1973–74 Port Vale F.C. season

Port Vale
1973–74 season
ChairmanMark Singer
ManagerGordon Lee
(until 14 January)
Roy Sproson
(from 14 January)
StadiumVale Park
Football League Third Division20th (42 Points)
FA CupThird Round
(knocked out by Luton Town)
League CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Stockport County)
Player of the YearDavid Harris
Top goalscorerLeague: John Woodward (16)
All: John Woodward (18)
Highest home attendance8,505 vs. Bristol Rovers, 17 February 1974
Lowest home attendance2,556 vs. Charlton Athletic, 27 April 1974
Average home league attendance3,959
Biggest win3–0 (twice)
Biggest defeat0–3 (twice)

The 1973–74 season was Port Vale's 62nd season of football in the Football League, and their fourth-successive season (tenth overall) in the Third Division.[1] After a poor first half, the club narrowly avoided relegation, finishing 20th with 42 points, seven points clear of the drop zone after manager Gordon Lee departed in January, succeeded by club legend Roy Sproson.

In cup competitions, Vale made it to the Third Round of the FA Cup, where they were eliminated by Luton Town, and exited the League Cup at the First Round after defeat to Stockport County. John Woodward was the club's top scorer, netting 16 goals in the league and 18 in all competitions, while defender David Harris was awarded Player of the Year for his breakthrough performances after joining from the youth ranks in 1973.

Attendance figures dipped: the highest home gate was 8,505 against Bristol Rovers on 17 February 1974, while the lowest came in at 2,556 versus Charlton Athletic on 27 April, with an average of 3,959 fans per league match. The team's biggest wins were 3–0, achieved twice, and their heaviest defeats were by 3–0, also occurring twice.

Overall, the 1973–74 season was a near miss as Vale fought a relegation battle, navigated mid‑season managerial upheaval, and relied on individual standouts like Woodward and Harris to keep them in the Third Division.

Overview

Third Division

The pre-season saw Sammy Morgan sold to Aston Villa for £22,222 (plus top-up fees).[1] Gordon Lee drafted in tall young players David Harris and John Ridley from the youth set-up, as well as versatile Keith Chadwick from Crewe Alexandra.[1] The club also erected a 2.5 feet (0.76 m) high steel fence around the Bycars End to help combat hooliganism.[1] The team competed in a pre-season tournament in Spain, recording victories over Lloret and Ajax B.[2]

The season opened with four games unbeaten, though Tommy McLaren soon damaged his ligaments, and the team suffered in his absence.[1] The team achieved a "convincing" 3–0 win over Shrewsbury Town on the opening day, though only 3,717 attended Vale Park. Just over 5,000 turned up to the next home game to see Vale "romp" to a 4–2 victory over Huddersfield Town. Tony Lacey was selected as the first Player of the Month, winning a £20 prize for his efforts. On 1 October, Vale beat Wrexham 1–0 in an 'ugly' game that saw five players booked and Colin Tartt and opposition player Arfon Griffiths separated by police following a scrap in the tunnel.[1] Later in the month, Roy Cross badly injured his knee and would later have to leave the professional game due to the injury.[1]

On 24 October, Vale lost a two-goal lead to lose 4–2 at Cambridge United in a night where "almost everything went wrong", culminating in the team coach windows being smashed by vandals.[1] Lee then took out 'burly' striker Keith Leonard on loan from Aston Villa, and bought "strong and forceful" 22-year-old left-back Neil Griffiths from Chester for £5,000 plus Tony Loska.[1] He also changed the formation from 4–4–2 to 4–3–3, hoping to give Brian Horton more room in the centre of the park.[1] Vale slipped down the league, and by Christmas they were sixth from bottom, with only John Woodward in good form.[1] On 22 December, only 2,916 turned out at Vale Park to witness a 1–0 defeat to Chesterfield.[1] After an upturn in form in the new year, Bill Summerscales broke his neck, and Lee departed for the management position at Blackburn Rovers.[1] Lee had been seen to have done an excellent job with little money.[1]

Club legend Roy Sproson was appointed as caretaker manager, who advocated an 'entertaining' style of play as opposed to battling for every point.[1] Winning his first match 1–0 at Shrewsbury Town, he cracked his head on the concrete trainer's box after leaping up to celebrate McLaren's goal.[1] On 2 February, John Woodward was sent off after abusing referee Peter Willis in a 2–1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. On 17 February, 8,505 turned up at Vale Park to witness a 3–1 win over high-flying Bristol Rovers in an experimental Sunday game.[1] Later, Leonard returned to Villa Park at the end of his loan deal, and £5,000 was not enough to tempt Villa to part with his services permanently.[1] On 10 March, Vale won 2–1 at home to Plymouth Argyle after the visitors were reduced to eight men; match reporter Chris Harper wrote that "just as Davey had earlier struck Tartt, the lanky Provan felled David Harris while Saxton dropped Bobby Gough with a boot in the lower regions".[3] Plymouth boss Tony Waiters blamed the referee for losing control of the game for his team becoming the first in Football Leageu history to have three players sent of in one match.[4]

Vale then went eleven games without a win, and on 25 March they could have ended this run, but 'a shocking mistake' from Alan Boswell handed Walsall an equaliser as he palmed a header into his own net.[1] The team continued to rack up yellow cards, and following a warning from The Football Association, Sproson arranged for local referee Roy Capey to lecture the players on sportsmanship.[1] Regardless, four more bookings came in a 1–1 draw at Blackburn Rovers on 6 April. Sproson was given the management job on a permanent basis, despite his team falling to fifth from bottom.[1] Sproson stated that he was 'calculated' and 'controlled', compared to Lee, who 'fizzes like a bottle of pop'.[1] By the time they broke their poor run with a 2–1 home win over managerless Charlton Athletic, other results had already ensured their safety from the drop.[1]

They finished in twentieth position with 42 points, though this meant they were seven points clear of relegated Cambridge United in 21st place.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, an average home attendance of under 4,000 failed to prevent a profit of £17,831.[1] This profit came from the early sale of Morgan and donations of £16,443 from the Sportsmen's Association and the Development Fund.[1] The club's total debt stood at £121,647, as Chairman Singer warned of more player sales to balance the books.[1] Two players leaving for free at the end of the season were Bobby Gough (Southport) and Alan Boswell (Oswestry Town) – Boswell was described as 'capable of brilliant saves and conceding soft goals'.[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale won away at Stockport County 1–0 before advancing past Northern Premier League side Scarborough in the second round after Woodward scored four minutes from time. After they conceded an equalising goal with six minutes to go in a 1–1 draw in Burslem with Second Division club Luton Town, they lost the replay at Kenilworth Road four days later by four goals to two and conceding twice in the final four minutes.[1]

In the League Cup, Vale exited at the first stage with a 2–0 defeat at Edgeley Park to Fourth Division side Stockport County.[1]

League table

Main article: 1973–74 Football League

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion or relegation
18 Hereford United 46 14 15 17 53 57 0.930 43
19 Brighton & Hove Albion 46 16 11 19 52 58 0.897 43
20 Port Vale 46 14 14 18 52 58 0.897 42
21 Cambridge United (R) 46 13 9 24 48 81 0.593 35 Relegation to the Fourth Division
22 Shrewsbury Town (R) 46 10 11 25 41 62 0.661 31
Source: rsssf.com
(R) Relegated

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Third Division

Results by matchday

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHAHHAAHAHHAHAAHAHAAHHAAHHAHHAHAHHAAHHAAAHHAAHA
ResultWDWWLDDLWLDDLLWDLLLDLWLWDWWWLWLWWDLLDDLDDLLLWD
Position155253474911111215141516171716181617161814131213121411910131514151618192020202020
Points235778991111121313131516161616171719192122242628283030323435353536373738393939394142
Source: Statto[5]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorers
25 August 1973 Shrewsbury Town H 3–0 3,717 Horton, Mountford, Woodward
1 September 1973 Oldham Athletic A 1–1 5,716 Lacey
8 September 1973 Huddersfield Town H 4–2 5,003 Woodward (2), Mountford, McLaren
10 September 1973 Cambridge United H 2–1 5,829 Horton (pen), Gough
15 September 1973 York City A 1–3 3,370 Williams
17 September 1973 Wrexham A 0–0 7,730
22 September 1973 Southend United H 0–0 4,323
29 September 1973 Chesterfield A 1–2 4,754 o.g.
1 October 1973 Wrexham H 1–0 4,791 Brodie
6 October 1973 Hereford United H 1–3 5,802 Woodward
13 October 1973 Bristol Rovers A 1–1 8,880 McLaren
20 October 1973 Bournemouth H 0–0 4,006
24 October 1973 Cambridge United A 2–4 3,612 Lacey, Woodward
27 October 1973 Plymouth Argyle A 0–2 9,383
3 November 1973 Rochdale H 3–1 3,223 Williams (2), Woodward
10 November 1973 Aldershot A 0–0 3,577
12 November 1973 Blackburn Rovers H 1–2 3,633 Woodward
17 November 1973 Halifax Town A 0–1 2,255
1 December 1973 Charlton Athletic A 0–2 4,390
8 December 1973 Grimsby Town H 1–1 3,157 Woodward
22 December 1973 Chesterfield H 0–1 2,916
26 December 1973 Southport A 1–0 2,721 Williams
29 December 1973 Huddersfield Town H 0–3 7,702
1 January 1974 Oldham Athletic H 3–0 4,300 Woodward (2), Williams
12 January 1974 York City H 2–2 3,537 Woodward, Williams
19 January 1974 Shrewsbury Town A 1–0 2,771 McLaren
26 January 1974 Tranmere Rovers H 1–0 3,004 Harris
2 February 1974 Brighton & Hove Albion H 2–1 3,728 Horton, Williams
9 February 1974 Southend United A 0–1 4,376
17 February 1974 Bristol Rovers H 3–1 8,505 Williams (2), Leonard
23 February 1974 Hereford United A 1–2 6,565 Woodward
2 March 1974 Southport H 2–1 3,220 o.g., Gough
10 March 1974 Plymouth Argyle H 2–1 3,128 Woodward (2)
16 March 1974 Bournemouth A 2–2 7,968 o.g., Harris
20 March 1974 Brighton & Hove Albion A 1–2 9,365 Harris
23 March 1974 Aldershot H 0–1 3,254
25 March 1974 Walsall H 1–1 3,659 Lacey
30 March 1974 Rochdale A 1–1 982 Mountford
1 April 1974 Tranmere Rovers A 0–3 3,050
6 April 1974 Blackburn Rovers A 1–1 5,298 Mountford
13 April 1974 Halifax Town H 1–1 2,707 McLaren
16 April 1974 Watford H 1–2 3,056 Horton
20 April 1974 Grimsby Town A 0–2 6,443
24 April 1974 Watford A 1–2 5,883 o.g.
27 April 1974 Charlton Athletic H 3–1 2,556 Woodward (2), Ridley
30 April 1974 Walsall A 0–0 4,228

FA Cup

Main article: 1973–74 FA Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 24 November 1973 Stockport County A 1–0 3,364 Summerscales
R2 15 December 1973 Scarborough H 2–1 3,528 Harris, Woodward
R3 5 January 1974 Luton Town H 1–1 8,127 Harris
R3 Replay 9 January 1974 Luton Town A 2–4 5,833 Mountford, Woodward

League Cup

Main article: 1973–74 Football League Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 29 August 1973 Stockport County A 0–2 3,314

Player statistics

Appearances and goals

Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK England Alan Boswell 42 0 4 0 0 0 46 0
GK England Reg Edwards 4 0 0 0 1 0 5 0
DF England Bill Summerscales 22 0 4 1 1 0 27 1
DF England Roy Cross 11 0 0 0 1 0 12 0
DF England John Brodie 45 1 3 0 1 0 49 1
DF England Tony Loska 9 0 1 0 0 0 10 0
DF England Neil Griffiths 24 0 2 0 0 0 26 0
DF England Andy Carr 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
DF England David Harris 32 3 4 2 0 0 36 5
MF Scotland Tommy McLaren 42 4 4 0 1 0 47 4
MF England Brian Horton 41 4 4 0 1 0 46 4
MF England Tony Lacey 44 3 4 0 1 0 49 3
MF England Colin Tartt 42 0 2 0 1 0 45 0
MF England John Ridley 10 1 0 0 0 0 10 1
MF England Keith Chadwick 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
MF England Ron Pountney 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FW England Bobby Gough 24 2 1 0 1 0 26 2
FW England Bob Mountford 38 4 4 1 1 0 43 5
FW England John Woodward 43 16 4 2 1 0 48 18
FW England Ray Williams 39 9 4 0 0 0 43 9
FW England Keith Leonard 13 1 0 0 0 0 13 1

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Name Third Division FA Cup League Cup Total
1 FW  England John Woodward 16 2 0 18
2 FW  England Ray Williams 9 0 0 9
3 FW  England Bob Mountford 4 1 0 5
– DF  England David Harris 3 2 0 5
5 MF  Scotland Tommy McLaren 4 0 0 4
– MF  England Brian Horton 4 0 0 4
7 MF  England Tony Lacey 3 0 0 3
8 FW  England Bobby Gough 2 0 0 2
9 MF  England John Ridley 1 0 0 1
– DF  England John Brodie 1 0 0 1
– FW  England Keith Leonard 1 0 0 1
– DF  England Bill Summerscales 0 1 0 1
– – – Own goals 4 0 0 4
TOTALS 52 6 0 58

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
July 1973 MF England Keith Chadwick Crewe Alexandra Free transfer [6]
December 1973 DF England Neil Griffiths Chester Exchange [6]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
August 1973 FW Northern Ireland Sammy Morgan Aston Villa £22,222 [6]
December 1973 DF England Tony Loska Chester Exchange [6]
May 1974 GK England Alan Boswell Wales Oswestry Town Free transfer [6]
May 1974 FW England Bobby Gough Southport Free transfer [6]

Loans out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref.
November 1973 FW England Keith Leonard Aston Villa February 1974 [6]

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). "Surviving on a Shoestring (1969–1979)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 227–257. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. ^ Baggaley, Mike (14 July 2025). "Stepping up preparations". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  3. ^ Baggaley, Mike (9 September 2024). "Plans coming together for Vale". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
  4. ^ Baggaley, Mike (31 July 2025). "Ready to go as Rotherham await". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  5. ^ Port Vale 1973–1974 : Results & Fixtures Archived 2 October 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  6. ^ 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.
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