Port Vale
1970–71 season
ChairmanMark Singer
(until February)
Graham Bourne
(from February)
ManagerGordon Lee
StadiumVale Park
Football League Third Division17th (42 Points)
FA CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Notts County)
League CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Walsall)
Player of the YearTommy McLaren
Top goalscorerLeague: John James (15)
All: John James (15)
Highest home attendance11,224 vs. Aston Villa, 19 October 1970
Lowest home attendance3,450 vs. Reading, 13 March 1971
Average home league attendance5,437
Biggest win4–0 vs. Swansea City, 17 October 1970
Biggest defeat3–7 vs. Shrewsbury Town, 12 September 1970

The 1970–71 season was Port Vale's 59th season of football in the Football League, and their first (seventh overall) season back in the Third Division following their promotion from the Fourth Division.[1] Gordon Lee led his team to safety in the league, though Vale exited both cup competitions at the first stage.

Overview

Third Division

The pre-season saw the arrival of centre-half Roy Cross (Walsall); inside-forward Brian Horton (Hednesford Town); and full-back Mick Hopkinson (Mansfield Town).[1]

The season began with two wins, but a run of one win in ten games then followed. In September, four of the five directors resigned, one of them (Len Cliff) stated that "the club is being run by outsiders".[1] A new board was formed by November.[1] Meanwhile, on 13 September the club suffered a loss of 7–3 at Gay Meadow to Shrewsbury Town, despite a Bobby Gough hat-trick – the match also saw a sending off, an attempted pitch invasion, and a £35 fine for Gordon Lee for remarks he made to referee Ricky Nicholson.[1] Tommy McLaren then returned from injury to lead Vale on a four match winning streak that included a 2–0 win over fallen-giants Aston Villa in front of a Burslem crowd of 11,224 fans; Lee described the win as his "finest hour".[1][2] Four straight defeats soon came after this sequence however, as Vale's form was patchy.[1] In December, Ron Wilson left the club as he emigrated to South Africa due to his son's ill health.[1] A 1–0 defeat at Villa Park on 16 January was the first of a nine match streak without a victory.[1] At the end of the month Lee signed John Brodie from Northern Premier League side Bradford Park Avenue for £250.[1] During this spell forward Sammy Morgan began to be jeered by fans after losing his scoring touch.[1] He also began studying to be a teacher.[1] Lee said that "I really feel some of our lads have been singled out by the boo boys. If only they realised that encouragement can lift players, things would be so much better".[1] In February, Mark Singer resigned as chairman, and was replaced by Graham Bourne.[1] By then the club were hovering above the relegation zone, but a record of just ten goals conceded in their final twelve games was enough to secure safety, with Brian Horton in good form.[1]

They finished in seventeenth spot, their 42 points leaving them three clear of relegation.[1] John James was the top-scorer with fifteen goals.[1] As a reward for their endeavours, the players were taken on a working holiday to Benidorm, Spain.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, a profit of £3,424 was made, the club's first profitable season since 1962–63.[1] A £19,322 donation from the Sportsmen's Association and the Development Fund helped to reduce the club's total debt to £134,640.[1] Three players were released: Mick Hopkinson (Boston United); John Green (Northwich Victoria); and John King (Wigan Athletic).[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale were knocked out in the First Round by Fourth Division Notts County 1–0 in a 'physical' encounter at Meadow Lane.[1]

In the League Cup, Vale were eliminated once again at the first stage, this time Walsall left Burslem with a 1–0 win.

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Preston North End (C, P) 46 22 17 7 63 39 1.615 61 Promotion to the Second Division
2 Fulham (P) 46 24 12 10 68 41 1.659 60
3 Halifax Town 46 22 12 12 74 55 1.345 56 Qualification for the Watney Cup
4 Aston Villa 46 19 15 12 54 46 1.174 53
5 Chesterfield 46 17 17 12 66 38 1.737 51
6 Bristol Rovers 46 19 13 14 69 50 1.380 51
7 Mansfield Town 46 18 15 13 64 62 1.032 51
8 Rotherham United 46 17 16 13 64 60 1.067 50
9 Wrexham 46 18 13 15 72 65 1.108 49 Qualification for the Watney Cup
10 Torquay United 46 19 11 16 54 57 0.947 49
11 Swansea City 46 15 16 15 59 56 1.054 46
12 Barnsley 46 17 11 18 49 52 0.942 45
13 Shrewsbury Town 46 16 13 17 58 62 0.935 45
14 Brighton & Hove Albion 46 14 16 16 50 47 1.064 44
15 Plymouth Argyle 46 12 19 15 63 63 1.000 43
16 Rochdale 46 14 15 17 61 68 0.897 43
17 Port Vale 46 15 12 19 52 59 0.881 42
18 Tranmere Rovers 46 10 22 14 45 55 0.818 42
19 Bradford City 46 13 14 19 49 62 0.790 40
20 Walsall 46 14 11 21 51 57 0.895 39
21 Reading (R) 46 14 11 21 48 85 0.565 39 Relegation to the Fourth Division
22 Bury (R) 46 12 13 21 52 60 0.867 37
23 Doncaster Rovers (R) 46 13 9 24 45 66 0.682 35
24 Gillingham (R) 46 10 13 23 42 67 0.627 33
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 Third Division

Results by matchday

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHAAHAHHAAHAHHHAHHAAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAHHAAHAHAHAHH
ResultWWLLWLDLLLDDWWWWDLLLLWLWWLDLDDLDLLWWDLWDLLWDWD
Position11410615141619181919171211991014161816181512151315151418192020181315151516181816171517
Source: Statto[3]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
15 August 1970Swansea CityA2–010,713Wilson, Morgan
22 August 1970RochdaleH4–16,196McLaren (2), James, Morris
29 August 1970Plymouth ArgyleA1–27,753Morgan
1 September 1970Bristol RoversA0–37,931
5 September 1970Preston North EndH1–06,954James (pen)
12 September 1970Shrewsbury TownA3–75,856Gough (3)
19 September 1970GillinghamH1–15,178James
21 September 1970ChesterfieldH0–25,930
26 September 1970WalsallA1–35,456James (pen)
28 September 1970Mansfield TownA0–28,121
3 October 1970BarnsleyH1–34,490Gough
10 October 1970Brighton & Hove AlbionA0–09,383
17 October 1970Swansea CityH4–04,962Gough (2), James, Morris
19 October 1970Aston VillaH2–011,224James, Gough
24 October 1970Rotherham UnitedH1–07,215McLaren
31 October 1970BuryA3–23,669Lacey, Horton, Boulton
7 November 1970Tranmere RoversH2–25,495Morris, McLaren
9 November 1970FulhamH0–18,728
14 November 1970ReadingA1–25,036Morris
28 November 1970Halifax TownA0–23,404
5 December 1970Torquay UnitedH0–14,252
19 December 1970RochdaleA3–03,619James, Summerscales, Morris
26 December 1970WrexhamH0–36,303
2 January 1971Doncaster RoversA2–12,997Cross, Gough
9 January 1971Mansfield TownH2–04,412Morris, James
16 January 1971Aston VillaA0–128,933
23 January 1971Bradford CityA1–14,436Morris
30 January 1971Halifax TownH0–14,059
5 February 1971Torquay UnitedA1–16,817Morris
12 February 1971Bradford CityH0–04,361
20 February 1971FulhamA1–410,389Green
27 February 1971BuryH0–03,805
6 March 1971Rotherham UnitedA1–26,866James
10 March 1971ChesterfieldA0–37,592
13 March 1971ReadingH3–13,450McLaren (2), Morgan
15 March 1971Doncaster RoversH1–04,782James (pen)
22 March 1971Tranmere RoversA1–13,734James
27 March 1971Preston North EndA0–116,591
3 April 1971Plymouth ArgyleH2–13,518James, Morgan
10 April 1971WrexhamA1–18,186Boulton
12 April 1971Shrewsbury TownH0–15,655
13 April 1971BarnsleyA0–14,837
17 April 1971Brighton & Hove AlbionH2–13,789Morgan (2)
24 April 1971GillinghamA1–12,207James
26 April 1971Bristol RoversH2–04,525James (2)
1 May 1971WalsallH1–15,758Lacey

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R121 November 1970Notts CountyA0–115,965

League Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R118 August 1970WalsallH0–16,605

Player statistics

Appearances

Pos. Name Football League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GKEngland Keith Ball 2801010300
GKEngland Stuart Sharratt 1800000180
DFEngland Roy Sproson 60001070
DFEngland Clint Boulton 4521010472
DFScotland Ron Wilson 1610010171
DFEngland Bill Summerscales 71000071
DFEngland Roy Cross 4211000431
DFEngland Mick Hopkinson 1301000140
DFEngland John Brodie 1900000190
MFScotland Tommy McLaren 3661010386
MFEngland John Green 2511010271
MFEngland John King 2600010270
MFEngland Brian Horton 3911000401
MFEngland Tony Lacey 4421010462
FWEngland John James 451510104715
FWEngland Mick Morris 4681010488
FWEngland Bobby Gough 3681000378
FWNorthern Ireland Sammy Morgan 3861010406
FWEngland Bob Mountford 10000010

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Name Third Division FA Cup League Cup Total
1FW EnglandJohn James150015
2FW EnglandMick Morris8008
–FW EnglandBobby Gough8008
4MF ScotlandTommy McLaren6006
–FW Northern IrelandSammy Morgan6006
6MF EnglandTony Lacey2002
–DF EnglandClint Boulton2002
8DF ScotlandRon Wilson1001
–DF EnglandBill Summerscales1001
–DF EnglandRoy Cross1001
–MF EnglandJohn Green1001
–MF EnglandBrian Horton1001
TOTALS 52 0 0 52

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
June 1970DFEnglandRoy CrossWalsallFree transfer[4]
July 1970DFEnglandMick HopkinsonMansfield TownFree transfer[4]
July 1970MFEnglandBrian HortonHednesford Town'a pint of shandy'[4]
January 1971DFEnglandJohn BrodieBradford Park Avenue£250[4]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
December 1970DFScotlandRon WilsonSouth Africa HellenicReleased[4]
May 1971DFEnglandMick HopkinsonBoston UnitedFree transfer[4]
May 1971MFEnglandJohn KingWigan AthleticFree transfer[4]
Summer 1971MFEnglandJohn GreenNorthwich VictoriaReleased[4]

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 Kent, Jeff (1990). "Surviving on a Shoestring (1969–1979)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 227–257. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (19 October 2023). "Injury blows as Port Vale weigh up move for midfielder". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  3. ↑ Port Vale 1970–1971 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 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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