1930–31 Port Vale F.C. season

March 2015 March 2015 Port Vale 1930–31 Tom Morgan Frank Huntbach Old Recreation Ground Football League Second Division 5th (47 points) FA Cup Fourth Round(eliminated by Birmingham) Sam Jennings (16) Sam Jennings (17) 18,043 vs. West Bromwich Albion, 3 April 1931 5,570 vs. Bradford City, 2 May 1931 10,445 8–2 vs. Bradford Park Avenue, 22 September 1930 0–5 vs. Tottenham Hotspur, 29 November 1930 _color_3_stripes_red ff0000 ff0000 ff0000 ffffff 000000 1929–30 1931–32 The 1930–31 season was Port Vale's 25th season of football in the English Football League, and their 34th in the Second Division following their promotion from the Third Division North the previous season.Kent Jeff The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale Witan Books 1990 124–150 From Glory to Despair (1929–1939) 0-9508981-4-7 The club achieved its highest league finish to date, placing fifth in the Second Division with 47 points from 42 matches, conceding only 61 goals and scoring 67. Manager Tom Morgan strengthened the squad over the summer with the signings of Harry Roberts, Arthur Slater, and Clarence Spencer. Veteran striker Sam Jennings finished as the club's top scorer with 17 goals, while Phil Griffiths (13 goals) and Harry Roberts (11 goals) were also consistent contributors. League highlights included a stunning 3–2 win at Everton in front of over 27,000 spectators, followed by a remarkable 8–2 demolition of Bradford Park Avenue, with Jennings netting four. Notable matches in the run‑in saw victories over West Bromwich Albion (1–0) and Tottenham Hotspur (3–0), keeping promotion hopes alive until late April. In the FA Cup, Port Vale progressed to the Fourth Round, beating amateur side Corinthians 3–1 in the Third Round before being eliminated by First Division Birmingham at St Andrew's, drawing a crowd of 44,119, which raised £2,763 for the club. Off the field, £10,000 in mortgage debentures were issued to fund ground improvements, including 3,500 seats on the Bryan Street stand, though the club made an overall financial loss of £800 on the season. 200px|thumb|right|Long-serving Billy Briscoe was given a free transfer to Congleton Town at the end of the season. 200px|thumb|right|Chairman Frank Huntbach. 200px|thumb|right|Right-back Jack Maddock joined Crewe Alexandra at the end of the season. thumb|Scottish midfielder Bob Connelly. Overview Second Division The pre-season saw the arrival of goalscoring forward Harry Roberts from Lincoln City; big goalkeeper Arthur Slater from Clapton Orient; and young outside-left Clarence Spencer from Birmingham. The season started with a stylish 5–2 victory over Barnsley in front of a disappointingly low attendance of under 10,000. Two defeats followed, and Albert Pynegar put in a transfer request after being dropped from the first team. Bob Connelly picked up an injury and so Jack Round was signed from Bolton Wanderers. On 20 September, they travelled to Goodison Park to triumph over previously undefeated league leaders Everton 3–2 in front of 27,142 spectators. Two days later, they tore Bradford Park Avenue apart 8–2, with a four-goal haul from Sam Jennings.Fielding Rob Photo Essay: Port Vale hit eight in 1930 with Sam Jennings scoring four https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2021/06/photo-essay-port-vale-hit-eight-in-1930-with-sam-jennings-scoring-four/ 7 June 2021 onevalefan.co.uk 2021-06-07 On 4 October they travelled to Home Park, where they lost 2–1 to Plymouth Argyle; later in the day a horrific tragedy almost killed many of the Vale players – they had hired a speedboat at Devon resort which burst into flames whilst at sea, fortunately the pilot managed to extinguish the flames and returned them safely to harbour. Wins over Burnley and Preston North End took the Vale within two points of a promotion place. Pynegar left the club in October following rumours of a rift with teammate Jennings. He signed with Chesterfield of the Third Division North. Bert Fishwick was a more than able deputy. The defensive duo of Jimmy Oakes and Shino Shenton also proved formidable at the back. On 29 November, promotion dreams took a knock at White Hart Lane, Spurs picking up a 5–0 win. Despite competing at the top end of the table the Old Recreation Ground rarely saw much more than 10,000 spectators. In December, reserve half-back George Whitcombe was sold to Notts County for 'a substantial amount'; the money went towards ground improvements. On 13 December, Vale lost 1–0 at Potteries derby rivals Stoke City. The following month, £10,000 worth of mortgage debenture bonds were released to the same ends. The Football Association rejected the club's ground improvement scheme without giving a reason. On 26 January, they fell to a fourth defeat in five games as league leaders Everton inflicted a 3–1 defeat after Clarence Spencer left the pitch with a broken ankle. As the season entered its final stretch, top-scorer Jennings was dropped from the squad. Joseph Chell cut his artery in his second game, and in desperation Jimmy Oakes ended up being played at centre-forward. No adequate replacement was found until Stewart Littlewood was re-signed from Oldham Athletic, with Fishwick sold to Tranmere Rovers to meet Oldham's demands. In early April, the "Valiants" beat high-flying West Bromwich Albion and Tottenham Hotspur, thereby keeping hopes of promotion high. West Brom won the return leg at The Hawthorns to put daylight between the two clubs. In late April, Vale travelled to the Netherlands for a short tour, beating a Dutch Southern XI 5–1 and Zwaluwen 2–0. They finished fifth with 47 points, making it the most successful season in the club's history regarding league position. They were seven points short of second placed West Bromwich Albion. Only 61 goals were conceded, a record bettered only by West Brom and Spurs. However, the 67 goals scored tally was almost half that of the champions Everton. Sam Jennings finished with 17 goals, and Phil Griffiths and Harry Roberts were the only other major contributors. The ground improvements paid for were 3,500 seats on the Bryan Street stand, with a covered terrace. Finances On the financial side, an £800 loss was made, with the weather blamed for an average gate figure of 10,537. Numerous players were released, including Billy Briscoe, Frank Watkin, and Jack Maddock. Harry Roberts was also sold to Millwall. Meanwhile, Stewart Littlewood was also selected by the FA for a summer tour of Canada. FA Cup In the FA Cup, Vale overcame amateur side Corinthians 3–1 in the third round but then found themselves eliminated by First Division Birmingham at St Andrew's in the fourth round. The 44,119 attendance raised £2,763 for the club. Results 1930–31 Football League League table Second Division y PVL Football League Second Division Results by matchday table b Round Ground H/A/A/A/H/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/A/H/A/H/H/A/A/H/A/H Result W/L/D/L/W/W/W/L/L/W/W/L/D/W/W/W/L/W/L/W/D/L/L/W/L/L/W/W/L/W/W/L/L/D/W/W/W/L/L/D/W/W Position 7/10/11/12/10/10/7/9/10/9/6/9/9/7/6/7/7/7/7/7/7/7/10/8/9/10/7/6/6/6/5/6/8/8/7/4/4/4/8/7/6/5 Points 2p/2p/3p/3p/5p/7p/9p/9p/9p/11p/13p/13p/14p/16p/18p/20p/20p/22p/22p/24p/25p/25p/25p/27p/27p/27p/29p/31p/31p/33p/35p/35p/35p/36p/38p/40p/42p/42p/42p/43p/45p/47p Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss green1 red1 StattoPort Vale 1930–1931 : Results & Fixtures https://web.archive.org/web/20150906031614/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/port-vale/1930-1931/results 6 September 2015 . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012. Matches 1 30 August 1930 Port Vale 5–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-barnsley-30-august-1930-99511/ Barnsley Pynegar Jennings Griffiths Old Recreation Ground Hanley 9,853 2 3 September 1930 Bradford City 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/bradford-city-v-port-vale-03-september-1930-99522/ Port Vale Jennings Valley Parade Bradford 16,000 3 6 September 1930 Bristol City 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/bristol-city-v-port-vale-06-september-1930-99529/ Port Vale Jennings Ashton Gate Ashton Gate, Bristol 13,206 4 8 September 1930 Bradford (Park Avenue) 5–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/bradford-park-avenue-v-port-vale-08-september-1930-99538/ Port Vale Anstiss Park Avenue Bradford 10,296 5 13 September 1930 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-cardiff-city-13-september-1930-99555/ Cardiff City Griffiths Baxter Old Recreation Ground Hanley 9,693 6 20 September 1930 15:15 BST Everton 2–3 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/everton-v-port-vale-20-september-1930-99574/ Port Vale White 20 Rigby 65 Baxter 70 Pynegar 73 Anstiss 77 Goodison Park Walton, Liverpool J Smith 27,142 7 22 September 1930 Port Vale 8–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bradford-park-avenue-22-september-1930-99581/ Bradford (Park Avenue) Jennings Anstiss Griffiths og. Old Recreation Ground Hanley 8,621 8 27 September 1930 Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bury-27-september-1930-99587/ Bury Old Recreation Ground Hanley 12,906 9 4 October 1930 Plymouth Argyle 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/plymouth-argyle-v-port-vale-04-october-1930-99600/ Port Vale Grozier Vidler Griffiths Home Park Plymouth 20,243 10 11 October 1930 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-swansea-town-11-october-1930-99609/ Swansea Town Jennings Griffiths Old Recreation Ground Hanley 10,970 11 18 October 1930 Reading 0–3 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/reading-v-port-vale-18-october-1930-99621/ Port Vale Anstiss Spencer Jones Elm Park Reading, Berkshire 10,927 12 25 October 1930 Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-wolverhampton-wanderers-25-october-1930-99634/ Wolverhampton Wanderers Lowton 36 pen. Old Recreation Ground Hanley J Millard 9,578 13 1 November 1930 Oldham Athletic 3–3 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/oldham-athletic-v-port-vale-01-november-1930-99641/ Port Vale Fishwick Marshall Griffiths Boundary Park Oldham 11,625 14 8 November 1930 15:00 GMT Port Vale 3–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-nottingham-forest-08-november-1930-99656/ Nottingham Forest Jennings Fishwick Griffiths Dickinson 63 85 Old Recreation Ground Hanley WB Bristow 9,753 15 15 November 1930 Burnley 1–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/burnley-v-port-vale-15-november-1930-99660/ Port Vale Fishwick Turf Moor Burnley 12,277 16 22 November 1930 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-preston-north-end-22-november-1930-99678/ Preston North End Jennings Old Recreation Ground Hanley 10,086 17 29 November 1930 Tottenham Hotspur 5–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/tottenham-hotspur-v-port-vale-29-november-1930-99690/ Port Vale Cook Harper White Hart Lane Tottenham, North London 23,609 18 6 December 1930 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-southampton-06-december-1930-99700/ Southampton Jennings Old Recreation Ground Hanley 8,828 19 13 December 1930 Stoke City 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/stoke-city-v-port-vale-13-december-1930-99711/ Port Vale Robertson Victoria Ground Stoke-upon-Trent 26,609 20 20 December 1930 Port Vale 3–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-millwall-20-december-1930-99722/ Millwall Roberts Jennings Round pen. Old Recreation Ground Hanley 8,448 21 25 December 1930 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-charlton-athletic-25-december-1930-99732/ Charlton Athletic Roberts Old Recreation Ground Hanley 15,827 22 26 December 1930 Charlton Athletic 3–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/charlton-athletic-v-port-vale-26-december-1930-99737/ Port Vale Anstiss The Valley Charlton, London 4,768 23 27 December 1930 Barnsley 5–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/barnsley-v-port-vale-27-december-1930-99745/ Port Vale Jennings Roberts Oakwell Barnsley 6,469 24 3 January 1931 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bristol-city-03-january-1931-99765/ Bristol City Griffiths Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,411 25 17 January 1931 Cardiff City 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/cardiff-city-v-port-vale-17-january-1931-99774/ Port Vale Robbins Roberts Ninian Park Cardiff 10,455 26 26 January 1931 14:45 GMT Port Vale 1–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-everton-26-january-1931-99786/ Everton Roberts 13 Critchley 8 89 Dean 82 Old Recreation Ground Hanley J Smith 9,028 27 31 January 1931 Bury 0–3 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/bury-v-port-vale-31-january-1931-99792/ Port Vale Jennings Roberts Henshall Gigg Lane Bury, Greater Manchester 3,430 28 7 February 1931 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-plymouth-argyle-07-february-1931-99808/ Plymouth Argyle Jennings Roberts Black Old Recreation Ground Hanley 10,236 29 14 February 1931 Swansea Town 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/swansea-town-v-port-vale-14-february-1931-99821/ Port Vale Henshall Vetch Field Swansea 8,602 30 21 February 1931 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-reading-21-february-1931-99833/ Reading Roberts Chell Old Recreation Ground Hanley 8,474 31 7 March 1931 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-oldham-athletic-07-march-1931-99852/ Oldham Athletic Marshall Oakes Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,720 32 11 March 1931 Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/wolverhampton-wanderers-v-port-vale-11-march-1931-99855/ Port Vale Deacon 15 Hartill 41 Hetherington 86 Molineux Stadium Wolverhampton J Millward 4,243 33 14 March 1931 15:00 GMT Nottingham Forest 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/nottingham-forest-v-port-vale-14-march-1931-99859/ Port Vale Simpson 56 City Ground West Bridgford WB Bristow 9,281 34 21 March 1931 Port Vale 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-burnley-21-march-1931-99874/ Burnley Old Recreation Ground Hanley 9,185 35 28 March 1931 Preston North End 1–3 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/preston-north-end-v-port-vale-28-march-1931-99884/ Port Vale Griffiths Littlewood Deepdale Preston, Lancashire 7,696 36 3 April 1931 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-west-bromwich-albion-03-april-1931-99895/ West Bromwich Albion Littlewood Old Recreation Ground Hanley 18,043 37 4 April 1931 Port Vale 3–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-tottenham-hotspur-04-april-1931-99907/ Tottenham Hotspur Griffiths Round pen. Old Recreation Ground Hanley 14,290 38 6 April 1931 West Bromwich Albion 4–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/west-bromwich-albion-v-port-vale-06-april-1931-99920/ Port Vale Griffiths The Hawthorns West Bromwich 23,879 39 11 April 1931 Southampton 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/southampton-v-port-vale-11-april-1931-99930/ Port Vale Dougall Haines The Dell Southampton 9,452 40 18 April 1931 Port Vale 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-stoke-city-18-april-1931-99943/ Stoke City Old Recreation Ground Hanley 13,403 41 25 April 1931 Millwall 0–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/millwall-v-port-vale-25-april-1931-99948/ Port Vale Roberts The Den New Cross, Lewisham 8,188 42 2 May 1931 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bradford-city-02-may-1931-99963/ Bradford City Rowbotham Old Recreation Ground Hanley 5,570 FA Cup 1930–31 FA Cup R1 10 January 1931 Corinthians 1–3 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/corinthians-v-port-vale-10-january-1931-207945/ Port Vale Roberts Jennings 12,832 R2 24 January 1931 Birmingham 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/birmingham-city-v-port-vale-24-january-1931-207981/ Port Vale Bradford St Andrew's Birmingham 44,119 thumb|Inside-forward Albert Pynegar. thumb|Midfielder Jack Round. Squad statistics Appearances and goals Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; FB – Full back; HB – Half back; FW – Forward Second Division FA Cup GK ENG Ben Davies 28 0 2 0 GK ENG Arthur Slater 14 0 0 0 FB ENG William Cope 35 0 2 0 FB ENG Jack Maddock 3 0 0 0 FB ENG Jimmy Oakes 39 1 2 0 FB ENG George Shenton 40 0 2 0 FB ENG Billy Wootton 4 0 0 0 HB SCO Bob Connelly 1 0 0 0 HB ENG Dennis Izon 1 0 0 0 HB ENG Roger Jones 40 1 2 0 HB ENG Jack Round 38 2 2 0 HB ENG Jack Sherlock 7 0 0 0 FW ENG Harry Anstiss 15 6 2 0 FW ENG Tom Baxter 15 2 1 0 FW ENG Joseph Chell 2 1 0 0 FW WAL 1807 Phil Griffiths 37 13 2 0 FW ENG James Henshall 18 2 0 0 FW ENG Sam Jennings 31 16 1 1 FW ENG Stewart Littlewood 10 2 0 0 FW ENG Harry Marshall 24 2 0 0 FW ENG Harry Rowbotham 1 1 0 0 FW ENG Jack Simms 1 0 0 0 FW ENG Clarence Spencer 11 1 1 0 |- |colspan="14"|Players who featured but departed the club during the season: HB WAL 1807 George Whitcombe 3 0 0 0 FW ENG Bert Fishwick 11 4 1 0 FW ENG Albert Pynegar 9 3 0 0 FW ENG Harry Roberts 24 9 2 2 FW ENG Frank Watkin 0 0 0 0 |} Top scorers PlacePositionNationNameSecond DivisionFA CupTotal1FWEnglandSam Jennings161172FWWales 1807Phil Griffiths130133FWEnglandHarry Roberts92114FWEnglandHarry Anstiss6065FWEnglandBert Fishwick4046FWEnglandAlbert Pynegar3037FWEnglandTom Baxter202–FWEnglandHarry Marshall202–HBEnglandJack Round202–FWEnglandStewart Littlewood202–FWEnglandJames Henshall20212FBEnglandJimmy Oakes101–HBEnglandRoger Jones101–FWEnglandClarence Spencer101–FWEnglandHarry Rowbotham101–FWEnglandJoseph Chell101–––Own goals101TOTALS67370 Transfers Transfers in Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref. June 1930 FW ENG Harry Roberts Lincoln City £100 Kent Jeff Port Vale Personalities Witan Books 1996 0-9529152-0-0 June 1930 GK ENG Arthur Slater Clapton Orient Free transfer March 1931 FW ENG Stewart Littlewood Oldham Athletic Undisclosed club record April 1931 FW ENG Harry Rowbotham Cheddleton Mental Hospital Free transfer Transfers out Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref. October 1930 FW ENG Albert Pynegar Chesterfield £200 Misc. Transfer fees from the Chesterfield FC minute books. https://docs.google.com/document/d/16uy1b4_ZH9eLnd6xuPimhjs3rf7CGkn5/edit Google Docs 13 February 2023 December 1930 HB WAL 1807 George Whitcombe Notts County 'Substantial' March 1931 FW ENG Bert Fishwick Tranmere Rovers Undisclosed April 1931 FW ENG Harry Roberts Millwall Undisclosed April 1931 FW ENG Frank Watkin Congleton Town Free transfer May 1931 FW ENG Harry Anstiss Swansea Town Free transfer May 1931 FW ENG Billy Briscoe Congleton Town Free transfer May 1931 FW WAL 1807 Phil Griffiths Everton £6,000 May 1931 FW ENG Jack Simms Swansea Town Free transfer July 1931 FB ENG Jack Maddock Crewe Alexandra Free transfer August 1931 FW ENG Henry O'Grady Southampton 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