part of a run where 65 goals were scored in 11 games. However, the team endured a challenging away record, losing all matches except a 2–0 win over Rotherham Town on the opening day. They set a club record with 14 consecutive away losses and went 27 games without a draw away from home between January 1895 and December 1898. In cup competitions, Vale were eliminated in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup by Burton Swifts, the First Round of the Birmingham Senior Cup by Stourbridge, and the First Round of the Staffordshire Senior Cup by Stoke. Forward Ernest Beckett was the club's top scorer, netting eight goals in all competitions. Goalkeeper Tom Baddeley was an ever-present figure, saving the team from numerous heavy defeats. Defenders George Price and Danny Simpson made their debuts this season; Price would go on to play for the club for another eleven years, while Simpson would become the club's top scorer in the following two seasons. thumb|right|200px|Ever-present goalkeeper Tom Baddeley saved Vale from embarrassing scorelines on numerous occasions. thumb|right|200px|Ever-present George Price made his debut in 1896 and remained with the club for another eleven years. thumb|right|200px|Danny Simpson made his debut in 1896 and would become top scorer for 1896–97 and 1897–98. Overview Second Division No major signings were made for the 1895–96 campaign due to a lack of funds. Nevertheless, a 2–0 opening day victory at Rotherham Town boded well. It proved to be the last away win of the season. Back at the Athletic Ground on 14 September, and only a superb performance from goalkeeper Tom Baddeley prevented visitors Notts County from scoring more than four goals. Two weeks later, another heavy defeat came at Anfield, Liverpool claiming a 5–1 win. Crowds dwindled to 1,000 to witness a 3–3 draw with Darwen on 5 October, with only £25 in gate receipts taken to outweigh the £16 costs of hosting the match. Darwen won the return fixture 8–2 despite Vale debuting two forwards signed from Blackburn Rovers reserves in James Downie and David Black. Downie was deemed "absolutely useless" at outside-left before the club discovered he was right-footed and therefore had played out of position. Baddeley was praised for keeping Darwen to no more than eight goals. Two days after the drubbing, on 21 October, Vale recorded a 5–4 home win over Liverpool as both Downie and Black opened their accounts for the club. A 2–1 home victory over perennial strugglers Crewe Alexandra followed. A four-game losing sequence, which included an aggregate 10–2 defeat to Grimsby Town, saw the Valeites fall down the league table. The club became acutely desperate for players, particularly so after Billy Eardley and Ted McDonald were suspended "for a breach of regulations". Jimmy Ditchfield was drafted in for a game after two seasons without a first-team appearance. David Black was deemed overweight and was sacked. His replacement, Joseph Sandham from Crewe Alexandra, scored on his debut in a 2–2 draw with Burton Wanderers. A 4–0 home win over Rotherham Town completed a three-game unbeaten streak, with the visitors finishing the match with nine players and Vale having another four goals disallowed. However, Vale then gained just one point from their next seven games, scoring only two goals, both from reserve team graduate Ernest Beckett. Supporters vented their frustration at winger Jim Mason in particular for his many wayward shots. On 23 March, Vale claimed a 3–0 victory over Newton Heath after the visitors were reduced to ten men. This was followed by a 3–2 defeat at Crewe Alexandra in which Baddeley was again praised for preventing an embarrassing scoreline. This was the first of five defeats in six games. The season concluded with a 2–0 win over Newcastle United. Vale finished in 14th place in the 16-team league. Having twice successfully applied for re-election in the past three seasons, this time around, they lost their Football League status after receiving ten votes, with 15 required to remain in the division. Tom Baddeley and George Eccles left for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Eardley and McDonald left for Stoke, all wishing to remain Football League players. Finances In March, an Extraordinary general meeting was held as the club's debt reached £145, with ongoing losses throughout the season. It was decided to form a Limited liability company and 120 ten-shilling shares were applied for, though the scheme never came to fruition as interest levels dwindled. The season ended with debts at £154, wages outweighing gate receipts by £481 to £455. Cup competitions Again, Vale failed poorly in the FA Cup, easing past Hereford Thistle in the first round of qualification with a walkover after the visitors refused to show up without being paid their railway expenses and a guaranteed sum. The second round held league rivals Burton Swifts, who managed to draw at Vale's home and then win the replay with the odd goal. Facing rivals Stoke in the Staffordshire Senior Cup, they lost 4–0 at home. The Stoke game raised £115, though Eccles was badly injured and Dick Evans had also left the field with injury to leave Vale with just nine players. Results Football League Second Division 1894–95 Football League League table Second Division y BPV Results by matchday table b Round Ground A/H/A/A/H/A/H/H/H/A/A/A/H/H/H/H/H/A/H/H/A/A/H/A/A/A/H/A/A/H Result W/L/L/L/D/L/W/W/L/L/L/L/W/D/W/L/L/L/L/D/L/L/L/W/L/L/D/L/L/W Position 1/11/11/14/12/13/12/11/13/13/13/14/13/13/12/13/13/13/14/14/14/15/14/14/15/15/15/15/15/14 Points 2p/2p/2p/2p/3p/3p/5p/7p/7p/7p/7p/7p/9p/10p/12p/12p/12p/12p/12p/13p/13p/13p/13p/15p/15p/15p/16p/16p/16p/18p Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss gold green1 red1 StattoPort Vale 1895–1896 : Results & Fixtures https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063744/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/port-vale/1895-1896/results 4 March 2016 . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012. Matches 1 7 September 1895 Rotherham Town 0–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/rotherham-town-v-burslem-port-vale-07-september-1895-91172/ Burslem Port Vale Beckett Handley Clifton Grove Rotherham 2,000 2 14 September 1895 Burslem Port Vale 0–4 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-notts-county-14-september-1895-91181/ Notts County Athletic Ground Cobridge 2,000 3 21 September 1895 Burton Wanderers 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/burton-wanderers-v-burslem-port-vale-21-september-1895-91183/ Burslem Port Vale Dean Derby Turn Burton upon Trent 2,500 4 28 September 1895 Liverpool 5–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/liverpool-v-burslem-port-vale-28-september-1895-91195/ Burslem Port Vale Allan ? 5 80 88 Hannah 50 J. Mason Anfield Liverpool 5,000 5 5 October 1895 Burslem Port Vale 3–3 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-darwen-05-october-1895-91209/ Darwen Eardley Evans Athletic Ground Cobridge 1,000 6 19 October 1895 Darwen 8–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/darwen-v-burslem-port-vale-19-october-1895-91217/ Burslem Port Vale Eardley Barley Bank Darwen 4,000 7 21 October 1895 Burslem Port Vale 5–4 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-liverpool-21-october-1895-91221/ Liverpool Evans J. Mason Beckett Downie Black Becton 15 ? ? Bradshaw Athletic Ground Cobridge 1,000 8 26 October 1895 Burslem Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-crewe-alexandra-26-october-1895-91228/ Crewe Alexandra J. Mason Barlow Athletic Ground Cobridge 1,500 9 16 November 1895 Burslem Port Vale 1–4 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-grimsby-town-16-november-1895-91248/ Grimsby Town Beckett Athletic Ground Cobridge 800 10 7 December 1895 Notts County 7–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/notts-county-v-burslem-port-vale-07-december-1895-91265/ Burslem Port Vale Evans Beckett Trent Bridge West Bridgford 500 11 25 December 1895 Woolwich Arsenal 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/woolwich-arsenal-v-burslem-port-vale-25-december-1895-91277/ Burslem Port Vale Fallows Manor Ground Plumstead, London 8,000 12 4 January 1896 Grimsby Town 6–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/grimsby-town-v-burslem-port-vale-04-january-1896-91296/ Burslem Port Vale Downie Abbey Park Grimsby 2,000 13 11 January 1896 Burslem Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-burton-swifts-11-january-1896-91305/ Burton Swifts Beckett Athletic Ground Cobridge 1,500 14 18 January 1896 Burslem Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-burton-wanderers-18-january-1896-91309/ Burton Wanderers Edwards Sandham Athletic Ground Cobridge 5,000 15 25 January 1896 Burslem Port Vale 4–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-rotherham-town-25-january-1896-91317/ Rotherham Town Beckett Sandham McDonald J. Mason Athletic Ground Cobridge 500 16 10 February 1896 Burslem Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-manchester-city-10-february-1896-91326/ Manchester City Davies Athletic Ground Cobridge 3,000 17 15 February 1896 Burslem Port Vale 0–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-woolwich-arsenal-15-february-1896-91330/ Woolwich Arsenal Athletic Ground Cobridge 1,000 18 17 February 1896 Manchester City 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/manchester-city-v-burslem-port-vale-17-february-1896-91331/ Burslem Port Vale Finnerhan Hyde Road Gorton 3,000 19 22 February 1896 Burslem Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-lincoln-city-22-february-1896-91338/ Lincoln City Athletic Ground Cobridge 1,000 20 7 March 1896 Burslem Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-leicester-fosse-07-march-1896-91353/ Leicester Fosse Beckett Athletic Ground Cobridge 1,500 21 14 March 1896 Burton Swifts 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/burton-swifts-v-burslem-port-vale-14-march-1896-91355/ Burslem Port Vale Beckett Peel Croft Burton upon Trent 2,000 22 21 March 1896 Leicester Fosse 5–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/leicester-fosse-v-burslem-port-vale-21-march-1896-91366/ Burslem Port Vale Filbert Street Leicester 5,000 23 23 March 1896 Burslem Port Vale 3–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-newton-heath-23-march-1896-91370/ Newton Heath Randles J. Mason Athletic Ground Cobridge 3,000 24 25 March 1896 Crewe Alexandra 3–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/crewe-alexandra-v-burslem-port-vale-25-march-1896-91371/ Burslem Port Vale C. Mason Evans Alexandra Recreation Ground Crewe 25 3 April 1896 Newcastle United 4–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/newcastle-united-v-burslem-port-vale-03-april-1896-91381/ Burslem Port Vale McDonald Collins og. Simpson Randles St James' Park Newcastle upon Tyne 8,500 26 6 April 1896 Newton Heath 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/newton-heath-v-burslem-port-vale-06-april-1896-91392/ Burslem Port Vale Clarkin Smith McDonald Bank Street Clayton, Manchester 5,000 27 7 April 1896 Burslem Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-loughborough-07-april-1896-91394/ Loughborough Simpson Athletic Ground Cobridge 28 11 April 1896 Loughborough 3–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/loughborough-v-burslem-port-vale-11-april-1896-91399/ Burslem Port Vale Athletic Ground Loughborough 1,500 29 18 April 1896 Lincoln City 4–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/lincoln-city-v-burslem-port-vale-18-april-1896-91401/ Burslem Port Vale Belfield Sincil Bank Lincoln 30 20 April 1896 Burslem Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/burslem-port-vale-v-newcastle-united-20-april-1896-91403/ Newcastle United J. Mason Randles Athletic Ground Cobridge 2,000 FA Cup 1895–96 FA Cup 1Q 12 October 1895 Burslem Port Vale walkover W Hereford Thistle Athletic Ground Cobridge 2Q 2 November 1895 Burslem Port Vale 1–1 D Burton Swifts unknown Athletic Ground Cobridge 1,500 Replay 6 November 1895 Burton Swifts 1–0 L Burslem Port Vale Peel Croft Burton upon Trent 1,000 Birmingham Senior Cup R1 20 January 1896 Stourbridge 3–2 L Burslem Port Vale Downie og. War Memorial Athletic Ground Stourbridge 2,000 Staffordshire Senior Cup R1 8 February 1896 Stoke 4–0 L Burslem Port Vale Victoria Ground Stoke-upon-Trent 4,000 Squad statistics Appearances and goals Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; FB – Full back; HB – Half back; FW – Forward Second Division FA Cup Other GK ENG Tom Baddeley 30 0 2 0 2 0 FB ENG G.S. Eccles 17 0 2 0 1 0 FB ENG Teddy Morse 12 0 0 0 1 0 FB ENG George Youds 29 0 2 0 2 0 HB Jim Beech 2 0 0 0 0 0 HB ENG Joseph Boughey 1 0 0 0 0 0 HB ENG John Edwards 3 1 0 0 1 0 HB John Fallows 8 1 0 0 1 0 HB ENG James Holdcroft 24 0 2 0 0 0 HB Ted McDonald 27 2 1 0 2 0 HB ENG Jos Randles 7 4 1 0 0 0 HB Ralph Barlow 29 1 2 0 2 0 FW Ernest Beckett 23 8 2 0 2 0 FW ENG Fred Belfield 5 2 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Meshach Dean 3 1 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Jimmy Ditchfield 1 0 0 0 0 0 FW James Downie 12 2 2 0 2 1 FW ENG Billy Eardley 9 4 1 0 0 0 FW ENG Dick Evans 20 4 0 0 2 0 FW ENG Hamlet Handley 5 1 0 0 0 0 FW James Kirkham 1 0 0 0 0 0 FW Charlie Mason 8 1 1 0 0 0 FW Jim Mason 26 6 2 0 2 0 FW ENG George Price 5 0 0 0 0 0 FW Danny Simpson 12 2 0 0 0 0 |- |colspan="14"|Players who featured but departed the club during the season: FW David Black 7 1 2 0 0 0 FW Joseph Sandham 4 2 0 0 2 0 |} Top scorers PlacePositionNationNameSecond DivisionFA CupOtherTotal1FWErnest Beckett80082FWJim Mason60063HBEnglandJos Randles4004–FWEnglandBilly Eardley4004–FWEnglandDick Evans40046FWJames Downie20137FWEnglandFred Belfield2002–HBTed McDonald2002–FWDanny Simpson2002–FWJoseph Sandham200211HBRalph Barlow1001–FWDavid Black1001–FWEnglandMeshach Dean1001–HBEnglandJohn Edwards1001–HBJohn Fallows1001–FWEnglandHamlet Handley1001–FWCharlie Mason1001–––Own goals0011TOTALS430144 Transfers Transfers in Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref. July 1895 FW ENG Ernest Beckett Newcastle Swifts Free transfer Kent Jeff Port Vale Personalities Witan Books 1996 0-9529152-0-0 September 1895 FW ENG Billy Eardley Newcastle Swifts Free transfer September 1895 FW James Downie Blackburn Rovers Free transfer September 1895 FW David Black Blackburn Rovers Free transfer January 1896 HB ENG John Edwards Stockport County Free transfer January 1896 FW ENG Joseph Sandham Crewe Alexandra Free transfer February 1896 FW ENG Danny Simpson Tunstall Town Free transfer Transfers out Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref. October 1895 HB ENG Alf Wood Stoke Free transfer January 1896 FW David Black Released February 1896 FW ENG Joseph Sandham Dresden United Free transfer May 1896 FB ENG George Samuel Eccles Wolverhampton Wanderers 'considerable' Summer 1896 HB ENG Joseph Boughey Audley Released Summer 1896 FW ENG Meshach Dean Released Summer 1896 FW ENG Jimmy Ditchfield Released Summer 1896 FW James Downie Released Summer 1896 HB ENG John Edwards Grays United Free transfer Summer 1896 FW ENG Hamlet Handley Released Summer 1896 FW James Kirkham Released Summer 1896 FW Charlie Mason Released Summer 1896 FB William Rhodes Released August 1896 FW ENG Billy Eardley Stoke Free transfer August 1896 HB ENG Ted McDonald Stoke Free transfer References Specific General Kent, Jeff Jeff Kent (author) The Port Vale Record 1879-1993 Witan Books 1993 0-9508981-9-8 Category:Port Vale F.C. seasons Burslem Port Vale