1967–68 Port Vale F.C. season

March 2015 March 2015 Port Vale 1967–68 Stanley Matthews Fred Pinfold Vale Park Football League Fourth Division 18th (39 points) FA Cup First Round(eliminated by Chester) League Cup Second Round(eliminated by Portsmouth) Roy Chapman (24) Roy Chapman (25) 8,228 vs. Bradford City, 23 October 1967 3,151 vs. Rochdale, 23 March 1968 4,886 4–0 vs. Bradford Park Avenue, 2 March 1968 1–5 vs. York City, 30 March 1968 ffffff ffffff ffffff ffffff ffffff 1966–67 1968–69 The 1967–68 season was Port Vale's 56th season of football in the English Football League and their third-successive season (fourth overall) in the Fourth Division.Kent Jeff The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale Witan Books 1990 196–226 Flattering Only to Deceive (1960–1969) 0-9508981-4-7 Under the stewardship of player-manager Stanley Matthews, and with Fred Pinfold as chairman, the club struggled for consistency — finishing 18th in the 24‑team division with 39 points, thereby just edging clear of the re‑election zone by three points. The season began poorly, with Vale failing to win any of their first seven matches and scoring just three goals. A turnaround followed, as a red-hot home form — courtesy of the strike partnership between Mick Cullerton and new signing Roy Chapman — helped Vale climb into mid-table standings. Chapman finished as top scorer with 25 goals in all competitions, the club's best return since 1960–61. Off the pitch, Vale were rocked by an FA–Football League inquiry into payments irregularities. In February and March, the club was fined £2,000 on two counts, and officials were warned of potential expulsion from the League. Although Port Vale were ultimately expelled at season's end, they were overwhelmingly re‑elected at the June AGM by a vote of 40–9. In terms of cup competitions, Vale suffered a First Round exit in the FA Cup, losing 2–1 at home to Chester in snowy conditions, while their League Cup run reached the Second Round, featuring a hat-trick by Cullerton in a 3–0 win over Chester before elimination by Second Division Portsmouth at Fratton Park — Vale's first greater progression in the League Cup than the FA Cup. Financially, the club reported a loss of £6,279, had gate receipts almost £5,000 lower, and carried a debt of £168,151. Seven players were released on free transfers, including young Alex Donald and Malcolm MacKenzie, as well as long-serving veterans Terry Miles and Harry Poole. In May, the club hosted a high-profile fund-raiser "Valliant Vale" match featuring stars like Tom Finney and Nat Lofthouse, with Matthews and Jackie Mudie also involved. Overall, the 1967–68 season was a tumultuous campaign marked by poor results, financial turmoil, scandal and scrutiny, and just enough on‑field resilience to avoid losing League status. Overview Fourth Division The pre-season saw the departure of Terry Alcock to Blackpool, after the club 'reluctantly' accepted a £25,000 offer. In came £35-a-week striker Roy Chapman from Lincoln City and forward Mick Morris from Oxford United. In August there was a pre-season tour of Czechoslovakia to help with fitness, as the players also toured the spa at Luhačovice, the wine cellars at Čelákovice, as well as a giant footwear factory. They played friendly games with Gottwaldov and Jisara Skutec.Port Vale and Czechoslovakia - a special relationship https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/czech-mates-port-vale-and-czechoslovakia-a-special-relationship/ 4 June 2020 onevalefan.co.uk The season opened with a 2–1 defeat to Southend United at Vale Park after Roy Sproson left the game at half-time with strained ligaments. This was the first of seven games without a win, with just three goals scored – none of which came to new forward Chapman. Stanley Matthews then returned to Czechoslovakia on business, much to the dismay of supporters. In came skilful midfielder John Green, who made a 'superb' debut in a 2–0 defeat at high-flying Aldershot. By now Vale were bottom of the league, but a remarkable turnaround then saw Vale hit four goals in each of their next four home games with the useful partnership of Cullerton and Chapman, and the skill of Green. Harry Poole picked up an injury and 'the spell was broken' with a 2–1 defeat in Burslem to league leaders Bradford City. In November, Vale's form again suffered, and more problems came as the Football League began an examination into the club's books over alleged breaches of rules concerning payment of players. Back on the pitch, Roy Sproson made his 700th appearance in a 1–1 draw with Newport County at Somerton Park. The next month held more financial problems, as lifelong Vale supporter and self-styled 'holiday camp king' Graham Bourne was denied a seat on the board despite buying up 13,000 shares – Chairman Pinfold stated 'we must proceed cautiously' and Bourne quickly sold his shares. On the field, the "Valiants" improved with a seven-match unbeaten run to take them into mid-table, their run was helped by the arrival of Bill Asprey from Oldham Athletic for £2,000. 1. Several amateurs had been paid despite not being registered. 2. Associate schoolboys had played for the club, which was against FA rules. 3. Extra bonuses were paid after a 3-0 League Cup victory over Chester in August 1967. 4. Illegal bonuses had been paid to players Clint Boulton and Gordon Logan. 5. An illegal signing-on bonus had been paid to John Ritchie. 6. A director of the club had made gifts to young players. — The FA found six misdemeanours during their inspection of the club's books.Baggaley Michael When Port Vale were expelled from the Football League fifty years ago https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/port-vale-were-expelled-football-1243550 21 February 2018 Stoke Sentinel 21 February 2018 30% right In January, the League's investigation resulted in a Football Association commission to investigate six charges: numerous amateurs had received a weekly wage; associate schoolboys played for the club despite this being against the rules; extra bonuses were offered for reaching the second round of the League Cup; John Ritchie had received illegal payments; Clint Boulton and Gordon Logan had received illegal bonuses; and that young players had been given gifts in breach of league rules. With this hanging over the club's head form suffered, and Jimmy Hill left the club to become player-manager of Derry City. Stan Steele returned from South Africa and joined on a month-long trial, however, he only managed to score an 'incredible' own goal by lobbing Stuart Sharratt in a 3–0 loss to Aldershot. On 20 February, the FA-Football League joint-inquiry 'severely censured' Port Vale officials at Lancaster Gate after the officials admitted the charges held against them. The club received a £2,000 fine and a recommendation that they be expelled from the league, a month later on 6 March another £2,000 fine was issued and the club were informed that they would be expelled from the Football League at the end of the season. The club's officials were 'shocked and appalled' at the 'savage penalties', and Stoke City chairman Albert Henshall also called the punishment 'severe'. The club changed the leadership structure and defiantly stated their aim to win promotion from the Fourth Division, and also their decision to appoint a new player-manager to lead them to such an aim. On the pitch, Vale hovered uncomfortably above the re-election zone, and only finished above the re-election zone with a 1–0 win over Lincoln City at Sincil Bank on the final day. They finished in 18th position with 39 points, three points clear of the re-election zones. They finished ahead of Rochdale and Exeter City by one point; ahead of York City by three points; ahead of Chester by seven points; ahead of Workington by eight points; and a massive 16 points clear of Bradford Park Avenue. Recording just two away wins all season, their home form was also poor. Roy Chapman had excelled; however, his 25 goals in all competitions were the highest since 1960–61. Finances On the financial side, a loss of £6,279 had been made. Poor attendances reduced gate receipts by almost £5,000, though expenditure was cut by over £6,000. The club's total debt stood at £168,151. Seven players were given free transfers, including youngsters Alex Donald and Malcolm MacKenzie; as well as club veterans Terry Miles and Harry Poole – who had almost thirty years and some 716 league appearances for the Vale between them. Developments at the club included the opening of Vale Shop at the Hamil End and the appointment of 'young... modern track-suited' Gordon Lee as manager. The club were in dire straits however, and Lee had to persuade Sproson to continue playing. On 2 May, "Port Vale Select XI "played a "Midlands All Stars" team for a "Valiant Vale" fund game to raise money for the club; Tom Finney and Nat Lofthouse were amongst the stars of the Vale team, alongside management duo Stanley Matthews and Jackie Mudie.Port Vale XI v Midlands All-Stars, 1968 https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/2015/06/port-vale-xi-v-midlands-all-stars-1968/ 4 June 2020 onevalefan.co.uk 26 June 2015 Cup competitions In the FA Cup, Chester knocked the Vale out in the first round with a 2–1 victory in the snow at Vale Park. In the League Cup, the "Valiants" reached the second round after a Mick Cullerton hat-trick in a 3–0 win over Chester at home. Defeat then came at Fratton Park to Second Division Portsmouth after Clint Boulton 'gave away two needless penalties'. It was the first time the club progressed further in the League Cup than in the FA Cup – an occurrence that would not be repeated until 1983–84. Results Football League Fourth Division 1967–68 Football League League table Fourth Division y PTV Results by matchday table b Round Ground H/A/H/A/A/H/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/A/H/A/H/H/A/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/A/H/H/A/H/A/A/H/H/A/A/H/A Result L/D/L/D/L/L/L/W/W/L/W/D/W/L/L/W/L/L/D/L/W/D/D/W/W/D/D/L/D/D/D/W/L/L/D/W/L/L/D/D/L/W/L/L/D/W Position 19/16/21/20/23/23/24/20/19/21/19/17/14/17/18/17/18/20/20/20/18/18/18/13/15/16/15/17/17/17/17/16/16/16/16/14/16/16/16/17/19/17/18/18/19/18 Points 0p/1p/1p/2p/2p/2p/2p/4p/6p/6p/8p/9p/11p/11p/11p/13p/13p/13p/14p/14p/16p/17p/18p/20p/22p/23p/24p/24p/25p/26p/27p/29p/29p/29p/30p/32p/32p/32p/33p/34p/34p/36p/36p/36p/37p/39p Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss green1 red1 StattoPort Vale 1967–1968 : Results & Fixtures https://web.archive.org/web/20150906040856/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/port-vale/1967-1968/results 6 September 2015 . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012. Matches 1 19 August 1967 Port Vale 1–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-southend-united-19-august-1967-38717/ Southend United Cullerton Vale Park Burslem 7,451 2 26 August 1967 Chester 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/chester-v-port-vale-26-august-1967-38725/ Port Vale Loyden pen. Cullerton pen. Sealand Road Chester 7,932 3 2 September 1967 Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-chesterfield-02-september-1967-38740/ Chesterfield Vale Park Burslem 6,214 4 6 September 1967 Notts County 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/notts-county-v-port-vale-06-september-1967-38756/ Port Vale Meadow Lane Nottingham 4,338 5 9 September 1967 Exeter City 3–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/exeter-city-v-port-vale-09-september-1967-38764/ Port Vale Stuckey Fudge Whatling Hill St James Park Exeter 3,722 6 16 September 1967 Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-darlington-16-september-1967-38777/ Darlington Vale Park Burslem 4,599 7 23 September 1967 Aldershot 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/aldershot-v-port-vale-23-september-1967-38782/ Port Vale Recreation Ground Aldershot 6,138 8 25 September 1967 Port Vale 4–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-notts-county-25-september-1967-38794/ Notts County Chapman Goodfellow Poole Vale Park Burslem 4,021 9 30 September 1967 Port Vale 4–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-workington-30-september-1967-38813/ Workington Poole Chapman MacKenzie Vale Park Burslem 4,752 10 4 October 1967 Bradford City 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/bradford-city-v-port-vale-04-october-1967-38824/ Port Vale Chapman Valley Parade Bradford 5,257 11 7 October 1967 Port Vale 4–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-doncaster-rovers-07-october-1967-38838/ Doncaster Rovers Chapman James Mahon Vale Park Burslem 5,436 12 14 October 1967 Bradford (Park Avenue) 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/bradford-park-avenue-v-port-vale-14-october-1967-38842/ Port Vale Chapman Cullerton pen. Park Avenue Bradford 3,648 13 21 October 1967 Port Vale 4–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-brentford-21-october-1967-38864/ Brentford Morris Cullerton Chapman og. Higginson Vale Park Burslem 5,944 14 23 October 1967 Port Vale 1–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bradford-city-23-october-1967-38870/ Bradford City Mahon Vale Park Burslem 8,228 15 28 October 1967 Rochdale 3–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/rochdale-v-port-vale-28-october-1967-38884/ Port Vale Hutchinson 52Reid 70Jenkins 78 pen. Chapman 24 Spotland Stadium Rochdale 2,566 16 4 November 1967 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-york-city-04-november-1967-38898/ York City Chapman Vale Park Burslem 4,786 17 13 November 1967 Chesterfield 3–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/chesterfield-v-port-vale-13-november-1967-38912/ Port Vale Saltergate Chesterfield, Derbyshire 13,183 18 18 November 1967 Port Vale 2–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-hartlepools-united-18-november-1967-38932/ Hartlepools United Chapman 35 48 Bell 33 Blowman 41 Simpkins 49 Vale Park Burslem PR Walters 3,875 19 21 November 1967 Newport County 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/newport-county-v-port-vale-21-november-1967-38933/ Port Vale A. Smith Cullerton Somerton Park Newport, Wales 2,434 20 25 November 1967 Swansea Town 4–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/swansea-town-v-port-vale-25-november-1967-38943/ Port Vale Morris Chapman Vetch Field Swansea 4,827 21 2 December 1967 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-barnsley-02-december-1967-38956/ Barnsley Morris Chapman Vale Park Burslem 3,724 22 15 December 1967 Southend United 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/southend-united-v-port-vale-15-december-1967-38959/ Port Vale Mahon Roots Hall Southend-on-Sea 8,543 23 23 December 1967 Port Vale 4–4 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-chester-23-december-1967-38978/ Chester Mahon Chapman Sproson Morris Hughes Loyden L. Jones Vale Park Burslem 3,740 24 26 December 1967 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-halifax-town-26-december-1967-38989/ Halifax Town Chapman Sproson Vale Park Burslem 6,946 25 30 December 1967 Halifax Town 0–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/halifax-town-v-port-vale-30-december-1967-38999/ Port Vale Chapman The Shay Halifax, West Yorkshire 3,956 26 20 January 1968 Darlington 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/darlington-v-port-vale-20-january-1968-39014/ Port Vale Chapman Morris Feethams Darlington 3,596 27 26 January 1968 Port Vale 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-luton-town-26-january-1968-39023/ Luton Town Vale Park Burslem 5,970 28 3 February 1968 Port Vale 0–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-aldershot-03-february-1968-39038/ Aldershot Vale Park Burslem 4,241 29 10 February 1968 Workington 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/workington-v-port-vale-10-february-1968-39052/ Port Vale Chapman Borough Park Workington 2,880 30 16 February 1968 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-lincoln-city-16-february-1968-39054/ Lincoln City James Vale Park Burslem 4,187 31 24 February 1968 Hartlepools United 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/hartlepools-united-v-port-vale-24-february-1968-39069/ Port Vale Cummings 47 McGovern 89 Mahon 13 88 Victoria Park Hartlepool V James 4,388 32 2 March 1968 Port Vale 4–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bradford-park-avenue-02-march-1968-39089/ Bradford (Park Avenue) Chapman Morris og. Vale Park Burslem 3,938 33 9 March 1968 Luton Town 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/luton-town-v-port-vale-09-march-1968-39102/ Port Vale Kenilworth Road Luton 12,749 34 16 March 1968 Brentford 3–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/brentford-v-port-vale-16-march-1968-39112/ Port Vale Fenton Hawley Mansley Chapman Griffin Park Brentford, West London 5,111 35 23 March 1968 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-rochdale-23-march-1968-39132/ Rochdale Chapman 34 Butler 65 Vale Park Burslem 3,151 36 25 March 1968 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-exeter-city-25-march-1968-39134/ Exeter City McLaren Vale Park Burslem 3,395 37 30 March 1968 York City 5–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/york-city-v-port-vale-30-march-1968-39148/ Port Vale Mahon Bootham Crescent York 5,153 38 6 April 1968 Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-newport-county-06-april-1968-39163/ Newport County Buck Vale Park Burslem 3,607 39 12 April 1968 Crewe Alexandra 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/crewe-alexandra-v-port-vale-12-april-1968-39167/ Port Vale Mahon Gresty Road Crewe 8,775 40 13 April 1968 Doncaster Rovers 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/doncaster-rovers-v-port-vale-13-april-1968-39176/ Port Vale Belle Vue Doncaster 10,782 41 15 April 1968 Port Vale 0–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-crewe-alexandra-15-april-1968-39191/ Crewe Alexandra Vale Park Burslem 7,048 42 20 April 1968 Port Vale 4–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-swansea-town-20-april-1968-39210/ Swansea Town Cullerton Chapman Vale Park Burslem 3,555 43 22 April 1968 19:15 BST Wrexham 1–0 L https://www.wrexhamafcarchive.co.uk/matchdetails.php?id=3223 Port Vale Bradbury 90 Racecourse Ground Wrexham H. Richards R.N. Perkin, S. Swain 4,192 44 26 April 1968 Barnsley 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/barnsley-v-port-vale-26-april-1968-39222/ Port Vale Oakwell Barnsley 15,913 45 4 May 1968 15:00 BST Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.wrexhamafcarchive.co.uk/matchdetails.php?id=1491 Wrexham Mahon 32 Moir 71 Vale Park Burslem T.E. Lockett P.T. Beaumont, B.A. Davenport 3,575 46 11 May 1968 Lincoln City 0–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/lincoln-city-v-port-vale-11-may-1968-39257/ Port Vale Cullerton Sincil Bank Lincoln 6,649 FA Cup 1967–68 FA Cup R1 9 December 1967 Port Vale 1–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-chester-09-december-1967-212568/ Chester Goodfellow Metcalf Hancox Vale Park Burslem 4,171 League Cup 1967–68 Football League Cup R1 22 August 1967 Port Vale 3–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-chester-22-august-1967-28789/ Chester Cullerton pen. Vale Park Burslem 5,006 R2 13 September 1967 Portsmouth 3–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/portsmouth-v-port-vale-13-september-1967-28849/ Port Vale McCann Jennings Chapman Fratton Park Portsmouth 16,960 Squad statistics Appearances and goals Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward Fourth Division FA Cup League Cup GK ENG Stuart Sharratt 46 0 1 0 2 0 DF ENG Bill Asprey 22 0 0 0 0 0 DF ENG Clint Boulton 39 0 1 0 2 0 DF SCO Gordon Logan 15 0 0 0 2 0 DF ENG Roy Sproson 32 2 1 0 1 0 DF SCO Ron Wilson 42 0 1 0 2 0 MF ENG Stuart Chapman 2 0 0 0 0 0 MF SCO Alex Donald 9 0 0 0 1 0 MF ENG Malcolm Gibbon 4 0 0 0 0 0 MF ENG Jimmy Goodfellow 28 1 1 1 2 0 MF ENG John Green 11 0 0 0 0 0 MF NIR Jimmy Hill 7 1 0 0 2 0 MF ENG Mick Mahon 32 9 1 0 1 0 MF SCO Malcolm MacKenzie 6 1 0 0 0 0 MF SCO Tommy McLaren 13 1 0 0 0 0 MF ENG Terry Miles 21 0 0 0 1 0 FW ENG Paul Bannister 3 0 0 0 0 0 FW ENG Roy Chapman 46 24 1 0 2 1 FW SCO Mick Cullerton 41 9 1 0 2 3 FW ENG John James 41 2 1 0 1 0 FW ENG Mick Morris 30 6 1 0 0 0 FW ENG Harry Poole 32 3 1 0 2 0 FW ENG Stan Steele 2 0 0 0 0 0 |- |colspan="14"|Players who featured but departed the club during the season: MF ENG David McClelland 4 0 0 0 0 0 |} Top scorers PlacePositionNationNameFourth DivisionFA CupLeague CupTotal1FWEnglandRoy Chapman2401252FWScotlandMick Cullerton903123MFEnglandMick Mahon90094FWEnglandMick Morris60065FWEnglandHarry Poole30036FWEnglandJohn James2002–DFEnglandRoy Sproson2002–FWEnglandJimmy Goodfellow11029FWEnglandJimmy Hill1001–MFScotlandTommy McLaren1001–MFScotlandMalcolm MacKenzie1001–––Own goals2002TOTALS611466 Transfers Transfers in Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref. June 1967 FW ENG Roy Chapman Lincoln City Free transfer Kent Jeff Port Vale Personalities Witan Books 1996 0-9529152-0-0 July 1967 FW ENG Mick Morris Oxford United Free transfer August 1967 MF ENG David McClelland Bishop Auckland Free transfer September 1967 MF ENG John Green Blackpool Free transfer November 1967 MF SCO Tommy McLaren SCO Berwick Rangers Free transfer December 1967 DF ENG Bill Asprey Oldham Athletic £2,000 January 1968 FW ENG Stan Steele RSA Port Elizabeth City Trial Transfers out Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref. April 1968 MF ENG David McClelland Wellington Town Free transfer May 1968 MF SCO Alex Donald IRL Derry City Free transfer May 1968 FW ENG Mel Lintern Carlisle United Free transfer May 1968 MF SCO Malcolm MacKenzie Released May 1968 GK SCO Billy McNulty Chesterfield Free transfer May 1968 MF ENG Terry Miles Sandbach Ramblers Free transfer July 1968 FW ENG Paul Bannister Eastwood Released Summer 1968 MF NIR Jimmy Hill Released Summer 1968 MF ENG Harry Poole Sandbach Ramblers Free transfer Summer 1968 FW ENG Stan Steele RSA Port Elizabeth City 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