1923–24 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1923–24 season was Port Vale's fifth consecutive season of football (18th overall) in the English Football League.[1] Another season of slow and steady progress saw the club finish one point, and one place higher than the previous campaign. The club still lacked a regular goalscorer since selling Bobby Blood, however Wilf Kirkham made his debut, and goals came from all across the team. A still-standing club record was set on 5 April 1924, when Tom Holford played against Derby County at the age of 46.

Port Vale
1923–24 season
ChairmanSampson Walker
ManagerJoe Schofield
StadiumThe Old Recreation Ground
Football League Second Division16th (38 Points)
FA CupFifth Qualification Round
(knocked out by Wrexham)
North Staffordshire Infirmary CupRunners-up
(knocked out by Stoke)
Top goalscorerLeague: Billy Briscoe (10)
All: Billy Briscoe / Tom Page (10)
Highest home attendance16,800 vs Stoke, 13 October 1923
Lowest home attendance3,000 vs South Shields, 21 January 1924
Average home league attendance8,489
Biggest win3–0 and 4–1
Biggest defeat0–5 and 1–6

The most notable incident in the campaign was the death of Tom Butler on 11 November 1923; he died from complications of a broken arm that he picked up whilst playing for the club.

Back row: John Hampson, Tom Holford (trainer), Jack Maddock, Alf Dark, Thomas Lonsdale, Len Birks, Joe Schofield (manager)
Front row: Jack Lowe, Tom Page, Fred Howard, Tom Butler, Louis Bookman, Bob Connelly
Tom Holford retired at the end of the season, at the age of 43.
Billy Briscoe spent six months at Congleton Town, before returning to Vale in January to become the club's top scorer.
New-signing Jack Maddock played 22 games.
Sunderland legend Arthur Bridgett ended his professional career with Vale in 1924.

Overview

Second Division

To strengthen the side, pre-season signings included: Stalybridge Celtic goalkeeper Tommy Lonsdale; Macclesfield Town 'penalty king' right-back Jack Maddock; Leeds United tough-tackling half-back Alf Dark; Bolton Wanderers winger Jack Lowe; Clyde's reliable forward Fred Howard; and Exeter City goal machine Harold Crockford.[1] The kit for the season was picked – red jerseys with white shorts.[1]

The season started positively, with two wins recorded, as well as a 14,000 home crowd. However a run of one point won in five games saw the club slump down the table.[1] The arrival of Ireland international Louis Bookman for £250 from Luton Town couldn't reverse the side's fortunes.[1] Their stats by the end of October were: played twelve, lost eight, failed to score in six.[1] This miserable run included two defeats inflicted by rivals Stoke – the first time they had done the double over Vale in the league.[1] Crockford agreed to have his contract cancelled, and talks began to try to re-sign Billy Briscoe.[1] A young Wilf Kirkham made his debut against Leeds United, but failed to make much of an impact.[1]

Their rotten form seemed to have been turned around when the "Valiants" earned a 1–1 draw with Clapton Orient on 3 November 1923.[1] Tom Butler scored the goal, yet paid the ultimate price for his efforts.[1] Near the end of the match he suffered a compound fracture in his left arm, and complications set in whilst he was at Hackney Hospital, causing septic poisoning; he died of lockjaw on 11 November.[1] The club paid his widow the rest of his wages, and Stoke and numerous other clubs donated generously to provide the widow with a £700 benefit fund.[1]

Back to football, and the club signed 41-year-old former England international Arthur Bridgett, despite the fact that he had spent several years in retirement.[1] The winger impressed, and scored within ninety seconds of his debut.[1] Later in the year Peter Pursell returned to the field for the first time in the season following an injury, and was like a new signing.[1] Despite all this, Vale still suffered, and a heavy defeat at Old Trafford saw them stuck at the foot of the table.[1] Turning to 1924, the Vale managed a run of six games unbeaten, and Briscoe was finally given his pay rise and so was re-signed from Congleton Town.[1]

Despite Blackpool putting twelve past the Vale defence, the latter half of the season saw a massive improvement, as they lost just 6 of the 22 games. Briscoe and Kirkham provided the goals necessary to lift the club out of the relegation zone. On 5 April 1924, Tom Holford played against Derby County at the age of 46 – still a club record.[1]

At the end of season, Vale finished in sixteenth place with 38 points, making it two seasons in a row in which the club bettered their previous season tally by one point and one place. Performing poorly at home, only bottom place Bristol City lost more home games, and only second-bottom Nelson conceded more at home. Vale were five points clear of relegation, but thirteen points off a promotion place.

Briscoe, Page, Kirkham, and Bridgett were the major goalscorers. Full-back Len Birks was an ever-present, and Tommy Lonsdale, Jack Hampson, and Jack Lowe were also key first team players. As well as the debut of Kirkham, Roger Jones also made his debut, starting his fourteen-year association with the club. At the end of the season the club let Peter Pursell leave for Wigan Borough, whereas Lonsdale and Hampson both retired due to injury.[1]

Finances

Finances were once again worrying for the club and its supporters.[1] A greatly reduced wage bill of £7,900 still necessitated fund raising activities from fans to keep the club alive.[1] Arthur Prince was also sold to Sheffield Wednesday to raise cash.[1] Season ticket prices ranged from £2 6s. 6d. to £3, 6s. 6d.[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale drew Third Division North Wrexham at the Fifth Round of Qualifying for the second successive season, and another disappointing defeat followed, this time at the Racecourse Ground, with the Welsh club running out 5–1 winners. The North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup went to Stoke, who beat Vale 1–0 at The Old Recreation Ground.

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts
14 Manchester United 42 13 14 15 52 44 1.182 40
15 Crystal Palace 42 13 13 16 53 65 0.815 39
16 Port Vale 42 13 12 17 50 66 0.758 38
17 Hull City 42 10 17 15 46 51 0.902 37
18 Bradford City 42 11 15 16 35 48 0.729 37
Source:

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Second Division
Main article: 1923–24 Football League

Results by matchday
Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142
GroundAHHAAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAHAAAHHAHAAAHHHAHAAAHHHA
ResultWWLLDLLWLLLLDWLDWLLWDDWDDLLDDDWLWLWLWLDWDW
Position319111214181416172121212121212122222221212121202020191919191919191919181919181816
Source: Statto[2]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
25 August 1923Crystal PalaceA2–110,000Crockford, Dark
27 August 1923The WednesdayH2–014,000Collinge, Crockford
1 September 1923Crystal PalaceH3–412,900Howard (2 [1 pen]), Page
3 September 1923The WednesdayA1–212,000Lowe
8 September 1923Stockport CountyA0–012,000
15 September 1923Stockport CountyH0–111,000
22 September 1923Leicester CityA0–219,000
29 September 1923Leicester CityH2–16,400Page, Connelly
6 October 1923StokeA0–121,685
13 October 1923StokeH2–416,800Page, Butler
20 October 1923Leeds UnitedH0–19,300
27 October 1923Leeds UnitedA0–312,000
3 November 1923Clapton OrientA1–115,000Butler
10 November 1923Clapton OrientH1–07,540Bridgett
17 November 1923Bradford CityA0–27,500
24 November 1923Bradford CityH2–26,000Connelly, Bridgett
8 December 1923BarnsleyH4–16,083Page (2), Hampson, Bridgett
15 December 1923Manchester UnitedH0–17,500
22 December 1923Manchester UnitedA0–511,750
29 December 1923BuryH2–18,348Reid, Bridgett
1 January 1924South ShieldsA3–310,000Page, Bridgett, Reid
5 January 1924BuryA0–010,000
19 January 1924Coventry CityA3–18,000Bridgett (2), Kirkham
21 January 1924South ShieldsH1–13,000Hampson
26 January 1924Coventry CityH1–110,000Lowe
2 February 1924BarnsleyA0–37,000
9 February 1924Bristol CityH0–26,000
13 February 1924Bristol CityA0–07,000
16 February 1924SouthamptonA1–110,000Briscoe
1 March 1924FulhamA0–012,000
8 March 1924FulhamH3–19,000Kirkham (2), Briscoe
15 March 1924BlackpoolH2–611,700Briscoe (2 [1 pen])
17 March 1924SouthamptonH1–05,000Kirkham
22 March 1924BlackpoolA1–610,000Page
29 March 1924Derby CountyH2–08,000Maddock (pen), Briscoe
5 April 1924Derby CountyA0–210,000
12 April 1924NelsonA3–16,000Page, Briscoe, Kirkham
18 April 1924Oldham AthleticA0–211,000
19 April 1924NelsonH0–08,000
21 April 1924Oldham AthleticH3–06,000Kirkham, Page, Briscoe
26 April 1924Hull CityH2–25,689Briscoe, Kirkham
3 May 1924Hull CityA2–16,000Briscoe (2)

FA Cup
Main article: 1923–24 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
5Q1 December 1923WrexhamA1–58,390Page

North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
Final28 April 1924StokeH0–1

Player statistics

Appearances
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Robert Radford 30000030
GK Tommy Lonsdale 3100000310
GK Sidney Brown 801010100
DF Peter Pursell 2400010250
DF Len Birks 4201010440
DF Jimmy Oakes 20000020
DF William Newton 10000010
DF Jack Maddock 2110000221
MF Ernest Collinge 1811000191
MF Bob Connelly 2420010252
MF Jack Hampson 3121010332
MF Arthur Prince 2700010280
MF Tom Holford 20000020
MF Roger Jones 10100020
MF Jack Lowe 3021010322
MF Jack Mellor 60000060
MF Tom Davis 1400000140
MF Alf Dark 2511000261
MF Louis Bookman 1001000110
MF Arthur Bridgett 1471000157
MF George Benson 10000010
FW Harold Crockford 62000062
FW Tom Page 37911103910
FWAlbert Spencer 10000010
FW Tom Reid 1721000182
FW Tom Butler 72000072
FW Joe Pointon 60000060
FW Fred Howard 1220000122
FW Wilf Kirkham 2170010227
FW Billy Briscoe 201000102110
FW Harry Lovatt 00000000

Top scorers
Place Position Nation Name Second Division FA Cup Infirmary Cup Total
1FW EnglandTom Page91010
–FW EnglandBilly Briscoe100010
3FW EnglandWilf Kirkham7007
–MF EnglandArthur Bridgett7007
5FW EnglandFred Howard2002
–FW EnglandTom Butler2002
–FW ScotlandTom Reid2002
–FW EnglandHarold Crockford2002
–MF EnglandJack Lowe2002
–MF WalesJack Hampson2002
–MF ScotlandBob Connelly2002
12DF EnglandJack Maddock1001
–MF EnglandErnest Collinge1001
–MF EnglandAlf Dark1001
TOTALS 50 1 0 51

Transfers

Transfers in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
1923MFArthur BridgettSunderlandFree transfer[3]
1923FWWilf KirkhamCongleton TownFree transfer[3]
April 1923FWJoe PointonStoke CityFree transfer[3]
May 1923MFHarold CrockfordExeter CityFree transfer[3]
May 1923MFJack LoweBolton WanderersFree transfer[3]
June 1923MFAlf DarkLeeds UnitedFree transfer[3]
June 1923GKTommy LonsdaleStalybridge CelticFree transfer[3]
June 1923DFWilliam NewtonRed Street P.S.A.Free transfer[3]
July 1923FWFred Howard ClydeFree transfer[3]
July 1923MFRoger JonesRavensdaleFree transfer[3]
July 1923MFJack MellorNew MillsFree transfer[3]
July 1923GKRobert RadfordBrereton SocialFree transfer[3]
August 1923DFJack MaddockMacclesfield TownFree transfer[3]
August 1923DFJimmy OakesMilton AlbionFree transfer[3]
September 1923MFLouis BookmanLuton Town£250[3]
November 1923FWAlbert SpencerWolverhampton WanderersFree transfer[3]
January 1924FWBilly BriscoeCongleton TownFree transfer[3]
February 1924MFGeorge BensonQueens Park RangersTrial[3]

Transfers out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
September 1923MFHarold CrockfordChesterfieldMutual consent[3]
November 1923FWTom ButlerHis death[3]
November 1923FWFred HowardNew BrightonFree transfer[3]
February 1924MFGeorge BensonChorleyTrial ended[3]
February 1924DFWilliam NewtonCongleton TownFree transfer[3]
May 1924MFArthur PrinceSheffield Wednesday£750[3]
Summer 1924MFLouis Bookman ShelbourneReleased[3]
Summer 1924MFArthur BridgettSandbach RamblersReleased[3]
Summer 1924MFAlf DarkHalifax TownReleased[3]
Summer 1924MFJack HampsonReleased[3]
Summer 1924MFTom HolfordRetired[3]
Summer 1924GKTommy LonsdaleReleased[3]
Summer 1924MFJack MellorNew MillsReleased[3]
Summer 1924DFPeter PursellWigan BoroughFree transfer[3]
Summer 1924GKRobert RadfordBrereton SocialReleased[3]
Summer 1924FWAlbert SpencerWillenhallReleased[3]

References
Specific
  1. Kent, Jeff (1990). "Keeping in Good Company (1919-1929)". The Valiants' Years The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 98–123. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. Port Vale 1923–1924 : 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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