1934–35 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1934–35 season was Port Vale's 29th season of football in the English Football League, and their fifth successive season (28th overall) in the Second Division.[1] A positive start to the season raised hope of promotion; however, from October onwards the club performed so poorly as to finish fifth-from-bottom. One event of note was a six-week discussion over a possible change of name; the names Stoke Central, Stoke United, Stoke North End, and Hanley Port Vale were considered – however none of these names attracted enough support to institute a change.

Manager Tom Holford.
Chairman Frank Huntbach declared "the prospects of this club are very bright" at the start of the campaign.[1]

Port Vale
1934–35 season
ChairmanFrank Huntbach
ManagerTom Holford
StadiumThe Old Recreation Ground
Football League Second Division18th (34 Points)
FA CupThird Round
(knocked out by West Bromwich Albion)
Top goalscorerLeague: Tom Nolan (16)
All: Tom Nolan (16)
Highest home attendance18,989 vs. West Bromwich Albion, 12 January 1935
Lowest home attendance3,860 vs. Fulham, 27 April 1935
Average home league attendance8,463
Biggest win4–0 vs. Barnsley, 5 January 1935
Biggest defeat0–8 vs. Brentford, 20 April 1935

Overview

Second Division

The pre-season saw the arrival of eight new signings, the most significant of these were: 'safe as houses' goalkeeper John Potts (Leeds United), 'outstanding' outside-right John Friar (Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic), inside-left David Galloway (Preston North End), and centre-half Joe Craven (Swansea Town).[1]

The season started with just one defeat in the opening eight games, leaving the club in fourth place by the end of September – mostly down to the goalscoring partnership of Friar and Nolan.[1] Home victories over Sheffield United, Southampton, Manchester United, and Burnley nevertheless saw attendances of only 7,311 to 11,975.[1] Following this they went on a run of twelve games without a win, with an over-reliance on Friar and Nolan in attack, whilst the defence lacked understanding.[1] The team was changed around but to no avail, as they slipped down the league towards a relegation battle.[1] In the middle of December Friar was sold on to Preston North End, having scored ten goals in eighteen games, with the 'more steady' Ted Critchley heading in the other direction.[1] Their poor form was halted with a Christmas day victory over Bradford City.[1] The team were then inconsistent until the end of the season.

The 2 February match programme (for a 2–1 victory over Swansea) recorded a discussion on whether or not the club should change its name.[1] Coming to the conclusion that many people didn't know where Port Vale was, Stoke Central and Stoke United were put forward as possible new names.[1] A discussion with the fans resulted, in which Stoke United was decided as the best alternative, despite calls from some for the name Hanley to be included.[1] On 2 March (a 1–1 draw with Norwich City) each supporter was given a ballot slip upon entering The Old Recreation Ground, with the result of the poll being that 3,737 were in favour of a change of name, and 3,633 opposed a change.[1] A shareholders' meeting on 18 March at the Grand Hotel (Hanley) saw the directors suggest the name of Stoke North End to the 100 members present.[1] Finding little support, a resolution was instead passed for the new name of Hanley Port Vale.[1] The Football League forced them to wait until the end of the season to implement a name change, having already printed countless papers with the original name.[1] However the new name proved to be unpopular with the public, who criticized the club for being too parochial and 'lacking civic pride'.[1] The change of name never took place.[1]

Back on the pitch, the team were bobbing along, picking up enough points to avoid concerns over relegation – whereas Oldham Athletic and Notts County were rapidly drifting away from safety.[1] On 9 March at St James' Park the Vale picked up a shock result by beating promotion hopefuls Newcastle United 2–1 – their first away win in 24 attempts, ending a run going back to January 1934.[1] Nolan's stand-in James Baker bagged both of the goals.[1] On 19 April a 5–3 beating of Notts County proved enough to all but guarantee safety, yet Vale still earned just two points from their final four games.[1] On 20 April they lost a massive 8–0 to champions Brentford – the biggest defeat in the division that season.[1]

They finished eighteenth with 34 points, eight points clear of relegation, and 22 points short of promotion.[1] Away from home they recorded just the one win, whilst in front of goal their 55 goals scored was their lowest total since 1925 (after which the offside rule had been changed to make scoring easier).[1] Tom Nolan's sixteen goals and the departed John Friar's ten goals were the only significant contributions.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, a mere £11,120 was made on the gates, though a £3,775 credit on transfers ensured a profit of £2,415.[1] Only fourteen players were retained, with those leaving including: James Baker (Barrow), Bob Morton (Throckley Welfare), Jack Blackwell (Boston United), Joe Craven (Newport County), David Galloway (Carlisle United), Ted Critchley (South Liverpool), and 128 game veteran Jack Round (also Carlisle).[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale were defeated 2–1 by eventual runners-up West Bromwich Albion of the First Division at The Hawthorns.[1] The 18,989 crowd saw £1,000 raised in gate receipts, and a comeback from the "Throstles" just six minutes from time.[1] This meant they exited at the Third Round for the third consecutive season.

League table
Main article: 1934–35 Football League
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
16 Barnsley 42 13 12 17 60 83 0.723 38
17 Swansea Town 42 14 8 20 56 67 0.836 36
18 Port Vale 42 11 12 19 55 74 0.743 34
19 Southampton 42 11 12 19 46 75 0.613 34
20 Bradford City 42 12 8 22 50 68 0.735 32
Source:

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Results by matchday
Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142
GroundHAAHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHAAHA
ResultWDLWDWDWLLDLLDLLLDLDWLLWLWLDWLDWDLLLWWLLDD
Position141145444510912131415181818192016181919191818181718171716171919181717181918
Source: Statto[2]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
25 August 1934Sheffield UnitedH2–011,975Nolan, Friar
27 August 1934SouthamptonA0–06,977
1 September 1934BarnsleyA0–29,370
3 September 1934SouthamptonH4–17,746Friar (2), Nolan, Morton
8 September 1934Plymouth ArgyleH2–210,133Nolan (2)
15 September 1934Manchester UnitedH3–29,037Friar (2 [1 pen]), Nolan
22 September 1934Swansea TownA1–15,698Nolan
29 September 1934BurnleyH3–17,311Friar (2), Nolan
6 October 1934Oldham AthleticA0–26,069
13 October 1934Bolton WanderersH1–316,839Nolan
20 October 1934Norwich CityA0–014,195
27 October 1934Newcastle UnitedH1–311,036Rhodes
3 November 1934West Ham UnitedA1–319,391Rhodes
10 November 1934BlackpoolH2–27,656Gunn, Rhodes
17 November 1934BuryA1–38,278Friar
24 November 1934Hull CityH1–26,086Friar
1 December 1934Nottingham ForestA0–213,576
8 December 1934BrentfordH2–28,054Friar, Nolan
15 December 1934FulhamA0–28,138
22 December 1934Bradford Park AvenueH1–16,251Morton
25 December 1934Bradford CityH1–08,436Nolan
26 December 1934Bradford CityA0–313,727
29 December 1934Sheffield UnitedA0–316,520
5 January 1935BarnsleyH4–06,074Rhodes, Morton, Mitcheson, Blackwell
19 January 1935Plymouth ArgyleA1–214,051Rhodes
2 February 1935Swansea TownH2–17,081Nolan (2)
6 February 1935Manchester UnitedA1–27,372Rhodes
9 February 1935BurnleyA2–29,830Dean (2)
16 February 1935Oldham AthleticH2–05,473Dean, Critchley
23 February 1935Bolton WanderersA0–218,897
2 March 1935Norwich CityH1–18,284Morton
9 March 1935Newcastle UnitedA2–123,934Baker (2)
16 March 1935West Ham UnitedH2–212,853Baker, Mitcheson
23 March 1935BlackpoolA1–37,268Baker
30 March 1935BuryH0–17,869
6 April 1935Hull CityA0–13,569
13 April 1935Nottingham ForestH2–06,389Nolan (2)
19 April 1935Notts CountyH5–39,010Birks (2), Mitcheson (2), Nolan
20 April 1935BrentfordA0–818,194
22 April 1935Notts CountyA2–36,765Blackwell, Nolan
27 April 1935FulhamH1–13,860Birks
4 May 1935Bradford Park AvenueA1–13,634Birks

FA Cup
Main article: 1934–35 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R312 January 1935West Bromwich AlbionA1–218,989Morton

Player statistics

Appearances
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK John Potts 42010430
DF George Shenton 15000150
DF Jack Vickers 26010270
DF Trevor Rhodes 35610366
DF Ernest Breeze 25010260
DF Percy Thorpe 100010
DF Jim Kelso 15000150
DF Eric Hayward 400040
MF Roger Jones 29010300
MF Jack Round 26010270
MF Bob Morton 35411365
MF Cliff Birks 11400114
MF Albert Purcell 200020
MF Ken Gunn 31100311
MF Albert Titley 400040
MF John Friar 1810001810
MF Arthur Caldwell 100010
MF Joe Craven 11000110
MF Sam Briddon 000000
FW Tom Nolan 3916104016
FW Fred Mitcheson 31410324
FW Jack Blackwell 12200122
FW David Galloway 12000120
FW Ted Critchley 18110191
FW Luke Dean 10300103
FW James Baker 940094

Top scorers
Place Position Nation Name Second Division FA Cup Total
1FW EnglandTom Nolan16016
2MF ScotlandJohn Friar10010
3DF EnglandTrevor Rhodes606
4MF EnglandBob Morton415
5MF EnglandCliff Birks404
–FW EnglandFred Mitcheson404
–FW EnglandJames Baker404
8FW EnglandLuke Dean303
9FW EnglandJack Blackwell202
10MF ScotlandKen Gunn101
–FW EnglandTed Critchley101
–––Own goals000
TOTALS 55 1 56

Transfers

Transfers in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 1934GKJohn PottsLeeds UnitedFree transfer[3]
May 1934MFAlbert TitleyWest Bromwich AlbionFree transfer[3]
June 1934FWJames BakerCharlton AthleticFree transfer[3]
June 1934DFJoe CravenSwansea TownFree transfer[3]
June 1934FWDavid GallowayPreston North EndFree transfer[3]
June 1934DFJim KelsoBradford Park AvenueFree transfer[3]
July 1934MFJohn FriarBournemouth & Boscombe AthleticFree transfer[3]
July 1934DFEric HaywardHanley and Wardle'sFree transfer[3]
August 1934FWLuke DeanDowning's TileriesFree transfer[3]
November 1934DFPercy ThorpeAccrington StanleyFree transfer[3]
December 1934FWTed CritchleyPreston North EndExchange[3]
May 1935MFArthur CaldwellWinsford UnitedFree transfer[3]

Transfers out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
December 1934MFJohn FriarPreston North EndExchange[3]
May 1935FWJack BlackwellBoston UnitedReleased[3]
May 1935DFJim KelsoNewport CountyFree transfer[3]
May 1935MFAlbert TitleyMacclesfield TownFree transfer[3]
July 1935FWTom NolanBradford Park AvenueFree transfer[3]
Summer 1935DFJoe CravenNewport CountyFree transfer[3]
Summer 1935FWTed CritchleySouth LiverpoolReleased[3]
Summer 1935FWDavid GallowayCarlisle UnitedFree transfer[3]
Summer 1935MFBob MortonThrockley WelfareFree transfer[3]
Summer 1935MFAlbert PurcellReleased[3]
Summer 1935DFPercy ThorpeReleased[3]

References
Specific
  1. Kent, Jeff (1990). "From Glory to Despair (1929–1939)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 124–150. ISBN 978-0-9508981-4-8.
  2. Port Vale 1934–1935 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  3. 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 978-0-9508981-9-3.
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