Port Vale
1934–35 season
ChairmanFrank Huntbach
ManagerTom Holford
StadiumThe Old Recreation Ground
Football League Second Division18th (34 Points)
FA CupThird Round
(knocked out by West Bromwich Albion)
Top goalscorerLeague: Tom Nolan (16)
All: Tom Nolan (16)
Highest home attendance18,989 vs. West Bromwich Albion, 12 January 1935
Lowest home attendance3,860 vs. Fulham, 27 April 1935
Average home league attendance8,463
Biggest win4–0 vs. Barnsley, 5 January 1935
Biggest defeat0–8 vs. Brentford, 20 April 1935

The 1934–35 season was Port Vale's 29th season of football in the English Football League, and their fifth-successive season (28th overall) in the Second Division.[1] A positive start to the season raised hope of promotion; however, from October onwards the club performed so poorly as to finish fifth-from-bottom. One event of note was a six-week discussion over a possible change of name; the names Stoke Central, Stoke United, Stoke North End, and Hanley Port Vale were considered – however, none of these names attracted enough support to institute a change.

Manager Tom Holford.
Chairman Frank Huntbach declared "the prospects of this club are very bright" at the start of the campaign.[1]
Midfielder Jack Round.

Overview

Second Division

The pre-season saw the arrival of eight new signings, the most significant of these were: 'safe as houses' goalkeeper John Potts (Leeds United), 'outstanding' outside-right John Friar (Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic), inside-left David Galloway (Preston North End), and centre-half Joe Craven (Swansea Town).[1]

The season started with just one defeat in the opening eight games, leaving the club in fourth place by the end of September – mostly down to the goalscoring partnership of Friar and Nolan.[1] Home victories over Sheffield United, Southampton, Manchester United, and Burnley nevertheless saw attendances of only 7,311 to 11,975.[1] Following this they went on a run of twelve games without a win, with an over-reliance on Friar and Nolan in attack, whilst the defence lacked understanding.[1] The team was changed around but to no avail, as they slipped down the league towards a relegation battle.[1] In the middle of December Friar was sold on to Preston North End, having scored ten goals in eighteen games, with the 'more steady' Ted Critchley heading in the other direction.[1] Their poor form was halted with a Christmas day victory over Bradford City.[1] The team were then inconsistent until the end of the season.

The 2 February matchday programme (for a 2–1 victory over Swansea) recorded a discussion on whether or not the club should change its name.[1] Coming to the conclusion that many people didn't know where Port Vale was, Stoke Central and Stoke United were put forward as possible new names.[1] A discussion with the fans resulted, in which Stoke United was decided as the best alternative, despite calls from some for the name Hanley to be included.[1] On 2 March (a 1–1 draw with Norwich City) each supporter was given a ballot slip upon entering The Old Recreation Ground, with the result of the poll being that 3,737 were in favour of a change of name, and 3,633 opposed a change.[1] A shareholders' meeting on 18 March at the Grand Hotel (Hanley) saw the directors suggest the name of Stoke North End to the 100 members present.[1] Finding little support, a resolution was instead passed for the new name of Hanley Port Vale.[1] The Football League forced them to wait until the end of the season to implement a name change, having already printed countless papers with the original name.[1] However, the new name proved to be unpopular with the public, who criticized the club for being too parochial and 'lacking civic pride'.[1] The change of name never took place.[1]

Back on the pitch, the team were bobbing along, picking up enough points to avoid concerns over relegation – whereas Oldham Athletic and Notts County were rapidly drifting away from safety.[1] On 9 March at St James' Park the Vale picked up a shock result by beating promotion hopefuls Newcastle United 2–1 – their first away win in 24 attempts, ending a run going back to January 1934.[1] Nolan's stand-in James Baker bagged both of the goals.[1] On 19 April a 5–3 beating of Notts County proved enough to all but guarantee safety, yet Vale still earned just two points from their final four games.[1] On 20 April they lost a massive 8–0 to champions Brentford – the biggest defeat in the division that season.[1]

They finished eighteenth with 34 points, eight points clear of relegation, and 22 points short of promotion.[1] Away from home they recorded just the one win, whilst in front of goal their 55 goals scored was their lowest total since 1925 (after which the offside rule had been changed to make scoring easier).[1] Tom Nolan's sixteen goals and the departed John Friar's ten goals were the only significant contributions.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, a mere £11,120 was made on the gates, though a £3,775 credit on transfers ensured a profit of £2,415.[1] Only fourteen players were retained, with those leaving including: James Baker (Barrow), Bob Morton (Throckley Welfare), Jack Blackwell (Boston United), Joe Craven (Newport County), David Galloway (Carlisle United), Ted Critchley (South Liverpool), and 128 game veteran Jack Round (also Carlisle).[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale were defeated 2–1 by eventual runners-up West Bromwich Albion of the First Division at The Hawthorns.[1] The 18,989 crowd saw £1,000 raised in gate receipts, and a comeback from the "Throstles" just six minutes from time.[1] This meant they exited at the Third Round for the third consecutive season.

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Brentford (C, P) 42 26 9 7 93 48 1.938 61 Promotion to the First Division
2 Bolton Wanderers (P) 42 26 4 12 96 48 2.000 56
3 West Ham United 42 26 4 12 80 63 1.270 56
4 Blackpool 42 21 11 10 79 57 1.386 53
5 Manchester United 42 23 4 15 76 55 1.382 50
6 Newcastle United 42 22 4 16 89 68 1.309 48
7 Fulham 42 17 12 13 76 56 1.357 46
8 Plymouth Argyle 42 19 8 15 75 64 1.172 46
9 Nottingham Forest 42 17 8 17 76 70 1.086 42
10 Bury 42 19 4 19 62 73 0.849 42
11 Sheffield United 42 16 9 17 79 70 1.129 41
12 Burnley 42 16 9 17 63 73 0.863 41
13 Hull City 42 16 8 18 63 74 0.851 40
14 Norwich City 42 14 11 17 71 61 1.164 39
15 Bradford Park Avenue 42 11 16 15 55 63 0.873 38
16 Barnsley 42 13 12 17 60 83 0.723 38
17 Swansea Town 42 14 8 20 56 67 0.836 36
18 Port Vale 42 11 12 19 55 74 0.743 34
19 Southampton 42 11 12 19 46 75 0.613 34
20 Bradford City 42 12 8 22 50 68 0.735 32
21 Oldham Athletic (R) 42 10 6 26 56 95 0.589 26 Relegation to the Third Division North
22 Notts County (R) 42 9 7 26 46 97 0.474 25 Relegation to the Third Division South
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Second Division

Results by matchday

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142
GroundHAAHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAAHA
ResultWDLWDWDWLLDLLDLLLDLDWLLWLWLDWLDWDLLLWWLLDD
Position141145444510912131415181818192016181919191818181718171716171919181717181918
Source: Statto[2]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
25 August 1934Sheffield UnitedH2–011,975Nolan, Friar
27 August 1934SouthamptonA0–06,977
1 September 1934BarnsleyA0–29,370
3 September 1934SouthamptonH4–17,746Friar (2), Nolan, Morton
8 September 1934Plymouth ArgyleH2–210,133Nolan (2)
15 September 1934Manchester UnitedH3–29,037Friar (2 [1 pen]), Nolan
22 September 1934Swansea TownA1–15,698Nolan
29 September 1934BurnleyH3–17,311Friar (2), Nolan
6 October 1934Oldham AthleticA0–26,069
13 October 1934Bolton WanderersH1–316,839Nolan
20 October 1934Norwich CityA0–014,195
27 October 1934Newcastle UnitedH1–311,036Rhodes
3 November 1934West Ham UnitedA1–319,391Rhodes
10 November 1934BlackpoolH2–27,656Gunn, Rhodes
17 November 1934BuryA1–38,278Friar
24 November 1934Hull CityH1–26,086Friar
1 December 1934Nottingham ForestA0–213,576
8 December 1934BrentfordH2–28,054Friar, Nolan
15 December 1934FulhamA0–28,138
22 December 1934Bradford Park AvenueH1–16,251Morton
25 December 1934Bradford CityH1–08,436Nolan
26 December 1934Bradford CityA0–313,727
29 December 1934Sheffield UnitedA0–316,520
5 January 1935BarnsleyH4–06,074Rhodes, Morton, Mitcheson, Blackwell
19 January 1935Plymouth ArgyleA1–214,051Rhodes
2 February 1935Swansea TownH2–17,081Nolan (2)
6 February 1935Manchester UnitedA1–27,372Rhodes
9 February 1935BurnleyA2–29,830Dean (2)
16 February 1935Oldham AthleticH2–05,473Dean, Critchley
23 February 1935Bolton WanderersA0–218,897
2 March 1935Norwich CityH1–18,284Morton
9 March 1935Newcastle UnitedA2–123,934Baker (2)
16 March 1935West Ham UnitedH2–212,853Baker, Mitcheson
23 March 1935BlackpoolA1–37,268Baker
30 March 1935BuryH0–17,869
6 April 1935Hull CityA0–13,569
13 April 1935Nottingham ForestH2–06,389Nolan (2)
19 April 1935Notts CountyH5–39,010Birks (2), Mitcheson (2), Nolan
20 April 1935BrentfordA0–818,194
22 April 1935Notts CountyA2–36,765Blackwell, Nolan
27 April 1935FulhamH1–13,860Birks
4 May 1935Bradford Park AvenueA1–13,634Birks

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R312 January 1935West Bromwich AlbionA1–218,989Morton

Player statistics

Appearances

Pos. Name Football League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GKEngland John Potts 42010430
DFEngland George Shenton 15000150
DFEngland Jack Vickers 26010270
DFEngland Trevor Rhodes 35610366
DFEngland Ernest Breeze 25010260
DFEngland Percy Thorpe 100010
DFScotland Jim Kelso 15000150
DFEngland Eric Hayward 400040
MFEngland Roger Jones 29010300
MFEngland Jack Round 26010270
MFEngland Bob Morton 35411365
MFEngland Cliff Birks 11400114
MFEngland Albert Purcell 200020
MFScotland Ken Gunn 31100311
MFEngland Albert Titley 400040
MFScotland John Friar 1810001810
MFEngland Arthur Caldwell 100010
MFEngland Joe Craven 11000110
MFEngland Sam Briddon 000000
FWEngland Tom Nolan 3916104016
FWEngland Fred Mitcheson 31410324
FWEngland Jack Blackwell 12200122
FWScotland David Galloway 12000120
FWEngland Ted Critchley 18110191
FWEngland Luke Dean 10300103
FWEngland James Baker 940094

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Name Second Division FA Cup Total
1FW EnglandTom Nolan16016
2MF ScotlandJohn Friar10010
3DF EnglandTrevor Rhodes606
4MF EnglandBob Morton415
5MF EnglandCliff Birks404
–FW EnglandFred Mitcheson404
–FW EnglandJames Baker404
8FW EnglandLuke Dean303
9FW EnglandJack Blackwell202
10MF ScotlandKen Gunn101
–FW EnglandTed Critchley101
–––Own goals000
TOTALS 55 1 56

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 1934GKEnglandJohn PottsLeeds UnitedFree transfer[3]
May 1934MFEnglandAlbert TitleyWest Bromwich AlbionFree transfer[3]
June 1934FWEnglandJames BakerCharlton AthleticFree transfer[3]
June 1934DFEnglandJoe CravenSwansea TownFree transfer[3]
June 1934FWScotlandDavid GallowayPreston North EndFree transfer[3]
June 1934DFScotlandJim KelsoBradford Park AvenueFree transfer[3]
July 1934MFScotlandJohn FriarBournemouth & Boscombe AthleticFree transfer[3]
July 1934DFEnglandEric HaywardHanley and Wardle'sFree transfer[3]
August 1934FWEnglandLuke DeanDowning's TileriesFree transfer[3]
November 1934DFEnglandPercy ThorpeAccrington StanleyFree transfer[3]
December 1934FWEnglandTed CritchleyPreston North EndExchange[3]
May 1935MFEnglandArthur CaldwellWinsford UnitedFree transfer[3]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
December 1934MFScotlandJohn FriarPreston North EndExchange[3]
May 1935FWEnglandJack BlackwellBoston UnitedReleased[3]
May 1935DFScotlandJim KelsoNewport CountyFree transfer[3]
May 1935MFEnglandAlbert TitleyMacclesfield TownFree transfer[3]
July 1935FWEnglandTom NolanBradford Park AvenueFree transfer[3]
Summer 1935DFEnglandJoe CravenNewport CountyFree transfer[3]
Summer 1935FWEnglandTed CritchleySouth LiverpoolReleased[3]
Summer 1935FWScotlandDavid GallowayCarlisle UnitedFree transfer[3]
Summer 1935MFEnglandBob MortonThrockley WelfareFree transfer[3]
Summer 1935MFEnglandAlbert PurcellReleased[3]
Summer 1935DFEnglandPercy ThorpeReleased[3]

References

Specific
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Kent, Jeff (1990). "From Glory to Despair (1929–1939)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 124–150. ISBN 978-0-9508981-4-8.
  2. ↑ Port Vale 1934–1935 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
General
  • Kent, Jeff (1993). The Port Vale Record 1879-1993. Witan Books. ISBN 978-0-9508981-9-3.
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