1951–52 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1951–52 season was Port Vale's 40th season of football in the English Football League, and their seventh full season in the Third Division South.[1] Manager Ivor Powell did not last long, and was replaced by Freddie Steele in December. Steele would later prove to be one of the club's greatest and longest serving managers. He started early, taking a club bottom of the league at Christmas to a thirteenth-place finish. He achieved this without making any major signings, rather he managed the players he had in a better way than Powell.

Port Vale
1951–52 season
ChairmanWilliam Holdcroft
ManagerIvor Powell (until November)
Freddie Steele (from 24 December)
StadiumVale Park
Football League Third Division South13th (43 Points)
FA CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Colchester United)
Top goalscorerLeague: Albert Mullard (13)
All: Albert Mullard (13)
Highest home attendance17,860 vs. Brighton & Hove Albion, 12 January 1952
Lowest home attendance4,136 vs. Aldershot, 8 December 1951
Average home league attendance11,225
Biggest win3–0 and 4–1
Biggest defeat1–5 vs. Reading, 20 February 1952

From 9 February until 8 September the following season the club racked up a club record streak of twelve consecutive home wins.

Overview

Third Division South

The pre-season saw 578 seats installed on the Railway Terrace, bringing the seated capacity of Vale Park to 1,010.[1] No signings of note were made, however transfer-listed Cliff Pinchbeck failed to turn up for pre-season training, citing illness.[1]

Thirty seconds into their opening game with Reading and they were behind, the Vale went on to lose 2–0.[1] A six-game unbeaten streak followed, with just three goals conceded, though only five goals were scored. On his return to Burslem, Pinchbeck scored a brace to salvage a point against Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic.[1] Vale then sold Alan Martin to rivals Stoke City for £10,000 and Albert Mullard, the money going towards fixing the drainage problem at Vale Park.[1] The sale was criticized by supporters, though they soon warmed to Mullard, who went on to become the club's top-scorer.[1] The club failed to sign transfer target Dennis Wilshaw from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Garth Butler was forced to retire with a knee injury.[1] Results turned against the team, as they went on a run of thirteen games without a win, though all five of the home games on the 'wide open' Vale Park pitch were draws (all eight away matches were losses).[1] Manager Ivor Powell attempted to sign players, but was deterred by the high transfer prices, and so instead continually reshuffled the first eleven.[1] Powell's contract was terminated on 22 November, his team bottom of the table.[1] Trainer Ken Fish took temporary charge of first team affairs. Roy Sproson and Ray King would later say the sacking came as no surprise, saying Powell 'ruled by fear', 'used to treat the players like kids' and it was a 'complete relief' to find him dismissed.[1] Pinchbeck was also offloaded, sold to Northampton Town for 'an undisclosed sum'.[1]

On 8 December, Vale recorded a surprise 4–1 win over Aldershot.[1] Yet the side then went another eight games without a win.[1] Freddie Steele was appointed player-manager on Christmas Eve, signing the former England international meant Vale had to pay Mansfield Town a four-figure fee.[1] The former Stoke City forward was still very much a goalscorer, having described his record of 44 goals in 66 games for the "Stags" as "not bad for an old man!".[1] In January, half-back Norman Hallam returned to the club.[1] On 12 January, 17,860 turned up to witness a 1–1 draw in Steele's debut against second-placed Brighton & Hove Albion, the first of a five match unbeaten run that took Vale off the foot of the table.[1] A fortnight later Vale travelled to Plainmoor, where Steele took the ball from his own half to score the winner past Torquay United.[1] On 9 February, Vale beat Gillingham 1–0, in what was the first of a club record thirteen game winning run at home.[1]

A 5–1 hammering at Elm Park from Reading failed to prevent the Vale from going on to another eight game unbeaten run.[1] Steele accomplished this without any new signings, in fact he sold Walter Aveyard to Accrington Stanley for a four-figure fee in April.[1] Their run ended with a 3–0 defeat at Fellows Park to bottom-placed Walsall.[1] Vale finished their final five games with three wins.[1]

They finished thirteenth with 43 points, with a strong defence but the lowest goals scored tally in the division.[1] They had lost just the one game at Vale Park, back on the opening day.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, a profit of £4,403 was announced by the club, due to a profit on transfers of £16,750.[1] Gross receipts had fallen to £27,133, whilst wages had risen by £3,500 to £23,511.[1] Steele seemed to be happy with the players he inherited, as he retained 31 professionals, the only departures being George Heppell to Witton Albion, Stan Palk to Worcester City, and Lol Hamlett to Congleton Town.[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale fell at the first hurdle to Colchester United at Layer Road, losing 3–1.

League table
Main article: 1951–52 Football League
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts
11 Torquay United 46 17 10 19 86 98 0.878 44
12 Aldershot 46 18 8 20 78 89 0.876 44
13 Port Vale 46 14 15 17 50 66 0.758 43
14 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic 46 16 10 20 69 75 0.920 42
15 Bristol City 46 15 12 19 58 69 0.841 42
Source:

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Third Division South

Results by matchday
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHAHHAHHAHAAAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAHHAHHAAAHAHHHAAHHAAH
ResultLDDDWWDLDLLLDLDLDLLWLDLDLLDDWWWLDWWDWWWDLWWLLW
Position2119222117109161617192022232324232424232323232424242423232423232220192018131413151513161712
Source: Statto[2]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
18 August 1951ReadingH0–216,663
21 August 1951Southend UnitedA0–09,371
27 August 1951Southend UnitedH0–010,550
1 September 1951WatfordH1–111,790Leake
5 September 1951Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticA1–011,455Martin
8 September 1951Bristol CityH1–014,472Martin
10 September 1951Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticH2–212,601Pinchbeck (2)
15 September 1951Ipswich TownA0–29,287
22 September 1951Torquay UnitedH2–214,201Mullard, Sproson
27 September 1951Northampton TownA1–38,082Mullard
29 September 1951GillinghamA2–414,354Mullard (pen), Pinchbeck
6 October 1951Plymouth ArgyleA0–319,161
13 October 1951Norwich CityH0–010,576
20 October 1951Exeter CityA0–27,834
27 October 1951Colchester UnitedH1–19,488Bennett
3 November 1951Crystal PalaceA1–316,401Pinchbeck
10 November 1951Swindon TownH2–29,142Barber, Mullard
17 November 1951Leyton OrientA0–27,674
1 December 1951Shrewsbury TownA0–28,690
8 December 1951AldershotH4–14,136Mullard (2), Hulligan, Cunliffe
15 December 1951Brighton & Hove AlbionA1–214,218Mullard
22 December 1951Northampton TownH0–08,973
25 December 1951Bristol RoversA1–416,691o.g.
26 December 1951Bristol RoversH1–116,734Barber
29 December 1951WatfordA0–29,023
5 January 1952Bristol CityA0–117,598
12 January 1952Brighton & Hove AlbionH1–117,860Mullard (pen)
19 January 1952Ipswich TownH0–010,592
26 January 1952Torquay UnitedA3–25,588Griffiths, Mullard (pen), Steele
9 February 1952GillinghamH1–012,768Cunliffe
16 February 1952Plymouth ArgyleH1–010,572Mullard
20 February 1952ReadingA1–510,174Palk
23 February 1952Newport CountyA1–111,543Griffiths
1 March 1952Norwich CityA3–217,642Steele, Hulligan, Mullard (pen)
8 March 1952Exeter CityH3–012,021Steele, Griffiths, Hulligan
15 March 1952Colchester UnitedA0–07,551
22 March 1952Crystal PalaceH2–011,686Bennett, Griffiths
24 March 1952Newport CountyH4–25,908Steele (2), Griffiths, Mullard
5 April 1952Leyton OrientH3–07,257Steele, Hulligan, Mullard
11 April 1952MillwallA1–124,375Griffiths
12 April 1952WalsallA0–37,518
19 April 1952Shrewsbury TownH1–014,469Steele
21 April 1952WalsallH1–08,401Griffiths
26 April 1952AldershotA1–46,676Bennett
28 April 1952Swindon TownA0–24,835
3 May 1952MillwallH2–17,316Leake, Griffiths

FA Cup
Main article: 1951–52 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R124 November 1951Colchester UnitedA1–310,119Pinchbeck

Player statistics

Appearances
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK George Heppell 27010280
GK Ray King 19000190
DF Basil Hayward 27010280
DF Tommy Cheadle 39010400
DF Reg Potts 21000210
DF Lol Hamlett 24010250
DF Stan Turner 40000400
DF Roy Sproson 28100281
MF Jimmy Todd 24010250
MF Alan Martin 520052
MF Mick Hulligan 37410384
MF Alan Bennett 39310403
MF Albert Leake 820082
MF John Cunliffe 11200112
MF Albert Mullard 3413103513
MF Ivor Powell 600060
MF Norman Hallam 300030
MF Colin Askey 700070
FW Stan Palk 30110311
FW Walter Aveyard 13000130
FW Cliff Pinchbeck 12411135
FW Ken Griffiths 20810218
FW Len Barber 18200182
FW Freddie Steele 14700147

Top scorers
Place Position Nation Name Third Division South FA Cup Total
1MF EnglandAlbert Mullard13013
2FW EnglandKen Griffiths808
3FW EnglandFreddie Steele707
4MF EnglandMick Hulligan405
–FW EnglandCliff Pinchbeck415
6MF EnglandAlan Bennett303
7MF EnglandAlbert Leake202
–MF EnglandJohn Cunliffe202
–MF EnglandAlan Martin202
–FW EnglandLen Barber202
11FW EnglandStan Palk101
–DF EnglandRoy Sproson101
–––Own goals101
TOTALS 50 1 51

Transfers

Transfers in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
July 1951MFIvor PowellAston VillaFree transfer[3]
September 1951MFAlbert MullardStoke CityExchange[3]
December 1951FWFreddie SteeleMansfield Town'four-figure fee'[3]

Transfers out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
September 1951MFAlan MartinStoke CityExchange + £10,000[3]
October 1951DFGarth ButlerRetired[3]
November 1951FWCliff PinchbeckNorthampton TownUndisclosed[3]
November 1951MFIvor Powell Barry TownReleased[3]
March 1952FWWalter AveyardAccrington Stanley'four figure fee'[3]
May 1952DFLol HamlettCongleton TownReleased[3]
May 1952GKGeorge HeppellWitton AlbionFree transfer[3]
Summer 1952FWStan PalkReleased[3]

References
Specific
  1. Kent, Jeff (1990). "Fame and Fortune (1950–1959)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 171–196. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. Port Vale 1951–1952 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  3. 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 0-9508981-9-8.
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