1904–05 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season

The 1904–05 season was Burslem Port Vale's seventh consecutive season (11th overall) of football in the English Football League.[1] A poor season, the club had to apply (successfully) for re-election. The club had to continue their policy of selling their best players to survive.

Burslem Port Vale
1904–05 season
ChairmanRobert Audley
ManagerSam Gleaves
StadiumAthletic Ground
Football League Second Division16th (27 Points)
FA CupSixth Qualification Round
(knocked out by Barnsley)
Birmingham Senior CupSemi-final
(knocked out by West Bromwich Albion)
Staffordshire Senior CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Top goalscorerLeague: Dick Allman (8)
All: Dick Allman (8)
Highest home attendance5,000 vs Manchester United, 3 September 1904
Lowest home attendance500 vs Bradford City, 21 January 1905
vs, Doncaster Rovers, 18 March 1905
Average home league attendance2,536+
Biggest win3–0 vs. Grimsby Town, 5 November 1904
Biggest defeat1–8 vs. Liverpool, 8 April 1905

An extremely poor defence saw some embarrassing scorelines away from home, and the lack of a consistent goalscorer was also a cause for concern.

Bert Eardley, was in his sixth season with Vale.
George Price was, as ever, a vital member of the first team.
Adrian Capes failed to find the form that saw him the club's top scorer for the previous four seasons.
Right-back Ernest Mullineux was sold for £600.
Half-back Harry Croxton was an ever-present.
Albert Cook as usual made only sporadic appearances.

Overview

Second Division

A rather quiet pre-season saw no signings of note, however past player, outside-right Dick Evans re-signed from Southampton in September.[1] This return was ended in his second game of the season – a Staffordshire Senior Cup defeat to Wolves – when he suffered a career-ending injury.[1]

The first game of the season saw 5,000 turn up to witness a 2–2 draw with Manchester United, this positive start soon ended as despite going their first four games unbeaten, the club had to wait until their ninth match for their first victory. On 5 November 1904, the club's record 29 away games without a win streak came to an end with a 3–0 victory at Grimsby Town.[1] The next match saw Liverpool win 2–1 thanks to a goal that never actually crossed the line – the referee had to leave the pitch under escort.[1] Following the sale of key players in December, the form of the "Valeites" took a hit as from 4 December to the end of February they recorded just two victories – both against West Bromwich Albion.[1] This run included heavy defeats at Manchester United and Burnley. In February the club's revival was helped by new signing Robert Carter, as six of the last seven home games were wins.[1] Despite this they still suffered on their travels, taking an 8–1 hammering at Anfield.

The club finished in sixteenth place, though their 27 points saw them just one point off Blackpool, and six points off seventh place. Burton United and Doncaster Rovers both finished well below Vale, and at the end of the season both Vale and Burton were re-elected.[1]

Dick Allman was top scorer with a pitiful eight goals, though scoring proved to be a team effort to give Vale a reasonable total of 47 league goals. However, in defensive terms the season was awful, their 72 conceded would always guarantee a battle against dropping into the lottery of the re-election zones.

Allman left for Reading at the season's end.[1] Harry Croxton was an ever-present, and other regulars included goalkeeper Harry Cotton, and outfielders Sam Whittingham, Joseph Holyhead, George Price, and Adrian Capes. Manager Sam Gleaves stepped down at the end of the season, and was given the position of director, his replacement was former player Tommy Clare.[1]

Finances

The financial outlook was as grim as ever, as directors were forced to sell Ernest Mullineux and Tom Simpson to Bury for £600 and £200 respectively.[1] This gave the club a season profit of £140, and reduced club debt to just £33, however gate receipts had fallen by £150.[1]

Cup competitions

The club came up against tough competition in both county cup competitions, losing 1–0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the First Round of the Staffordshire Senior Cup.[1] They found rather more success in the Birmingham Senior Cup, where Vale defeated rivals Stoke with a Tom Simpson hat-trick at home, following a goalless draw at the Victoria Ground.[1] This achievement was less significant due to a slight from Stoke, who only sent out their reserve side.[1] Following this success the club lost in the semi-final to Second Division rivals West Bromwich Albion.[1] The club yet again failed to qualify for the FA Cup, losing narrowly to Barnsley in the qualification stages.[1]

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts Promotion or relegation
14 Leicester Fosse 34 11 7 16 40 55 0.727 29
15 Blackpool 34 9 10 15 36 48 0.750 28
16 Burslem Port Vale 34 10 7 17 47 72 0.653 27 Re-elected
17 Burton United[lower-alpha 1] 34 8 4 22 30 84 0.357 20
18 Doncaster Rovers[lower-alpha 2] 34 3 2 29 23 81 0.284 8 Failed re-election
Source:
Notes:
  1. Failed to be re-elected to the Football League. Elected in expansion of Second Division to 20 teams.
  2. New club in the league.

Results

Burslem Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Second Division
Main article: 1904–05 Football League

Results by matchday
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334
GroundHHAHAHAHHAHAAHAAAHHAAHAHAHAHHAAHHA
ResultDDDDLLLLWWLDWLLWLLDDLWLWLWLWLLLWWL
Position11796131315161510111111121512141516151616161616151616161616161616
Source: Statto[2]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
3 September 1904Manchester UnitedH2–25,000Bowen, Allman
5 September 1904BlackpoolH2–2Capes, Eardley
10 September 1904GlossopA0–04,000
17 September 1904Chesterfield TownH0–03,500
24 September 1904Bradford CityA1–210,000Holyhead
1 October 1904Lincoln CityH0–1
8 October 1904Leicester FosseA0–33,000
15 October 1904BarnsleyH0–23,000
29 October 1904BurnleyH3–11,500Simpson (2), Mountford
5 November 1904Grimsby TownA3–02,500Mountford, Simpson, Price
12 November 1904LiverpoolH1–23,000Price
19 November 1904Doncaster RoversH2–21,800Eardley, o.g.
3 December 1904Burton UnitedA3–2Eardley (2), Simpson
17 December 1904Bolton WanderersH1–23,000Whittingham
24 December 1904Bristol CityA2–46,000Allman (2)
26 December 1904West Bromwich AlbionA1–03,000Allman
31 December 1904Manchester UnitedA1–615,000Price
7 January 1905GlossopH0–12,000
21 January 1905Bradford CityH1–11,000Croxton
28 January 1905Lincoln CityA3–33,000Croxton, Capes, Cope
11 February 1905BarnsleyA0–3
18 February 1905West Bromwich AlbionH3–23,500Carter (2), Allman
25 February 1905BurnleyA0–51,000
4 March 1905Grimsby TownH2–02,000Capes, Whittingham
11 March 1905BlackpoolA0–31,400
18 March 1905Doncaster RoversH2–01,000Price, Whittingham
25 March 1905Gainsborough TrinityA0–1
1 April 1905Burton UnitedH4–2Allman, Price, Carter, Mountford
3 April 1905Leicester FosseH1–32,000Allman
8 April 1905LiverpoolA1–814,000Croxton
15 April 1905Bolton WanderersA1–312,000Horrocks
21 April 1905Gainsborough TrinityH3–23,000Horrocks, Carter, Thomas
22 April 1905Bristol CityH3–22,000Allman, Capes, Carter
24 April 1905Chesterfield TownA1–24,000Price

FA Cup
Main article: 1904–05 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
6Q10 December 1904BarnsleyA0–02,000
6Q Replay15 December 1904BarnsleyH1–2Loverseed

Birmingham Senior Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
126 September 1904StokeA0–0
Replay3 October 1904StokeH3–1Simpson (3)
SF22 October 1904West Bromwich AlbionA1–23,000Price

Staffordshire Senior Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
112 September 1903Wolverhampton WanderersH0–1handful

Player statistics

Appearances
Pos. Name League FA Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Harry Cotton 3102030360
GK Arthur Box 30001040
DF Ernest Mullineux 1300040170
DF James Hamilton 2302000250
DF William Cope 2212010251
DFThomas Reaney 30000030
MF Bert Eardley 1642010194
MF Harry Croxton 3432040403
MF Sam Whittingham 3132040373
MF William Bradbury 30001040
MF Joseph Holyhead 3312030381
MF Vic Horrocks 42000042
MF Ben Jones 10000010
MF Albert Cook 50000050
MF Robert Carter 1450000145
MF George Bowen 61001071
FW George Price 2962031347
FW Adrian Capes 3042030354
FWTom Simpson 1040033137
FW William Loverseed 20211051
FW Dick Allman 2780020298
FW Harry Mountford 2432020283
FW William Thomas 21000021
FWEdward Williams 50001060
FWEnoch Rowley 10000010
FW Dick Evans 10001020
FWW. Edwards 10000010

Top scorers
Place Position Nation Name Second Division FA Cup Other Total
1FW EnglandDick Allman8008
2FWTom Simpson4037
–FW EnglandGeorge Price6017
4MF EnglandRobert Carter5005
5FW EnglandAdrian Capes4004
–MF EnglandBert Eardley4004
7FW EnglandHarry Mountford3003
–MF EnglandSam Whittingham3003
–MF EnglandHarry Croxton3003
10MF EnglandVic Horrocks2002
11MF EnglandGeorge Bowen1001
–DF EnglandWilliam Cope1001
–MF EnglandJoseph Holyhead1001
–FW EnglandWilliam Thomas1001
–FW EnglandWilliam Loverseed0101
–––Own goals1001
TOTALS 47 1 4 52

Transfers

Transfers in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
1904MFRobert CarterSelbourneFree transfer[3]
August 1904MFGeorge BowenWolverhampton WanderersFree transfer[3]
August 1904GKArthur BoxStokeFree transfer[3]
August 1904DFWilliam CopeMount PleasantFree transfer[3]
August 1904FWW. EdwardsCrewe AlexandraFree transfer[3]
August 1904MFBen JonesAlsagers Bank ChurchFree transfer[3]
August 1904DFThomas ReaneyBridgetown AmateursFree transfer[3]
September 1904FWDick EvansSouthamptonFree transfer[3]
September 1904FWEnoch RowleyBiddulphFree transfer[3]
April 1905MFVic HorrocksGoldenhill UnitedFree transfer[3]

Transfers out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
1904FWDick EvansRetired[3]
December 1904DFErnest MullineuxBury£600[3]
December 1904FWTom SimpsonBury£200[3]
May 1905FWDick AllmanReadingFree transfer[3]
Summer 1905MFGeorge BowenReleased[3]
Summer 1905GKHarry CottonCrewe AlexandraFree transfer[3]
Summer 1905FWSam HowshallSalisbury CityFree transfer[3]
Summer 1905FWWilliam LoverseedReleased[3]
Summer 1905DFW. H. MachinReleased[3]
Summer 1905DFThomas ReaneyReleased[3]
Summer 1905FWEnoch RowleyReleased[3]
Summer 1905FWEdward WilliamsReleased[3]

References
Specific
  1. Kent, Jeff (1990). "The Hopeless Struggle (1898-1907)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 50–70. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. Port Vale 1904–1905 : Results & Fixtures Archived 19 April 2010 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.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.