1938–39 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1938–39 season was Port Vale's 33rd season of football in the English Football League, and their first ever season in the Third Division South, having switched from the Third Division North in summer 1938.[1] It was the club's last full season of football before the breakout of war in Europe. It was thus the last season of competitive football for many of the players, including Tom Nolan, who became the club's top scorer for the fourth and final time with seventeen goals. Progressing to the semi-final stage of the Football League Third Division South Cup, they could progress no further as the tournament was cancelled before its conclusion. Manager Tom Morgan shocked the club by leaving for another position in March.

Frank Huntbach was chairman for the last peacetime season of his career. The club's longest serving chairman, he had been in charge from 1913 to 1921 and 1926 to 1940.

Port Vale
1938–39 season
ChairmanFrank Huntbach
ManagerTom Morgan (until March)
StadiumThe Old Recreation Ground
Football League Third Division South18th (37 Points)
FA CupSecond Round
(knocked out by Southend United)
Football League Third Division South CupSemi-finals
(knocked out by Queens Park Rangers)
Top goalscorerLeague: Tom Nolan (17)
All: Tom Nolan (17)
Highest home attendance12,521 vs. Cardiff City, 5 November 1938
Lowest home attendance3,482 vs. Clapton Orient, 6 May 1939
Average home league attendance7,587
Biggest win4–0 (twice) and 5–1
Biggest defeat0–4 (twice) and 1–5

Overview

Third Division South

The pre-season saw another reconstruction of the first eleven, as eleven new signings arrived at The Old Recreation Ground, most notably: highly rated goalkeeper Arthur Jepson (Grantham Town); veteran left-back George Collin (Sunderland); right-half George Hannah (Derby County); left-half Sid Wileman (signed from Derby for 'a substantial fee'); and goalscoring winger John Callender (Lincoln City).[1] Work at the stadium took place, as ground outside the stadium was prepared for car parking.[1] The eclectic training schedule of the previous season was expanded, with bowls and cricket supplemented by games of tennis and baseball.[1] Also on 20 August, a Football League Jubilee Fund match was played against nearby Crewe Alexandra, with the Vale picking up a 3–2 win, raising £243 in the process.[1]

The season began with George Heppell in goal, as Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club at first refused to allow Jepson to play.[1] With three defeats in the first four games, most of the new men were dropped, as Morgan struggled to find consistency in his picks.[1] It took until the end of October for the team to get into their stride, as their 5–1 win over Walsall was their fifth consecutive home win.[1] They also travelled to St James Park to record a 3–1 win over Exeter City – their first away win since September 1937.[1] Nottinghamshire CCC seemed justified in initially refusing Jepson permission to play, as he played seventy minutes of the game with his right hand strapped up, having dislocated his fingers.[1] Ken Fish was then sold to BSC Young Boys of Switzerland, having fallen out of favour; yet the directors refused to hear offers for the rest of the team, determined as they were to strengthen the team.[1] Despite stylish play, especially from Alf Bellis, the club then went from Guy Fawkes Night to New Year's Eve without a victory, their five defeats taking them to just two points clear of the re-election zone.[1] Ending their run with a 4–0 win over Bristol City, they lost Jack Roberts to a dislocated shoulder.[1]

Trying out new, young players in 1939, the club re-signed veteran forward Tommy Ward from Stoke City.[1] A 4–0 hammering at Fellows Park from bottom-placed Walsall left Vale third-from-bottom by March.[1] Disgruntled supporters turned against the team, as regular barracking was directed at the players.[1] Roberts and Jepson struggled with injuries, but by March the newcomers had finally gelled as a group, and results soon picked up.[1] Yet manager Tom Morgan shocked the club by leaving for the vacant position at Wrexham,[1] leaving the club somewhat rudderless. Despite receiving a 4–0 beating from Notts County at Meadow Lane, the players rallied to produce four points from their last three games.[1] Two of these points came from a 2–0 win over champions Newport County at Somerton Park, making Vale the only team to have recorded the double over "Ironsides" that season.[1]

They finished in eighteenth place with 37 points, then a club record low position.[1] They were four points clear of having to petition for re-election, and eighteen points short of promotion. Their 52 goals scored was a poor record, though a total of 58 goals conceded was much improved on the previous campaign.[1] Nolan's seventeen goals were the only major contribution in front of goal.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, gate receipts had increased by £659, however an overall loss was made of £1,723.[1] The move to the southern division had cost a considerable amount in transfer fees, though home game income had improved by £676 to £6,403.[1] Further financial worries were lessened by a transfer credit of £1,455.[1] Despite the poor season, seventeen players were kept on, though promising teenage midfielder John Smith was sold to Chelsea.[1] Other departures included Harry Davies (retired); Leonard Smart; Tommy Ward (Mansfield Town); Arthur Caldwell; Arthur Masters; George Collin (Burton Town); Sid Wileman (Hinckley United); and John Callender (Gateshead).[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale overcame Wrexham of the Third Division North 2–1 at the Racecourse Ground.[1] However they crashed out at the Second Round, losing 1–0 at home to league rivals Southend United.[1] For both matches the players had relaxed beforehand with activities such as golf, country walks, and games of snooker.[1]

In the short-lived Football League Third Division South Cup, the "Valiants" progressed to the semi-finals at the expense of Walsall (4–0), Mansfield Town (3–1), and Ipswich Town (2–0).[1] In the semis they came to a goalless stalemate with Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road – the tournament was cancelled at this stage, and so no club would win it.[1] The club had actually lost money in the much-maligned tournament, as atrocious attendances were not enough to even pay player bonuses.[1] Port Vale and Queens Park Rangers actually protested in favour of cancelling the tournament due to the financial failure of the cup, and the Football League agreed with them to 'wash out' the competition.[1]

League table
Main article: 1938–39 Football League
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts
16 Mansfield Town 42 12 15 15 44 62 0.710 39
17 Northampton Town 42 15 8 19 51 58 0.879 38
18 Port Vale[lower-alpha 1] 42 14 9 19 52 58 0.897 37
19 Torquay United 42 14 9 19 54 70 0.771 37
20 Clapton Orient 42 11 13 18 53 55 0.964 35
Source:
Notes:
  1. Port Vale had been transferred to Third Division South for this season.

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Third Division South

Results by matchday
Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142
GroundHHAAHAHHAAHAHAHHHAHHAAHAAHHAHAAHAHHAAHAAAH
ResultLWLLWLWWLDWWDLLDDLLWWLLLDLLLWWDDLWWLLWLDWD
Position181016181620141416151198910131416161412141518181819211919191919191719191919191918
Source: Statto[2]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
27 August 1938AldershotH1–310,036Callender
29 August 1938Newport CountyH2–16,240O'Brien, Roberts
3 September 1938Bristol CityA1–516,975Nolan
8 September 1938Clapton OrientA0–14,399
10 September 1938Crystal PalaceH2–010,478Nolan (2)
17 September 1938WatfordA0–29,503
24 September 1938Mansfield TownH3–08,100Masters (2), Bellis
1 October 1938Swindon TownH2–010,082Griffiths, Roberts
8 October 1938Torquay UnitedA0–13,382
15 October 1938Queens Park RangersA2–213,853Nolan, Roberts
22 October 1938WalsallH5–18,593Davies (2), Nolan, Roberts, Masters
29 October 1938Exeter CityA3–16,885Roberts (2), Bellis
5 November 1938Cardiff CityH1–112,521Nolan
12 November 1938Ipswich TownA0–213,637
19 November 1938ReadingH0–29,633
3 December 1938Brighton & Hove AlbionH1–18,015Nolan
17 December 1938Southend UnitedH2–24,209Masters, Roberts
26 December 1938Northampton TownA0–24,734
27 December 1938Northampton TownH0–210,717
31 December 1938Bristol CityH4–04,597Nolan (2), Griffiths, Roberts
7 January 1939Bristol RoversA1–03,962Nolan
14 January 1939Crystal PalaceA0–113,773
21 January 1939WatfordH1–25,204Nolan
28 January 1939Mansfield TownA0–23,742
4 February 1939Swindon TownA1–18,823Ward
11 February 1939Torquay UnitedH0–18,064
18 February 1939Queens Park RangersH1–27,210Ward
25 February 1939WalsallA0–45,749
4 March 1939Exeter CityH3–26,240Nolan, Moreland, Masters
11 March 1939Cardiff CityA4–29,145Smart (2), Ward, Nolan
15 March 1939Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticA1–13,243Ward
18 March 1939Ipswich TownH0–06,361
25 March 1939ReadingA1–25,079Moreland
1 April 1939Bristol RoversH2–15,634Nolan, Smart
7 April 1939Notts CountyH3–19,658Smart, o.g., Nolan
8 April 1939Brighton & Hove AlbionA0–17,807
10 April 1939Notts CountyA0–410,401
15 April 1939Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticH2–03,902Nolan, Moreland
19 April 1939AldershotA0–13,518
22 April 1939Southend UnitedA0–04,239
29 April 1939Newport CountyA2–07,260Smart, Bellis
6 May 1939Clapton OrientH1–13,482Nolan

FA Cup
Main article: 1938–39 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R126 November 1938WrexhamA2–15,000Roberts (2)
R210 December 1938Southend UnitedH0–17,993

Third Division South Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
126 September 1938WalsallH4–0Smith, Masters, Griffiths, Davies
213 February 1939Mansfield TownH3–1Ward (2), Smith
327 February 1939Ipswich TownH2–0Ward , Masters
SF4 May 1939Queens Park RangersA0–0300

Player statistics

Appearances
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK George Heppell 300030
GK Arthur Jepson 39020450
DF Harry Griffiths 33220373
DF Johnny Rowe 35020400
DF Roger Whittle 400040
DF Roy Felton 10000120
DF George Collin 100010
DFTom Clark 000000
MF Arthur Caldwell 400060
MF Tommy Ward 12400157
MF Wilf Smith 37020400
MF Arthur Cumberlidge 35020410
MF Alf Bellis 26320313
MF Sid Wileman 401060
MF Don Triner 300040
MF Leonard Smart 13500135
MF John Smith 13010182
MF George Hannah 42020480
MF Bill Booth 9000100
MF John Callender 310041
FW Jack Roberts 208122110
FW Tom Nolan 3917204117
FW Arthur Masters 33520377
FW Harry Davies 29210343
FW Joe Wheatley 200030
FW John Sanderson 100010
FW Geoffrey Moreland 730093
FW William O'Brien 410041
FW Richard Fuller 100010

Top scorers
Place Position Nation Name Third Division North FA Cup Southern Cup Total
1FW EnglandTom Nolan170017
2FW EnglandJack Roberts82010
3FW EnglandArthur Masters5027
–MF EnglandTommy Ward4037
5MF EnglandLeonard Smart5005
6FW EnglandGeoffrey Moreland3003
–MF EnglandAlf Bellis3003
–FW EnglandHarry Davies2013
–DF EnglandHarry Griffiths2013
10MF EnglandJohn Smith0022
11MF EnglandJohn Callender1001
–FW ScotlandWilliam O'Brien1001
–––Own goals1001
TOTALS 52 2 9 61

Transfers

Transfers in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 1938MFJohn CallenderLincoln CityFree transfer[3]
May 1938FWRichard FullerStockport CountyFree transfer[3]
May 1938DFWilliam O'BrienBournemouth & Boscombe AthleticFree transfer[3]
June 1938DFGeorge CollinSunderlandFree transfer[3]
June 1938DFRoy FeltonEvertonFree transfer[3]
June 1938MFGeorge HannahDerby CountyFree transfer[3]
June 1938GKArthur JepsonGrantham TownFree transfer[3]
June 1938FWJohn SandersonNewcastle UnitedFree transfer[3]
June 1938MFSid WilemanDerby County'Substantial'[3]
November 1938FWGeoffrey MorelandBirminghamFree transfer[3]
December 1938MFDon TrinerDowning's TileriesFree transfer[3]
February 1939DFBill BoothWolverhampton WanderersFree transfer[3]
February 1939MFTommy WardStoke CityFree transfer[3]
March 1939MFLeonard SmartWolverhampton WanderersFree transfer[3]

Transfers out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
October 1938FWKen Fish Young BoysFree transfer[3]
April 1939MFJohn CallenderGatesheadFree transfer[3]
April 1939DFGeorge CollinBurton TownFree transfer[3]
April 1939FWHarry DaviesRetired[3]
April 1939FWRichard FullerDarlingtonFree transfer[3]
April 1939DFWilliam O'BrienWatfordFree transfer[3]
May 1939MFJohn SmithChelseaFree transfer[3]
June 1939MFTommy WardMansfield TownFree transfer[3]
August 1938MFSid WilemanHinckley UnitedFree transfer[3]
Summer 1939DFBill BoothCardiff CityFree transfer[3]
Summer 1939FWArthur MastersReleased[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 1938–1939 : 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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