1976–77 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1976–77 season was Port Vale's 65th season of football in the Football League, and their seventh successive season (13th overall) in the Third Division.[1] In the FA Cup, Vale reached the Fifth Round for the first time since 1961–62, after progressing past two Second Division clubs. There they were knocked out by Aston Villa at Villa Park in front of nearly fifty thousand spectators. Back in the league, Vale struggled to get by with an average home attendance of 4,356, and finished nineteenth, just three points from safety. Entered into the Debenhams Cup, they lost 4–3 to Chester.

Port Vale
1976–77 season
ChairmanMark Singer
ManagerRoy Sproson
StadiumVale Park
Football League Third Division19th (38 Points)
FA CupFifth Round
(knocked out by Aston Villa)
League CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Wrexham)
Debenhams CupRunners-up
(knocked out by Chester)
Player of the YearDavid Harris
Top goalscorerLeague: Ken Beamish (12)
All: Ken Beamish (18)
Highest home attendance18,068 vs. Burnley, 29 January 1977
Lowest home attendance2,984 vs. Portsmouth, 2 April 1977
Average home league attendance4,356
Biggest win3–0 and 4–1
Biggest defeat0–4 and 2–6

Overview

Third Division

The pre-season saw manager Roy Sproson add two youngsters to his squad: forward Kevin Kennerley (Burnley) and defender Ian Osborne (Birmingham City).[1] The battle with Stoke-on-Trent City Council continued over the legality of Vale's market trading operation.[1] The club were also in trouble with The Football Association, who fined them £400 for the 47 bookings received in the previous campaign.[1] Vale decided to crack down on player indiscipline by fining players £25 for dissent and £50 for violence.[1] As 'a piece of good business' which 'could not be turned down', the club also sold star defender Terry Lees to Dutch side Sparta Rotterdam for £25,000.[1] Another late signing was Geoff Davies, who had returned from a spell in the United States.[1]

The season opened with a loss, a draw, and then a 2–0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.[1] Then only one point was gained in the next six matches.[1] To bolster the side in came Stoke City's veteran defender Eric Skeels, who was also returning from a spell in the USA.[1] Mick Cullerton then severed a cartilage, which meant five months out of action for the star striker.[1] To replace him Sproson signed Blackburn Rovers' Ken Beamish (£12,000) and Wigan Athletic's John Rogers ('a small fee').[1] The club also made other clubs aware that they would listen to any offers for players, but there was little in the way of interest.[1] In October, former England and Wolves defender Bobby Thomson was another player returning from the States.[1] Signing with the Vale, he impressed so much that he was made club captain in his first week at Vale Park.[1] A club record run of 42 away games without a clean sheet began on 18 December, and would last until 30 September 1978. The first of this run was a 1–1 draw with Rotherham United at Millmoor, after this match "Millers" boss Jimmy McGuigan stated that Vale showed 'the worst exhibition of football thuggery I have ever seen'.[1] Even though the defence struggled away from home, Beamish did not, as he scored his first ten goals for the club away from Burslem.[1] In a 4–2 win over Grimsby Town at Blundell Park on 3 January, Beamish scored a hat-trick.[1] Later in the month Geoff Davies had his contract cancelled by mutual consent.[1]

Vale's form tailed off, though Terry Alcock returned briefly to play a handful of games.[1] Thomson also returned to the US, Ray Williams was transferred to Northwich Victoria for 'a small fee', and Colin Tartt was sold to Chesterfield for £15,000.[1] In their places were new signings Alan Lamb (£5,000 from Preston North End) and Peter Sutcliffe (£3,000 from Stockport County), whilst a fit again Cullerton was like a new signing.[1] The club had drifted into the bottom four, but a six match unbeaten run with a prolific Cullerton took them to safety.[1] In the background was an ongoing power struggle in the boardroom.[1] In late-March they then received a 6–2 beating at Wrexham and then a 4–0 beating from Chesterfield at Saltergate.[1] The club suffered an injury crisis in April, with both Keith Chadwick and John Brodie having been forced to retire through injury.[1] Relegation was avoided however with six points from the final five games.[1] The final game of the season was against Rotherham United, who needed a six-goal win margin to gain promotion.[1] The match saw three penalties, three bookings and crowd trouble, though United were four goals ahead they failed to find the remaining two, and instead the "Valiants" scored a late goal.[1]

They finished in nineteenth place with 38 points, three points above the drop.[1] Their 47 goals scored tally was lower only than Grimsby's tally.[1] They only recorded two victories on their travels.[1] At the end of the season was the short-lived Debenhams Cup competition, Vale lost 4–3 to Chester over two legs, but still received a runners-up prize of £5,000.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, a loss of £5,959 was made despite a donation of £23,860 from the Development Fund.[1] Gate receipts had risen to £60,115, however wages and signing-on fees had risen to £139,012.[1] The bank overdraft stood at £15,000, though the club's total debt stood at £123,863.[1] On the coaching front, Roy Chapman was replaced by Colin Harper.[1] Meanwhile, three players were handed free transfers: ten-year club veteran Tommy McLaren (Telford United), Eric Skeels (Leek Town), and Ian Osborne (Hillingdon Borough).[1] Also John Rogers was sold to Altrincham for £2,000.[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale advanced past Fourth Division Southport with a John Rogers brace at Haig Avenue. A 3–0 win over Barnsley then put Vale into the Third Round, where they came up against Second Division Hull City. After a 1–1 draw at Boothferry Park, Vale knocked the "Tigers" out with a 3–1 win at Vale Park. The "Valiants" beat Burnley – another second tier team – in the Fourth Round with a 2–1 home win. The Fifth Round held First Division Aston Villa at Villa Park. Villa won 3–0 in front of a crowd of 46,872. The score was 'flattering' to the "Villans" as they scored two late goals. The match was shown on television.[1]

The club's FA Cup run earned them a place in the Debenhams Cup final, against Chester. A 2–0 home win in the first leg gave them a strong advantage heading to Sealand Road, but there they lost 4–1 and so had to be consoled with runners-up medals and £5,000 prize money.[2]

In the League Cup, Welsh club Wrexham knocked the Vale out 2–1 on aggregate, following a 1–1 draw in Burslem and a 1–0 win at the Racecourse Ground.

League table
Main article: 1976–77 Football League
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation
17 Oxford United 46 12 15 19 55 65 −10 39
18 Chesterfield 46 14 10 22 56 64 −8 38
19 Port Vale 46 11 16 19 47 71 −24 38
20 Portsmouth 46 11 14 21 53 70 −17 36
21 Reading 46 13 9 24 49 73 −24 35 Relegated
Source: rsssf.com

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Third Division

Results by matchday
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHHAHAAHAHHAAHHAHAAHAAHAAHAHAHHHAHAAHAHHAHHAAH
ResultLDWLLLDLLWLDDWDLDDDLLWDLWLDWDDDWLWLLWLLDLWWDDL
Position1817718202320232318222121181819191921212220212219192121201817171917171816171921211918191819
Source: Statto[3]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
21 August 1976Swindon TownA0–16,336
23 August 1976ChesterfieldH1–14,056Williams
28 August 1976Sheffield WednesdayH2–05,033Cullerton, Tartt
4 September 1976Lincoln CityA0–26,059
11 September 1976GillinghamH1–23,015Tartt
14 September 1976Preston North EndA0–46,592
18 September 1976ReadingA1–17,104Brownbill
25 September 1976Shrewsbury TownH1–24,180Beech
2 October 1976WalsallA1–35,459Skeels
8 October 1976Northampton TownH2–13,962Brownbill, Rogers
16 October 1976WrexhamH2–35,347Cullerton, Tartt
23 October 1976PortsmouthA1–17,456Beamish
25 October 1976Tranmere RoversA1–13,578Beamish
30 October 1976Grimsby TownH2–03,714Rogers (2)
1 November 1976Preston North EndH0–04,686
6 November 1976York CityA0–12,153
13 November 1976Brighton & Hove AlbionH2–26,449Williams, Bailey
27 November 1976Oxford UnitedA0–04,015
18 December 1976Rotherham UnitedA1–15,012Beamish
27 December 1976BuryH0–15,862
28 December 1976Mansfield TownA1–27,977Beamish
3 January 1977Grimsby TownA4–25,870Beamish (3), Kennerley
22 January 1977Swindon TownH2–24,446Beech, Ridley
1 February 1977Crystal PalaceA0–211,149
5 February 1977Sheffield WednesdayA2–113,105Beamish, Rogers
7 February 1977York CityH0–24,683
19 February 1977GillinghamA1–15,084Rogers
28 February 1977ReadingH1–04,212Beech
5 March 1977Shrewsbury TownA1–14,236Rogers
7 March 1977Peterborough UnitedH1–14,417Cullerton
11 March 1977WalsallH0–04,819
14 March 1977ChesterH1–04,451Cullerton (pen)
19 March 1977Northampton TownA0–35,808
21 March 1977Lincoln CityH1–03,987Cullerton
24 March 1977WrexhamA2–66,383Beamish (2)
30 March 1977ChesterfieldA0–43,426
2 April 1977PortsmouthH1–02,984Cullerton
8 April 1977BuryA0–35,619
9 April 1977Mansfield TownH1–44,389Beech
16 April 1977Tranmere RoversH1–13,188Dulson
23 April 1977Brighton & Hove AlbionA0–123,482
26 April 1977Crystal PalaceH4–13,990o.g., Cullerton, Sutcliffe, Beamish
30 April 1977Oxford UnitedH2–14,058Bailey, o.g.
4 May 1977Peterborough UnitedA1–13,883Cullerton
7 May 1977ChesterA1–12,978Beamish
14 May 1977Rotherham UnitedH1–44,271Cullerton (pen)

FA Cup
Main article: 1976–77 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R120 November 1976SouthportA2–14,102Rogers (2)
R211 December 1976BarnsleyH3–05,451Williams, Griffiths, Beamish
R38 January 1977Hull CityA1–19,694Beamish
R3 Replay10 January 1977Hull CityH3–110,668Beamish (2), Kennerley
R429 January 1977BurnleyH2–118,068Tartt, Brownbill
R526 February 1977Aston VillaA0–346,872

League Cup
Main article: 1976–77 Football League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R1 1st Leg14 August 1976WrexhamH1–13,912Cullerton (pen)
R1 2nd Leg18 August 1976WrexhamA0–14,320

Debenhams Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
Final 1st Leg16 May 1977ChesterH2–03,459Griffiths, Beamish
Final 2nd Leg24 May 1977ChesterA1–43,920Beamish

Player statistics

Appearances
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup League Cup Debenhams Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK John Connaughton 380402000440
GK Trevor Dance 80200020120
DF John Brodie 3000000030
DF Neil Griffiths 300612021402
DF David Harris 400600020480
DF Garry Dulson 281001000291
DF Bobby Thomson 180600000240
DF Eric Skeels 5100000051
DF Ian Osborne 150002000170
DF Andy Clements 3000000030
DF Terry Alcock 1000000010
MF Tommy McLaren 330400020390
MF Colin Tartt 253412000314
MF John Ridley 351602020451
MF Terry Bailey 392602020492
MF Kenny Beech 274402020354
MF Alan Lamb 140000000150
MF Peter Sutcliffe 121000020141
MF Kevin Kennerley 231412010302
MF Chris Dangerfield 2000000020
MF Geoff Davies 7000000070
FW Ray Williams 212412000273
FW Derek Brownbill 192212000233
FW Mick Cullerton 2590011202810
FW John Rogers 266620020348
FW Ken Beamish 37125400224418
FW Dean Martin 0000100010

Top scorers
Place Position Nation Name Third Division FA Cup League Cup Debenhams Cup Total
1FW EnglandKen Beamish1240218
2FW ScotlandMick Cullerton901010
3FW EnglandJohn Rogers62008
4MF EnglandKenny Beech40004
–MF EnglandColin Tartt31004
6FW EnglandRay Williams21003
–FW EnglandDerek Brownbill21003
8MF EnglandTerry Bailey20002
–DF EnglandNeil Griffiths01012
–MF EnglandKevin Kennerley11002
11DF EnglandGarry Dulson10001
–DF EnglandEric Skeels10001
–MF EnglandJohn Ridley10001
–MF EnglandPeter Sutcliffe10001
–––Own goals20002
TOTALS 47 11 1 3 62

Transfers

Transfers in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
1976MFGeoff Davies Chicago StingFree transfer[4]
1976DFIan OsborneBirmingham CityFree transfer[4]
May 1976MFKevin KennerleyBurnleyFree transfer[4]
July 1976FWDean MartinStoke CityTrial[4]
August 1976MFChris DangerfieldWolverhampton WanderersTrial[4]
September 1976FWKen BeamishBlackburn Rovers£12,000[4]
September 1976DFEric SkeelsStoke CityFree transfer[4]
October 1976FWJohn Rogers Portland TimbersFree transfer[4]
October 1976DFBobby Thomson Hartford BicentennialsFree transfer[4]
February 1977DFTerry AlcockBlackpoolFree transfer[4]
March 1977MFAlan LambPreston North End£5,000[4]
March 1977MFPeter SutcliffeStockport County£3,000[4]

Transfers out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
August 1976MFChris DangerfieldCoventry CityTrial ended[4]
September 1976FWDean MartinStoke CityTrial ended[4]
January 1977MFGeoff Davies San Jose EarthquakesFree transfer[4]
March 1977MFKeith ChadwickRetired[4]
March 1977MFColin TarttChesterfield£15,000[4]
March 1977DFBobby Thomson Hartford BicentennialsFree transfer[4]
March 1977FWRay WilliamsNorthwich Victoria'small'[4]
May 1977MFTommy McLarenTelford UnitedFree transfer[4]
May 1977DFIan OsborneHillingdon BoroughFree transfer[4]
May 1977DFTrevor RobsonReleased[4]
July 1977FWJohn RogersAltrincham£2,000[4]
Summer 1977DFEric SkeelsLeek TownFree transfer[4]

Loans in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
February 1977DFAndy ClementsBolton WanderersApril 1977[4]

Loans out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref.
1976MFGeoff DaviesHartlepool United1976[4]
1977DFTerry Alcock Portland Timbers1977[4]
gollark: Yes.
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gollark: Brotlipython™ is much better because it's Definitely Turing Complete™.
gollark: Yep!
gollark: > Coincidentally, these two programs implement exactly the functionality that PPCG consensus has decided qualifies a language as being a real programming language. Therefore, it is definitely a real programming language. hmmmm.

References
Specific
  1. Kent, Jeff (1990). "Surviving on a Shoestring (1969–1979)". The Valiants' Years: The Story of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 227–257. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. Harper, Chris. Sentinel Football Annual 1977-78. Stoke-on-Trent: The Sentinel. p. 21.
  3. Port Vale 1976–1977 : Results & Fixtures Archived 2 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  4. 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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