1961–62 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1961–62 season was Port Vale's 50th season of football in the English Football League, and their third season in the Third Division.[1] The season was most notable for the win over Sunderland in the FA Cup, which followed a goalless draw at Roker Park in which the Vale defence prevented Brian Clough from even having a shot. The club also hosted a friendly against the Czechoslovakia national football team, and later took a tour of Poland. In the league they failed to gain promotion, and had to settle for mid-table obscurity.

Port Vale
1961–62 season
ChairmanJoe Machin
ManagerNorman Low
StadiumVale Park
Football League Third Division12th (45 Points)
FA CupFifth Round
(knocked out by Fulham)
League CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Blackpool)
Top goalscorerLeague: Arthur Longbottom (16)
All: Bert Llewellyn / Arthur Longbottom (20)
Highest home attendance28,226 vs. Sunderland, 31 January 1961
Lowest home attendance4,770 vs. Swindon Town, 14 April 1962
Average home league attendance8,993
Biggest win4–0 (twice)
Biggest defeat1–4 vs. Southend United, 16 October 1961

Overview

Third Division

The pre-season saw Norman Low spend some of the £10,000 in transfer funds he was allocated.[1] He spent £2,000 acquiring inside-forward Arthur Longbottom from Queens Park Rangers.[1] Low then repaid West Bromwich Albion the £10,000 for Stan Steele in order to bring him back to Vale Park.[1] This meant a 'shock' for the fans, as Cliff Portwood was sold to Grimsby Town for £6,000 to balance the books.[1] Another £2,000 was spent on bringing centre-half John Nicholson from Liverpool.[1] Free signings included winger Stan Edwards (Everton), goalkeeper Peter Taylor (Middlesbrough), and Joe Maloney (Shrewsbury Town).[1] Low declared that the logic behind the signings was to improve the defence and that his side was now 'capable of getting promotion'.[1] To whip the new signings into shape trainer Lol Hamlett took them on a seven-mile run.[1]

The defence began poorly, in an opening day 4–2 defeat to Shrewsbury Town at Gay Meadow.[1] Maloney was subsequently dropped and sold to Crewe Alexandra for 'a small fee'.[1] The first match at Burslem saw Vale ' casually steamroller' Hull City 4–0.[1] On 2 September, John Nicholson made the first of his club record 208 consecutive appearances, that would end on 8 September 1965. On a four match sequence without a win, The Sentinel commented that "gloom has descended".[1] The mood lifted with a 1–0 win over Bristol City at Ashton Gate on 9 September, in the first of five wins in six games.[1]

On 2 October Czechoslovakia beat Vale 3–1 in front of 22,895 fans at Vale Park, repaying the club for their successful tour of the country at the end of the 1959–60 season.[1] Later that month Dennis Fidler was sold to Grimsby Town for £2,000, and the "Valiants" struggled.[1] Vale then signed Colin Grainger from Leeds United for £6,000, and the former England international scored on his debut.[1] In December, Low further added to his firepower by signing Ralph Hunt from Swindon Town for £3,500.[1] Hunt scored a hat-trick in his second game for the club, a 4–1 win over Shrewsbury Town.[1] He also hit the back of the net in the following two victories. Vale then struggled in the league, losing four games on the bounce.[1] Around this time rivals Stoke City faced an upsurge in support with the return of Stanley Matthews. Low attempted to tempt Tom Finney out of retirement, but was unsuccessful.[1]

By the end of February Vale lay just four points clear of relegation and star player Grainger was out injured.[1] Beating Barnsley 2–0, they picked up six points out of a possible ten.[1] They then remained unbeaten throughout the opening six games of April to ensure survival.[1] At this time Noel Kinsey's contract was cancelled, as he wished to go into the pottery business in Norwich.[1] At Vale Park, an £8,000 social club was opened, as the club management stated their intention to turn the ground into 'a real family social centre'.[1]

They finished the season in twelfth position with 45 points, closer to the drop than promotion. A strong defence was not supported by a weak attack.[1] Llewellyn and Longbottom scored twenty goals each in all competitions, but received little support.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, declining attendances failed to prevent a profit of £1,261.[1] This profit came thanks to a hefty £16,250 donation from the Sportsmen's Association, as well as Vale's daily pools.[1] Gate receipts stood at £44,388, whilst expenditures rose to £73,059 despite wages being kept at around £31,000.[1] Peter Taylor was allowed to leave for Burton Albion as he failed to dislodge Ken Hancock, Taylor later became acquainted with Brian Clough at Burton. Low also sold three players for £2,000 each: Brian Jackson to Peterborough United, Ralph Hunt to Newport County, and David Raine to Doncaster Rovers.[1]

In May the team took a tour of Poland, playing four friendlies, climbing the Tatra Mountains, and sailing on the Tatras river.[1] When one boat capsized, 'the lads told the attendant in colourful Potteries language what they thought of him'.[1] The final game of the tour was a goalless draw with Legia.[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale brushed past Bradford Park Avenue with a 1–0 win at Horsfall Stadium. In the Second Round they faced Crewe Alex, who they beat 3–0 in a replay, following a 1–1 draw at Gresty Road. Vale then beat Northampton Town 3–1, all the goals coming from Bert Llewellyn.[1] In the Fourth Round they travelled to Sunderland's Roker Park, holding the "Mackems" to a goalless draw in front of 49,468 noisy Sunderland fans - not even £50,000 star striker Brian Clough could master the Vale defence.[1] For the return, 28,226 witnessed a 3–1 victory for the Vale over the Second Division side in 'a magical piece of soccer history'.[1] The Vale had 'spat and hissed like angry alley cats' for their win, intimidating tricky winger Harry Hooper.[1] In the Fifth Round they were beaten by First Division Fulham at Craven Cottage with a disputed late penalty.[1] The referee also gave the "Cottagers" a goal kick when the ball had in fact crossed the line for a goal – to the fury of the Vale supporters.[2]

In the League Cup, First Division Blackpool took a 2–1 win at Bloomfield Road to dump Vale out of the competition.

League table
Main article: 1961–62 Football League
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GR Pts
10 Hull City 46 20 8 18 67 54 1.241 48
11 Bradford Park Avenue 46 20 7 19 80 78 1.026 47
12 Port Vale 46 17 11 18 65 58 1.121 45
13 Notts County 46 17 9 20 67 74 0.905 43
14 Coventry City 46 16 11 19 64 71 0.901 43
Source:

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Third Division

Results by matchday
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHHAAHAHAAHHAHHAAHAAHHAHAHHHAHAHAAHHAHAHAAAHHA
ResultLWLLDDWWWDDWDLWLLWDLDLLWWWDLLLLWLDWWLLDDWWDWLL
Position15101218171615131110655665556106131311991010121316121513131012141616121212101212
Source: Statto[3]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
19 August 1961Shrewsbury TownA2–48,632Fidler, Longbottom
21 August 1961Hull CityH4–011,480Poole (2), Llewellyn, Jackson
26 August 1961Peterborough UnitedH0–118,797
31 August 1961Hull CityA1–38,095Longbottom
2 September 1961Northampton TownA1–19,573Llewellyn
4 September 1961Southend UnitedH0–010,317
9 September 1961Bristol CityA1–010,670Poole
16 September 1961Bradford Park AvenueH3–29,279Steele, Llewellyn, Longbottom
21 September 1961Notts CountyA3–28,676Jackson, Llewellyn, Poole
23 September 1961Grimsby TownA1–18,910Poole
25 September 1961Notts CountyH1–011,707Whalley
30 September 1961Coventry CityH2–09,821Longbottom, Poole
4 October 1961ReadingA0–011,779
7 October 1961WatfordH1–310,120Steele
9 October 1961ReadingH2–17,208Steele, Longbottom
14 October 1961Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticA0–113,675
16 October 1961Southend UnitedA1–48,090Nicholson
21 October 1961Torquay UnitedH4–110,383Jackson (2), Grainger, Llewellyn
28 October 1961Lincoln CityA1–14,708Llewellyn
11 November 1961Queens Park RangersA1–27,087Llewellyn
18 November 1961Halifax TownH1–19,374Longbottom
2 December 1961Crystal PalaceH0–19,761
9 December 1961PortsmouthA0–111,925
16 December 1961Shrewsbury TownH4–18,837Hunt (3), Jackson
23 December 1961Peterborough UnitedA3–19,294Hunt (2), Llewellyn
26 December 1961Newport CountyH3–012,182Llewellyn, Longbottom, Hunt
13 January 1962Northampton TownH1–18,229Llewellyn
20 January 1962Bristol CityH0–27,262
3 February 1962Bradford Park AvenueA1–29,294Sproson
10 February 1962Grimsby TownH0–210,071
24 February 1962WatfordA0–27,778
5 March 1962BarnsleyH2–04,958Longbottom, Steele
10 March 1962Torquay UnitedA0–24,565
12 March 1962Newport CountyA1–12,524Longbottom
17 March 1962Lincoln CityH4–06,239Steele (2), Longbottom, Edwards
19 March 1962Bournemouth & Boscombe AthleticH1–08,993Llewellyn
24 March 1962BarnsleyA1–24,670Longbottom
31 March 1962Queens Park RangersH2–34,936Longbottom (2)
7 April 1962Halifax TownA3–32,938Steele, Longbottom, Llewellyn
14 April 1962Swindon TownH1–14,770Longbottom
16 April 1962Coventry CityA1–05,907Edwards
20 April 1962BrentfordA2–111,175o.g., Llewellyn
21 April 1962Crystal PalaceA0–010,519
23 April 1962BrentfordH3–05,928Longbottom, Edwards, Steele
28 April 1962PortsmouthH2–36,186Llewellyn (2)
30 April 1962Swindon TownA0–17,331

FA Cup
Main article: 1961–62 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R14 November 1961Bradford Park AvenueA1–012,127Jackson
R225 November 1961Crewe AlexandraA1–113,081Longbottom
R2 Replay27 November 1961Crewe AlexandraH3–019,029Longbottom (2), Llewellyn
R36 January 1962Northampton TownH3–119,444Llewellyn (3)
R427 January 1962SunderlandA0–049,468
R4 Replay31 January 1962SunderlandH3–128,226Jackson, Poole, Llewellyn
R517 February 1962FulhamA0–129,559

League Cup
Main article: 1961–62 Football League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R113 September 1961BlackpoolA1–210,494Llewellyn

Player statistics

Appearances
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Ken Hancock 4407010520
GK John Cooke 10000010
GK Peter Taylor 10000010
DF Roy Sproson 4617010541
DF David Raine 705000120
DF Selwyn Whalley 4017010481
DF Terry Lowe 60000060
MF John Nicholson 4217010501
MF Terry Miles 4407010520
MF Brian Jackson 3457210427
MF Peter Ford 1300010140
MF Dennis Fidler 41000041
MF Roy Gater 30200050
MF Joe Maloney 10000010
MF Colin Grainger 1117000181
MF Stan Edwards 2230000223
MF Colin Corbishley 80000080
FW Harry Poole 3965110457
FW Stan Steele 3582010388
FW Bert Llewellyn 421574115020
FW Barry Hancock 50100060
FW Ralph Hunt 1460000146
FW Arthur Longbottom 421664104920
FW Derek Edge 20000020

Top scorers
Place Position Nation Name Third Division FA Cup League Cup Total
1FW EnglandArthur Longbottom164020
–FW EnglandBert Llewellyn154120
3FW EnglandStan Steele8008
4FW EnglandHarry Poole6107
–MF EnglandBrian Jackson5207
6FW EnglandRalph Hunt6006
7MF EnglandStan Edwards3003
8MF EnglandColin Grainger1001
–MF EnglandJohn Nicholson1001
–DF EnglandSelwyn Whalley1001
–MF EnglandDennis Fidler1001
–DF EnglandRoy Sproson1001
–––Own goals1001
TOTALS 65 11 1 77

Transfers

Transfers in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 1961MFStan EdwardsEvertonFree transfer[4]
May 1961FWArthur LongbottomQueens Park Rangers£2,000[4]
June 1961MFJoe MaloneyShrewsbury TownFree transfer[4]
June 1961GKPeter TaylorMiddlesbrough£750[4]
July 1961FWStan SteeleWest Bromwich Albion£10,000[4]
July 1961MFColin GraingerLeeds United£6,000[4]
August 1961DFJohn NicholsonLiverpool£2,000[4]
December 1961FWRalph HuntSwindon Town£3,500[4]

Transfers out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
June 1961MFJoe MaloneyCrewe Alexandra'small'[4]
October 1961MFDennis FidlerGrimsby Town£2,000[4]
April 1962FWNoel KinseyMutual consent[4]
May 1962MFColin CorbishleyChesterReleased[4]
May 1962FWDerek EdgeCrewe AlexandraFree transfer[4]
May 1962GKPeter TaylorBurton AlbionFree transfer[4]
June 1962MFRoy GaterBournemouth & Boscombe Athletic'small'[4]
June 1962MFBrian JacksonPeterborough United£2,000[4]
July 1962FWRalph HuntNewport County£2,000[4]
July 1962DFDavid RaineDoncaster Rovers£2,000[4]
Summer 1962FWStan MarchMacclesfieldReleased[4]

References
Specific
  1. Kent, Jeff (1990). "Flattering Only to Deceive (1960–1969)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 196–226. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. Kent, Jeff (December 1991). Port Vale Tales: A Collection Of Stories, Anecdotes And Memories. Witan Books. p. 109. ISBN 0-9508981-6-3.
  3. Port Vale 1961–1962 : Results & Fixtures Archived 11 June 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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