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 each)
All: Tom Nolan (11)
Highest home attendance21,089 vs. Stoke, 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

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 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.
Club record goalscorer Wilf Kirkham.
Scottish midfielder Bob Connelly.
Midfielder Jack Round.

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 Dicky 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 XI.[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 Dicky 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 North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup friendly with Stoke, losing 7–0 in a match they "scarcely tried" to win.[1]

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Wolverhampton Wanderers (C, P) 42 24 8 10 115 49 2.347 56 Promotion to the First Division
2 Leeds United (P) 42 22 10 10 78 54 1.444 54
3 Stoke City 42 19 14 9 69 48 1.438 52
4 Plymouth Argyle 42 20 9 13 100 66 1.515 49
5 Bury 42 21 7 14 70 58 1.207 49
6 Bradford Park Avenue 42 21 7 14 72 63 1.143 49
7 Bradford City 42 16 13 13 80 61 1.311 45
8 Tottenham Hotspur 42 16 11 15 87 78 1.115 43
9 Millwall 42 17 9 16 61 61 1.000 43
10 Charlton Athletic 42 17 9 16 61 66 0.924 43
11 Nottingham Forest 42 16 10 16 77 72 1.069 42
12 Manchester United 42 17 8 17 71 72 0.986 42
13 Preston North End 42 16 10 16 75 77 0.974 42
14 Southampton 42 17 7 18 66 77 0.857 41
15 Swansea Town 42 16 7 19 73 75 0.973 39
16 Notts County 42 13 12 17 75 75 1.000 38
17 Chesterfield 42 13 11 18 64 86 0.744 37
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 (R) 42 12 9 21 55 91 0.604 33 Relegation to the Third Division North
22 Bristol City (R) 42 6 11 25 39 78 0.500 23 Relegation to the Third Division South
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

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

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
GKEngland Ben Davies 3402010370
GKEngland Arthur Slater 60000060
GKScotland Jock Leckie 20000020
DFEngland Jimmy Oakes 2902010320
DFEngland Billy Wootton 60000060
DFEngland George Shenton 3901010410
DFEngland William Cope 3002010330
DFEngland William Allsop 10100020
DFEngland Arnold Bliss 60000060
DFEngland George Poyser 60000060
MFScotland Bob Connelly 80000080
MFEngland Roger Jones 2721000282
MFEngland Albert Beech 10000010
MFEngland Dennis Izon 1202000140
MFEngland Clarence Spencer 40000040
MFEngland Jack Round 3032010333
MFEngland James Henshall 1441010164
MFEngland Arthur Dorrell 3452000365
MFEngland Jimmy McGrath 00001010
MFEngland Dicky York 2650000265
MFEngland Jack Sherlock 1200000120
FWEngland Harry Marshall 2732000293
FWEngland Sam Jennings 22000022
FWEngland Harry Rowbotham 61000061
FWEngland Stewart Littlewood 1250010135
FWEngland Tom Tippett 3182010348
FWEngland Tom Nolan 19823002111
FWEngland Billy Easton 2260010236
FWEngland 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 EnglandDicky 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 1931FWEnglandBilly EastonSwansea TownFree transfer[3]
May 1931DFEnglandGeorge PoyserMansfield TownFree transfer[3]
June 1931DFEnglandWilliam AllsopBolton WanderersFree transfer[3]
June 1931MFEnglandArthur DorrellAston VillaFree transfer[3]
June 1931FWEnglandTom TippettRochdaleFree transfer[3]
June 1931DFEnglandDicky YorkAston VillaFree transfer[3]
October 1931FWEnglandRobert G. DaviesStoke St.Peter'sFree transfer[3]
October 1931FWEnglandTom NolanManchester CentralFree transfer[3]
January 1932FWEnglandWilf KirkhamStoke CityFree transfer[3]
March 1932MFEnglandHorace BakerLongton HallFree transfer[3]
March 1932GKScotlandJock LeckieScotland Bray UnknownsFree transfer[3]
April 1932MFEnglandFred MillsMiddleportFree transfer[3]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
September 1931FWEnglandSam JenningsStockport CountyFree transfer[3]
March 1932FWEnglandHarry MarshallTottenham HotspurUndisclosed[3]
May 1932FWEnglandJoseph ChellStoke CityFree transfer[3]
May 1932MFScotlandBob ConnellyCongleton TownFree transfer[3]
May 1932MFEnglandArthur DorrellRetired[3]
Summer 1932FWEnglandHarry RowbothamHyde UnitedReleased[3]
August 1932GKEnglandArthur SlaterWatfordFree transfer[3]
August 1932DFEnglandBilly WoottonSouthend UnitedFree transfer[3]
August 1932DFEnglandDicky YorkBrierley Hill AllianceFree transfer[3]

References

Specific
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 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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