1979–80 Port Vale F.C. season

Port Vale
1979–80 season
ChairmanArthur McPherson
ManagerDennis Butler
(until 30 August)
Alan Bloor
(30 August to 1 December)
Bill Bentley
(caretaker in December)
John McGrath
(from December)
StadiumVale Park
Football League Fourth Division20th (36 Points)
FA CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Doncaster Rovers)
League CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Tranmere Rovers)
Player of the YearKenny Beech
Top goalscorerLeague: Neville Chamberlain (11)
All: Neville Chamberlain (11)
Highest home attendance6,756 vs. Walsall, 8 March 1980
Lowest home attendance2,338 vs. Doncaster Rovers, 3 May 1980
Average home league attendance3,462
Biggest win5–0 vs. Northampton Town, 15 September 1979
Biggest defeat1–7 vs. Huddersfield Town, 22 September 1979

The 1979–80 season was Port Vale's 68th season of football in the Football League, and their second-successive season (eighth overall) in the Fourth Division.[1] The season saw immense managerial turbulence, with Dennis Butler starting the season, Alan Bloor succeeding him on 30 August (serving until 1 December), followed by a brief stint from caretaker Bill Bentley, and ultimately John McGrath taking charge in December. On the pitch, Vale endured one of their worst campaigns in their history, finishing 20th with just 36 points, the club's lowest-ever league finish to that point.

They suffered early exits in both cup competitions, being eliminated in the First Round of the FA Cup, and in the League Cup, losing to Tranmere Rovers. Neville Chamberlain emerged as both the league and season top scorer for the club, netting 11 goals, while Kenny Beech earned the Player of the Year award after scoring four goals in 49 appearances. Attendance remained subdued, with an average of 3,462. The highest attendance was 6,756 in the match against Walsall on 8 March 1980, while the lowest was 2,338 against Doncaster Rovers on 3 May 1980. The season also featured a notable 7–1 away defeat to Huddersfield Town on 22 September 1979 — one of the club's heaviest losses of the era.

Off the field, the season was marred by financial losses, disciplinary issues, and slack governance. Vale began the season with six consecutive defeats, incurred a £500 FA fine for poor discipline, briefly became the first club in the division to feature shirt sponsorship (with T.I.Creda), and underwent a significant squad clear-out initiated by McGrath — yet still recorded a staggering loss of £82,069. Nearby rivals Crewe Alexandra finished below them, offering the supporters a small consolation in an otherwise grim campaign.

A tumultuous and financially fraught campaign saw Vale endure managerial revolving doors, a historically poor league finish, and off-field instability, offset only marginally by Chamberlain's goal-scoring and Beech's dependable performances.

Overview

Fourth Division

The pre-season saw manager Dennis Butler sign three players on free transfers: 29-year-old striker Terry Owen (Rochdale), second striker Alan Woolfall (Bury), and 19-year-old forward Steve Jones (Manchester United).[1] Meanwhile, the club was fined £500 by The Football Association for the team's ongoing poor disciplinary record.[1]

The season began with four consecutive league defeats, which led to the dismissal of Butler as manager.[1] Only 2,744 fans turned up to Vale Park for the opening home game of the campaign, a 1–0 defeat to Hereford United. Alan Bloor took over as caretaker manager, who threatened the players with a place on the bench if they failed to deliver in the first XI, and to prove his point he replaced Bernie Wright with Neville Chamberlain.[1] Chamberlain rewarded him with both goals in a 2–0 victory over Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road.[1] A 5–0 thrashing of Northampton Town followed eight days later, with both Chamberlain and Wright claiming a brace.[1] However, the following week they were 'massacred' 7–1 at high-flying Huddersfield Town's Leeds Road.[1] Chris Harper of The Sentinel reported that it was "probably the most unprofessional performance I have witnessed by a Vale side in more than ten years".[2] He further added that "the constant changes [in management] are totally opposed to the stability required to achieve success".[2] Despite conceding serven goals, Trevor Dance retained his place in goal, with John Connaughton 'in a huff' with the club.[1] Coach Graham Hawkins left the club as he felt that, as the assistant manager, he should have been put in caretaker charge over Bloor. By the end of September, Bloor was made manager on a permanent basis.[1] Vale celebrated with a 5–1 beating of Rochdale on 29 September, whilst Ken Todd was sold to Portsmouth for £20,000.[1] Ged Stenson had his contract cancelled, and signed with Morecambe.[1]

Losing five of their seven games in October, Vale drifted to third-from-bottom.[1] Gordon Banks was demoted to coaching the reserves. Bloor spent £30,000 on Crewe Alexandra defender Paul Bowles.[1] Undefeated in November in the league, Vale then lost 5–1 to a York City side at Bootham Crescent that was marashlled by Peter Lorimer.[1][3] Later in the month, Vale became the first Fourth Division club to strike a shirt advertising deal, signing a deal with TI Creda for £5,000.[1] A surprise came though when Bloor resigned his position, stating that "I do not have what it takes".[1] Gordon Banks was also dismissed, and he blamed the players for his downfall, claiming they did not like hard work.[1] Bill Bentley was appointed as caretaker manager, as the club approached numerous managers – including former player Ronnie Allen.[1] The job went to John McGrath, who had been working as a coach at Southampton.[1] He appointed Torquay United coach John Rudge as his second in command.[1]

Finding his new team to be undisciplined, McGrath said that 'the holiday is over', and began fining players for various reasons.[1] He offloaded Connaughton to Altrincham, loaned Paul Bowles to Southampton, and discovered that Wright was no longer willing to play for the club.[1] On 12 January, a 3–2 victory was achieved at well-placed Doncaster Rovers to take the club out of the bottom four temporarily. In February, McGrath signed 19-year-old goalkeeper Mark Harrison and defender Lee Harwood from Southampton, as well as forward Tony Sealy on loan from Crystal Palace.[1] He also placed 15 players on the transfer list, after which the Vale went on a six-game unbeaten run.[1]

Lee Harwood and Phil Sproson made a solid defensive pair, whilst young Mark Chamberlain (brother of Neville) was used in midfield.[1] Phil Sproson struck a solid defensive partnership with Harwood. The final game of the unbeaten run was a 2–2 draw with league leaders Walsall.[1] In March, John Fleming arrived on loan from Lincoln City, and the club went on a run of one win in twelve games, ending with a 2–1 defeat at Vale Park to fellow strugglers York City.[1] In April, Felix Healy left the club to return to his native Northern Ireland.[1] A Sealy goal earned Vale two points in their penultimate game with Stockport County at Edgeley Park, and their final game was a 3–0 win over Doncaster Rovers in front of just 2,338 supporters.[1] These wins took Vale out of the re-election zone on goal difference.[1]

They finished in twentieth place with 36 points, finishing ahead of Hereford United in the re-election zone on goals scored.[1] Hereford United needed to win by three goals in their final game to finish above Vale, but could only manage a 2–0 victory over Rochdale.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, a loss of £82,069 was recorded.[1] The financial picture led Chairman Arthur McPherson to describe 1979–80 as 'probably the worst season in the club's history'.[1] Leaving the club at the end of the season were: Bernie Wright (Kidderminster Harriers); Bill Bentley (Stafford Rangers); Terry Owen (Northwich Victoria); Bob Delgado (Miami Americans); and Kevin Tully (Chorley).[1] Several players remained in Burslem on virtue of having extended contracts.[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale were knocked out in the first round after losing 3–1 at home to Doncaster Rovers.[1]

In the League Cup, Vale were defeated by Tranmere Rovers 3–1 on aggregate.[1]

League table

Main article: 1979–80 Football League

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion
18 Halifax Town 46 13 13 20 46 72 −26 39
19 Hartlepool United 46 14 10 22 59 64 −5 38
20 Port Vale 46 12 12 22 56 70 −14 36
21 Hereford United 46 11 14 21 38 52 −14 36 Re-elected
22 Darlington 46 9 17 20 50 74 −24 35
Source:

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Fourth Division

Results by matchday

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHAHAHHAHAHAAHHAHAAHAHAHHHAAAHAHHAHAHAAHAHAHAH
ResultLLLLWWLLWLLDLWLLWDDDLLDWLDWLLDWWDDDLWLDLLDLLWW
Position14182324211719211719222121212122212221212222222222222022222220191918182120212020222121222020
Points0000244466677999111213141414151717182020202123252627282830303131313232323436
Source: Statto[4]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorers
18 August 1979 Newport County A 1–2 4,008 Tully
20 August 1979 Hereford United H 0–1 2,744
25 August 1979 Aldershot A 1–3 2,538 Todd
1 September 1979 Peterborough United H 0–1 2,794
7 September 1979 Crewe Alexandra A 2–0 4,539 Chamberlain (2)
15 September 1979 Northampton Town H 5–0 2,847 Chamberlain (2), Wright (2), Sproson
17 September 1979 Bradford City H 1–2 4,724 Sproson
22 September 1979 Huddersfield Town A 1–7 4,299 Chamberlain
29 September 1979 Rochdale H 5–1 2,835 Wright (2), Farrell, Owen
3 October 1979 Bradford City A 0–2 4,393
6 October 1979 Lincoln City H 1–2 3,127 Wright
10 October 1979 Hereford United A 0–0 2,741
13 October 1979 Hartlepool United A 1–2 2,441 Wright
20 October 1979 Darlington H 2–0 2,618 Beech, Farrell
22 October 1979 Tranmere Rovers H 0–1 2,990
27 October 1979 Walsall A 1–2 4,976 Woolfall
3 November 1979 Newport County H 2–0 2,980 Farrell, o.g.
10 November 1979 Halifax Town A 0–0 1,798
12 November 1979 Tranmere Rovers A 1–1 2,140 Wright
17 November 1979 Torquay United H 1–1 2,643 Wright
1 December 1979 York City A 1–5 2,402 Chamberlain
7 December 1979 Stockport County H 1–2 2,799 Chamberlain
21 December 1979 Portsmouth A 2–2 12,022 Griffiths (2)
26 December 1979 Scunthorpe United H 1–0 3,433 Wright
29 December 1979 Aldershot H 0–2 2,559
5 January 1980 Bournemouth H 1–1 2,875 o.g.
12 January 1980 Doncaster Rovers A 3–2 3,859 Chamberlain (2), Sproson
26 January 1980 Peterborough United A 0–3 3,287
2 February 1980 Northampton Town A 1–3 1,946 Woolfall
9 February 1980 Huddersfield Town H 1–1 5,143 Elsby
15 February 1980 Rochdale A 2–0 1,784 Sealy, Beech
20 February 1980 Crewe Alexandra H 2–0 6,655 Sealy, Farrell
23 February 1980 Hartlepool United H 1–1 3,702 Chamberlain
1 March 1980 Darlington A 1–1 2,102 Sealy
8 March 1980 Walsall H 2–2 6,756 Griffiths (pen), Chamberlain
15 March 1980 Lincoln City A 0–3 2,969
22 March 1980 Halifax Town H 1–0 2,993 o.g.
26 March 1980 Wigan Athletic A 1–3 4,854 Beech
29 March 1980 Torquay United A 1–1 2,109 Keenan
1 April 1980 Portsmouth H 2–3 3,614 Harwood, Sealy
5 April 1980 Scunthorpe United A 0–1 1,981
7 April 1980 Wigan Athletic H 1–1 3,814 Sealy
12 April 1980 Bournemouth A 1–3 2,863 Owen
19 April 1980 York City H 1–2 2,640 Owen
25 April 1980 Stockport County A 1–0 2,404 Sealy
3 May 1980 Doncaster Rovers H 3–0 2,338 Jones, Griffiths (pen), Bromage

FA Cup

Main article: 1979–80 FA Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 23 November 1979 Doncaster Rovers H 1–3 4,973 Beech

League Cup

Main article: 1979–80 Football League Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 1st Leg 11 August 1979 Tranmere Rovers H 1–2 3,213
R1 2nd Leg 15 August 1979 Tranmere Rovers A 0–1 3,026 Woolfall

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 John Connaughton 7 0 0 0 2 0 9 0
GK England Trevor Dance 39 0 1 0 0 0 40 0
DF England Neil Griffiths 40 4 1 0 0 0 41 4
DF England Phil Sproson 39 3 1 0 0 0 40 3
DF England Graham Hawkins 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
DF England Bill Bentley 32 0 1 0 2 0 35 0
DF England Gerry Keenan 41 1 1 0 2 0 44 1
DF Wales Bob Delgado 17 0 2 0 0 0 19 0
DF England Lee Harwood 15 1 0 0 0 0 15 1
DF England Billy Leese 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
DF England Paul Bowles 10 0 1 0 0 0 11 0
DF England Russell Bromage 29 1 0 0 1 0 30 1
MF England Kenny Beech 46 3 1 1 2 0 49 4
MF England Ged Stenson 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
MF England Ken Todd 3 1 0 0 0 0 3 1
MF England Kevin Tully 5 1 0 0 2 0 7 1
MF England Mark Chamberlain 11 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
MF England Peter Farrell 32 5 1 0 0 0 33 5
MF England Ian Elsby 21 1 0 0 1 0 22 1
MF Northern Ireland Felix Healy 18 0 0 0 2 0 20 0
MF England John Fleming 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
FW England Neville Chamberlain 35 11 0 0 0 0 35 11
FW England Bernie Wright 30 9 1 0 2 0 33 9
FW England Alan Woolfall 7 2 1 0 2 1 10 3
FW England Tony Sealy 17 6 0 0 0 0 17 6
FW England Terry Owen 17 3 0 0 2 0 19 3
FW England Steve Jones 15 1 1 0 0 0 16 1

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Name Fourth Division FA Cup League Cup Total
1 FW  England Neville Chamberlain 11 0 0 11
2 FW  England Bernie Wright 9 0 0 9
3 FW  England Tony Sealy 6 0 0 6
4 MF  England Peter Farrell 5 0 0 5
5 DF  England Neil Griffiths 4 0 0 4
– MF  England Kenny Beech 3 1 0 4
7 DF  England Phil Sproson 3 0 0 3
– FW  England Terry Owen 3 0 0 3
9 FW  England Alan Woolfall 2 0 1 3
10 DF  England Gerry Keenan 1 0 0 1
– DF  England Lee Harwood 1 0 0 1
– MF  England Ken Todd 1 0 0 1
– MF  England Kevin Tully 1 0 0 1
– MF  England Ian Elsby 1 0 0 1
– FW  England Steve Jones 1 0 0 1
– DF  England Russell Bromage 1 0 0 1
– – – Own goals 3 0 0 3
TOTALS 56 1 1 58

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 1979 FW England Steve Jones Manchester United Free transfer [5]
Summer 1979 FW England Terry Owen Rochdale Free transfer [5]
August 1979 FW England Alan Woolfall Bury Free transfer [5]
25 October 1979 DF England Paul Bowles Crewe Alexandra £30,000 [5]
11 February 1980 GK England Mark Harrison Southampton Free transfer [5]
7 February 1980 DF England Lee Harwood Leatherhead Free transfer [5]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
August 1979 FW England Brian Sinclair Winsford United Sacked [5]
October 1979 DF England Graham Hawkins Retired [5]
October 1979 MF England Ged Stenson Morecambe Released [5]
5 October 1979 MF England Ken Todd Portsmouth £20,000 [5]
1980 GK England John Connaughton Altrincham Free transfer [5]
1980 FW England Terry Owen Northwich Victoria Free transfer [5]
February 1980 MF England Kevin Tully Chorley Released [5]
May 1980 DF England Bill Bentley Stafford Rangers Free transfer [5]
May 1980 DF Wales Bob Delgado United States Miami Americans Released [5]
July 1980 FW Northern Ireland Felix Healy Northern Ireland Coleraine Free transfer [5]
Summer 1980 DF England Billy Leese Retired [5]
Summer 1980 FW England Bernie Wright Kidderminster Harriers Free transfer [5]

Loans in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
7 February 1980 FW England Tony Sealy Crystal Palace May 1980 [5]
March 1980 MF England John Fleming Lincoln City March 1980 [5]

Loans out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref.
3 January 1980 DF England Paul Bowles Southampton January 1980 [5]

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 ai aj ak al am Kent, Jeff (1990). "From Rags to Riches (1979–1990)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 258–290. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. ^ a b Baggaley, Mike (15 September 2024). "Vale's statement victory". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
  3. ^ Baggaley, Mike (1 December 2024). "Making plans and unexpected challenges". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  4. ^ Port Vale 1979–1980 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u 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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