1931–32 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1931–32 season was Port Vale's 26th season of football in the English Football League, and their second successive season (25th overall) in the Second Division.[1] Aiming to build on their fifth place finish in 1930–31 and to win promotion, they finished in 20th place, only avoiding relegation on the last day thanks to their superior goal average – having a 0.048 better average than Barnsley. Their one highlight of the season was a 3–0 home win over rivals Stoke City that helped to deny Stoke a promotion place – however City comfortably took revenge at the last ever end of season North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup match, beating Vale 7–0. Manager Tom Morgan was also let go at this time, replaced by former manager Tom Holford. The season was notable for the debut of Tom Nolan, whose goalscoring exploits at the club would be a point of pride in an otherwise miserable pre-war period.

Chairman Frank Huntbach.

Port Vale
1931–32 season
ChairmanFrank Huntbach
ManagerTom Morgan
StadiumThe Old Recreation Ground
Football League Second Division20th (33 Points)
FA CupFourth Round
(knocked out by Leicester City)
North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary CupRunners-up
(knocked out by Stoke)
Top goalscorerLeague: Tom Nolan / Tom Tippett (8)
All: Tom Nolan (11)
Highest home attendance21,089 vs. Stoke City, 6 February 1932
Lowest home attendance3,436 vs. Oldham Athletic, 25 January 1932
Average home league attendance9,564
Biggest win3–0 (twice) and 4–1
Biggest defeat0–7 vs. Stoke, 9 May 1932

Overview

Second Division

The pre-season saw the departure of Phil Griffiths to Second Division champions Everton for £6,000; whilst Jack Simms and Harry Anstiss departed for Swansea Town.[1] In came Dickie York, Arthur Dorrell, Billy Easton, Tom Tippett, and George Poyser.[1] Dorrell and York arrived from First Division runners-up Aston Villa, and the ageing wingers had England caps to their names.[1] Easton had a proven goalscoring record at Swansea, and Tippett and Pyser arrived from Rochdale and Mansfield Town respectively.[1] Big things were expected, and season ticket sales were up by 300% on the previous season.[1]

The season began with a 3–1 win at Plymouth Argyle's Home Park, with Sam Jennings scoring a brace.[1] The first home match took place in front of a new £10,351 stand; yet Leeds United took home the points.[1] In September Jennings was sold to Stockport County, and Stewart Littlewood took his place in the first eleven.[1] Two close run victories followed that saw eleven goals scored, however performances tailed off until 26 September when Stoke City romped to a 4–0 victory at the Victoria Ground.[1] "Inferior in all departments", the "Valiants" changed their line-up following the defeat, 'resting' Littlewood – this resulted in a four match unbeaten streak.[1] The next month saw the arrival of centre-forward Tom Nolan from Manchester Central.[1] Harry Marshall was attracting praise for his performances in the half-back role, however Tippett was criticized for his lack of goals.[1] Due to the Great Depression, the bank refused to allow an extension to the club's £5,000 overdraft, and so the club controversially sent notice to other clubs that it would consider offers for its players in order to raise the funds to buy new players.[1]

On 21 November they lost 9–3 to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.[1] This twelve goal match is still a club record. On 12 December they suffered the division's biggest home defeat of the season, going down 7–1 to eventual free-scoring champions Wolverhampton Wanderers.[1] Going into their Boxing day win over Notts County they had lost seven of their previous nine games, conceding 33 goals. A holiday break in Llandudno seemed the raise the team's spirits, as two further 2–0 victories followed.[1] In January Wilf Kirkham was re-signed from Stoke, to the delight of fans.[1] On 6 February he took part in a morale-boosting 3–0 home win over Stoke in front of 21,089 fans – an attendance that raised £1,350 of funds.[1] The referee T.Crew also enjoyed the game, congratulating both sides on a sporting display that "was the most pleasurable game he had ever officiated".[1] Vale followed this by picking just four points in their next thirteen games to almost certainly doom the club to relegation – crucially though were the two points they earned from a 3–0 win over Barnsley.[1] With two games to go they were three points (and inferior goal average) behind the tykes.[1] After a 2–1 win over Chesterfield matched by a 4–1 home defeat by Barnsley, they were just behind by a single point.[1] Vale's final game of the season was against already promoted second place Leeds United – a 'convincing' 2–0 victory followed at Elland Road.[1] Barnsley only managed a 2–2 draw, and so Vale leapfrogged Barnsley to reach the safety of 20th place.[1]

They finished 20th due to their superior goal average.[1] However with 58 goals scored, their attack was the third worst in the division; whilst their 89 goals conceded made them the second leakiest defence in the division.[1] Lacking a consistent goalscorer, top-scorers Nolan and Tippett failed to reach twenty goals between them.[1] Losing half their games, their statistic of nine home defeats was particularly worrying.[1]

Lucky to still be a second tier club, a clear-out followed.[1] Impressive Harry Marshall was sold to Tottenham Hotspur, whilst 323 league-game eleven-year club veteran Bob Connelly was handed a free transfer to Congleton Town.[1] Joseph Chell and Clarence Spencer were also released, signing for Stoke City and Norwich City respectively.[1] Arthur Dorrell and Richard York's best days were well behind them, as Dorrell retired and York signed with Brierley Hill Alliance.[1] Manager Tom Morgan meanwhile reverted to his old position as assistant secretary, replaced at the helm by former manager Tom Holford.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, gate receipts were at £12,170 – their lowest total since re-joining the Football League in 1919.[1] However 'rigid economy' ensured a profit of £873.[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, they travelled to Brighton & Hove Albion's Goldstone Ground of the Third Division South. They progressed with a 2–1 victory thanks to two strikes from Nolan. Coming up against First Division Leicester City in the Fourth Round, they were defeated 2–1 in front of 20,637 deafening supporters.[1] On 9 May they lost the last ever North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup friendly with Stoke, losing 7–0 in a match they "scarcely tried" to win.[1]

League table
Main article: 1931–32 Football League
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts Promotion or relegation
18 Oldham Athletic 42 13 10 19 62 84 0.738 36
19 Burnley 42 13 9 20 59 87 0.678 35
20 Port Vale 42 13 7 22 58 89 0.652 33
21 Barnsley 42 12 9 21 55 91 0.604 33 Relegated
22 Bristol City 42 6 11 25 39 78 0.500 23
Source:

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Second Division

Results by matchday
Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142
GroundAHHAAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHHAAHAHHAAHAHAHA
ResultWLWWLDLLDWDWLLWLLDLLLWWWDLWDLLLDLWLLLLLLWW
Position5973610101514121210121312131315171720201513141414131318181819191919192121212120
Source: Statto[2]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
29 August 1931Plymouth ArgyleA3–121,749Jennings (2), Easton
31 August 1931Leeds UnitedH1–216,864o.g.
5 September 1931Bristol CityH4–210,770Littlewood (2), Round, Easton
7 September 1931Swansea CityA3–29,927Dorrell, Easton, Littlewood
12 September 1931Oldham AthleticA0–310,323
19 September 1931BuryH1–112,600York
21 September 1931Swansea CityH0–47,969
26 September 1931Stoke CityA0–428,292
3 October 1931MillwallA2–216,766Jones (2)
10 October 1931Bradford CityH2–09,304Round (pen), York
17 October 1931SouthamptonH0–011,990
24 October 1931Preston North EndA4–18,936Nolan (2), Rowbotham, York
31 October 1931BurnleyH1–39,468Tippett
7 November 1931Charlton AthleticA1–29,312Nolan
14 November 1931Nottingham ForestH2–07,055Henshall, York
21 November 1931Tottenham HotspurA3–922,226Tippett, Nolan, Henshall
28 November 1931Manchester UnitedH1–26,955York
5 December 1931Bradford Park AvenueA2–210,281Dorrell, Tippett
12 December 1931Wolverhampton WanderersH1–711,133Easton
19 December 1931ChesterfieldA0–47,966
25 December 1931Notts CountyA2–421,367Nolan, Marshall
26 December 1931Notts CountyH2–013,463Nolan, Tippett
2 January 1932Plymouth ArgyleH2–07,731Henshall, Dorrell
16 January 1932Bristol CityA2–08,690Dorrell, Nolan
25 January 1932Oldham AthleticH1–13,436Easton
30 January 1932BuryA0–29,099
6 February 1932Stoke CityH3–021,089Marshall (2), Henshall
13 February 1932MillwallH2–27,311Kirkham, Tippett
20 February 1932Bradford CityA0–415,553
27 February 1932SouthamptonA1–57,115o.g.
5 March 1932Preston North EndH0–18,132
12 March 1932BurnleyA2–26,869Easton, Round
19 March 1932Charlton AthleticH0–16,578
25 March 1932BarnsleyH3–09,983Kirkham, Nolan, Tippett
26 March 1932Nottingham ForestA1–28,486Tippett
28 March 1932BarnsleyA0–35,881
2 April 1932Tottenham HotspurH1–37,682Dorrell
9 April 1932Manchester UnitedA0–210,916
16 April 1932Bradford Park AvenueH1–36,672Kirkham
23 April 1932Wolverhampton WanderersA0–228,744
30 April 1932ChesterfieldH2–14,663Kirkham, Littlewood
7 May 1932Leeds UnitedA2–09,588Littlewood, Tippett

FA Cup
Main article: 1931–32 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R39 January 1932Brighton & Hove AlbionA2–121,690Nolan (2)
R423 January 1932Leicester CityH1–220,637Nolan

North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
Final9 May 1932StokeA0–7

Player statistics

Appearances
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Ben Davies 3402010370
GK Arthur Slater 60000060
GK Jock Leckie 20000020
DF Jimmy Oakes 2902010320
DF Billy Wootton 60000060
DF George Shenton 3901010410
DF William Cope 3002010330
DF William Allsop 10100020
DF Arnold Bliss 60000060
DF George Poyser 60000060
MF Bob Connelly 80000080
MF Roger Jones 2721000282
MF Albert Beech 10000010
MF Dennis Izon 1202000140
MF Clarence Spencer 40000040
MF Jack Round 3032010333
MF James Henshall 1441010164
MF Arthur Dorrell 3452000365
MF Jimmy McGrath 00001010
MF Richard York 2650000265
MF Jack Sherlock 1200000120
FW Harry Marshall 2732000293
FW Sam Jennings 22000022
FW Harry Rowbotham 61000061
FW Stewart Littlewood 1250010135
FW Tom Tippett 3182010348
FW Tom Nolan 19823002111
FW Billy Easton 2260010236
FW Wilf Kirkham 1640010174

Top scorers
Place Position Nation Name Second Division FA Cup Infirmary Cup Total
1FW EnglandTom Nolan83011
2FW EnglandTom Tippett8008
3FW EnglandBilly Easton6006
4MF EnglandArthur Dorrell5005
–MF EnglandRichard York5005
–FW EnglandStewart Littlewood5005
7FW EnglandWilf Kirkham4004
–MF EnglandJames Henshall4004
9FW EnglandHarry Marshall3003
–MF EnglandJack Round3003
11FW EnglandSam Jennings2002
–MF EnglandRoger Jones2002
13FW EnglandHarry Rowbotham1001
–––Own goals2002
TOTALS 58 3 0 61

Transfers

Transfers in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 1931FWBilly EastonSwansea TownFree transfer[3]
May 1931DFGeorge PoyserMansfield TownFree transfer[3]
June 1931DFWilliam AllsopBolton WanderersFree transfer[3]
June 1931MFArthur DorrellAston VillaFree transfer[3]
June 1931FWTom TippettRochdaleFree transfer[3]
June 1931DFRichard YorkAston VillaFree transfer[3]
October 1931FWRobert G. DaviesStoke St.Peter'sFree transfer[3]
October 1931FWTom NolanManchester CentralFree transfer[3]
January 1932FWWilf KirkhamStoke CityFree transfer[3]
March 1932MFHorace BakerLongton HallFree transfer[3]
March 1932GKJock Leckie Bray UnknownsFree transfer[3]
April 1932MFFred MillsMiddleportFree transfer[3]

Transfers out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
September 1931FWSam JenningsStockport CountyFree transfer[3]
March 1932FWHarry MarshallTottenham HotspurUndisclosed[3]
May 1932FWJoseph ChellStoke CityFree transfer[3]
May 1932MFBob ConnellyCongleton TownFree transfer[3]
May 1932MFArthur DorrellRetired[3]
Summer 1932FWHarry RowbothamHyde UnitedReleased[3]
August 1932GKArthur SlaterWatfordFree transfer[3]
August 1932DFBilly WoottonSouthend UnitedFree transfer[3]
August 1932DFRichard YorkBrierley Hill AllianceFree transfer[3]

References
Specific
  1. Kent, Jeff (1990). "From Glory to Despair (1929–1939)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 124–150. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. Port Vale 1931–1932 : 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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