1933–34 Port Vale F.C. season

Port Vale
1933–34 season
ChairmanFrank Huntbach
ManagerTom Holford
StadiumOld Recreation Ground
Football League Second Division8th (45 Points)
FA CupThird Round
(knocked out by Charlton Athletic)
Welsh CupSemi-final
(knocked out by Bristol City)
Top goalscorerLeague: Tom Nolan (22)
All: Tom Nolan (22)
Highest home attendance14,216 vs. Blackpool, 20 January 1934
Lowest home attendance2,990 vs. Nottingham Forest, 5 May 1934
Average home league attendance10,051
Biggest win4–0 and 5–1
Biggest defeat1–6 vs. Nottingham Forest, 23 December 1933

The 1933–34 season was Port Vale's 28th season of football in the English Football League, and their fourth-successive season (27th overall) in the Second Division.[1] Under manager Tom Holford, the club enjoyed a breakthrough campaign — finishing 8th in the Second Division with 45 points, their best league placing since the 1930–31 season and one they would not improve upon until 1996–97.

A major driving force was centre‑forward Tom Nolan, who struck 22 goals in 32 league appearances, including hat‑tricks against Bury, Hull City, and Nottingham Forest, becoming the club's top scorer for the season. Vale's defensive solidity was also notable — they conceded just 55 goals, the second‑lowest in the division, and kept a number of clean sheets during their fine run of early and mid‑season form.

Standout moments included an eight‑win start in their first eleven matches, positioning Vale in third place with ten games remaining, firmly in promotion contention. However, a poor run of results — including home defeats to Brentford and Burnley, and a narrow loss to West Ham United in atrocious pitch conditions — saw them slip down the table. They did end strongly with a 3–1 win over Nottingham Forest, in which Nolan earned praise for his constant threat, though attendances dipped sharply, with only 2,801 watching at one match.

In the FA Cup, Vale were knocked out in the Third Round, while in the Welsh Cup they reached the semi‑final before losing to Bristol City. Off the field, the club's average home attendance rose to around 10,051, peaking at 14,216 against Blackpool on 20 January 1934. At season's end, the board initiated a squad clear-out to cut costs and refresh personnel ahead of future campaigns. This season is remembered for unfettered ambition and glimpsed promise — close enough to promotion to inspire belief, yet ultimately frustration as Vale failed to sustain their challenge in a club season that would stand among their finest of the interwar era.

Manager Tom Holford.
Chairman Frank Huntbach stated that an average attendance of 12,000 was needed to bring the club forward, and also hit out against the Hanley traders.[1]
Midfielder Jack Round.

Overview

Second Division

The pre-season saw the arrival of ten new professionals, six of whom were forwards.[1] The most significant newcomers were Trevor Rhodes (Bradford Park Avenue), Jack Vickers (Charlton Athletic), as well as Ken Gunn and Billy Tabram (both from Swansea Town).[1]

The season started with two home wins and two losses on the road. The wins kept coming, including an impressive 2–1 win at third-placed Grimsby Town that put Vale top of the table on 23 September. They slipped to a 3–2 loss at Notts County seven days later in "a thrilling struggle". This was followed by a run of five wins and two draws in seven games, with only one goal conceded. They regained top spot with a 3–1 win over Bradford Park Avenue on 21 October, whilst Vale signed Sydney Dickinson was brought in from the opposition for a "significant fee". However, the Vale then went on to lose five of their next six matches, conceding 16 goals and scoring just three.[1] Only an excellent performance from goalkeeper Allan Todd prevented more than a three-goal defeat at Bolton Wanderers. Manchester United ended the Vale's 100% record at the Old Recreation Ground when they sneaked a 3–2 win on 2 December. Vale lost 6–1 at Nottingham Forest on 23 December. The slide was halted with a 1–0 Boxing day victory over Lincoln City in which top-scorer Tom Nolan became one of only two Vale players sent off in the period between 1918 and 1947.[1] The result nevertheless kept the club within a point of the promotion places.[1] This was supplemented by seven of a possible eight points in their next four games, including victories at The Dell and Valley Parade.[1]

Their run ended on 5 February at the Old Recreation Ground with a 1–0 defeat to eventual champions Grimsby Town.[1] From this point, the promotion campaign completely collapsed, with a 4–0 loss soon coming to Welsh strugglers Swansea.[1] New signing Jack Blackwell from Charlton couldn't reverse the trend despite helping the side to their biggest win of the season with a 5–1 thrashing of Millwall the following week.[1] A fortnight later and a 2–0 win over promotion-chasing Preston North End meant promotion was back on the cards for the "Valiants".[1] The Sentinel's "Placer" commented that Vale had the easiest remaining fixtures of the chasing pack and thus had a "great chance of ascending to the First Division for the first time in their career".[1]

Their remaining eleven games yielded a return of merely seven points, lacking a reserve team, and fatigue had set into the first team.[1] One significant defeat came at Old Trafford, which helped Manchester United avoid relegation to the third tier for what would have been the only time in their history. Billy Tabram dislocated his collarbone in the defeat to Manchester United. Young Fred Mitcheson did make a name for himself, however, scoring a hat-trick in his debut in a 4–0 win over Plymouth Argyle.[1]

They finished in eighth position, gaining 45 points from 42 games.[1] Seven more points were required to match promoted Preston North End, though they finished twelve points clear of relegated Millwall. Billy Tabram had helped secure the Vale's defence, their 55 goals conceded the lowest in the division behind Preston.[1] Attacking-wise, their 60 goals were a poor return for a top-of-the-table club, with 33 of these coming from Tom Nolan (22) and Trevor Rhodes (11).[1]

Finances

On the financial side, a loss of £2,771 was announced despite strict economic budgeting.[1] Gate receipts had risen slowly to £11,868, though a rare transfer deficit was made, and expenses had risen sharply.[1] The club announced that it would consider offers for any of its players, blaming the fans for a lack of enthusiasm, exemplified by an attendance of 2,990 (raising just £136) for the end-of-season clash with Nottingham Forest, despite having recently built a stand with cover for 15,000 spectators.[1] The upshot of this was the release of a massive 15 players, a list which included: Bill Cope, Sydney Dickinson, Len Armitage, and Jimmy McGrath.[1] Billy Tabram was also sold to Hull City for a large fee, whilst Fred Mills' transfer to Leeds United and George Poyser's move to Brentford also brought in some much-needed cash.[1] In the boardroom, Adrian Capes announced his retirement.[1] It was, according to historian Jeff Kent, "the end of an era".[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, defeat came in the third round to Third Division South side Charlton Athletic at The Valley despite 'special training' measures beforehand.[1] Former Valiant Jimmy Oakes was "brilliant" for Charlton.[1]

For the first and only time the club also entered the Welsh Cup.[2] Vale lost out to Bristol City at the semi-final stage.

League table

Main article: 1933–34 Football League

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
6 Bradford City 42 20 6 16 73 67 1.090 46
7 West Ham United 42 17 11 14 78 70 1.114 45
8 Port Vale 42 19 7 16 60 55 1.091 45
9 Oldham Athletic 42 17 10 15 72 60 1.200 44
10 Plymouth Argyle 42 15 13 14 69 70 0.986 43
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored

Results

Football League Second Division

Results by matchday

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142
GroundAHHAAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAAHAHAH
ResultLWWLWWWLWWWDWDWLLLDLLWDWWWLDLWDWLLWLLDLWLW
Position181071254162211122234468664323365435656879688
Points024468101012141617192022222222232323252628303232333335363838384040404141434345
Source: Statto[3]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

26 August 1933 1 Fulham 3–0 Port Vale Fulham, West London
Stadium: Craven Cottage
Attendance: 21,070
28 August 1933 2 Port Vale 4–1 Bury Hanley
Nolan
McGrath 		Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 8,416
2 September 1933 3 Port Vale 2–1 Southampton Hanley
Gunn Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 11,237
9 September 1933 4 Blackpool 1–0 Port Vale Blackpool
Stadium: Bloomfield Road
Attendance: 16,988
11 September 1933 5 Bury 0–3 Port Vale Bury, Greater Manchester
Rhodes
Gunn
Tabram 		Stadium: Gigg Lane
Attendance: 6,197
16 September 1933 6 Port Vale 3–1 Bradford City Hanley
Rhodes
Morton
Nolan 		Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 11,453
23 September 1933 7 Grimsby Town 1–2 Port Vale Cleethorpes
Nolan
Morton 		Stadium: Blundell Park
Attendance: 10,505
30 September 1933 8 Notts County 3–2 Port Vale Nottingham
Nolan Stadium: Meadow Lane
Attendance: 15,364
7 October 1933 9 Port Vale 1–0 Swansea Town Hanley
Rhodes Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 9,478
14 October 1933 10 Millwall 0–3 Port Vale New Cross, Lewisham
Gunn
Rhodes
Nolan 		Stadium: The Den
Attendance: 12,045
21 October 1933 11 Port Vale 3–1 Bradford (Park Avenue) Hanley
Nolan
Morton 		Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 13,122
28 October 1933 12 Preston North End 0–0 Port Vale Preston, Lancashire
Stadium: Deepdale
Attendance: 14,160
4 November 1933 13 Port Vale 2–0 Oldham Athletic Hanley
Nolan
Rhodes 		Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 12,228
11 November 1933 14 Burnley 0–0 Port Vale Burnley
Stadium: Turf Moor
Attendance: 13,445
18 November 1933 15 Port Vale 1–0 Brentford Hanley
Gunn Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 11,349
25 November 1933 16 Bolton Wanderers 3–0 Port Vale Bolton
Stadium: Burnden Park
Attendance: 14,925
2 December 1933 17 Port Vale 2–3 Manchester United Hanley
Nolan
Rhodes 		Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 10,316
9 December 1933 18 Plymouth Argyle 3–0 Port Vale Plymouth
Stadium: Home Park
Attendance: 13,672
16 December 1933 19 Port Vale 0–0 West Ham United Hanley
Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 6,610
23 December 1933 20 Nottingham Forest 6–1 Port Vale West Bridgford
Rhodes Stadium: City Ground
Attendance: 9,239
25 December 1933 21 Lincoln City 1–0 Port Vale Lincoln
Stadium: Sincil Bank
Attendance: 11,584
26 December 1933 22 Port Vale 1–0 Lincoln City Hanley
Nolan Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 13,910
30 December 1933 23 Port Vale 2–2 Fulham Hanley
Gunn
Rhodes 		Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 8,151
6 January 1934 24 Southampton 1–4 Port Vale Southampton
Rhodes
Morton 		Stadium: The Dell
Attendance: 9,987
20 January 1934 25 Port Vale 1–0 Blackpool Hanley
McGrath Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 14,216
27 January 1934 26 Bradford City 1–2 Port Vale Bradford
Dickinson
Mills 		Stadium: Valley Parade
Attendance: 12,719
5 February 1934 27 Port Vale 0–1 Grimsby Town Hanley
Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 12,662
10 February 1934 28 Port Vale 0–0 Notts County Hanley
Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 10,645
22 February 1934 28 Swansea Town 4–0 Port Vale Swansea
Stadium: Vetch Field
Attendance: 5,764
24 February 1934 30 Port Vale 5–1 Millwall Hanley
Blackwell
Gunn
Mills
Nolan 		Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 8,578
3 March 1934 31 Bradford (Park Avenue) 2–2 Port Vale Bradford
Gunn
Dickinson 		Stadium: Park Avenue
Attendance: 11,548
10 March 1934 32 Port Vale 2–0 Preston North End Hanley
Morton Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 12,972
17 March 1934 33 Oldham Athletic 5–1 Port Vale Oldham
Nolan Stadium: Boundary Park
Attendance: 5,900
24 March 1934 34 Port Vale 0–2 Burnley Hanley
Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 7,367
30 March 1934 35 Port Vale 3–0 Hull City Hanley
Nolan Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 10,502
31 March 1934 36 Brentford 2–0 Port Vale Brentford, West London
Stadium: Griffin Park
Attendance: 19,758
2 April 1934 37 Hull City 2–1 Port Vale Kingston upon Hull
Blackwell Stadium: Anlaby Road
Attendance: 13,333
7 April 1934 38 Port Vale 0–0 Bolton Wanderers Hanley
Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 9,923
14 April 1934 39 Manchester United 2–0 Port Vale Old Trafford
Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 14,777
21 April 1934 40 Port Vale 4–0 Plymouth Argyle Hanley
Mitcheson
Nolan 		Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 4,956
28 April 1934 41 West Ham United 1–0 Port Vale Upton Park, London
Stadium: Boleyn Ground
Attendance: 9,893
5 May 1934 42 Port Vale 3–1 Nottingham Forest Hanley
Nolan Stadium: Old Recreation Ground
Attendance: 2,990

FA Cup

Main article: 1933–34 FA Cup
13 January 1934 R3 Charlton Athletic 2–0 Port Vale Charlton, London
Stadium: The Valley
Attendance: 18,821

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 Scotland Allan Todd 28 0 1 0 29 0
GK Wales Ormond Jones 14 0 0 0 14 0
FB England George Shenton 10 0 0 0 10 0
FB England Bill Cope 13 0 1 0 14 0
FB England George Poyser 38 0 1 0 39 0
FB England Jack Vickers 32 0 1 0 33 0
FB England Ernest Breeze 4 0 0 0 4 0
HB England Trevor Rhodes 30 11 1 0 31 11
HB England Roger Jones 28 0 1 0 29 0
HB England Jack Round 3 0 0 0 3 0
HB England Jimmy McGrath 38 3 1 0 39 3
HB England Fred Mills 37 2 1 0 38 2
HB England Cliff Birks 11 0 0 0 11 0
HB Wales Billy Tabram 35 1 1 0 36 1
HB England Richard Twiss 1 0 0 0 1 0
HB England Sydney Dickinson 12 2 0 0 12 2
HB Scotland Ken Gunn 38 8 1 0 39 8
FW England Len Armitage 1 0 1 0 2 0
FW England Bob Morton 33 5 0 0 33 5
FW England Horace Baker 3 0 0 0 3 0
FW England Albert Purcell 2 0 0 0 2 0
FW England Billy Webster 0 0 0 0 0 0
FW England Tom Nolan 32 22 0 0 32 22
FW Wales Robert G. Davies 2 0 0 0 2 0
FW England Fred Mitcheson 3 3 0 0 3 3
FW England Jack Blackwell 12 3 0 0 12 3
FW Scotland Peter Cunningham 2 0 0 0 2 0

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Name Second Division FA Cup Total
1 FW  England Tom Nolan 22 0 22
2 HB  England Trevor Rhodes 11 0 11
3 HB  Scotland Ken Gunn 8 0 8
4 FW  England Bob Morton 5 0 5
5 HB  England Jimmy McGrath 3 0 3
– FW  England Fred Mitcheson 3 0 3
– FW  England Jack Blackwell 3 0 3
8 HB  England Fred Mills 2 0 2
– HB  England Sydney Dickinson 2 0 2
10 HB  Wales Billy Tabram 1 0 1
TOTALS 60 0 60

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 1933 FW Scotland Peter Cunningham Barnsley Free transfer [4]
May 1933 HB Scotland Ken Gunn Swansea Town £400 [4]
May 1933 GK Wales Ormond Jones Yeovil & Petters United Free transfer [4]
May 1933 FB England Jack Vickers Charlton Athletic £200 [4]
June 1933 HB England Trevor Rhodes Bradford Park Avenue Free transfer [4]
July 1933 FW England Fred Mitcheson Wolverhampton Wanderers Free transfer [4]
August 1933 HB England Richard Twiss Wolverhampton Wanderers Free transfer [4]
November 1933 HB England Sydney Dickinson Bradford Park Avenue 'Substantial' [4]
November 1933 FW England Albert Purcell Kidsgrove Liverpool Road Free transfer [4]
February 1934 FW England Jack Blackwell Charlton Athletic Free transfer [4]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
November 1933 FW Scotland Peter Cunningham Crewe Alexandra Free transfer [4]
May 1934 FB England William Allsop Halifax Town Free transfer [4]
May 1934 FW England Len Armitage Tranmere Rovers Free transfer [4]
May 1934 FW England Horace Baker Longton Hall Free transfer [4]
May 1934 FW England Robert G. Davies Torquay United Free transfer [4]
May 1934 GK Wales Ormond Jones Norwich City Free transfer [4]
May 1934 HB England Billy Tabram Hull City Free transfer [4]
June 1934 HB England Jimmy McGrath Notts County Free transfer [4]
June 1934 HB England Fred Mills Leeds United Undisclosed [4]
June 1934 FB England George Poyser Brentford £1,550 [4]
Summer 1934 FB England Bill Cope Released [4]
Summer 1934 HB England Sydney Dickinson Lincoln City Released [4]
Summer 1934 HB England Richard Twiss Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic 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. ^ Sherwin, Phil (2010). The Port Vale Miscellany. Brimscombe Port: The History Press. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-7524-5777-2.
  3. ^ Port Vale 1933–1934 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 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 o p q r s t u v w 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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