1974–75 Port Vale F.C. season

Port Vale
1974–75 season
ChairmanMark Singer
ManagerRoy Sproson
StadiumVale Park
Football League Third Division6th (51 Points)
FA CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Lincoln City)
League CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Northampton Town)
Player of the YearJohn Connaughton
Top goalscorerLeague: Ray Williams (14)
All: Terry Bailey, Ray Williams (14 each)
Highest home attendance9,135 vs. Blackburn Rovers, 26 April 1975
Lowest home attendance2,704 vs. Gillingham, 7 September 1974
Average home league attendance4,346
Biggest win4–0 vs. Huddersfield Town, 14 December 1974
Biggest defeat0–3 and 1–4

The 1974–75 season was Port Vale's 63rd season of football in the Football League, and their fifth-successive season (11th overall) in the Third Division.[1] It marked Roy Sproson's first full season as manager, following his appointment in April 1974.

Strengthening the squad, Sproson added midfielder Terry Bailey, winger Frank Sharp, defender Garry Dulson, and goalkeeper John Connaughton. Vale mounted a steady promotion challenge, finishing sixth with 51 points, just four points shy of a promotion spot. In contrast, Potteries derby rivals Stoke City, bolstered by European competition and a push for the First Division title, overshadowed Vale — contributing to them having the third-lowest average attendance in the division at 4,346. In cup competitions, Vale bowed out at the first-round stage of both the FA Cup (losing to Lincoln City) and the League Cup. Leading the scoring charts for the club were Ray Williams and Terry Bailey, each netting 14 goals across all competitions. The season's highest attendance was 9,135, recorded against Blackburn Rovers on 26 April 1975, while the lowest was 2,704 against Gillingham on 7 September 1974.

Despite financial constraints and dwindling support, Port Vale delivered a spirited promotion push under Roy Sproson, combining notable individual performances with a solid sixth‑place finish in the league.

Overview

Third Division

The pre-season saw Roy Sproson attempt to construct a new attacking style by signing attacking midfielder Terry Bailey from Stafford Rangers for £2,500, orthodox winger Frank Sharp from Grimsby Town, and 24-year-old goalkeeper John Connaughton from Sheffield United.[1] There was also a dispute with John Woodward who asked for a transfer after a disagreement over his contract; Sproson said "he is trying to hold us to ransom and we are not having that".[1]

The season opened with two Bailey goals in a 2–2 draw at Wrexham. Vale would have to wait until their fourth match for a victory, at which point their coffers were boosted by £10,000 following Sammy Morgan's success at Aston Villa.[1] On 31 August, Bill Summerscales was sent off in a 3–0 loss at Grimsby Town. The first win of the season came the following week, as Gillingham were defeated by two goals to one in front of only 2,704 at Vale Park. In September, Sproson made a £10,000 bid for Keith Leonard that was rejected.[1] Instead he brought in 20-year-old left-back Garry Dulson on loan from Nottingham Forest, and later bought him permanently for £5,000, using another £5,400 Villa were forced to pay Vale after Morgan hit another target.[1] On 8 October, they managed a 0–0 draw away at Walsall and were accused of "spoiling tactics" as John Brodie was sent off for timewasting on 75 minutes. On 2 November, Sproson "liberally handed out cigars" following a 2–1 victory at Bournemouth. A week later, they produced "a sparkling display of open, attacking football" to recover a two-goal deficit and defeat Chesterfield by three goals to two. Sproson tried playing Keith Chadwick at centre-forward, which created more scoring opportunities as he was good in the air.[1]

The "Valiants" proved difficult to beat, and heading into Christmas they won six of their last nine league games.[1] Their 4–0 win over Huddersfield Town lifted them into third place, with reporter Chris Harper writing that "the real strength of the performance again emanated from midfield where (Tommy) McLaren, Bailey, Lacey and Horton reigned supreme", though attendances were still below 4,000.[2][1] They only lost 1–0 at Preston North End the following week due to a hotly-disputed goal, with Tommy McLaren sent off for his violent protestations that the goal was offside. A 3–1 win over Southend United at Roots Hall then put the club into second spot, at which point Bob Mountford was sold to Rochdale for £2,000.[1] A four-day holiday in Benidorm in the new year did not seem to help the Vale, as three straight defeats followed to drag them down the table.[1] To halt the slide Sproson bought "stocky and brave" striker Derek Brownbill from Liverpool for £5,000.[1]

On 3 March, Vale recorded a 1–0 home win over Charlton Athletic as Brownbill scored his first goal for the club, though Connaughton was particularly brave and impressive to earn his clean sheet.[3] Five days later Vale had two sendings off in a 3–1 defeat to bottom club Huddersfield Town at Leeds Road – John Brodie also managed to break his leg in the challenge that earned him a red card – forced Sproson to defend his team after that took the Vale's red card tally to seven for the season.[1] Chadwick was then lost to a knee injury, which required a crtilage operation. A 2–1 win over Preston North End at Vale Park on 29 March was opposition player-manager Bobby Charlton's last appearance in the Football League.[4] A solid spell put Vale back into the promotion race by March, though their form dropped off again, and their hopes were crushed completely on 26 April with a 3–1 defeat at home to Gordon Lee's champions-elect Blackburn Rovers.[1]

They finished in sixth place with 51 points, leaving them four points shy of promoted Charlton Athletic.[1] Just two home losses were matched by only three victories on the road.[1] The three main scorers were Ray Williams (14), Terry Bailey (14), and Brian Horton (13).[1] At the end of the season the players took a break in Malta, where they drew 1–1 with Floriana.[1][5] Tommy McLaren spent the summer in Oregon, playing for the Portland Timbers.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, there was a loss of £16,964 despite donations of £13,803 from the development funds.[1] The supporters group also paid £1,200 for video equipment, allowing the club to record games and show players their mistakes.[6] The average home attendance of 4,346 was the third-lowest in the division.[1] Wages stood at £72,874, gate receipts took in £43,199, and there was a loss in the transfer market of £6,000.[1] The financial situation meant that seven players were released and 13 were retained.[1] Amongst those departing were: John Woodward (Scunthorpe United); Frank Sharp (Northwich Victoria); Roy Cross (Nuneaton Borough); Bill Summerscales (Rochdale); and Reg Edwards (Brereton Social).[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale lost their first round replay 2–0 at Lincoln City's Sincil Bank, following a 2–2 draw in Burslem.[1] Dulson scored an own goal in the original match and was sent off in the replay for punching Dick Krzywicki.[1]

In the League Cup, Vale left the competition at the first stage with a 1–0 defeat at Fourth Division side Northampton Town's Sixfields Stadium.[1]

League table

Main article: 1974–75 Football League

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
4 Swindon Town 46 21 11 14 64 58 1.103 53
5 Crystal Palace 46 18 15 13 66 57 1.158 51
6 Port Vale 46 18 15 13 61 54 1.130 51
7 Peterborough United 46 19 12 15 47 53 0.887 50
8 Walsall 46 18 13 15 67 52 1.288 49
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Third Division

Results by matchday

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHAHAAHAHAAHAAHAHHAAHHAHAAHAHAHHHAHHAHAHAHAAHH
ResultDDLWLDWDDLDWLDWWDWLWWWLWWLLLDDDWWLWWDWLDDWDLLW
Position992214161612161216161314141313111114109372267119109979746555644686
Points1224457899101212131517182020222426262830303030313233353737394142444445464849494951
Source: Statto[7]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorers
17 August 1974 Wrexham A 2–2 6,314 Bailey (2)
24 August 1974 Swindon Town H 2–2 3,446 Williams, Sharp
31 August 1974 Grimsby Town A 0–3 5,383
7 September 1974 Gillingham H 2–1 2,704 Horton (pen), Sharp
13 September 1974 Tranmere Rovers A 0–1 3,033
18 September 1974 Brighton & Hove Albion A 1–1 12,340 Bailey
21 September 1974 Hereford United H 3–0 3,433 Williams, Horton, Bailey
28 September 1974 Halifax Town A 1–1 1,935 Bailey
30 September 1974 Colchester United H 2–2 3,722 Williams, Bailey
5 October 1974 Aldershot A 1–2 3,406 Horton
8 October 1974 Walsall A 0–0 6,507
12 October 1974 Plymouth Argyle H 2–0 3,634 Horton, Woodward
15 October 1974 Colchester United A 0–2 5,184
19 October 1974 Blackburn Rovers A 2–2 9,777 Bailey, Woodward
26 October 1974 Crystal Palace H 2–1 5,148 Bailey, Horton
2 November 1974 Bournemouth A 2–1 5,143 Williams (2)
4 November 1974 Walsall H 1–1 4,859 Williams
9 November 1974 Chesterfield H 3–2 3,941 Woodward (2), Williams
16 November 1974 Watford A 2–3 6,659 Bailey, o.g.
30 November 1974 Peterborough United A 2–0 7,627 Chadwick, Horton
7 December 1974 Bury H 1–0 4,038 Horton (pen)
14 December 1974 Huddersfield Town H 4–0 3,986 Horton, Chadwick, Bailey, Lacey
21 December 1974 Preston North End A 0–1 8,743
26 December 1974 Tranmere Rovers H 1–0 6,196 Horton
28 December 1974 Southend United A 3–1 6,535 Williams, Chadwick, Horton (pen)
11 January 1975 Bury A 1–3 7,204 Horton
18 January 1975 Peterborough United H 1–3 4,979 Horton
1 February 1975 Chesterfield A 0–1 4,348
8 February 1975 Bournemouth H 0–0 3,710
15 February 1975 Charlton Athletic A 2–2 9,449 Chadwick (2)
22 February 1975 Watford H 0–0 4,164
1 March 1975 Grimsby Town H 1–0 3,335 Williams
3 March 1975 Charlton Athletic H 1–0 4,638 Brownbill
8 March 1975 Huddersfield Town A 1–3 6,705 Williams
15 March 1975 Halifax Town H 2–1 3,334 Brownbill, Bailey
17 March 1975 Wrexham H 2–0 4,661 McLaren, Lacey
22 March 1975 Gillingham A 0–0 7,524
29 March 1975 Preston North End H 2–1 6,583 Bailey (2)
31 March 1975 Hereford United A 0–1 6,976
1 April 1975 Southend United H 0–0 4,178
5 April 1975 Crystal Palace A 1–1 15,195 Horton (pen)
12 April 1975 Aldershot H 3–1 3,382 Williams (2), Brownbill
19 April 1975 Plymouth Argyle A 1–1 22,447 Brownbill
22 April 1975 Swindon Town A 2–3 7,637 Harris, Williams
26 April 1975 Blackburn Rovers H 1–4 9,135 Williams
28 April 1975 Brighton & Hove Albion H 1–0 2,754 Woodward

FA Cup

Main article: 1974–75 FA Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 23 November 1974 Lincoln City H 2–2 4,840 Bailey, Mountford
R1 Replay 27 November 1974 Lincoln City A 0–2 6,824

League Cup

Main article: 1974–75 Football League Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 20 August 1974 Northampton Town A 0–1 5,688

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 Reg Edwards 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
GK England John Connaughton 44 0 2 0 1 0 47 0
DF England Bill Summerscales 27 0 1 0 1 0 29 0
DF England Roy Cross 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
DF England John Brodie 28 0 1 0 1 0 30 0
DF England Neil Griffiths 12 0 1 0 1 0 14 0
DF England David Harris 20 1 1 0 1 0 22 1
DF England Garry Dulson 32 0 2 0 0 0 34 0
MF Scotland Tommy McLaren 39 1 2 0 1 0 42 1
MF England Brian Horton 44 13 2 0 4 0 47 13
MF England Tony Lacey 39 2 1 0 0 0 40 2
MF England Colin Tartt 37 0 1 0 0 0 38 0
MF England John Ridley 18 0 0 0 1 0 19 0
MF England Keith Chadwick 22 5 1 0 0 0 23 5
MF Scotland Frank Sharp 24 2 2 0 1 0 27 2
MF England Terry Bailey 44 13 2 1 1 0 47 14
MF England Kenny Beech 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
FW England Bob Mountford 3 0 2 1 0 0 5 1
FW England John Woodward 39 5 2 0 0 0 41 5
FW England Ray Williams 40 14 0 0 1 0 41 14
FW England Derek Brownbill 16 4 0 0 0 0 16 4

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Name Third Division FA Cup League Cup Total
1 FW  England Ray Williams 14 0 0 14
– MF  England Terry Bailey 13 1 0 14
3 MF  England Brian Horton 13 0 0 13
4 MF  England Keith Chadwick 5 0 0 5
– FW  England John Woodward 5 0 0 5
6 FW  England Derek Brownbill 4 0 0 4
7 MF  England Tony Lacey 2 0 0 2
– MF  Scotland Frank Sharp 2 0 0 2
9 MF  Scotland Tommy McLaren 1 0 0 1
– DF  England David Harris 1 0 0 1
– FW  England Bob Mountford 0 1 0 1
– – – Own goals 1 0 0 1
TOTALS 61 2 0 63

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 1974 MF England Terry Bailey Stafford Rangers £3,000 [8]
May 1974 GK England John Connaughton Sheffield United Free transfer [8]
May 1974 MF Scotland Frank Sharp Grimsby Town Free transfer [8]
November 1974 DF England Garry Dulson Nottingham Forest £5,000 [8]
February 1975 FW England Derek Brownbill Liverpool £5,000 [8]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
December 1974 FW England Bob Mountford Rochdale £2,000 [8]
May 1975 DF England Andy Carr Northwich Victoria Free transfer [8]
May 1975 DF England Roy Cross Nuneaton Borough Free transfer [8]
May 1975 GK England Reg Edwards Brereton Social Free transfer [8]
May 1975 MF Scotland Frank Sharp Northwich Victoria Free transfer [8]
May 1975 DF England Bill Summerscales Rochdale Free transfer [8]
May 1975 FW England John Woodward Scunthorpe United Free transfer [8]

Loans in

Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref.
October 1974 DF England Garry Dulson Nottingham Forest November 1974 [8]

Loans out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref.
October 1974 FW England Bob Mountford Scunthorpe United November 1974 [8]
December 1974 FW England Bob Mountford Crewe Alexandra December 1974 [8]

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). "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 December 2023). "Injury news and selection debate as Port Vale prepare for Wigan". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  3. ^ Baggaley, Mike (5 March 2025). "Vale frustration in Harrogate stalemate". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  4. ^ Baggaley, Mike (23 October 2023). "Port Vale selection questions for season-defining games". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
  5. ^ Baldacchino, Carmel (20 July 2017). "Shadows from the past: Port Vale in Malta for Floriana celebrations". Times of Malta. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  6. ^ Kent, Jeff (December 1991). Port Vale Tales: A Collection Of Stories, Anecdotes And Memories. Witan Books. p. 42. ISBN 0-9508981-6-3.
  7. ^ Port Vale 1974–1975 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o 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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