1931–32 Port Vale F.C. season

March 2015 March 2015 Port Vale 1931–32 Tom Morgan Frank Huntbach Old Recreation Ground Football League Second Division 20th (33 points) FA Cup Fourth Round(eliminated by Leicester City) North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary Cup Runners-up(eliminated by Stoke) Tom Nolan, Tom Tippett (8 each) Tom Nolan (11) 21,089 vs. Stoke, 6 February 1932 3,436 vs. Oldham Athletic, 25 January 1932 9,564 3–0 (twice) and 4–1 0–7 vs. Stoke, 9 May 1932 _color_3_stripes_red ff0000 ff0000 ff0000 ffffff 000000 1930–31 1932–33 The 1931–32 season was Port Vale's 26th season of football in the English Football League and their second-successive season (25th 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) 0-9508981-4-7 After their impressive fifth‑place finish in 1930–31, hopes were high, but Vale instead endured a difficult season, finishing 20th in the Second Division with just 33 points, scraping above relegation only on goal average over Barnsley. Manager Tom Morgan oversaw a largely underwhelming league campaign, though one bright moment arrived in February when Vale beat Potteries derby rivals Stoke 3–0 at the Old Recreation Ground, denting Stoke's promotion hopes. However, Stoke won the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary Cup, routing Vale 7–0, and the result soon preceded Morgan's departure as manager. Emerging as a key player in a troubling season was Tom Nolan, who made his debut and finished as top scorer with 11 goals in all competitions, including 8 in the league — a promising output for a first season senior squad member. In the FA Cup, Port Vale advanced to the Fourth Round before elimination, more or less a repeat of the previous season's cup run. Off the pitch, Vale's average home attendance dipped to just 9,564, with league attendances peaking at 21,089 against Stoke in February. The club's decline from a top‑five finish to a relegation fight marked a sobering downturn after the optimism of 1930–31. 200px|thumb|right|Chairman Frank Huntbach. thumb|right|Club record goalscorer Wilf Kirkham. thumb|Scottish midfielder Bob Connelly. thumb|Midfielder Jack Round. Overview Second Division The pre-season saw the departure of Phil Griffiths to Second Division champions Everton for £6,000; whilst Jack Simms and Harry Anstiss departed for Swansea Town. In came Dicky York, Arthur Dorrell, Billy Easton, Tom Tippett, and George Poyser. Dorrell and York arrived from First Division runners-up Aston Villa, and the ageing wingers had England caps to their names. Easton had a proven goalscoring record at Swansea, and Tippett and Pyser arrived from Rochdale and Mansfield Town respectively. Big things were expected, and season ticket sales were up by 300% on the previous season. The season began with a 3–1 win at Plymouth Argyle's Home Park, with Sam Jennings scoring a brace. The first home match took place in front of a new £10,351 stand, yet Leeds United took home the points. In September, Jennings was sold to Stockport County, and Stewart Littlewood took his place in the first XI. Two close run victories followed that saw eleven goals scored, however, performances tailed off until 26 September when Stoke City romped to a 4–0 victory at the Victoria Ground. "Inferior in all departments", the "Valiants" changed their line-up following the defeat, 'resting' Littlewood – this resulted in a four-match unbeaten streak. The next month saw the arrival of centre-forward Tom Nolan from Manchester Central. Harry Marshall was attracting praise for his performances in the half-back role. However, Tippett was criticised for his lack of goals. Due to the Great Depression, the bank refused to allow an extension to the club's £5,000 overdraft. So, the club controversially notified other clubs that it would consider offers for its players to raise the funds to buy new players. On 21 November, they lost 9–3 to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane despite having led 2–1 at 35 minutes before Tom Tippett was forced off with an ankle injury. This twelve-goal match is still a club record. On 12 December, they suffered the division's biggest home defeat of the season, going down 7–1 to eventual free-scoring champions Wolverhampton Wanderers. Going into their Boxing Day win over Notts County they had lost seven of their previous nine games, conceding 33 goals. A holiday break in Llandudno seemed to raise the team's spirits, as two further 2–0 victories followed. In January, Wilf Kirkham was re-signed from Stoke to the delight of fans. On 6 February, he took part in a morale-boosting 3–0 home win over Stoke in front of 21,089 fans – an attendance that raised £1,350 of funds. The referee T.Crew also enjoyed the game, congratulating both sides on a sporting display that "was the most pleasurable game he had ever officiated". Vale followed this by picking just four points in their next 13 games to almost certainly doom the club to relegation – crucially though were the two points they earned from a 3–0 win over Barnsley. With two games to go they were three points (and inferior goal average) behind the Tykes. After a 2–1 win over Chesterfield matched by a 4–1 home defeat by Barnsley, they were just behind by a single point. Vale's final game of the season was against already promoted second place Leeds United, unbeaten at Elland Road since September, and a 'convincing' 2–0 victory followed thanks to goals from Littlewood and Tippett.Baggaley Mike Fightback but defeat on the road https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/fightback-but-defeat-on-the-road 3 August 2025 Valiant's Substack 3 August 2025 Barnsley only managed a 2–2 draw, and so Vale leapfrogged Barnsley to reach the safety of 20th place. They finished 20th due to their superior goal average. However, with 58 goals scored, their attack was the third worst in the division, whilst their 89 goals conceded made them the second leakiest defence in the division. Lacking a consistent goalscorer, top-scorers Nolan and Tippett failed to reach twenty goals between them. Losing half their games, their statistic of nine home defeats was particularly worrying. Lucky to still be a second-tier club, a clear-out followed. Impressive Harry Marshall was sold to Tottenham Hotspur, whilst 323 league-game eleven-year club veteran Bob Connelly was handed a free transfer to Congleton Town. Joseph Chell and Clarence Spencer were also released, signing for Stoke City and Norwich City respectively. Arthur Dorrell and Dicky York's best days were well behind them, as Dorrell retired and York signed with Brierley Hill Alliance. Manager Tom Morgan meanwhile reverted to his old position as assistant secretary, replaced at the helm by former manager Tom Holford. Finances On the financial side, gate receipts were at £12,170 – their lowest total since re-joining the Football League in 1919. However, 'rigid economy' ensured a profit of £873. Cup competitions In the FA Cup, they travelled to Brighton & Hove Albion's Goldstone Ground of the Third Division South. They progressed with a 2–1 victory thanks to two strikes from Nolan. Coming up against First Division Leicester City in the fourth round, they were defeated 2–1 in front of 20,637 deafening supporters. On 9 May, they lost the last North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup friendly with Stoke, losing 7–0 in a match they "scarcely tried" to win. Results Football League Second Division 1931–32 Football League League table Second Division y PVL Results by matchday table b Round Ground A/H/H/A/A/H/H/A/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/A/H/A/H/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/H/A Result W/L/W/W/L/D/L/L/D/W/D/W/L/L/W/L/L/D/L/L/L/W/W/W/D/L/W/D/L/L/L/D/L/W/L/L/L/L/L/L/W/W Position 5/9/7/3/6/10/10/15/14/12/12/10/12/13/12/13/13/15/17/17/20/20/15/13/14/14/14/13/13/18/18/18/19/19/19/19/19/21/21/21/21/20 Points 2p/2p/4p/6p/6p/7p/7p/7p/8p/10p/11p/13p/13p/13p/15p/15p/15p/16p/16p/16p/16p/18p/20p/22p/23p/23p/25p/26p/26p/26p/26p/27p/27p/29p/29p/29p/29p/29p/29p/29p/31p/33p Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss green1 red1 StattoPort Vale 1931–1932 : Results & Fixtures https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064422/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/port-vale/1931-1932/results 4 March 2016 . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012. Matches 1 29 August 1931 Plymouth Argyle 1–3 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/plymouth-argyle-v-port-vale-29-august-1931-99973/ Port Vale Bowden Jennings Easton Home Park Plymouth 21,749 2 31 August 1931 Port Vale 1–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-leeds-united-31-august-1931-99983/ Leeds United og. Green Wainscoat Old Recreation Ground Hanley 16,864 3 5 September 1931 Port Vale 4–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bristol-city-05-september-1931-99995/ Bristol City Littlewood Round Easton Old Recreation Ground Hanley 10,770 4 7 September 1931 Swansea City 2–3 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/swansea-town-v-port-vale-07-september-1931-100006/ Port Vale Dorrell Easton Littlewood Vetch Field Swansea 9,927 5 12 September 1931 Oldham Athletic 3–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/oldham-athletic-v-port-vale-12-september-1931-100013/ Port Vale Boundary Park Oldham 10,323 6 19 September 1931 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bury-19-september-1931-100033/ Bury York Old Recreation Ground Hanley 12,600 7 21 September 1931 Port Vale 0–4 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-swansea-town-21-september-1931-100038/ Swansea City Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,969 8 26 September 1931 Stoke City 4–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/stoke-city-v-port-vale-26-september-1931-100049/ Port Vale Sale Bussey Victoria Ground Stoke-upon-Trent 28,292 9 3 October 1931 Millwall 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/millwall-v-port-vale-03-october-1931-100058/ Port Vale Jones The Den New Cross, Lewisham 16,766 10 10 October 1931 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bradford-city-10-october-1931-100072/ Bradford City Round pen. York Old Recreation Ground Hanley 9,304 11 17 October 1931 Port Vale 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-southampton-17-october-1931-100084/ Southampton Old Recreation Ground Hanley 11,990 12 24 October 1931 Preston North End 1–4 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/preston-north-end-v-port-vale-24-october-1931-100092/ Port Vale Nolan Rowbotham York Deepdale Preston, Lancashire 8,936 13 31 October 1931 Port Vale 1–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-burnley-31-october-1931-100106/ Burnley Tippett Old Recreation Ground Hanley 9,468 14 7 November 1931 Charlton Athletic 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/charlton-athletic-v-port-vale-07-november-1931-100110/ Port Vale Nolan The Valley Charlton, London 9,312 15 14 November 1931 15:00 GMT Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-nottingham-forest-14-november-1931-100128/ Nottingham Forest Henshall York Old Recreation Ground Hanley EC Carnwell 7,055 16 21 November 1931 Tottenham Hotspur 9–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/tottenham-hotspur-v-port-vale-21-november-1931-100139/ Port Vale Hunt Lyons pen. Brain Colquhoun Davies Tippett Nolan Henshall White Hart Lane Tottenham, North London 22,226 17 28 November 1931 Port Vale 1–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-manchester-united-28-november-1931-100150/ Manchester United York Spence Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,955 18 5 December 1931 Bradford (Park Avenue) 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/bradford-park-avenue-v-port-vale-05-december-1931-100152/ Port Vale Dorrell Tippett Park Avenue Bradford 10,281 19 12 December 1931 Port Vale 1–7 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-wolverhampton-wanderers-12-december-1931-100172/ Wolverhampton Wanderers Easton 90 Bottrill 27 Barraclough 29 Deacon 32 Hartill 26 Lowton 46 86 pen. Phillips 87 Old Recreation Ground Hanley G Dutton 11,133 20 19 December 1931 Chesterfield 4–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/chesterfield-v-port-vale-19-december-1931-100176/ Port Vale Saltergate Chesterfield, Derbyshire 7,966 21 25 December 1931 Notts County 4–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/notts-county-v-port-vale-25-december-1931-100190/ Port Vale Nolan Marshall Meadow Lane Nottingham 21,367 22 26 December 1931 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-notts-county-26-december-1931-100201/ Notts County Nolan Tippett Old Recreation Ground Hanley 13,463 23 2 January 1932 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-plymouth-argyle-02-january-1932-100216/ Plymouth Argyle Henshall Dorrell Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,731 24 16 January 1932 Bristol City 0–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/bristol-city-v-port-vale-16-january-1932-100221/ Port Vale Dorrell Nolan Ashton Gate Ashton Gate, Bristol 8,690 25 25 January 1932 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-oldham-athletic-25-january-1932-100235/ Oldham Athletic Easton Old Recreation Ground Hanley 3,436 26 30 January 1932 Bury 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/bury-v-port-vale-30-january-1932-100242/ Port Vale Gigg Lane Bury, Greater Manchester 9,099 27 6 February 1932 Port Vale 3–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-stoke-city-06-february-1932-100258/ Stoke City Marshall Henshall Old Recreation Ground Hanley 21,089 28 13 February 1932 Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-millwall-13-february-1932-100266/ Millwall Kirkham Tippett Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,311 29 20 February 1932 Bradford City 4–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/bradford-city-v-port-vale-20-february-1932-100274/ Port Vale Valley Parade Bradford 15,553 30 27 February 1932 Southampton 5–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/southampton-v-port-vale-27-february-1932-100291/ Port Vale Arnold Johnny McIlwaine Sillett og. The Dell Southampton 7,115 31 5 March 1932 Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-preston-north-end-05-march-1932-100305/ Preston North End Old Recreation Ground Hanley 8,132 32 12 March 1932 Burnley 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/burnley-v-port-vale-12-march-1932-100309/ Port Vale Easton Round Turf Moor Burnley 6,869 33 19 March 1932 Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-charlton-athletic-19-march-1932-100328/ Charlton Athletic Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,578 34 25 March 1932 Port Vale 3–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-barnsley-25-march-1932-100336/ Barnsley Kirkham Nolan Tippett Old Recreation Ground Hanley 9,983 35 26 March 1932 15:00 GMT Nottingham Forest 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/nottingham-forest-v-port-vale-26-march-1932-100344/ Port Vale Graham 28 Smith 39 Tippett City Ground West Bridgford EC Carnwell 8,486 36 28 March 1932 Barnsley 3–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/barnsley-v-port-vale-28-march-1932-100350/ Port Vale Oakwell Barnsley 5,881 37 2 April 1932 Port Vale 1–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-tottenham-hotspur-02-april-1932-100372/ Tottenham Hotspur Dorrell Greenfield Hunt Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,682 38 9 April 1932 Manchester United 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/manchester-united-v-port-vale-09-april-1932-100378/ Port Vale Spence Reid Old Trafford Old Trafford 10,916 39 16 April 1932 Port Vale 1–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bradford-park-avenue-16-april-1932-100394/ Bradford (Park Avenue) Kirkham Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,672 40 23 April 1932 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/wolverhampton-wanderers-v-port-vale-23-april-1932-100406/ Port Vale Hartill 20 27 Molineux Stadium Wolverhampton G Dutton 28,744 41 30 April 1932 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-chesterfield-30-april-1932-100416/ Chesterfield Kirkham Littlewood Old Recreation Ground Hanley 4,663 42 7 May 1932 Leeds United 0–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/leeds-united-v-port-vale-07-may-1932-100421/ Port Vale Littlewood Tippett Elland Road Beeston, Leeds 9,588 FA Cup 1931–32 FA Cup R3 9 January 1932 Brighton & Hove Albion 1–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/brighton-and-hove-albion-v-port-vale-09-january-1932-208085/ Port Vale Nolan Goldstone Ground Hove 21,690 R4 23 January 1932 Port Vale 1–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-leicester-city-23-january-1932-208132/ Leicester City Nolan Hine Chandler Old Recreation Ground Hanley 20,637 North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary Cup Final 9 May 1932 Stoke City 7–0 L Port Vale Victoria Ground Stoke-upon-Trent 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 Ben Davies 34 0 2 0 1 0 GK SCO Jock Leckie 2 0 0 0 0 0 GK ENG Arthur Slater 6 0 0 0 0 0 FB ENG William Allsop 1 0 1 0 0 0 FB ENG Bill Cope 30 0 2 0 1 0 FB ENG Jimmy Oakes 29 0 2 0 1 0 FB ENG George Poyser 6 0 0 0 0 0 FB ENG George Shenton 39 0 1 0 1 0 FB ENG Billy Wootton 6 0 0 0 0 0 HB ENG Arnold Bliss 6 0 0 0 0 0 HB SCO Bob Connelly 8 0 0 0 0 0 HB ENG Dennis Izon 12 0 2 0 0 0 HB ENG Roger Jones 27 2 1 0 0 0 HB ENG Jimmy McGrath 0 0 0 0 1 0 HB ENG Jack Round 30 3 2 0 1 0 HB ENG Jack Sherlock 12 0 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Albert Beech 1 0 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Arthur Dorrell 34 5 2 0 0 0 FW ENG Billy Easton 22 6 0 0 1 0 FW ENG James Henshall 14 4 1 0 1 0 FW ENG Wilf Kirkham 16 4 0 0 1 0 FW ENG Stewart Littlewood 12 5 0 0 1 0 FW ENG Tom Nolan 19 8 2 3 0 0 FW ENG Harry Rowbotham 6 1 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Clarence Spencer 4 0 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Tom Tippett 31 8 2 0 1 0 FW ENG Dicky York 26 5 0 0 0 0 |- |colspan="14"|Players who featured but departed the club during the season: FW ENG Sam Jennings 2 2 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Harry Marshall 27 4 2 0 0 0 |} Top scorers PlacePositionNationNameSecond DivisionFA CupInfirmary CupTotal1FWEnglandTom Nolan830112FWEnglandTom Tippett80083FWEnglandBilly Easton60064FWEnglandArthur Dorrell5005–FWEnglandDicky York5005–FWEnglandStewart Littlewood50057FWEnglandWilf Kirkham4004–FWEnglandJames Henshall4004–FWEnglandHarry Marshall400410HBEnglandJack Round300311FWEnglandSam Jennings2002–HBEnglandRoger Jones200213FWEnglandHarry Rowbotham1001–––Own goals2002TOTALS593062 Transfers Transfers in Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref. May 1931 FW ENG Billy Easton Swansea Town Free transfer Kent Jeff Port Vale Personalities Witan Books 1996 0-9529152-0-0 May 1931 FB ENG George Poyser Mansfield Town Free transfer June 1931 FB ENG William Allsop Bolton Wanderers Free transfer June 1931 FW ENG Arthur Dorrell Aston Villa Free transfer June 1931 FW ENG Tom Tippett Rochdale Free transfer June 1931 FW ENG Dicky York Aston Villa Free transfer October 1931 FW ENG Robert G. Davies Stoke St.Peter's Free transfer October 1931 FW ENG Tom Nolan Manchester Central Free transfer January 1932 FW ENG Wilf Kirkham Stoke City Free transfer March 1932 FW ENG Horace Baker Longton Hall Free transfer March 1932 GK SCO Jock Leckie SCO Bray Unknowns Free transfer April 1932 HB ENG Fred Mills Middleport Free transfer Transfers out Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref. September 1931 FW ENG Sam Jennings Stockport County Free transfer March 1932 FW ENG Harry Marshall Tottenham Hotspur Undisclosed May 1932 FW ENG Joseph Chell Stoke City Free transfer May 1932 HB SCO Bob Connelly Congleton Town Free transfer May 1932 FW ENG Arthur Dorrell Retired Summer 1932 FW ENG Harry Rowbotham Hyde United Released August 1932 GK ENG Arthur Slater Watford Free transfer August 1932 FB ENG Billy Wootton Southend United Free transfer August 1932 FW ENG Dicky York Brierley Hill Alliance 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