1952–53 Port Vale F.C. season

Port Vale
1952–53 season
ChairmanFred Burgess
ManagerFreddie Steele
StadiumVale Park
Football League Third Division North2nd (58 Points)
FA CupSecond Round
(knocked out by Oldham Athletic)
Coronation CupRunners-up
(knocked out by Stoke City)
Top goalscorerLeague: Basil Hayward (22)
All: Basil Hayward (22)
Highest home attendance25,398 vs. Oldham Athletic, 6 December 1952
Lowest home attendance6,000 vs. Bradford City, 20 December 1952
Average home league attendance14,504
Biggest win4–0 (twice)
Biggest defeat0–3 vs. Oldham Athletic, 6 December 1952
Port Vale balance sheet (June 1953)

The 1952–53 season was Port Vale's 41st season of football in the English Football League, and their first season (fourth overall) back in the Third Division North, following their switch from the Third Division South.[1] It was the first in that section under manager Freddie Steele and chairman Fred Burgess. With a remarkably settled squad — just 19 players used all season — Vale narrowly missed out on promotion, finishing second by a single point on 58 points from 46 matches.

Vale's strength was defensive: they conceded just 35 goals all season, a foundation for the emerging "Iron/Steele Curtain" defence, while Basil Hayward was the club's top scorer with 22 league goals. In the FA Cup, Vale passed the First Round but were eliminated in the Second Round, and also finished runners-up in the Coronation Cup, succumbing to Potteries derby rivals Stoke City in that competition. Support at Vale Park averaged 14,504 per game, peaking at 25,398 in the December fixture against Oldham Athletic, while the lowest attendance was around 6,000 in December 1952 against Bradford City.

The 1952–53 campaign laid the groundwork for Vale’s outstanding 1953–54 season, with Steele’s emphasis on continuity, defence, and local talent reshaping the club’s identity.

Overview

Third Division North

The pre-season saw the club switch from the Third Division South to the Third Division North, very much against the wishes of the directors, who believed a loss of income would follow.[1] Manager Freddie Steele decided against making any new signings and instead kept faith with the young team he had inherited the previous season.[1] Offers were made for some of the young prospects, but none were accepted.[1]

The season began with a 1–0 defeat at Valley Parade with a goal from Ray King's brother George, managed by Steele's predecessor Ivor Powell.[1] This did not affect the team's spirits, as they went straight on to a seven-match unbeaten run, conceding just three goals.[1] The highlight of this run was a 5–2 home win over Rochdale. Steele picked up an injury and so selected the versatile Basil Hayward to replace him.[1] A shrewd move, Hayward would go on to become the club's top scorer.[1] It took a while to pay off however, as after losing 2–0 at Hartlepools United on 20 September, Vale went five games scoring just one goal.[1] Steele attempted to sign a new forward, but to no avail.[1] A 1–0 home defeat to wooden spoon contenders Accrington Stanley exemplified the club's trouble in front of goal. Also, it ended their record-breaking run of twelve consecutive home wins.[1] Inside-forwards Albert Mullard and Ken Griffiths went 13 games without scoring. Steele and trainer Ken Fish put the squad to work on the special fitness regime they devised as the "Valiants" marched onwards.[1]

Travelling to Boundary Park on 15 November, they beat Oldham Athletic 1–0 despite Norman Hallam missing the second half due to injury, taking themselves up into third place.[1] On 13 December, Vale held league leaders Grimsby Town to a 1–1 draw at Blundell Park. They dropped points during the Christmas period, though picked up a useful 4–1 win over Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road on Boxing Day.[1] Three points out of a possible eight in February allowed leaders Oldham to pull away from the chasing Vale.[1] In March, Oldham and Grimsby Town struggled. So Vale took advantage with six points from ten, conceding just three goals.[1] With six of the final nine games at home and all of the chasing pack yet to visit Burslem, the omens seemed good for promotion.[1] Vale duly remained unbeaten until the season's end, however, drawing five of these games proved not enough.[1] The 4 April encounter with Oldham proved to be the title decider. Vale had dominated the game but conceded a fatal equalising goal in the 86th minute.[1] Two draws against strugglers Chester were also costly.[1] Nevertheless, they finished strongly, hammering Grimsby Town 4–0, Reg Potts scoring with a lob from 35 yards (32 m) out.[1]

They finished second, a single point away from top spot.[1] Steele's emphasis on teamwork had turned the team around and earned the club its best finish since their relegation from the second tier in 1935–36.[1] Their defensive record of 35 goals conceded was bettered only by Second Division Huddersfield Town.[1] Their tally of 58 points was second only to the club's extraordinary 1929–30 campaign.[1] Their main weakness was an average offence, though Hayward proved to be a revelation with 22 goals.[1]

On 4 May, Vale played Potteries derby rivals Stoke City, who had just been relegated from the First Division.[1] This Coronation Cup match ended in a 2–0 win for Stoke, with £1,053 raised for charity.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, a £1,676 profit was recorded.[1] This was due to a club record average attendance of 14,504 – which took gate receipts to £39,929 – and a £5,000 slash in the wage bill to £18,246.[1] For once, the club did not sell its best players, yet it also made a profit.[1] Steele was rewarded with a three-year contract.[1] He again kept on almost all of the squad, with two exceptions being Jimmy Todd (Wellington Town) and Norman Hallam (Halifax Town).[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Third Division South Exeter City were beaten 2–1 despite some "faulty finishing". However, in the second round, league leaders Oldham Athletic won 3–0 in front of a season-best 25,398 crowd at Vale Park – 8,000 of them Oldham supporters.[1]

League table

Main article: 1952–53 Football League § Third Division North

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Oldham Athletic (C, P) 46 22 15 9 77 45 1.711 59 Promotion to the Second Division
2 Port Vale 46 20 18 8 67 35 1.914 58
3 Wrexham 46 24 8 14 86 66 1.303 56
4 York City 46 20 13 13 60 45 1.333 53
5 Grimsby Town 46 21 10 15 75 59 1.271 52
Source: rsssf.com
(C) Division Champions; (P) Promoted

Results

Football League Third Division North

Results by matchday

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHHAAHHAAHHAAHAHAHAAAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHHAAHHHAH
ResultLWWDWWDWLWDLDWDLWDWLDDWWDWDWWLDLWDWDLDDDDWDWWW
Position20735323243355335443555555443333333224432222222
Points02457910121214151516181919212224242526283031333436383839394142444545464748495152545658
Source: Statto[2]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

23 August 1952 1 Bradford City 1–0 Port Vale Bradford
Stadium: Valley Parade
Attendance: 16,326
25 August 1952 2 Port Vale 2–0 Tranmere Rovers Burslem
Mullard
Griffiths 		Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 17,138
30 August 1952 3 Port Vale 5–2 Rochdale Burslem
Griffiths
Steele
Mullard
Bennett 		Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 15,448
2 September 1952 4 Tranmere Rovers 1–1 Port Vale Prenton
Hayward Stadium: Prenton Park
Attendance: 10,194
6 September 1952 5 Darlington 0–2 Port Vale Darlington
Mullard
Hayward 		Stadium: Feethams
Attendance: 8,600
8 September 1952 6 Port Vale 2–0 Stockport County Burslem
Steele
Mullard 		Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 15,185
13 September 1952 7 Port Vale 1–1 Gateshead Burslem
Steele Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 17,803
15 September 1952 8 Stockport County 0–2 Port Vale Stockport
Bennett
Hayward 		Stadium: Edgeley Park
Attendance: 10,142
20 September 1952 9 Hartlepools United 2–0 Port Vale Hartlepool
Stadium: Victoria Park
Attendance: 9,945
22 September 1952 10 Port Vale 1–0 Bradford (Park Avenue) Burslem
Hulligan Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 12,553
27 September 1952 11 Port Vale 0–0 Carlisle United Burslem
Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 10,803
29 September 1952 12 York City 1–0 Port Vale York
Stadium: Bootham Crescent
Attendance: 7,289
4 October 1952 13 Southport 0–0 Port Vale Southport
Stadium: Haig Avenue
Attendance: 7,616
11 October 1952 14 Port Vale 3–0 Chesterfield Burslem
Steele
Sproson 		Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 14,352
18 October 1952 15 Workington 1–1 Port Vale Workington
Hayward Stadium: Borough Park
Attendance: 6,705
25 October 1952 16 Port Vale 0–1 Accrington Stanley Burslem
Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 12,202
1 November 1952 17 Halifax Town 1–2 Port Vale Halifax, West Yorkshire
Griffiths Stadium: The Shay
Attendance: 11,693
8 November 1952 18 Port Vale 1–1 Mansfield Town Burslem
Hayward Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 14,103
15 November 1952 19 Oldham Athletic 0–1 Port Vale Oldham
o.g. Stadium: Boundary Park
Attendance: 21,407
29 November 1952 20 Wrexham 3–1 Port Vale Wrexham
Griffiths Stadium: Racecourse Ground
Attendance: 11,082
13 December 1952 21 Grimsby Town 1–1 Port Vale Cleethorpes
o.g. Stadium: Blundell Park
Attendance: 13,801
20 December 1952 22 Port Vale 0–0 Bradford City Burslem
Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 6,000
26 December 1952 23 Crewe Alexandra 1–4 Port Vale Crewe
Griffiths
Hayward 		Stadium: Gresty Road
Attendance: 13,962
27 December 1952 24 Port Vale 3–1 Crewe Alexandra Burslem
Hayward
Griffiths 		Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 22,478
3 January 1953 25 Rochdale 1–1 Port Vale Rochdale
Hayward Stadium: Spotland Stadium
Attendance: 6,899
17 January 1953 26 Port Vale 2–1 Darlington Burslem
Hulligan
Hayward 		Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 11,417
24 January 1953 27 Gateshead 1–1 Port Vale Gateshead
Hayward Stadium: Redheugh Park
Attendance: 7,785
31 January 1953 28 Scunthorpe & Lindsey United 1–2 Port Vale Scunthorpe
Cunliffe
Hayward 		Stadium: Old Show Ground
Attendance: 6,984
7 February 1953 29 Port Vale 3–0 Hartlepools United Burslem
Hayward
Griffiths 		Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 13,919
14 February 1953 30 Carlisle United 2–0 Port Vale Carlisle
Stadium: Brunton Park
Attendance: 10,419
21 February 1953 31 Port Vale 0–0 Southport Burslem
Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 13,919
28 February 1953 32 Chesterfield 1–0 Port Vale Chesterfield, Derbyshire
Stadium: Saltergate
Attendance: 9,772
7 March 1953 33 Port Vale 2–0 Workington Burslem
Bennett
Hayward 		Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 12,093
14 March 1953 34 Accrington Stanley 1–1 Port Vale Accrington
Griffiths Stadium: Peel Park
Attendance: 5,499
16 March 1953 35 Port Vale 4–0 Scunthorpe & Lindsey United Burslem
Cunliffe
Hayward
Leake 		Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 11,371
21 March 1953 36 Port Vale 1–1 Halifax Town Burslem
Hayward Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 17,945
28 March 1953 37 Mansfield Town 1–0 Port Vale Mansfield
Stadium: Field Mill
Attendance: 6,083
3 April 1953 38 Port Vale 1–1 Chester Burslem
Griffiths Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 19,413
4 April 1953 39 Port Vale 1–1 Oldham Athletic Burslem
Sproson Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 24,499
6 April 1953 40 Chester 2–2 Port Vale Chester
Cunliffe
Askey 		Stadium: Sealand Road
Attendance: 10,553
11 April 1953 41 Bradford (Park Avenue) 2–2 Port Vale Bradford
Griffiths
Hayward 		Stadium: Park Avenue
Attendance: 11,790
13 April 1953 42 Port Vale 3–0 Barrow Burslem
Hayward
Hulligan
Mullard 		Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 10,010
18 April 1953 43 Port Vale 0–0 Wrexham Burslem
Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 21,585
20 April 1953 44 Port Vale 2–0 York City Burslem
Leake
Hayward 		Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 11,379
25 April 1953 45 Barrow 1–2 Port Vale Barrow-in-Furness
Hayward
Leake 		Stadium: Holker Street
Attendance: 5,080
30 April 1953 46 Port Vale 4–0 Grimsby Town Burslem
Potts
Leake
Mullard
Hulligan 		Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 7,964

FA Cup

Main article: 1952–53 FA Cup
22 November 1952 R1 Port Vale 2–1 Exeter City Burslem
Mullard
Griffiths 		Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 14,394
6 December 1952 R2 Port Vale 0–3 Oldham Athletic Burslem
Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 25,398

Coronation Cup

4 May 1953 Final Stoke City 2–0 Port Vale Stoke-upon-Trent
Stadium: Victoria Ground
Attendance: 9,981

Player statistics

Appearances and goals

Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; FB – Full back; HB – Half back; FW – Forward
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup Coronation Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK England Ray King 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
GK England Ray Hancock 43 0 2 0 1 0 46 0
FB England Reg Potts 46 1 2 0 1 0 49 1
FB England Stan Turner 43 0 2 0 1 0 46 0
FB England Jim Elsby 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
HB England Tommy Cheadle 46 0 2 0 1 0 49 0
HB England Roy Sproson 45 2 2 0 1 0 48 2
HB Northern Ireland Jimmy Todd 11 0 1 0 0 0 12 0
HB England Albert Leake 24 4 1 0 1 0 26 4
HB England Albert Mullard 40 6 2 1 1 0 43 7
HB England Norman Hallam 8 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
FW England Mick Hulligan 42 4 2 0 1 0 45 4
FW England Alan Bennett 27 3 2 0 0 0 29 3
FW England John Cunliffe 19 4 0 0 0 0 19 4
FW England Colin Askey 9 1 0 0 1 0 10 1
FW England Basil Hayward 37 22 2 0 1 0 40 22
FW England Ken Griffiths 44 13 2 1 1 0 47 14
FW England Freddie Steele 11 5 0 0 0 0 11 5
FW England Derek Tomkinson 6 0 0 0 0 0 6 0

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Name Third Division North FA Cup Coronation Cup Total
1 FW  England Basil Hayward 22 0 0 22
2 FW  England Ken Griffiths 13 1 0 14
3 HB  England Albert Mullard 6 1 0 7
4 FW  England Freddie Steele 5 0 0 5
5 HB  England Albert Leake 4 0 0 4
– FW  England Mick Hulligan 4 0 0 4
– FW  England John Cunliffe 4 0 0 4
8 FW  England Alan Bennett 3 0 0 3
9 HB  England Roy Sproson 2 0 0 2
10 FW  England Colin Askey 1 0 0 1
– FB  England Reg Potts 1 0 0 1
– – – Own goals 2 0 0 2
TOTALS 67 2 0 69

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
December 1952 FW England Derek Tomkinson Burton Albion Free transfer [3]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
May 1953 FB England John Abbotts Released [3]
May 1953 HB England Norman Hallam Halifax Town Free transfer [3]
May 1953 HB Northern Ireland Jimmy Todd Wellington Town Free transfer [3]
Summer 1953 FW England Freddie Steele Retired [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 ae af ag ah 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 1952–1953 : Results & Fixtures Archived 5 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e 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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