1958–59 Port Vale F.C. season

Port Vale
1958–59 season
Chairman	Jake Bloom
Manager	Norman Low
Stadium	Vale Park
Football League Fourth Division	1st (64 Points)
FA Cup	First Round; (knocked out by Torquay United)
Top goalscorer	League: Stan Steele (22); All: Stan Steele (22)
Highest home attendance	20,916 vs. Coventry City, 4 April 1959
Lowest home attendance	8,851 vs. Chester, 21 February 1959
Average home league attendance	12,757
Biggest win	8–0 vs. Gateshead, 26 December 1958
Biggest defeat	1–4 vs. Northampton Town, 23 August 1958
	Home colours
	Home colours

The 1958–59 season was Port Vale's 47th season of football in the English Football League and their first season in the newly created Fourth Division following their relegation from the Third Division South.^[1] Under manager Norman Low, Vale stormed to the Fourth Division championship, amassing 64 points, finishing four clear of Coventry City, and scoring a club-record 110 league goals across 46 matches.

A potent forward line — with Stan Steele, Jack Wilkinson, Graham Barnett, Harry Poole, and John Cunliffe all reaching double figures — drove the attack and provided consistent goal returns. In the FA Cup, Vale were surprisingly eliminated in the First Round, with a narrow defeat at Torquay United denying further progress. At home, Vale Park saw an average attendance of 12,757, dropping to a low of 8,851 against Chester on 21 February 1959 and a high of 20,916 against Coventry City on 4 April 1959 — reflecting solid support for a dominant campaign despite an early cup exit.

Several landmark achievements defined the season; notably, Vale endured a rough start with just two points from their first five home games, before turning Vale Park into a fortress. A mid‑season unbeaten run of twelve league games, capped by an emphatic 8–0 Boxing Day victory over Gateshead, underlined their attacking might. Manager Norman Low reinforced the squad with astute signings such as Brian Jackson, Roy Pritchard, Peter Hall, and debutants Ken Hancock and Graham Barnett, whose contributions proved decisive. Veteran stalwart Roy Sproson also returned to defensive duties, anchoring a side filled with goals and cohesion.

Overall, the campaign represented a spectacular turnaround for Port Vale. From relegation disappointment came a remarkable resurgence: a division title, record goalscoring, a cluster of impressive forward performances, and a clear message that Vale were intent on climbing back up the league pyramid.

Overview

Fourth Division

The pre-season saw the arrival of the 'speedy and direct' winger Brian Jackson (signed from Liverpool for £2,000), experienced left-back Roy Pritchard (Notts County), and Peter Hall (Stoke City).^[1] There was also a change of chairman, as Jake Bloom took charge.^[1] He initiated a change of kit, as Vale played in black and amber striped jerseys with black shorts.^[1]

The season opened with a 4–1 home defeat by Northampton Town, Andy Woan scoring the first goal of the new division.^[1] Roy Sproson was then dropped from the first XI, and Vale failed to find a win in Burslem until 29 September.^[1] Their away form proved to be outstanding though, as the team recorded seven wins in their first nine away fixtures.^[1] On 8 September, Vale won 5–1 at Hartlepools United, with John Cunliffe missing a penalty which would have given him a hat-trick. Another four-goal margin of victory came at Aldershot 12 days later. On 24 September, Vale Park saw its first match under the new £17,000 floodlights, as the club beat West Bromwich Albion (who included Ronnie Allen in their line-up) by five goals to three in front of a crowd of 13,000, with Jack Wilkinson claiming a hat-trick.^[1]^[2] With a 4–1 win over Southport five days later, The Sentinel's 'T.G.F.' remarked that "the spell is broken".^[1] Vale remained unbeaten at home for the rest of the season.^[1] Strong in attack, the club took until 11 October before failing to score, in a goalless draw with Oldham Athletic witnessed by Shirley Bassey (as a guest of Norman Low).^[1] A fortnight later Vale failed to beat Carlisle United, as referee J.G.Williams blew the full-time whistle just as a Wilkinson header was floating into the opposition's net.^[1] On 8 November, Vale beat Exeter City 5–3 in a top-of-the-table clash.^[1] Two consecutive away defeats followed soon after, as Vale fell to third.^[1] The 4–2 loss in an 'appalling mud bath' at The Den saw the débuts of keeper Ken Hancock and striker Graham Barnett.^[1]

A twelve-match unbeaten run followed, taking Vale four points clear at the top.^[1] This included a triumphant 8–0 Boxing day win over Gateshead (a Vale Park record and their biggest win since 24 September 1932), followed by a 4–0 win at Redheugh Park on New Year's Day.^[1]^[3] Roy Sproson was then brought back into the defensive line, whilst up front Stan Steele 'did the work of two men', Harry Poole brought 'flexibility and fluidity', and Barnett scored from half-chances.^[1] Just as Vale seemed to be running away with the title, defeat came on 16 March at Highfield Road to second-placed Coventry City.^[1] Another defeat came against Crewe Alexandra on 27 March. The following month, the Valiants beat the Sky Blues 3–0, taking them six points ahead of the chasing pack.^[1] Promotion was secured on 18 April with a 1–1 draw at home to Darlington, and the title was secured on the final day with victory over Millwall.^[1]

They finished as champions with 64 points, four points clear of second, and seven points clear of fifth spot.^[1] They had secured twelve victories on the road, as despite nobody recording a hat-trick all season, a club-record 110 goals were scored – with five players reaching double-figures.^[1] The defence was also strong, only Coventry and York City conceded fewer.^[1] Praise came in for manager Norman Low, who in turn praised Barnett as 'the supreme goal poacher', Hancock as 'the find of the season', whilst Steele was 'the model of consistency'.^[1]

Finances

On the financial side, gate receipts rose by 20% to £39,934, whilst there was a transfer credit of £6,075.^[1] Wages had risen to £26,535; however, the club's Sportsmen's Association donated £9,069 to give the club a profit of £8,595.^[1] Pleased with his players, Low only released Alan Martin (Northwich Victoria) and reserve Ken Higgs (who went on to enjoy a successful cricket career).^[1] The stadium received an upgrade, as the Bycars End was terraced, increased capacity by 6,500 to 50,000, extended the car park, and installed additional drains.^[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale were eliminated in the first round after being defeated 1–0 by Torquay United at Plainmoor.

Results

Football League Fourth Division

League table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GAv	Pts	Promotion or relegation
1	Port Vale (C, P)	46	26	12	8	110	58	1.897	64	Promotion to the Third Division
2	Coventry City (P)	46	24	12	10	84	47	1.787	60
3	York City (P)	46	21	18	7	73	52	1.404	60
4	Shrewsbury Town (P)	46	24	10	12	101	63	1.603	58
5	Exeter City	46	23	11	12	87	61	1.426	57

Source: rsssf.com
(C) Division Champions; (P) Promoted

Results by matchday

Round	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	40	41	42	43	44	45	46
Ground	H	A	A	H	H	A	A	H	A	A	H	H	A	H	H	A	H	A	H	H	A	A	A	H	A	H	H	H	A	H	A	H	H	A	A	H	A	A	H	H	A	A	H	A	A	H
Result	L	W	D	L	D	W	W	D	W	D	L	W	W	W	D	W	D	W	W	W	L	L	W	W	W	W	W	W	D	W	W	W	W	W	L	W	L	W	D	W	L	D	D	D	D	W
Position	17	15	13	17	17	9	6	7	4	6	9	6	4	3	3	3	3	3	1	1	1	3	2	2	2	2	2	1	2	2	2	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1
Points	0	2	3	3	4	6	8	9	11	12	12	14	16	18	19	21	22	24	26	28	28	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	41	43	45	47	49	51	51	53	53	55	57	58	58	59	60	61	62	64

Source: Statto^[4]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

23 August 1958 1	Port Vale	1–4	Northampton Town	Burslem
	Wilkinson			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 15,018

26 August 1958 2	Watford	0–2	Port Vale	Watford
			Jackson Poole	Stadium: Vicarage Road Attendance: 11,948

30 August 1958 3	Workington	2–2	Port Vale	Workington
			o.g. Steele	Stadium: Borough Park Attendance: 5,998

1 September 1958 4	Port Vale	1–3	Watford	Burslem
	Poole			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 10,458

6 September 1958 5	Port Vale	2–2	York City	Burslem
	Steele Wilkinson			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 10,104

8 September 1958 6	Hartlepools United	1–5	Port Vale	Hartlepool
			Wilkinson Cunliffe Steele	Stadium: Victoria Park Attendance: 6,158

13 September 1958 7	Bradford (Park Avenue)	0–2	Port Vale	Bradford
			Wilkinson Steele	Stadium: Park Avenue Attendance: 9,683

15 September 1958 8	Port Vale	1–1	Hartlepools United	Burslem
	Wilkinson			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 9,313

20 September 1958 9	Aldershot	0–4	Port Vale	Aldershot
			Poole Steele Cunliffe o.g.	Stadium: Recreation Ground Attendance: 6,211

23 September 1958 10	Southport	2–2	Port Vale	Southport
			Steele Wilkinson	Stadium: Haig Avenue Attendance: 3,274

27 September 1958 11	Port Vale	2–3	Crystal Palace	Burslem
	Poole Hall			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 13,952

29 September 1958 12	Port Vale	4–1	Southport	Burslem
	Poole Cunliffe Wilkinson			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 9,788

4 October 1958 13	Chester	1–2	Port Vale	Chester
			Steele	Stadium: Sealand Road Attendance: 8,197

6 October 1958 14	Port Vale	3–1	Torquay United	Burslem
	Wilkinson Hall			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 13,102

11 October 1958 15	Port Vale	0–0	Oldham Athletic	Burslem
				Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 13,432

18 October 1958 16	Barrow	1–2	Port Vale	Barrow-in-Furness
			Wilkinson Cunliffe	Stadium: Holker Street Attendance: 4,909

25 October 1958 17	Port Vale	1–1	Carlisle United	Burslem
	Wilkinson pen'			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 12,894

1 November 1958 18	Gillingham	0–2	Port Vale	Gillingham, Kent
			Jackson Steele	Stadium: Priestfield Stadium Attendance: 9,940

8 November 1958 19	Port Vale	5–3	Exeter City	Burslem
	Steele Poole Jackson Cunliffe			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 14,282

22 November 1958 20	Port Vale	2–0	Shrewsbury Town	Burslem
	Poole Wilkinson			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 12,047

29 November 1958 21	Darlington	2–0	Port Vale	Darlington
				Stadium: Feethams Attendance: 6,160

13 December 1958 22	Millwall	4–2	Port Vale	New Cross, Lewisham
			Steele Barnett	Stadium: The Den Attendance: 11,056

20 December 1958 23	Northampton Town	2–4	Port Vale	Northampton
			Poole Kinsey Barnett	Stadium: County Cricket Ground Attendance: 6,907

26 December 1958 24	Port Vale	8–0	Gateshead	Burslem
	Cunliffe Poole Steele Jackson pen' Barnett			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 16,899

1 January 1959 25	Gateshead	0–4	Port Vale	Gateshead
			Cunliffe Steele Poole	Stadium: Redheugh Park Attendance: 4,674

23 January 1959 26	Port Vale	2–1	Walsall	Burslem
	Barnett Wilkinson			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 11,569

31 January 1959 27	Port Vale	4–2	Bradford (Park Avenue)	Burslem
	Wilkinson Steele Kinsey			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 12,377

7 February 1959 28	Port Vale	3–2	Aldershot	Burslem
	Barnett Steele			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 10,608

14 February 1959 29	Crystal Palace	1–1	Port Vale	Selhurst, Croydon
			Cunliffe	Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 13,305

21 February 1959 30	Port Vale	4–0	Chester	Burslem
	Wilkinson Jackson Steele Barnett			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 8,851

28 February 1959 31	Oldham Athletic	0–2	Port Vale	Oldham
			Barnett	Stadium: Boundary Park Attendance: 7,515

2 March 1959 32	Port Vale	2–0	Workington	Burslem
	Poole Kinsey			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 10,978

7 March 1959 33	Port Vale	4–1	Barrow	Burslem
	Wilkinson Cunliffe Barnett			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 10,034

14 March 1959 34	Carlisle United	0–3	Port Vale	Carlisle
			Barnett Steele	Stadium: Brunton Park Attendance: 6,110

16 March 1959 35	Coventry City	1–0	Port Vale	Coventry
				Stadium: Highfield Road Attendance: 28,429

21 March 1959 36	Port Vale	3–1	Gillingham	Burslem
	Steele Cunliffe Barnett			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 11,119

27 March 1959 37	Crewe Alexandra	2–0	Port Vale	Crewe
				Stadium: Gresty Road Attendance: 15,330

28 March 1959 38	Exeter City	3–4	Port Vale	Exeter
			Steele Poole Sproson	Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 12,088

30 March 1959 39	Port Vale	1–1	Crewe Alexandra	Burslem
	Jackson pen'			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 20,524

4 April 1959 40	Port Vale	3–0	Coventry City	Burslem
	Wilkinson Jackson pen'			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 20,916

11 April 1959 41	Shrewsbury Town	4–3	Port Vale	Shrewsbury
			Barnett Cunliffe	Stadium: Gay Meadow Attendance: 10,619

15 April 1959 42	York City	0–0	Port Vale	York
				Stadium: Bootham Crescent Attendance: 9,755

18 April 1959 43	Port Vale	1–1	Darlington	Burslem
	Barnett			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 11,577

22 April 1959 44	Torquay United	1–1	Port Vale	Torquay
			Barnett	Stadium: Plainmoor Attendance: 5,036

25 April 1959 45	Walsall	1–1	Port Vale	Walsall
			Barnett	Stadium: Fellows Park Attendance: 6,626

27 April 1959 46	Port Vale	5–2	Millwall	Burslem
	Barnett Poole Jackson Cunliffe			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 13,473

FA Cup

15 November 1958 R1	Torquay United	1–0	Port Vale	Torquay
				Stadium: Plainmoor Attendance: 6,526

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
Pos.	Name	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
GK	Keith Jones	21	0	1	0	22	0
GK	Ken Hancock	25	0	0	0	25	0
FB	David Raine	28	0	1	0	29	0
FB	Selwyn Whalley	11	0	0	0	11	0
FB	Fred Donaldson	11	0	0	0	11	0
FB	Roy Pritchard	18	0	0	0	18	0
HB	Roy Sproson	21	1	1	0	22	1
HB	Albert Leake	46	0	1	0	47	0
HB	Terry Miles	45	0	1	0	46	0
HB	Alan Martin	16	0	0	0	16	0
FW	John Cunliffe	45	15	1	0	46	15
FW	Peter Hall	9	2	0	0	9	2
FW	Brian Jackson	37	8	1	0	38	8
FW	Harry Poole	35	16	1	0	36	16
FW	Stan Steele	46	22	1	0	47	22
FW	Jack Wilkinson	33	21	1	0	34	21
FW	Noel Kinsey	36	3	1	0	37	3
FW	Dennis Bailey	1	0	0	0	1	0
FW	Graham Barnett	22	20	0	0	22	20

Top scorers

Place	Position	Nation	Name	Fourth Division	Total
1	FW	England	Stan Steele	22	22
2	FW	England	Jack Wilkinson	21	21
3	FW	England	Graham Barnett	20	20
4	FW	England	Harry Poole	16	16
5	FW	England	John Cunliffe	15	15
6	FW	England	Brian Jackson	8	8
7	FW	Wales	Noel Kinsey	3	3
8	FW	England	Peter Hall	2	2
9	HB	England	Roy Sproson	1	1
–	–	–	Own goals	2	2
			TOTALS	110	110

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from	Position	Name	From	Fee	Ref.
Summer 1958	FB	Roy Pritchard	Notts County	Free transfer	^[5]
May 1958	FW	Peter Hall	Stoke City	Free transfer	^[5]
July 1958	FW	Brian Jackson	Liverpool	£1,700	^[5]
August 1958	FW	Dennis Bailey	Bolton Wanderers	Free transfer	^[5]
November 1958	GK	Ken Hancock	Stoke City	Free transfer	^[5]

Transfers out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Fee	Ref.
April 1959	GK		Keith Jones	Crewe Alexandra	Free transfer	^[5]
Summer 1959	HB		Alan Martin	Northwich Victoria	Released	^[5]

References

Specific

^ ^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 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.
^ Baggaley, Mike (17 August 2025). "Ten-man Vale battle for a point". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
^ Fielding, Rob (3 October 2019). "Five of the best thumping Port Vale home victories". onevalefan.co.uk. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
^ Port Vale 1958–1959 : Results & Fixtures Archived 2 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g 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.

[Kent-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 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] Baggaley, Mike (17 August 2025). "Ten-man Vale battle for a point". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 17 August 2025.

[3] Fielding, Rob (3 October 2019). "Five of the best thumping Port Vale home victories". onevalefan.co.uk. Retrieved 5 June 2020.

[4] Port Vale 1958–1959 : Results & Fixtures Archived 2 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.

[transfers-5] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]