1937–38 Port Vale F.C. season

March 2015 March 2015 Port Vale 1937–38 Tom Morgan(from December) Frank Huntbach Old Recreation Ground Football League Third Division North 15th (38 points) FA Cup First Round(eliminated by Gainsborough Trinity) Football League Third Division North Cup First Round(eliminated by Tranmere Rovers) Jack Roberts (28) Jack Roberts (30) 10,984 vs. Hull City, 15 April 1938 2,992 vs. Rochdale, 30 April 1938 6,716 4–0 and 5–1 0–5 and 2–7 _white stripes _band_white ffffff ffffff ffffff 000000 000000 1936–37 1938–39 The 1937–38 season was Port Vale's 32nd season of football in the English Football League, and their second-successive season (third overall) in the Third Division North.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 Under manager Tom Morgan, the club began life in the third tier at the Old Recreation Ground amid low expectations and modest attendances. Vale finished 15th in the 22-team division, earning 38 points from 12 wins, 14 draws, and 16 losses, with 65 goals scored and 73 conceded, leaving them six points clear of the re‑election zone and firmly mid‑table. Early-season form was inconsistent. The campaign began with a 3–0 defeat at Oldham Athletic, but Vale then went on a six-game unbeaten run—highlighted by a 4–0 win over Barrow (with Jack Roberts scoring all four) and a 5–1 victory over Hartlepools United in which Arthur Caldwell notched a hat‑trick. However, heavy defeats—including a 5–0 loss to Bradford City and a 7–2 hammering at Chester—undermined positive runs and kept the side oscillating around the lower half of the table before a more stable second half rescued their league status. In the FA Cup, Port Vale exited in the First Round after a replay loss to Gainsborough Trinity, ending hopes of a cup run to lift spirits. Their participation in the Third Division North Cup also ended at the first hurdle, with a replay defeat to Tranmere Rovers. These early exits denied Vale any memorable cup moments during a season already focused on league survival. The standout individual contributions came from Jack Roberts, who led the scoring charts with 28 league goals, making him not just Vale's top scorer but the division's leading marksman. The season's modest financial gains—largely due to a £2,900 transfer credit—offset low matchday income. Despite ongoing boardroom debate about relocation, the club retained its base at the Old Recreation Ground for the time being. The 1937–38 campaign ultimately represented a season of adjustment and consolidation, laying the groundwork for Vale's efforts to rebuild in the lower tier. 200px|thumb|right|Chairman Frank Huntbach Overview Third Division North The pre-season saw the arrival of goalkeepers James Nicholls and George Heppell (Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers); veteran right-back Johnny Rowe (Queen's Park Rangers); left-back Harry Johnson (Newcastle United); winger Charlie Rattray (Mansfield Town); experienced inside-right Arthur Masters (Nottingham Forest); and 'clever' inside-left William Price (Fulham). Pre-season training included bowls, cricket, and practice with rubbers balls and rubber boots to improve ball control. The fans were not optimistic about the campaign, so ticket sales were low despite lowered prices. The season began with a 3–0 defeat at Oldham Athletic's Boundary Park. Tom Nolan found himself dropped in favour of Jack Roberts, who immediately went on a run of three goals in three games. On 13 September, Vale defeated league leaders New Brighton by three goals to two. This was followed by a 2–1 win at Crewe Alexandra, which proved to be the only win on the road all season. The team went on to go six games unbeaten, including a 4–0 win over Barrow in which Roberts scored all four. Their 5–1 win over Hartlepools United – in which Arthur Caldwell scored a hat-trick – took them into seventh in the table. This run ended with a 5–0 drubbing at Valley Parade. After this defeat to Bradford City the Vale signed forward Ken Fish from Aston Villa for 'a sizeable fee'. In November, William Price was released from his contract. The next month the side were on the end of a 7–2 beating by Chester at Sealand Road. Soon after this Tom Morgan was re-appointed as manager, having been demoted to assistant-secretary in June 1932. Morgan made six changes for his first game in charge, a 1–1 draw at Rochdale on 18 December. Following this, the club went on a run of one defeat in nine games. During this run, Roberts scored a hat-trick past Accrington Stanley in a 4–1 win to make himself the division's joint top-scorer. On 29 January, Vale drew 1–1 with Crewe Alexandra, though Arthur Masters had no recollection of the match after twice being knocked unconscious. In February, Tommy Ward was traded to Stoke City in exchange for Harry Davies and a small fee. They suffered a 2–1 defeat at bottom club Hartlepools United on 19 February. On 5 March, Vale inflicted a 4–3 win over Bradford City, soon after which Sam Baum was signed from Bolton Wanderers just two minutes before the transfer deadline closed. On 19 March, Vale beat the league leaders Tranmere Rovers by a goal to nil. The players were rewarded with a trip to the 1938 Grand National. On 15 April, the club saw its first five-figure crowd of the season, as promotion-chasing Hull City took away both the points despite a brace from Roberts. Revenge came at Anlaby Road three days later, when the "Valiants" held a clean sheet to damage the "Tigers" promotion prospects. On the final home game of the season a 17-year-old Alf Bellis scored on his debut as Vale beat Rochdale 4–1. They finished 15th with 38 points, just six points clear of the re-election zone. Away from the Old Recreation Ground, the side struggled, managing just a single win. Jack Roberts was the club's top goalscorer with 28 league strikes in 37 games – also making him the division's top scorer. Finances On the financial side, a bare profit of some £300 was recorded due to a transfer credit of £2,900. The annual summer clear-out saw the departure of 14 of the twenty-six players, including Sam Baum; Spencer Evans (Northwich Victoria); Roderick Welsh; Charlie Rattray (Accrington Stanley); Harry Johnson (Hartlepools United); Trevor Rhodes; and Fred Obrey (who was sold to Tranmere Rovers). At the season's end the club were delighted to hear they had been transferred to the Third Division South, where gate receipts were higher. On 27 June, another meeting at the Grand Hotel (Hanley) saw the issue of a name change debated, where Stoke United and Stoke North End were again considered. A name change was advocated by every letter written in by supporters; however, once again, there was insufficient time to implement a name change before the upcoming season. Cup competitions In the FA Cup, a first-round exit came at the hands of Midland League Gainsborough Trinity, after Trinity won the replay 2–1. In the short-lived Football League Third Division North Cup, Vale went out in the first round to Tranmere Rovers – a 1–1 stalemate at home was followed by a 2–0 defeat in the replay at Prenton Park. Results Football League Third Division North 1937–38 Football League League table Third Division North y PTV Results by matchday table b Round Ground A/H/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/A/A/A/H/H/H/H/A/H/H/A/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/A/H/A Result L/D/W/L/L/W/W/W/D/W/D/L/W/L/L/L/L/D/L/W/D/D/W/D/D/D/L/W/L/L/W/D/W/L/D/L/L/D/D/L/W/D Position 20/17/14/14/17/13/11/10/9/9/7/9/9/10/11/13/16/15/17/14/14/13/12/12/11/12/13/11/13/13/12/12/12/12/12/14/15/14/14/16/13/15 Points 0p/1p/3p/3p/3p/5p/7p/9p/10p/12p/13p/13p/15p/15p/15p/15p/15p/16p/16p/18p/19p/20p/22p/23p/24p/25p/25p/27p/27p/27p/29p/30p/32p/32p/33p/33p/33p/34p/35p/35p/37p/38p Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss green1 red1 StattoPort Vale 1937–1938 : Results & Fixtures https://web.archive.org/web/20150919093555/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/port-vale/1937-1938/results 19 September 2015 . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012. Matches 1 28 August 1937 Oldham Athletic 3–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/oldham-athletic-v-port-vale-28-august-1937-151282/ Port Vale Boundary Park Oldham 5,781 2 30 August 1937 Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-gateshead-30-august-1937-151287/ Gateshead Caldwell Roberts Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,699 3 4 September 1937 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-darlington-04-september-1937-151302/ Darlington Roberts Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,233 4 8 September 1937 Gateshead 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/gateshead-v-port-vale-08-september-1937-151315/ Port Vale Roberts Redheugh Park Gateshead 9,641 5 11 September 1937 Doncaster Rovers 3–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/doncaster-rovers-v-port-vale-11-september-1937-151321/ Port Vale Price Caldwell Belle Vue Doncaster 11,538 6 13 September 1937 Port Vale 3–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-new-brighton-13-september-1937-151330/ New Brighton Caldwell Roberts Masters Old Recreation Ground Hanley 4,257 7 18 September 1937 Crewe Alexandra 1–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/crewe-alexandra-v-port-vale-18-september-1937-151340/ Port Vale Price Roberts Gresty Road Crewe 5,888 8 25 September 1937 Port Vale 4–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-barrow-25-september-1937-151357/ Barrow Roberts Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,416 9 2 October 1937 15:15 BST Wrexham 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/wrexham-v-port-vale-02-october-1937-151370/ Port Vale Racecourse Ground Wrexham H.T. Wright 5,364 10 9 October 1937 Port Vale 5–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-hartlepools-united-09-october-1937-151380/ Hartlepools United Caldwell Ward Scott Old Recreation Ground Hanley H Hartley 7,951 11 16 October 1937 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-southport-16-october-1937-151392/ Southport Masters Old Recreation Ground Hanley 8,151 12 23 October 1937 Bradford City 5–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/bradford-city-v-port-vale-23-october-1937-151395/ Port Vale Valley Parade Bradford 3,176 13 30 October 1937 Port Vale 3–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-york-city-30-october-1937-151414/ York City Masters Caldwell Old Recreation Ground Hanley 5,139 14 6 November 1937 Tranmere Rovers 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/tranmere-rovers-v-port-vale-06-november-1937-151425/ Port Vale Masters Prenton Park Prenton 7,597 15 13 November 1937 Port Vale 0–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-halifax-town-13-november-1937-151436/ Halifax Town Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,579 16 20 November 1937 Carlisle United 3–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/carlisle-united-v-port-vale-20-november-1937-151440/ Port Vale Fish Brunton Park Carlisle 4,959 17 4 December 1937 Chester 7–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/chester-v-port-vale-04-december-1937-151452/ Port Vale Horsman Howarth Chambers Sargeant Sanders Johnson og. Roberts pen. Sealand Road Chester 3,849 18 18 December 1937 Rochdale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/rochdale-v-port-vale-18-december-1937-151465/ Port Vale Wynn Roberts pen. Spotland Stadium Rochdale 3,560 19 27 December 1937 Lincoln City 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/lincoln-city-v-port-vale-27-december-1937-151484/ Port Vale Sincil Bank Lincoln 13,354 20 28 December 1937 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-lincoln-city-28-december-1937-151489/ Lincoln City Roberts pen. Old Recreation Ground Hanley 5,740 21 1 January 1938 Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-oldham-athletic-01-january-1938-151496/ Oldham Athletic Roberts Ward Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,878 22 3 January 1938 Port Vale 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-rotherham-united-03-january-1938-151502/ Rotherham United Old Recreation Ground Hanley 3,604 23 8 January 1938 Port Vale 4–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-accrington-stanley-08-january-1938-151507/ Accrington Stanley Roberts Masters Old Recreation Ground Hanley 5,443 24 15 January 1938 Darlington 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/darlington-v-port-vale-15-january-1938-151514/ Port Vale Roberts Ward Feethams Darlington 2,330 25 22 January 1938 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-doncaster-rovers-22-january-1938-151528/ Doncaster Rovers Caldwell Old Recreation Ground Hanley 7,153 26 29 January 1938 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-crewe-alexandra-29-january-1938-151542/ Crewe Alexandra Caldwell Old Recreation Ground Hanley 5,851 27 5 February 1938 Barrow 3–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/barrow-v-port-vale-05-february-1938-151547/ Port Vale Holker Street Barrow-in-Furness 5,759 28 12 February 1938 15:15 GMT Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-wrexham-12-february-1938-151566/ Wrexham Davies 55 Caldwell 80 Old Recreation Ground Hanley S. Hadley 7,861 29 19 February 1938 Hartlepools United 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/hartlepools-united-v-port-vale-19-february-1938-151572/ Port Vale English Scott Roberts Victoria Park Hartlepool H Hartley 4,483 30 26 February 1938 Southport 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/southport-v-port-vale-26-february-1938-151588/ Port Vale Ash Lane Southport 3,797 31 5 March 1938 Port Vale 4–3 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bradford-city-05-march-1938-151599/ Bradford City Nolan Davies Roberts Old Recreation Ground Hanley 8,022 32 12 March 1938 York City 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/york-city-v-port-vale-12-march-1938-151611/ Port Vale Roberts Bootham Crescent York 7,319 33 19 March 1938 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-tranmere-rovers-19-march-1938-151622/ Tranmere Rovers Nolan Old Recreation Ground Hanley 9,916 34 26 March 1938 Halifax Town 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/halifax-town-v-port-vale-26-march-1938-151629/ Port Vale Roberts The Shay Halifax, West Yorkshire 4,363 35 2 April 1938 Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-carlisle-united-02-april-1938-151643/ Carlisle United Rattray Roberts Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,463 36 9 April 1938 Accrington Stanley 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/accrington-stanley-v-port-vale-09-april-1938-151646/ Port Vale Nolan Peel Park Accrington 2,990 37 15 April 1938 15:15 GMT Port Vale 2–4 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-hull-city-15-april-1938-151665/ Hull City Roberts Hubbard 18 Davies 40 Fryer 52 Cumner 70 Old Recreation Ground Hanley 10,984 38 16 April 1938 Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-chester-16-april-1938-151678/ Chester Nolan Gale Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,695 39 18 April 1938 15:15 GMT Hull City 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/hull-city-v-port-vale-18-april-1938-151685/ Port Vale Anlaby Road Kingston upon Hull 13,564 40 23 April 1938 Rotherham United 3–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/rotherham-united-v-port-vale-23-april-1938-151698/ Port Vale Roberts Nolan Millmoor Rotherham 5,346 41 30 April 1938 Port Vale 4–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-rochdale-30-april-1938-151718/ Rochdale Masters Roberts Bellis Wynn pen. Old Recreation Ground Hanley 2,992 42 7 May 1938 New Brighton 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/new-brighton-v-port-vale-07-may-1938-151732/ Port Vale Griffiths Sandheys Park New Brighton, Merseyside 3,259 FA Cup 1937–38 FA Cup R1 27 November 1937 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-gainsborough-trinity-27-november-1937-208873/ Gainsborough Trinity Roberts Old Recreation Ground Hanley 6,772 Replay 1 December 1937 Gainsborough Trinity 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/gainsborough-trinity-v-port-vale-01-december-1937-208889/ Port Vale Roberts The Northolme Gainsborough, Lincolnshire 4,220 Third Division North Cup 1 11 October 1937 Port Vale 1–1 D Tranmere Rovers Rattray Old Recreation Ground Hanley 900 Replay 10 November 1937 Tranmere Rovers 2–0 L Port Vale Prenton Park Prenton 500 Squad statistics Appearances and goals Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; FB – Full back; HB – Half back; FW – Forward Third Division North FA Cup Third Division North Cup GK ENG George Heppell 25 0 1 0 1 0 GK ENG James Nicholls 17 0 1 0 1 0 FB ENG Harry Johnson 19 0 0 0 2 0 FB ENG Johnny Rowe 37 0 2 0 1 0 FB ENG Roderick Welsh 27 0 2 0 2 0 HB ENG Frank Briggs 8 0 0 0 0 0 HB WAL 1807 Spencer Evans 34 0 2 0 1 0 HB ENG Harry Griffiths 27 1 1 0 0 0 HB ENG Fred Obrey 16 0 2 0 0 0 HB ENG Trevor Rhodes 13 0 0 0 1 0 HB ENG Harry Sellars 0 0 0 0 0 0 HB ENG Wilf Smith 21 0 0 0 1 0 HB ENG Arthur Whittaker 0 0 0 0 0 0 HB ENG Stanley Dimbleby 1 0 0 0 1 0 FW ENG Sam Baum 3 0 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Alf Bellis 1 1 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Arthur Caldwell 35 10 1 0 1 0 FW ENG Arthur Cumberlidge 23 0 1 0 2 0 FW ENG Harry Davies 15 2 0 0 0 0 FW RSA 1928 Ken Fish 5 1 1 0 0 0 FW ENG Arthur Masters 33 8 2 0 0 0 FW ENG Tom Nolan 18 7 1 0 1 0 FW ENG Charlie Rattray 22 1 1 0 2 1 FW ENG Jack Roberts 37 28 2 2 1 0 FW ENG Billy Tunnicliffe 2 0 2 0 0 0 |- |colspan="14"|Players who featured but departed the club during the season: HB ENG Tommy Ward 11 4 1 0 2 0 FW ENG Arthur Ford 0 0 0 0 0 0 FW ENG William Price 13 2 0 0 1 0 |} Top scorers PlacePositionNationNameThird Division NorthFA CupNorthern CupTotal1FWEnglandJack Roberts2820302FWEnglandArthur Caldwell1000103FWEnglandArthur Masters80084FWEnglandTom Nolan70075HBEnglandTommy Ward40046FWEnglandCharlie Rattray1012–FWEnglandWilliam Price2002–FWEnglandHarry Davies20029FWSouth Africa 1928Ken Fish1001–HBEnglandHarry Griffiths1001–FWEnglandAlf Bellis1001–––Own goals0000TOTALS652168 Transfers Transfers in Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref. May 1937 GK ENG George Heppell Wolverhampton Wanderers Free transfer Kent Jeff Port Vale Personalities Witan Books 1996 0-9529152-0-0 May 1937 FW ENG William Price Fulham Free transfer May 1937 FW ENG Charlie Rattray Mansfield Town Free transfer May 1937 FB ENG Johnny Rowe Queen's Park Rangers Free transfer June 1937 HB ENG Stanley Dimbleby Hull City Free transfer June 1937 FB ENG Harry Johnson Newcastle United Free transfer June 1937 FW ENG Arthur Masters Nottingham Forest Exchange June 1937 GK ENG James Nicholls Brentford Free transfer November 1937 FW RSA 1928 Ken Fish Aston Villa 'Sizeable' February 1938 FW ENG Harry Davies Stoke City Exchange March 1938 FW ENG Sam Baum Bolton Wanderers Free transfer March 1938 FW ENG Alf Bellis Burnell's Ironworks Free transfer March 1938 FW ENG Joe Wheatley Ellesmere Port Town Free transfer Transfers out Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref. September 1937 FW ENG Arthur Ford Wolverhampton Wanderers Free transfer November 1937 FW ENG William Price Mutual consent February 1938 HB ENG Tommy Ward Stoke City 'Small' May 1938 FW ENG Sam Baum Released May 1938 HB ENG Frank Briggs Aston Villa Released May 1938 HB ENG Stanley Dimbleby Released May 1938 HB WAL 1807 Spencer Evans Northwich Victoria Free transfer May 1938 FW ENG Charlie Rattray Accrington Stanley Free transfer May 1938 FW ENG Billy Tunnicliffe Bournemouth Free transfer May 1938 FB ENG Roderick Welsh Released June 1938 HB ENG Fred Obrey Tranmere Rovers Free transfer Summer 1938 FB ENG Harry Johnson Hartlepools United Free transfer Summer 1938 GK ENG James Nicholls Released Summer 1938 HB ENG Trevor Rhodes 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