1929–30 Port Vale F.C. season

Port Vale
1929–30 season
ChairmanFrank Huntbach
ManagerJoe Schofield
(until 29 September)
Tom Morgan
(from October)
StadiumOld Recreation Ground
Football League Third Division North1st (67 Points)
FA CupSecond Round
(knocked out by Chesterfield)
North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary CupRunners-up
(knocked out by Stoke)
Top goalscorerLeague: Sam Jennings (24)
All: Sam Jennings (27)
Highest home attendance15,346 vs. York City, 18 April 1930
Lowest home attendance4,519 vs. Halifax Town, 28 December 1929
Average home league attendance9,176
Biggest win7–1 vs. Rotherham United, 22 February 1930
Biggest defeat0–2 (three games) and 2–4

The 1929–30 season was Port Vale's 11th consecutive season of football (24th overall) in the English Football League, and their first in the Third Division North.[1] Under manager Joe Schofield (until his death in September) and subsequently Tom Morgan, the club rebounded impressively to finish as champions with 67 points, earning promotion back to the Second Division and setting a new division record for points accrued.

Vale's success was built on a dominant home record and a strong defence: they won 30 of their 42 league matches — a club record — and conceded just 37 goals, the best in all four Football League divisions that season. Veteran striker Sam Jennings led the attack, finishing as league top scorer with 24 goals and 27 in all competitions. Attendances varied widely, peaking at 15,346 for the York City match on 18 April 1930, although the average crowd was a respectable 9,176. In the FA Cup, Vale progressed to the Second Round before succumbing to Chesterfield. They also finished as runners-up in the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary Cup, losing to Potteries derby rivals Stoke.

The season was overshadowed early on by the passing of respected manager Joe Schofield, who died with the team top of the table, and saw reserve coach Tom Morgan take charge and maintain the momentum toward the club’s first-ever league title and promotion in league football history.

Billy Briscoe played ten games.
Chairman Frank Huntbach.
Right-back Jack Maddock played only a cameo role.
Scottish midfielder Bob Connelly.

Overview

Third Division North

The pre-season saw the directors spend some of the £2,600 they received in the sale of Wilf Kirkham.[1] In came Tom Baxter (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Frank Watkin (Stoke City), Sam Jennings (Nottingham Forest), Arthur Brown (Reading), and Bill Cope (Bolton Wanderers).[1][2] Jennings was a proven goalscorer, whilst Brown had kept goal for Wales.[1] Jennings and Pynegar would form a solid striking partnership despite rumours of a rift between the pair.

The season started well, continued at a high tempo, and finished in style.[1] Winning ten of their opening eleven games, Vale marked themselves as promotion favourites early on.[1] The run included a 5–0 win over Barrow and 5–1 victory over New Brighton, with Albert Pynegar scoring a hat-trick in the latter game.[3] However, during this sequence, tragedy struck on 29 September with the death of manager Joe Schofield, aged 58, following a short illness.[1] The Sentinel described him as a man adept at developing young players, who remained close to his players to help them realise their full potential.[1] His funeral took place on 3 October, with Stoke City fans also mourning his death, as he had managed both clubs – the only man ever to do so.[1] Tom Morgan moved out of the backroom staff to take charge for the remainder of the season.[1] The team were four points clear at the top at the time of Schofield's death, his final game being a 4–1 victory at Carlisle United.[1]

Morgan won his first game in charge, the victory over Nelson stretching Vale's lead at the top to six points.[1] In mid-October, the side suffered a mini-slump, drawing three games in a row.[1] One of these draws came in a first visit to Rotherham United on 19 October, when Vale let slip a 2–1 first half lead after Frank Watkin was forced off with a knee injury.[4] To rectify things Bill Rawlings was signed from Manchester United for a four-figure fee, Ben Davies also arrived from Crewe Alexandra in a straight swap for Arthur Brown.[1] Five wins on the bounce followed.[1] Two defeats to Stockport County within two days (Christmas and Boxing Day) left the race for the title open despite the "Valiants" excellent start.[1] Despite having nine players out injured, the Vale marched on, winning nine and drawing two of their following eleven games.[1] This included a 4–0 win over Carlisle United and a 7–1 mauling over Rotherham United – Watkin scoring five in the latter match.[1]

The team defeated Halifax Town by three goals to nil on 28 December, though they were held to a 1–1 draw at bottom club Barrow on 4 January. The directors took the players on a week-long excursion to Llandudno to help them recover. The three following matches were won by a total margin of ten goals, with none conceded. Stockport County, the only challengers for the league title, dropped points in February. On 22 February, Vale inflicted a 7–1 win over Rotherham United, with Watkin claiming five of the goals after four months without playing. Just as Vale were looking unbeatable, Jack Mandley was sold to Aston Villa for £5,000.[1] Protestations from the supporters were quelled slightly by the arrival of Harry Marshall from Wolves.[1] They slumped in March, winning two, losing two and drawing one.[1] Despite being top of the league, a small minority of fans protested against the directors.[1] The final four games were away, and Stockport were still breathing down the Vale's necks.[1] All four games were won, with 16 goals scored in the season's final five games.[1] They took the title at Crewe Alexandra's Gresty Road, with 1,000 supporters cheering them on.[1]

They finished as champions with 67 points from 42 matches, then a division record.[1] This put them 17 points clear of third-placed Darlington, and four points clear of Stockport.[1] The previous season County had finished one point off champions Bradford City. Vale were one of five teams in the Football League to score a century of league goals (the others Sheffield Wednesday, West Bromwich Albion, Stockport County, and Darlington).[1] Sam Jennings and Albert Pynegar scored nearly fifty goals combined. They conceded just 37 goals, fewer than any other team in the four divisions.[1] At a Burslem Town Hall reception, 2,000 supporters congratulated the team on their achievement, amongst them Stoke's Wilf Kirkham.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, a profit of £363 was made.[1] Yet attendances were again a concern, a £725 drop in gate receipts saw an intake of just £13,302 on the gates.[1] Wages came to £8,079.[1] The directors again began talk of moving stadia to Cobridge.[1] Leaving the club were Robert Gillespie, Jack Prince, and Bill Rawlings; they left for Wrexham, Rochdale, and New Milton respectively.[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale progressed into the second round after beating Gainsborough Trinity 5–0 in a replay.[1] During the first encounter Bob Connelly made his 122nd consecutive appearance, but was injured during the rough match.[1] The matchday programme at Vale Park was highly disparaging of Trinity's rough tactics.[1] They then came up against league rivals Chesterfield at Saltergate. Chesterfield would win all but three of their home games in the league and were equally stubborn opposition for the "Valiants", whom they defeated 2–0 after Bob Connelly was forced off with an injury.[1]

League table

Main article: 1929–30 Football League

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion
1 Port Vale (C, P) 42 30 7 5 103 37 2.784 67 Promotion to the Second Division
2 Stockport County 42 28 7 7 106 44 2.409 63
3 Darlington 42 22 6 14 108 73 1.479 50
4 Chesterfield 42 22 6 14 76 56 1.357 50
5 Lincoln City 42 17 14 11 83 61 1.361 48
Source: rsssf.com
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted

Results

Football League Third Division North

Results by matchday

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142
GroundAAHHAAHHAHAAHAHAHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAAAA
ResultWWWWWLWWWWWDDDWWWWWLLWDWWWWWWDWWLLWDDWWWWW
Position621111111111111111111111111111111111111111
Points24681010121416182021222325272931333333353638404244464849515353535556575961636567
Source: Statto[5]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

31 August 1929 Halifax Town 1–2 Port Vale Halifax, West Yorkshire
Jennings Stadium: The Shay
Attendance: 8,101
2 September 1929 New Brighton 0–1 Port Vale New Brighton, Merseyside
Jennings Stadium: Sandheys Park
Attendance: 4,883
7 September 1929 Port Vale 5–0 Barrow Cobridge
Griffiths
Pynegar
Baxter
Anstiss 		Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 9,882
9 September 1929 Port Vale 5–1 New Brighton Cobridge
Pynegar pen'
Griffiths
Anstiss 		Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 8,260
14 September 1929 Wrexham 0–2 Port Vale Wrexham
Watkin
Baxter 		Stadium: Racecourse Ground
Attendance: 8,828
16 September 1929 Lincoln City 3–2 Port Vale Lincoln
Watkin Stadium: Sincil Bank
Attendance: 5,842
21 September 1929 Port Vale 4–0 Wigan Borough Cobridge
Pynegar
Baxter
Jennings 		Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 7,915
23 September 1929 Port Vale 2–0 Crewe Alexandra Cobridge
Pynegar Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 10,674
28 September 1929 Carlisle United 1–4 Port Vale Carlisle
Griffiths
Pynegar
Baxter 		Stadium: Brunton Park
Attendance: 8,784
5 October 1929 Port Vale 3–1 Nelson Cobridge
Jennings
Pynegar 		Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 7,746
12 October 1929 Southport 1–2 Port Vale Southport
Watkin
Baxter 		Stadium: Ash Lane
Attendance: 4,746
19 October 1929 Rotherham United 2–2 Port Vale Rotherham
Fishwick
Pynegar 		Stadium: Millmoor
Attendance: 6,583
26 October 1929 Port Vale 3–3 Rochdale Cobridge
Fishwick
Pynegar pen'
Griffiths 		Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 8,902
2 November 1929 South Shields 0–0 Port Vale South Shields
Stadium: Horsley Hill
Attendance: 5,984
9 November 1929 Port Vale 5–2 Accrington Stanley Cobridge
Pynegar
Anstiss
Rawlings
Baxter 		Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 11,294
16 November 1929 Darlington 0–1 Port Vale Darlington
Griffiths Stadium: Feethams
Attendance: 7,982
23 November 1929 Port Vale 2–1 Hartlepools United Cobridge
Anstiss
Rawlings 		Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 7,166
7 December 1929 Port Vale 4–1 Chesterfield Cobridge
Anstiss
Baxter
Griffiths
Jennings 		Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 5,682
21 December 1929 Port Vale 1–0 Tranmere Rovers Cobridge
Anstiss Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 6,852
25 December 1929 Port Vale 1–2 Stockport County Cobridge
Oakes Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 14,494
26 December 1929 Stockport County 4–2 Port Vale Stockport
Stockton
Jennings 		Stadium: Edgeley Park
Attendance: 22,668
28 December 1929 Port Vale 3–0 Halifax Town Cobridge
Jennings
Stockton 		Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 4,519
4 January 1930 Barrow 1–1 Port Vale Barrow-in-Furness
Mandley Stadium: Holker Street
Attendance: 5,765
18 January 1930 Port Vale 3–0 Wrexham Cobridge
Stockton
Jennings 		Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 10,519
25 January 1930 Wigan Borough 0–3 Port Vale Wigan
Jennings
Fishwick 		Stadium: Springfield Park
Attendance: 6,567
1 February 1930 Port Vale 4–0 Carlisle United Cobridge
Jennings
Anstiss 		Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 9,279
8 February 1930 Nelson 2–3 Port Vale Nelson, Lancashire
Anstiss
Jennings
Pynegar 		Stadium: Seedhill Football Ground
Attendance: 5,045
15 February 1930 Port Vale 1–0 Southport Cobridge
Baxter Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 8,338
22 February 1930 Port Vale 7–1 Rotherham United Cobridge
Watkin
Jennings
Anstiss 		Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 7,989
1 March 1930 Rochdale 0–0 Port Vale Rochdale
Stadium: Spotland Stadium
Attendance: 7,177
8 March 1930 Port Vale 3–0 South Shields Cobridge
Jennings Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 9,748
15 March 1930 Accrington Stanley 0–2 Port Vale Accrington
Anstiss
Marshall 		Stadium: Peel Park
Attendance: 4,431
22 March 1930 Port Vale 0–2 Darlington Cobridge
Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 10,543
29 March 1930 Hartlepools United 2–0 Port Vale Hartlepool
Stadium: Victoria Park
Attendance: 7,473
5 April 1930 Port Vale 2–1 Doncaster Rovers Cobridge
Fishwick
Pynegar 		Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 9,905
12 April 1930 Chesterfield 1–1 Port Vale Chesterfield, Derbyshire
Griffiths Stadium: Saltergate
Attendance: 7,450
18 April 1930 Port Vale 1–1 York City Cobridge
Anstiss Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 15,346
19 April 1930 Port Vale 5–2 Lincoln City Cobridge
Jennings
Griffiths
Pynegar 		Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 7,649
21 April 1930 York City 0–2 Port Vale Fulford, North Yorkshire
Griffiths Stadium: Fulfordgate
Attendance: 9,439
26 April 1930 Tranmere Rovers 1–5 Port Vale Prenton
Pynegar
Jennings
Griffiths 		Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 3,784
1 May 1930 Doncaster Rovers 0–2 Port Vale Doncaster
Baxter
Anstiss 		Stadium: Belle Vue
Attendance: 5,313
3 May 1930 Crewe Alexandra 0–2 Port Vale Crewe
Pynegar Stadium: Gresty Road
Attendance: 7,014

FA Cup

Main article: 1929–30 FA Cup
30 November 1929 R1 Gainsborough Trinity 0–0 Port Vale Gainsborough, Lincolnshire
Stadium: The Northolme
Attendance: 4,000
4 December 1929 Replay Port Vale 5–0 Gainsborough Trinity Cobridge
Jennings
Anstiss
Pynegar 		Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 6,253
14 December 1929 R2 Chesterfield 2–0 Port Vale Chesterfield, Derbyshire
Stadium: Saltergate
Attendance: 11,740

Staffordshire Senior Cup

5 May 1930 Final Port Vale 1–2 Stoke Cobridge
Jennings Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 6,343

North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary Cup

5 May 1930 Final Port Vale 1–2 Stoke Cobridge
Jennings Stadium: Athletic Ground
Attendance: 6,343
Inside-forward Albert Pynegar.

Player statistics

Team photo taken in 1929.

Appearances and goals

Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; FB – Full back; HB – Half back; FW – Forward
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK England Ben Davies 29 0 3 0 1 0 33 0
GK England Jack Prince 12 0 0 0 0 0 12 0
GK Wales Arthur Brown 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
FB England Jimmy Oakes 33 1 3 0 0 0 36 1
FB England Jack Maddock 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
FB England Billy Wootton 20 0 0 0 1 0 21 0
FB England George Shenton 31 0 3 0 1 0 35 0
FB England Bill Cope 40 0 3 0 0 0 43 0
FB England Jack Mandley 12 1 3 0 0 0 15 1
FB England George Stockton 6 4 0 0 0 0 6 4
HB Scotland Bob Connelly 25 0 2 0 0 0 27 0
HB England Roger Jones 38 0 3 0 1 0 42 0
HB England Dennis Izon 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
HB Wales George Whitcombe 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
HB England Jack Sherlock 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
FW England Jack Simms 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
FW Wales Phil Griffiths 30 14 0 0 1 0 31 14
FW England Bert Fishwick 5 4 0 0 0 0 5 4
FW England Tom Baxter 39 9 3 0 1 0 43 9
FW England Sam Spencer 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FW England Billy Briscoe 8 0 1 0 1 0 10 0
FW England Harry Anstiss 33 13 3 2 1 0 37 15
FW England Robert Gillespie 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
FW England Albert Pynegar 29 21 3 1 1 0 33 22
FW England Frank Watkin 13 9 0 0 0 0 13 9
FW England Bill Rawlings 5 2 1 0 0 0 6 2
FW England Henry O'Grady 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
FW England Harry Marshall 4 1 0 0 0 0 4 1
FW England Sam Jennings 30 24 2 2 1 1 33 27

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Name Third Division North FA Cup Infirmary Cup Total
1 FW  England Sam Jennings 24 2 1 27
2 FW  England Albert Pynegar 21 1 0 22
3 FW  England Harry Anstiss 13 2 0 15
4 FW  Wales Phil Griffiths 14 0 0 14
5 FW  England Tom Baxter 9 0 0 9
– FW  England Frank Watkin 9 0 0 9
7 FB  England George Stockton 4 0 0 4
– FW  England Bert Fishwick 4 0 0 4
9 FW  England Bill Rawlings 2 0 0 2
10 FB  England Jimmy Oakes 1 0 0 1
– FB  England Jack Mandley 1 0 0 1
– FW  England Harry Marshall 1 0 0 1
TOTALS 103 5 1 109

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 1929 GK Wales Arthur Brown Reading Free transfer [6]
May 1929 FW England Sam Jennings Nottingham Forest Free transfer [6]
May 1929 HB England Jack Sherlock Hanley Y.M.C.A. Free transfer [6]
June 1929 FW England Frank Watkin Stoke City Free transfer [6]
July 1929 FB England Bill Cope Bolton Wanderers Free transfer [6]
October 1929 HB England Arnold Bliss Dartford Free transfer [6]
October 1929 GK England Ben Davies Crewe Alexandra Free transfer [6]
November 1929 HB England Cliff Birks Stoke City Free transfer [6]
November 1929 FW England Henry O'Grady Witton Albion Free transfer [6]
November 1929 FW England Bill Rawlings Manchester United 'four-figure' [6]
March 1930 FW England Harry Marshall Wolverhampton Wanderers 'sizeable outlay' [6]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
October 1929 GK Wales Arthur Brown Crewe Alexandra Free transfer [6]
March 1930 FB England Jack Mandley Aston Villa £7,000 [6]
May 1930 GK England Jack Prince Rochdale Released [6]
Summer 1930 FW England Bill Rawlings New Milton Free transfer [6]

References

Specific
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am 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. ^ "Press coverage of Port Vale's first-ever promotion in the Football League". OneValeFan. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  3. ^ Fielding, Rob (18 April 2020). "Eleven games played, won ten - Port Vale's amazing start to 1929-30". onevalefan.co.uk. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  4. ^ "Press clippings of Port Vale's first-ever game against Rotherham". OneValeFan. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
  5. ^ Port Vale 1929–1930 : Results & Fixtures Archived 19 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o 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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