Port Vale
1980–81 season
ChairmanArthur MacPherson
(until October)
Don Ratcliffe
(from October)
ManagerJohn McGrath
StadiumVale Park
Football League Fourth Division19th (39 Points)
FA CupThird Round
(knocked out by Enfield)
League CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Tranmere Rovers)
Player of the YearRussell Bromage
Top goalscorerLeague: Mark Chamberlain, Neville Chamberlain (9 each)
All: Neville Chamberlain (13)
Highest home attendance7,722 vs. Burnley, 16 December 1980
Lowest home attendance2,091 vs. Torquay United, 6 October 1980
Average home league attendance2,738
Biggest win4–0 and 5–1
Biggest defeat0–5 vs. Mansfield Town, 24 January 1981

The 1980–81 season was Port Vale's 69th season of football in the English Football League, and their third-successive season (ninth overall) in the Fourth Division.[1] A difficult season, by February the club were bottom of the Football League. However, they rallied to finish in nineteenth place, thus avoiding a re-election campaign. Advancing to the Third Round of the FA Cup, there they were humiliated by a 3–0 defeat to non-League side Enfield in front of the TV cameras. As usual, they exited the League Cup at the First Round. Despite poor crowd figures and a poor league place, John McGrath had overseen the worst of the club's dire spell, whilst new Chairman Don Ratcliffe stabilized the finances by cutting expenditure. A bleak financial picture led McGrath to focus on youth, and the Chamberlain brothers (Mark and Neville) in particular developed well to leave the club with a more optimistic future.

Overview

Fourth Division

The pre-season saw John McGrath sign two news players – Leicester City's John Allen and Stoke City's Trevor Brissett.[1] These newcomers were all the Vale could afford, and Vale ominously failed to win any of their pre-season friendlies.[1] The club also received a £600 fine for the disciplinary record of the previous season (by now an annual occurrence).[1]

The season opened with a 3–0 win over Doncaster Rovers, but then Vale travelled to Roots Hall, where they were beaten 5–1 by Southend United.[1] This defeat was the first of a run of six games in which the "Valiants" picked up just a solitary point.[1] The Vale consistently lost away from home, but turned Vale Park into a fortress with four successive wins in Burslem.[1] Despite this, attendances remained barely above 2,000.[1] Injuries piled up; Gerry Keenan with ligament damage, Steve Jones with a collarbone injury, whereas Paul Bowles played on as captain despite being overweight.[2][1] The club in the re-election zone, unable to attract fans, and losing £1,000 a week, Arthur MacPherson resigned as chairman on 2 October, and was replaced by Don Ratcliffe.[1] Mark Chamberlain was then utilized, and scored four goals in his first four games and also created goals for others.[1] Former top-flight winger Johnny Miller then joined the club after his release from Mansfield Town.[1] Miller's crossing ability had not diminished, and he became a key player.[1] Young keeper Mark Harrison in good form, McGrath felt able to sell Trevor Dance to Stafford Rangers for £10,000.[1] Their upturn in form tailed off, and their 4–0 defeat at Plainmoor on 5 November was played in front of a then Torquay United record-low crowd of 1,227 fans.[1] A 1–0 victory over Southend United was the only win in a sequence of fourteen league games.[1]

In December, John Rudge was upgraded from coach to assistant manager.[1] However, poor league form continued; on 27 December Vale lost 5–1 to Northampton Town at the County Ground, and Phil Sproson was sent off for swearing at teammate Russell Bromage.[1] More away defeats came, with the Vale defence insistent on playing dangerous balls on the outside of their penalty area.[1] On 24 January, they lost 5–0 at Field Mill to Mansfield Town, this left them at the foot of the league, four points adrift of safety.[1] McGrath brought in two new signings: big defender Andy Higgins from Chesterfield and midfielder Terry Armstrong; Higgins was restricted mainly to away matches as there the team needed the added strength and height that he provided.[3][1] He also signed keeper Brian Lloyd on loan from Chester City, and the former Wales international proved to be a revelation.[1] McGrath then installed a five-man defence away from home, the tactic proved a success, as Vale avoided defeat in all but two of their final eight away games.[1] McGrath later reflected that "that Mansfield match was a dreadful experience, I simply could not wait any longer before taking some action; we had to get some better players."[3] Vale went on a streak of seven games unbeaten, recording a 4–0 win over fellow strugglers Hereford United.[1] On 26 April, the club started a club-record run of six consecutive draws, which would end on 12 September the next season. Their goalless draw with Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road assured them of safety from re-election.[1]

They finished nineteenth place with 39 points, three points clear of the re-election places.[1] For the third consecutive season they had conceded seventy goals, and only Tranmere Rovers and Halifax Town conceded more.[1] The Chamberlain brothers were the top scorers in the league with nine goals, whilst Neville scored thirteen in all competitions.[1] McGrath said "it has taken time, but the attitude [of the team] is slowly changing."[1]

Finances

On the financial side, a £12,496 loss was announced.[1] Income was supplemented by an intake of £174,890 from the commercial department.[1] An average home attendance of 2,738 was the lowest since the club regained their Football League status in 1921. Nevertheless, spending had been slashed to bring finances under control.[1] Six players left at the end of the season on free transfers, most significantly: Neil Griffiths (Crewe Alexandra), Steve Jones, Alan Woolfall (Marine), and John Allen (Hinckley Athletic).[1] Loanee Lloyd also returned to his club, despite the fans demands to sign him up.[1] Kenny Beech was sold to Walsall for £10,000.[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale advanced past Bradford City with a 4–2 win, the Chamberlain brothers in deadly form.[1] "Bantams" manager George Mulhall said "it could have been ten!".[1] With Harrison injured, Vale then used Derby County loanee keeper Steve Cherry in a 'magnificent' 1–1 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor.[1] Vale then finished off the Third Division club at home with a 2–0 win in front of a season-high crowd of 7,722.[1] Drawn against Isthmian League side Enfield in the Third Round, they drew 1–1 at Vale Park before they 'died in shame' with a 3–0 defeat in the replay.[1] This was the first time the Vale had been knocked out of the competition by a non-League club since Gainsborough Trinity beat them 2–1 in 1937.[1] Port Vale were Enfield's third scalp of the season after Barnsley and Hereford United. The loss came in front of the television cameras, and was particularly humiliating as Enfield's keeper had a quiet afternoon and Cherry gifted Enfield their second goal with a horrible miskick.[1]

In the League Cup, Neville Chamberlain scored after only fifty seconds in a 3–2 home defeat by Tranmere Rovers.[1] Vale then beat 1–0 at Prenton Park to exit the competition on away goals.[1]

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion
17 Torquay United 46 18 5 23 55 63 −8 41
18 Crewe Alexandra 46 13 14 19 48 61 −13 40
19 Port Vale 46 12 15 19 57 70 −13 39
20 Stockport County 46 16 7 23 44 57 −13 39
21 Tranmere Rovers 46 13 10 23 59 73 −14 36 Re-elected
Source:

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Fourth Division

Results by matchday

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHAAHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAAHHAHAHAAAHAHHAHHHAAHAHHAHAA
ResultWLLDLLLWLWLWWLWDLDLDWLDDLLLLLDWLDDWWWDDLWDLDDD
Position281716202121222418221916201717171820211721212122222223242322222222212019191920191919202019
Source: Statto[4]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
16 August 1980Doncaster RoversH3–02,846Jones, Griffiths, N.Chamberlain
18 August 1980Southend UnitedA1–54,190N.Chamberlain
23 August 1980WimbledonA0–11,775
30 August 1980Mansfield TownH0–02,558
6 September 1980Wigan AthleticA0–14,666
13 September 1980AldershotH0–12,370
15 September 1980Stockport CountyA1–23,480N.Chamberlain
20 September 1980DarlingtonH4–22,158Keenan (2), Allen, Farrell
27 September 1980BuryA1–22,341Keenan
29 September 1980Stockport CountyH2–02,835Beech, Allen
4 October 1980York CityA1–42,025Griffiths
6 October 1980Torquay UnitedH3–12,091o.g., Beech, Griffiths (pen)
11 October 1980Tranmere RoversH5–12,820Bromage (2), M.Chamberlain (2), Allen
18 October 1980Bradford CityA1–22,843Bromage
22 October 1980Hereford UnitedA3–22,101M.Chamberlain (2), Beech
25 October 1980Hartlepool UnitedH1–13,072Bromage
27 October 1980BournemouthH0–23,009
1 November 1980Peterborough UnitedA1–13,648o.g.
5 November 1980Torquay UnitedA0–41,227
8 November 1980RochdaleH1–12,774Bowles
10 November 1980Southend UnitedH1–02,780Allen
15 November 1980Doncaster RoversA0–22,422
5 December 1980Crewe AlexandraH2–24,154Beech, N.Chamberlain
20 December 1980Halifax TownA2–21,215o.g., Woolfall
26 December 1980Lincoln CityH0–14,239
27 December 1980Northampton TownA1–52,978N.Chamberlain
10 January 1981Hartlepool UnitedA0–33,116
24 January 1981Mansfield TownA0–53,864
31 January 1981WimbledonH2–32,372Miller (2 [1 pen])
7 February 1981AldershotA0–02,598
14 February 1981Wigan AthleticH3–03,214Miller, Sproson, N.Chamberlain
21 February 1981BuryH1–32,831N.Chamberlain
24 February 1981Scunthorpe UnitedA1–11,878M.Chamberlain
3 March 1981Scunthorpe UnitedH2–22,277Miller, M.Chamberlain
7 March 1981York CityH2–02,319Bennett (pen), M.Chamberlain
16 March 1981Hereford UnitedH4–02,379Bowles (2), M.Chamberlain, Armstrong
24 March 1981Tranmere RoversA2–11,422Beech, N.Chamberlain
28 March 1981BournemouthA0–04,665
4 April 1981Peterborough UnitedH1–12,982Armstrong
12 April 1981RochdaleA1–22,590Bowles
14 April 1981Bradford CityH2–12,221N.Chamberlain, Sproson
18 April 1981Northampton TownH1–12,371Sproson
20 April 1981Lincoln CityA0–13,784
26 April 1981Halifax TownH0–02,301
1 May 1981Crewe AlexandraA0–04,634
5 May 1981DarlingtonA1–11,576M.Chamberlain

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R122 November 1980Bradford CityH4–24,022N.Chamberlain (2), Bennett (pen), Beech
R213 December 1980BurnleyA1–17,497Miller
R2 Replay16 December 1980BurnleyH2–07,722Farrell, M.Chamberlain
R33 January 1981EnfieldH1–15,538Beech
R3 Replay6 January 1981EnfieldA0–36,499

League Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R1 1st Leg9 August 1980Tranmere RoversH2–32,651N.Chamberlain (2)
R1 2nd Leg12 August 1980Tranmere RoversA1–02,386Bromage

Player statistics

Appearances

Pos. Name Football League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GKEngland Trevor Dance 20000020
GKEngland Steve Cherry 40400080
GKEngland Mark Harrison 2401000250
GKWales Brian Lloyd 1600000160
DFEngland Neil Griffiths 2132020253
DFEngland Phil Sproson 4434020503
DFEngland Gerry Keenan 1230010133
DFEngland Lee Harwood 40002060
DFEngland Paul Bowles 4445000494
DFEngland Trevor Brissett 4103010450
DFEngland Andy Higgins 1000000100
DFEngland Russell Bromage 4545021525
MFEngland Kenny Beech 4555220527
MFEngland Mark Chamberlain 31951003610
MFEngland Peter Farrell 2514110302
MFEngland Ian Elsby 1705010230
MFEngland Johnny Miller 2645100315
MFEngland Terry Armstrong 1720000172
MFEngland Paul Bennett 2614100302
MFEngland Lee Jenkins 100000100
FWEngland Neville Chamberlain 35952224213
FWEngland Alan Woolfall 1110000111
FWEngland Steve Jones 1012020141
FWEngland John Allen 1840020204

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Name Fourth Division FA Cup League Cup Total
1FW EnglandNeville Chamberlain92213
2MF EnglandMark Chamberlain91010
3MF EnglandKenny Beech5207
4DF EnglandRussell Bromage4015
–MF EnglandJohnny Miller4105
6FW EnglandJohn Allen4004
–DF EnglandPaul Bowles4004
8DF EnglandNeil Griffiths3003
–DF EnglandPhil Sproson3003
–DF EnglandGerry Keenan3003
11MF EnglandTerry Armstrong2002
–MF EnglandPeter Farrell1102
–MF EnglandPaul Bennett1102
14FW EnglandAlan Woolfall1001
–FW EnglandSteve Jones1001
–––Own goals3003
TOTALS 57 8 3 68

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 1980FWEnglandJohn AllenLeicester CityFree transfer[5]
May 1980DFEnglandTrevor BrissettStoke CityFree transfer[5]
September 1980MFEnglandJohnny MillerMansfield TownFree transfer[5]
November 1980MFEnglandLee JenkinsAston VillaFree transfer[5]
February 1981MFEnglandTerry ArmstrongHuddersfield TownFree transfer[5]
February 1981DFEnglandAndy HigginsChesterfieldFree transfer[5]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
October 1980GKEnglandTrevor DanceStafford Rangers£10,000[5]
April 1981FWEnglandJohn AllenHinckley AthleticFree transfer[5]
April 1981MFEnglandLee JenkinsFinland RoPSFree transfer[5]
April 1981FWEnglandSteve JonesReleased[5]
May 1981MFEnglandIan ElsbyMacclesfield TownFree transfer[5]
May 1981DFEnglandNeil GriffithsCrewe AlexandraFree transfer[5]
May 1981FWEnglandAlan WoolfallMarineFree transfer[5]
August 1981MFEnglandKenny BeechWalsall£10,000[5]

Loans in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
November 1980GKEnglandSteve CherryDerby CountyJanuary 1981[5]
February 1981GKWalesBrian LloydChester CitySummer 1981[5]

Loans out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref.
September 1980GKEnglandTrevor DanceStafford RangersOctober 1980[5]

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 39 40 41 42 43 44 Kent, Jeff (1990). "From Rags to Riches (1979–1990)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 258–290. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. ↑ Sentinel Football Annual 1980–81. p. 21.
  3. 1 2 Sentinel Football Annual 1981–82. p. 19.
  4. ↑ Port Vale 1980–1981 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 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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