1930–31 Port Vale F.C. season

Port Vale
1930–31 season
ChairmanFrank Huntbach
ManagerTom Morgan
StadiumOld Recreation Ground
Football League Second Division5th (47 Points)
FA CupFourth Round
(knocked out by Birmingham)
Top goalscorerLeague: Sam Jennings (16)
All: Sam Jennings (17)
Highest home attendance18,043 vs. West Bromwich Albion, 3 April 1931
Lowest home attendance5,570 vs. Bradford City, 2 May 1931
Average home league attendance10,445
Biggest win8–2 vs. Bradford Park Avenue, 22 September 1930
Biggest defeat0–5 vs. Tottenham Hotspur, 29 November 1930

The 1930–31 season was Port Vale's 25th season of football in the English Football League, and their 34th in the Second Division following their promotion from the Third Division North the previous season.[1] The club achieved its highest league finish to date, placing fifth in the Second Division with 47 points from 42 matches, conceding only 61 goals and scoring 67.

Manager Tom Morgan strengthened the squad over the summer with the signings of Harry Roberts, Arthur Slater, and Clarence Spencer. Veteran striker Sam Jennings finished as the club's top scorer with 17 goals, while Phil Griffiths (13 goals) and Harry Roberts (11 goals) were also consistent contributors. League highlights included a stunning 3–2 win at Everton in front of over 27,000 spectators, followed by a remarkable 8–2 demolition of Bradford Park Avenue, with Jennings netting four. Notable matches in the run‑in saw victories over West Bromwich Albion (1–0) and Tottenham Hotspur (3–0), keeping promotion hopes alive until late April.

In the FA Cup, Port Vale progressed to the Fourth Round, beating amateur side Corinthians 3–1 in the Third Round before being eliminated by First Division Birmingham at St Andrew's, drawing a crowd of 44,119, which raised £2,763 for the club. Off the field, £10,000 in mortgage debentures were issued to fund ground improvements, including 3,500 seats on the Bryan Street stand, though the club made an overall financial loss of £800 on the season.

Long-serving Billy Briscoe was given a free transfer to Congleton Town at the end of the season.[1]
Chairman Frank Huntbach.
Right-back Jack Maddock joined Crewe Alexandra at the end of the season.
Scottish midfielder Bob Connelly.

Overview

Second Division

The pre-season saw the arrival of goalscoring forward Harry Roberts from Lincoln City; big goalkeeper Arthur Slater from Clapton Orient; and young outside-left Clarence Spencer from Birmingham.[1]

The season started with a stylish 5–2 victory over Barnsley in front of a disappointingly low attendance of under 10,000.[1] Two defeats followed, and Albert Pynegar put in a transfer request after being dropped from the first team. Bob Connelly picked up an injury and so Jack Round was signed from Bolton Wanderers.[1] On 20 September, they travelled to Goodison Park to triumph over previously undefeated league leaders Everton 3–2 in front of 27,142 spectators.[1] Two days later, they tore Bradford Park Avenue apart 8–2, with a four-goal haul from Sam Jennings.[1][2] On 4 October they travelled to Home Park, where they lost 2–1 to Plymouth Argyle; later in the day a horrific tragedy almost killed many of the Vale players – they had hired a speedboat at Devon resort which burst into flames whilst at sea, fortunately the pilot managed to extinguish the flames and returned them safely to harbour.[1]

Wins over Burnley and Preston North End took the Vale within two points of a promotion place. Pynegar left the club in October following rumours of a rift with teammate Jennings. He signed with Chesterfield of the Third Division North.[1] Bert Fishwick was a more than able deputy.[1] The defensive duo of Jimmy Oakes and Shino Shenton also proved formidable at the back.[1] On 29 November, promotion dreams took a knock at White Hart Lane, Spurs picking up a 5–0 win.[1] Despite competing at the top end of the table the Old Recreation Ground rarely saw much more than 10,000 spectators.[1] In December, reserve half-back George Whitcombe was sold to Notts County for 'a substantial amount'; the money went towards ground improvements.[1] On 13 December, Vale lost 1–0 at Potteries derby rivals Stoke City. The following month, £10,000 worth of mortgage debenture bonds were released to the same ends.[1] The Football Association rejected the club's ground improvement scheme without giving a reason.[1] On 26 January, they fell to a fourth defeat in five games as league leaders Everton inflicted a 3–1 defeat after Clarence Spencer left the pitch with a broken ankle.[1]

As the season entered its final stretch, top-scorer Jennings was dropped from the squad. Joseph Chell cut his artery in his second game, and in desperation Jimmy Oakes ended up being played at centre-forward. No adequate replacement was found until Stewart Littlewood was re-signed from Oldham Athletic, with Fishwick sold to Tranmere Rovers to meet Oldham's demands.[1] In early April, the "Valiants" beat high-flying West Bromwich Albion and Tottenham Hotspur, thereby keeping hopes of promotion high.[1] West Brom won the return leg at The Hawthorns to put daylight between the two clubs.[1] In late April, Vale travelled to the Netherlands for a short tour, beating a Dutch Southern XI 5–1 and Zwaluwen 2–0.[1]

They finished fifth with 47 points, making it the most successful season in the club's history regarding league position.[1] They were seven points short of second placed West Bromwich Albion. Only 61 goals were conceded, a record bettered only by West Brom and Spurs. However, the 67 goals scored tally was almost half that of the champions Everton. Sam Jennings finished with 17 goals, and Phil Griffiths and Harry Roberts were the only other major contributors. The ground improvements paid for were 3,500 seats on the Bryan Street stand, with a covered terrace.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, an £800 loss was made, with the weather blamed for an average gate figure of 10,537. Numerous players were released, including Billy Briscoe, Frank Watkin, and Jack Maddock.[1] Harry Roberts was also sold to Millwall.[1] Meanwhile, Stewart Littlewood was also selected by the FA for a summer tour of Canada.[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale overcame amateur side Corinthians 3–1 in the third round but then found themselves eliminated by First Division Birmingham at St Andrew's in the fourth round. The 44,119 attendance raised £2,763 for the club.[1]

League table

Main article: 1930–31 Football League

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
3 Tottenham Hotspur 42 22 7 13 88 55 1.600 51
4 Wolverhampton Wanderers 42 21 5 16 84 67 1.254 47
5 Port Vale 42 21 5 16 67 61 1.098 47
6 Bradford (Park Avenue) 42 18 10 14 97 66 1.470 46
7 Preston North End 42 17 11 14 83 64 1.297 45
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored

Results

Football League Second Division

Results by matchday

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142
GroundHAAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHAAHAH
ResultWLDLWWWLLWWLDWWWLWLWDLLWLLWWLWWLLDWWWLLDWW
Position71011121010791096997677777771089107666568874448765
Points223357999111313141618202022222425252527272729313133353535363840424242434547
Source: Statto[3]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

30 August 1930 1 Port Vale 5–2 Barnsley Hanley
Pynegar
Jennings
Griffiths 		Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 9,853
3 September 1930 2 Bradford City 2–1 Port Vale Bradford
Jennings Stadium: Valley Parade
Attendance: 16,000
6 September 1930 3 Bristol City 1–1 Port Vale Ashton Gate, Bristol
Jennings Stadium: Ashton Gate
Attendance: 13,206
8 September 1930 4 Bradford (Park Avenue) 5–1 Port Vale Bradford
Anstiss Stadium: Park Avenue
Attendance: 10,296
13 September 1930 5 Port Vale 2–0 Cardiff City Hanley
Griffiths
Baxter 		Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 9,693
20 September 1930 6 Everton 2–3 Port Vale Walton, Liverpool
Baxter
Pynegar
Anstiss 		Stadium: Goodison Park
Attendance: 27,142
22 September 1930 7 Port Vale 8–2 Bradford (Park Avenue) Hanley
Jennings
Anstiss
Griffiths
o.g. 		Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 8,621
27 September 1930 8 Port Vale 0–1 Bury Hanley
Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 12,906
4 October 1930 9 Plymouth Argyle 2–1 Port Vale Plymouth
Griffiths Stadium: Home Park
Attendance: 20,243
11 October 1930 10 Port Vale 2–0 Swansea Town Hanley
Jennings
Griffiths 		Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 10,970
18 October 1930 11 Reading 0–3 Port Vale Reading, Berkshire
Anstiss
Spencer
Jones 		Stadium: Elm Park
Attendance: 10,927
25 October 1930 12 Port Vale 0–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Hanley
Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 9,578
1 November 1930 13 Oldham Athletic 3–3 Port Vale Oldham
Fishwick
Marshall
Griffiths 		Stadium: Boundary Park
Attendance: 11,625
8 November 1930 14 Port Vale 3–2 Nottingham Forest Hanley
Jennings
Fishwick
Griffiths 		Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 9,753
15 November 1930 15 Burnley 1–2 Port Vale Burnley
Fishwick Stadium: Turf Moor
Attendance: 12,277
22 November 1930 16 Port Vale 1–0 Preston North End Hanley
Jennings Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 10,086
29 November 1930 17 Tottenham Hotspur 5–0 Port Vale Tottenham, North London
Stadium: White Hart Lane
Attendance: 23,609
6 December 1930 18 Port Vale 1–0 Southampton Hanley
Jennings Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 8,828
13 December 1930 19 Stoke City 1–0 Port Vale Stoke-upon-Trent
Stadium: Victoria Ground
Attendance: 26,609
20 December 1930 20 Port Vale 3–2 Millwall Hanley
Roberts
Jennings
Round pen'		 Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 8,448
25 December 1930 21 Port Vale 1–1 Charlton Athletic Hanley
Roberts Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 15,827
26 December 1930 22 Charlton Athletic 3–1 Port Vale Charlton, London
Anstiss Stadium: The Valley
Attendance: 4,768
27 December 1930 23 Barnsley 5–2 Port Vale Barnsley
Jennings
Roberts 		Stadium: Oakwell
Attendance: 6,469
3 January 1931 24 Port Vale 1–0 Bristol City Hanley
Griffiths Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 7,411
17 January 1931 25 Cardiff City 2–1 Port Vale Cardiff
Roberts Stadium: Ninian Park
Attendance: 10,455
26 January 1931 26 Port Vale 1–3 Everton Hanley
Roberts Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 9,028
31 January 1931 27 Bury 0–3 Port Vale Bury, Greater Manchester
Jennings
Roberts
Henshall 		Stadium: Gigg Lane
Attendance: 3,430
7 February 1931 28 Port Vale 2–1 Plymouth Argyle Hanley
Jennings
Roberts 		Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 10,236
14 February 1931 29 Swansea Town 2–1 Port Vale Swansea
Henshall Stadium: Vetch Field
Attendance: 8,602
21 February 1931 30 Port Vale 2–1 Reading Hanley
Roberts
Chell 		Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 8,474
7 March 1931 31 Port Vale 2–0 Oldham Athletic Hanley
Marshall
Oakes 		Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 7,720
11 March 1931 32 Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–0 Port Vale Wolverhampton
Stadium: Molineux Stadium
Attendance: 4,243
14 March 1931 33 Nottingham Forest 1–0 Port Vale West Bridgford
Stadium: City Ground
Attendance: 9,281
21 March 1931 34 Port Vale 0–0 Burnley Hanley
Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 9,185
28 March 1931 35 Preston North End 1–3 Port Vale Preston, Lancashire
Griffiths
Littlewood 		Stadium: Deepdale
Attendance: 7,696
3 April 1931 36 Port Vale 1–0 West Bromwich Albion Hanley
Littlewood Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 18,043
4 April 1931 37 Port Vale 3–0 Tottenham Hotspur Hanley
Griffiths
Round pen'		 Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 14,290
6 April 1931 38 West Bromwich Albion 4–1 Port Vale West Bromwich
Griffiths Stadium: The Hawthorns
Attendance: 23,879
11 April 1931 39 Southampton 2–0 Port Vale Southampton
Stadium: The Dell
Attendance: 9,452
18 April 1931 40 Port Vale 0–0 Stoke City Hanley
Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 13,403
25 April 1931 41 Millwall 0–1 Port Vale New Cross, Lewisham
Roberts Stadium: The Den
Attendance: 8,188
2 May 1931 42 Port Vale 1–0 Bradford City Hanley
Rowbotham Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 5,570

FA Cup

Main article: 1930–31 FA Cup
10 January 1931 R1 Corinthians 1–3 Port Vale
Roberts
Jennings 		Attendance: 12,832
24 January 1931 R2 Birmingham 2–0 Port Vale Birmingham
Stadium: St Andrew's
Attendance: 44,119
Inside-forward Albert Pynegar.
Midfielder Jack Round.

Player statistics

Appearances and goals

Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; FB – Full back; HB – Half back; FW – Forward
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK England Ben Davies 28 0 2 0 30 0
GK England Arthur Slater 14 0 0 0 14 0
FB England Jimmy Oakes 39 1 2 0 41 1
FB England Jack Maddock 3 0 0 0 3 0
FB England Billy Wootton 4 0 0 0 4 0
FB England George Shenton 40 0 2 0 42 0
FB England William Cope 35 0 2 0 37 0
HB Scotland Bob Connelly 1 0 0 0 1 0
HB England Roger Jones 40 1 2 0 42 1
HB England Dennis Izon 1 0 0 0 1 0
HB England Jack Round 38 2 2 0 40 2
HB Wales George Whitcombe 3 0 0 0 3 0
HB England Jack Sherlock 7 0 0 0 7 0
FW England Jack Simms 1 0 0 0 1 0
FW Wales Phil Griffiths 37 13 2 0 39 13
FW England Bert Fishwick 11 4 1 0 12 4
FW England Tom Baxter 15 2 1 0 16 2
FW England Clarence Spencer 11 1 1 0 12 1
FW England James Henshall 18 2 0 0 18 2
FW England Harry Anstiss 15 6 2 0 17 6
FW England Albert Pynegar 9 3 0 0 9 3
FW England Harry Marshall 24 2 0 0 24 2
FW England Sam Jennings 31 16 1 1 32 17
FW England Harry Roberts 24 9 2 2 26 11
FW England Harry Rowbotham 1 1 0 0 1 1
FW England Joseph Chell 2 1 0 0 2 1
FW England Stewart Littlewood 10 2 0 0 10 2

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Name Second Division FA Cup Total
1 FW  England Sam Jennings 16 1 17
2 FW  Wales Phil Griffiths 13 0 13
3 FW  England Harry Roberts 9 2 11
4 FW  England Harry Anstiss 6 0 6
5 FW  England Bert Fishwick 4 0 4
6 FW  England Albert Pynegar 3 0 3
7 FW  England Tom Baxter 2 0 2
– FW  England Harry Marshall 2 0 2
– HB  England Jack Round 2 0 2
– FW  England Stewart Littlewood 2 0 2
– FW  England James Henshall 2 0 2
12 FB  England Jimmy Oakes 1 0 1
– HB  England Roger Jones 1 0 1
– FW  England Clarence Spencer 1 0 1
– FW  England Harry Rowbotham 1 0 1
– FW  England Joseph Chell 1 0 1
– – – Own goals 1 0 1
TOTALS 67 3 70

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
June 1930 FW England Harry Roberts Lincoln City £100 [4]
June 1930 GK England Arthur Slater Clapton Orient Free transfer [4]
March 1931 FW England Stewart Littlewood Oldham Athletic Undisclosed club record [4]
April 1931 FW England Harry Rowbotham Cheddleton Mental Hospital Free transfer [4]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
October 1930 FW England Albert Pynegar Chesterfield £200 [5]
December 1930 HB Wales George Whitcombe Notts County 'Substantial' [4]
March 1931 FW England Bert Fishwick Tranmere Rovers Undisclosed [4]
April 1931 FW England Harry Roberts Millwall Undisclosed [4]
April 1931 FW England Frank Watkin Congleton Town Free transfer [4]
May 1931 FW England Harry Anstiss Swansea Town Free transfer [4]
May 1931 FW England Billy Briscoe Congleton Town Free transfer [4]
May 1931 FW Wales Phil Griffiths Everton £6,000 [4]
May 1931 FW England Jack Simms Swansea Town Free transfer [4]
July 1931 FB England Jack Maddock Crewe Alexandra Free transfer [4]
August 1931 FW England Henry O'Grady Southampton Free transfer [4]

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 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. ^ Fielding, Rob (7 June 2021). "Photo Essay: Port Vale hit eight in 1930 with Sam Jennings scoring four". onevalefan.co.uk. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
  3. ^ Port Vale 1930–1931 : Results & Fixtures Archived 6 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
  5. ^ "Misc. Transfer fees from the Chesterfield FC minute books". Google Docs. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
General
  • Kent, Jeff (1993). The Port Vale Record 1879-1993. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9508981-9-8.
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