1951–52 Port Vale F.C. season

Port Vale
1951–52 season
ChairmanWilliam Holdcroft
ManagerIvor Powell
(until November)
Freddie Steele
(from 24 December)
StadiumVale Park
Football League Third Division South13th (43 Points)
FA CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Colchester United)
Top goalscorerLeague: Albert Mullard (13)
All: Albert Mullard (13)
Highest home attendance17,860 vs. Brighton & Hove Albion, 12 January 1952
Lowest home attendance4,136 vs. Aldershot, 8 December 1951
Average home league attendance11,225
Biggest win3–0 and 4–1
Biggest defeat1–5 vs. Reading, 20 February 1952

The 1951–52 season was Port Vale's 40th season of football in the English Football League, and their seventh full season in the Third Division South.[1] It saw a turbulent transition in both leadership and form. Manager Ivor Powell began the season, but with Vale adrift at the foot of the table, he was dismissed in November. On Christmas Eve, Freddie Steele — a former England international — was appointed player‑manager, engineering a remarkable recovery using largely the squad he inherited, guiding Vale to a 13th‑place finish with 43 points from 46 matches.

Vale's FA Cup campaign was short‑lived, ending in the First Round with an early exit at the hands of Colchester United. Albert Mullard, signed from Stoke City in September as part of a player-plus‑cash exchange, emerged as both league and season top scorer with 13 goals, his contribution growing in significance as the season progressed. Support remained steady at Vale Park, with an average home attendance of 11,225, peaking and dipping to a low of 4,136 versus Aldershot in December 1951. The season also witnessed key transfer moves, including the departures of Cliff Pinchbeck and Walter Aveyard, both impacting the squad depth mid‑campaign.

Steele's arrival marked the dawn of a new era—his shrewd man-management would soon transform both strategy and performance, laying the groundwork for the celebrated "Iron/Steele Curtain" defence that would define Vale's immediate future.

Overview

Third Division South

The pre-season saw 578 seats installed on the Railway Terrace, bringing the seated capacity of Vale Park to 1,010.[1] No signings of note were made. However, transfer-listed Cliff Pinchbeck failed to turn up for pre-season training, citing illness.[1]

Thirty seconds into their opening game with Reading and they were behind, the Vale went on to lose 2–0.[1] A six-game unbeaten streak followed, with just three goals conceded, though only five goals were scored. On 21 August, Vale held Southend United to a goalless draw despite Mick Hulligan being knocked unconscious twice. On his return to Burslem, Pinchbeck scored a brace to salvage a point against Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic.[1] Vale then sold Alan Martin to rivals Stoke City for £10,000 and Albert Mullard, the money going towards fixing the drainage problem at Vale Park.[1] The sale was criticized by supporters, though they soon warmed to Mullard, who became the club's top scorer.[1] The club failed to sign transfer target Dennis Wilshaw from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Garth Butler was forced to retire with a knee injury.[1] Results turned against the team, as they went on a run of 13 games without a win, though all five of the home games on the 'wide open' Vale Park pitch were draws (all eight away matches were losses).[1] On 3 November, a 3–1 defeat at Crystal Palace sent Vale to the bottom of the table. Manager Ivor Powell attempted to sign players but was deterred by the high transfer prices, and so instead continually reshuffled the first XI.[1] Powell's contract was terminated on 22 November, his team bottom of the table.[1] Trainer Ken Fish took temporary charge of first-team affairs. Roy Sproson and Ray King would later say the sacking came as no surprise, saying Powell 'ruled by fear', 'used to treat the players like kids' and it was a 'complete relief' to find him dismissed.[1] Pinchbeck was also offloaded, sold to Northampton Town for 'an undisclosed sum'.[1]

On 8 December, Vale recorded a surprise 4–1 win over Aldershot.[1] Yet the side then went another eight games without a win.[1] Freddie Steele was appointed player-manager on Christmas Eve, signing the former England international meant Vale had to pay Mansfield Town a four-figure fee.[1] The former Stoke City forward was still very much a goalscorer, having described his record of 44 goals in 66 games for the "Stags" as "not bad for an old man!".[1] In January, half-back Norman Hallam returned to the club.[1] On 12 January, 17,860 turned up to witness a 1–1 draw in Steele's debut against second-placed Brighton & Hove Albion, the first of a five-match unbeaten run that took Vale off the foot of the table.[1] A fortnight later Vale travelled to Plainmoor, where Steele took the ball from his own half to score the winner past Torquay United.[1] On 9 February, Vale beat Gillingham 1–0, in what was the first of a club record 13 game-winning run at home.[1]

A 5–1 hammering at Elm Park from Reading failed to prevent the Vale from going on to another eight-game unbeaten run.[1] Steele accomplished this without any new signings; in fact, he sold Walter Aveyard to Accrington Stanley for a four-figure fee in April.[1] Their run ended with a 3–0 defeat at Fellows Park to bottom-placed Walsall when Tommy Cheadle and Jimmy Todd were both injured.[1] Vale finished their final five games with three wins.[1]

They finished 13th with 43 points and a strong defence, but the lowest goals scored tally in the division.[1] They had lost just the one game at Vale Park, back on the opening day.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, the club announced a profit of £4,403 due to a profit on transfers of £16,750.[1] Gross receipts had fallen to £27,133, whilst wages had risen by £3,500 to £23,511.[1] Steele seemed to be happy with the players he inherited, as he retained 31 professionals, the only departures being George Heppell to Witton Albion, Stan Palk to Worcester City, and Lol Hamlett to Congleton Town.[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale fell at the first hurdle to Colchester United at Layer Road, losing 3–1.

League table

Main article: 1951–52 Football League

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion
11 Torquay United 46 17 10 19 86 98 0.878 44
12 Aldershot 46 18 8 20 78 89 0.876 44
13 Port Vale 46 14 15 17 50 66 0.758 43 Transferred to the Third Division North
14 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic 46 16 10 20 69 75 0.920 42
15 Bristol City 46 15 12 19 58 69 0.841 42
Source:

Results

Football League Third Division South

Results by matchday

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHAHHAHHAHAAAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAHHAHHAAAHAHHHAAHHAAH
ResultLDDDWWDLDLLLDLDLDLLWLDLDLLDDWWWLDWWDWWWDLWWLLW
Position2119222117109161617192022232324232424232323232424242423232423232220192018131413151513161712
Points01235788999910101111121212141415151616161819202224242527293032343637373941414143
Source: Statto[2]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

18 August 1951 1 Port Vale 0–2 Reading Burslem
Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 16,663
21 August 1951 2 Southend United 0–0 Port Vale Southend-on-Sea
Stadium: Southend Stadium
Attendance: 9,371
27 August 1951 3 Port Vale 0–0 Southend United Burslem
Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 10,550
1 September 1951 4 Port Vale 1–1 Watford Burslem
Leake Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 11,790
5 September 1951 5 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic 0–1 Port Vale Bournemouth
Martin Stadium: Dean Court
Attendance: 11,455
8 September 1951 6 Port Vale 1–0 Bristol City Burslem
Martin Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 14,472
10 September 1951 7 Port Vale 2–2 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic Burslem
Pinchbeck Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 12,601
15 September 1951 8 Ipswich Town 2–0 Port Vale Ipswich
Stadium: Portman Road
Attendance: 9,287
22 September 1951 9 Port Vale 2–2 Torquay United Burslem
Mullard
Sproson 		Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 14,201
27 September 1951 10 Northampton Town 3–1 Port Vale Northampton
Mullard Stadium: County Cricket Ground
Attendance: 8,082
29 September 1951 11 Gillingham 4–2 Port Vale Gillingham, Kent
Mullard pen'
Pinchbeck 		Stadium: Priestfield Stadium
Attendance: 14,354
6 October 1951 12 Plymouth Argyle 3–0 Port Vale Plymouth
Stadium: Home Park
Attendance: 19,161
13 October 1951 13 Port Vale 0–0 Norwich City Burslem
Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 10,576
20 October 1951 14 Exeter City 2–0 Port Vale Exeter
Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 7,834
27 October 1951 15 Port Vale 1–1 Colchester United Burslem
Bennett Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 9,488
3 November 1951 16 Crystal Palace 3–1 Port Vale Selhurst, Croydon
Pinchbeck Stadium: Selhurst Park
Attendance: 16,401
10 November 1951 17 Port Vale 2–2 Swindon Town Burslem
Barber
Mullard 		Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 9,142
17 November 1951 18 Leyton Orient 2–0 Port Vale Leyton, East London
Stadium: Brisbane Road
Attendance: 7,674
1 December 1951 19 Shrewsbury Town 2–0 Port Vale Shrewsbury
Stadium: Gay Meadow
Attendance: 8,690
8 December 1951 20 Port Vale 4–1 Aldershot Burslem
Mullard
Hulligan
Cunliffe 		Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 4,136
15 December 1951 21 Brighton & Hove Albion 2–1 Port Vale Hove
Mullard Stadium: Goldstone Ground
Attendance: 14,218
22 December 1951 22 Port Vale 0–0 Northampton Town Burslem
Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 8,973
25 December 1951 23 Bristol Rovers 4–1 Port Vale Bristol
o.g. Stadium: Eastville Stadium
Attendance: 16,691
26 December 1951 24 Port Vale 1–1 Bristol Rovers Burslem
Barber Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 16,734
29 December 1951 25 Watford 2–0 Port Vale Watford
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 9,023
5 January 1952 26 Bristol City 1–0 Port Vale Ashton Gate, Bristol
Stadium: Ashton Gate
Attendance: 17,598
12 January 1952 27 Port Vale 1–1 Brighton & Hove Albion Burslem
Mullard pen' Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 17,860
19 January 1952 28 Port Vale 0–0 Ipswich Town Burslem
Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 10,592
26 January 1952 29 Torquay United 2–3 Port Vale Torquay
Griffiths
Mullard pen'
Steele 		Stadium: Plainmoor
Attendance: 5,588
9 February 1952 30 Port Vale 1–0 Gillingham Burslem
Cunliffe Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 12,768
16 February 1952 31 Port Vale 1–0 Plymouth Argyle Burslem
Mullard Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 10,572
20 February 1952 32 Reading 5–1 Port Vale Reading, Berkshire
Palk Stadium: Elm Park
Attendance: 10,174
23 February 1952 33 Newport County 1–1 Port Vale Newport, Wales
Griffiths Stadium: Somerton Park
Attendance: 11,543
1 March 1952 34 Norwich City 2–3 Port Vale Norwich
Steele
Hulligan
Mullard pen'		 Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 17,642
8 March 1952 35 Port Vale 3–0 Exeter City Burslem
Steele
Griffiths
Hulligan 		Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 12,021
15 March 1952 36 Colchester United 0–0 Port Vale Colchester
Stadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 7,551
22 March 1952 37 Port Vale 2–0 Crystal Palace Burslem
Bennett
Griffiths 		Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 11,686
24 March 1952 38 Port Vale 4–2 Newport County Burslem
Steele
Griffiths
Mullard 		Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 5,908
5 April 1952 39 Port Vale 3–0 Leyton Orient Burslem
Steele
Hulligan
Mullard 		Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 7,257
11 April 1952 40 Millwall 1–1 Port Vale New Cross, Lewisham
Griffiths Stadium: The Den
Attendance: 24,375
12 April 1952 41 Walsall 3–0 Port Vale New Cross, Walsall
Stadium: Fellows Park
Attendance: 7,518
19 April 1952 42 Port Vale 1–0 Shrewsbury Town Burslem
Steele Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 14,469
21 April 1952 43 Port Vale 1–0 Walsall Burslem
Griffiths Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 8,401
26 April 1952 44 Aldershot 4–1 Port Vale Aldershot
Bennett Stadium: Recreation Ground
Attendance: 6,676
28 April 1952 45 Swindon Town 2–0 Port Vale Swindon
Stadium: County Ground
Attendance: 4,835
3 May 1952 46 Port Vale 2–1 Millwall Burslem
Leake
Griffiths 		Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 7,316

FA Cup

Main article: 1951–52 FA Cup
24 November 1951 R1 Colchester United 3–1 Port Vale Colchester
Pinchbeck Stadium: Layer Road
Attendance: 10,119

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 George Heppell 27 0 1 0 28 0
GK England Ray King 19 0 0 0 19 0
FB England Reg Potts 21 0 0 0 21 0
FB England Lol Hamlett 24 0 1 0 25 0
FB England Stan Turner 40 0 0 0 40 0
HB England Basil Hayward 27 0 1 0 28 0
HB England Tommy Cheadle 39 0 1 0 40 0
HB England Roy Sproson 28 1 0 0 28 1
HB Northern Ireland Jimmy Todd 24 0 1 0 25 0
HB England Alan Martin 5 2 0 0 5 2
HB England Albert Leake 8 2 0 0 8 2
HB England Albert Mullard 34 13 1 0 35 13
HB Wales Ivor Powell 6 0 0 0 6 0
HB England Norman Hallam 3 0 0 0 3 0
FW England Mick Hulligan 37 4 1 0 38 4
FW England Alan Bennett 39 3 1 0 40 3
FW England John Cunliffe 11 2 0 0 11 2
FW England Colin Askey 7 0 0 0 7 0
FW England Stan Palk 30 1 1 0 31 1
FW England Walter Aveyard 13 0 0 0 13 0
FW England Cliff Pinchbeck 12 4 1 1 13 5
FW England Ken Griffiths 20 8 1 0 21 8
FW England Len Barber 18 2 0 0 18 2
FW England Freddie Steele 14 7 0 0 14 7

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Name Third Division South FA Cup Total
1 HB  England Albert Mullard 13 0 13
2 FW  England Ken Griffiths 8 0 8
3 FW  England Freddie Steele 7 0 7
4 FW  England Mick Hulligan 4 0 5
– FW  England Cliff Pinchbeck 4 1 5
6 FW  England Alan Bennett 3 0 3
7 HB  England Albert Leake 2 0 2
– FW  England John Cunliffe 2 0 2
– HB  England Alan Martin 2 0 2
– FW  England Len Barber 2 0 2
11 FW  England Stan Palk 1 0 1
– HB  England Roy Sproson 1 0 1
– – – Own goals 1 0 1
TOTALS 50 1 51

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
July 1951 HB Wales Ivor Powell Aston Villa Free transfer [3]
September 1951 HB England Albert Mullard Stoke City Exchange [3]
December 1951 FW England Freddie Steele Mansfield Town 'four-figure fee' [3]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
September 1951 HB England Alan Martin Stoke City Exchange + £10,000 [3]
October 1951 FB England Garth Butler Retired [3]
November 1951 FW England Cliff Pinchbeck Northampton Town Undisclosed [3]
November 1951 HB Wales Ivor Powell Wales Barry Town Released [3]
March 1952 FW England Walter Aveyard Accrington Stanley 'four figure fee' [3]
May 1952 FB England Lol Hamlett Congleton Town Released [3]
May 1952 GK England George Heppell Witton Albion Free transfer [3]
Summer 1952 FW England Stan Palk Released [3]

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 Kent, Jeff (1990). "Fame and Fortune (1950–1959)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 171–196. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. ^ Port Vale 1951–1952 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k 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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