1968–69 Port Vale F.C. season

Port Vale 1968–69 football season
Port Vale
1968–69 season
ChairmanArthur McPherson
ManagerGordon Lee
StadiumVale Park
Football League Fourth Division13th (46 Points)
FA CupThird Round
(knocked out by Watford)
League CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Wrexham)
Player of the YearRon Wilson
Top goalscorerLeague: Roy Chapman (11)
All: Roy Chapman (12)
Highest home attendance8,800 vs. Shrewsbury Town, 18 November 1968
Lowest home attendance2,679 vs. Grimsby Town, 21 April 1969
Average home league attendance4,361
Biggest win5–0 vs. Newport County, 18 January 1969
Biggest defeat0–3 vs. Aldershot, 5 March 1969
Home colours

The 1968–69 season was Port Vale's 57th season of football in the English Football League, and their fourth-successive season (fifth overall) in the Fourth Division.[1] New manager Gordon Lee used the season to consolidate the club after it was readmitted to the Football League immediately after being expelled for illegal payment of players. Managing 46 goals scored and conceded, and 46 points gained in 46 games, he had built a solid base for future progress. However, the club's financial problems continued, as another loss was made to increase the club's debt levels.

Overview

Fourth Division

On 8 June, the club's future was decided, as a vote of 39 to 9 allowed the club readmission to the Football League, despite the conclusion of an investigation earlier in the year which ruled that the club should be expelled from the League.[1] New manager Gordon Lee thus began work on rebuilding his squad, announcing a team approach with an additional 'individual coaching plan' for players to improve their personal weaknesses.[1] Lee was big on coaching, and replaced cross country running exercises with realistic match-day situations.[1] Stanley Matthews would become more of a scout and would only visit Burslem on a weekly basis, he also agreed to allow the £9,000 owed to him in payments delayed until the club were on a sounder financial footing.[1] His name removed from his office door, he 'gradually drifted out of the picture'.[1] Three signings of note included: 'tenacious' wing-half John King (Tranmere Rovers); Wales international winger Graham Williams (Tranmere Rovers); and teenager Bobby Gough (Walsall).[1]

The season opened with four Roy Chapman goals in four games, though only three points were won in the first six encounters. With Sharratt out injured, in came 'part-time, pipe-smoking civil servant' Geoff Hickson on loan from Crewe Alexandra.[1] Lee quickly earned the respect of the Vale fans despite his team lying bottom of the table in mid-September.[1] A new club mascot was unveiled at this time – 'Prince Val'.[1] Some good home performances lifted the club off the bottom of the table, including a 4–1 thumping of Scunthorpe United and a stylish back-heeled goal from Roy Sproson in a 1–1 draw with Lincoln City.[1] Chapman then developed sciatica and had to be rested until December.[1] An excellent defence helped the club then to achieve a five-game unbeaten run in the league.[1] In November, goalkeeper Keith Ball was signed from Walsall for 'a small fee' and Graham Newton joined on trial after leaving the Atlanta Chiefs.[1] On Boxing day, Vale travelled to Sincil Bank, where they beat second-placed Lincoln 1–0 in front of 12,208 spectators.[1] Soon after Bill Asprey retired as a player to coach at Sheffield Wednesday.[1]

A 5–0 mauling of Newport County on 18 January sent the Vale into the top half of the table, though just one goal was scored and one point gained in the next four games.[1] In March, Lee adopted a more 'hit and run' style, and saw his team achieve three straight wins.[1] On the 29th, with the club seeming safe from re-election, 'hooliganism reared its ugly head' as Chester found their team bus smashed with bricks following a 2–1 loss at Burslem.[1] On 21 April, Sproson made his 700th league appearance in a 1–0 win over struggling Grimsby Town.[1] The final day was a 1–1 draw with wooden-spoon club Bradford Park Avenue, though the Vale had five goals disallowed.[1] Nevertheless, this game was the first of a club-record nineteen league game streak without a loss that would end on 22 November 1969 the following season.

They finished in thirteenth place with 46 points from their 46 games, scoring 46 and conceding 46 goals.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, a £10,900 loss was made despite donations of £16,734 from the Sportsmen's Association and the Development Fund.[1] This left the club's total debts standing at £178,277.[1] The club needed an average home attendance of 6,000 to break even, and were almost two thousand short of this total.[1] More stringent economies were thus imposed upon the club.[1] Five professionals left on free transfers: Mick Cullerton (Chester); Mick Mahon (York City); Jimmy Goodfellow (Workington); Graham Williams (Runcorn); and Milija Aleksic (Eastwood).[1] Lee claimed 'it was a hard decision, but I have had to create room for improvement'.[1] Roy Chapman was offered a new contract, but opted instead to sign with Chester.[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, with Sharrat injured and Hickson re-called by Crewe, seventeen-year-old Milija Aleksic was roped in to play in the first-round clash with Third Division Shrewsbury Town.[1] He also played in the replay following the 1–1 draw, and the club progressed with a 3–1 win over their 'lacklustre' opponents.[1] The "Valiants" also required a replay to progress past Workington. Vale then exited at the third round with a 1–0 defeat at Vicarage Road to Watford.

In the League Cup, defeat came in the first round to Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground. Stuart Sharratt cracked a kneecap in the game and later contracted a virus in his blood, which kept him out of action for the rest of the season.[1]

League table

Pos Team
  • v
  • t
  • e
 Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
11 Brentford 46 18 12 16 64 65 0.985 48
12 Workington 46 15 17 14 40 43 0.930 47
13 Port Vale 46 16 14 16 46 46 1.000 46
14 Chester 46 16 13 17 76 66 1.152 45
15 Aldershot 46 19 7 20 66 66 1.000 45
Source: rsssf.com
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal average; 3) number of goals scored.

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Fourth Division

Results by matchday

Source: Statto[2]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorers
10 August 1968 Chesterfield A 1–3 7,158 Chapman
17 August 1968 Peterborough United H 1–0 5,085 Chapman
24 August 1968 Brentford A 1–3 7,443 Chapman
31 August 1968 Rochdale H 1–1 4,591 Chapman
6 September 1968 Chester A 0–2 8,144
14 September 1968 Doncaster Rovers H 0–2 4,616
16 September 1968 York City H 3–0 3,466 Chapman, Gough, Cullerton
20 September 1968 Colchester United A 0–1 6,441
28 September 1968 Scunthorpe United H 4–1 3,823 Chapman (2), Goodfellow, o.g.
30 September 1968 Exeter City H 1–0 5,235 Gough
5 October 1968 Lincoln City H 1–1 6,152 Sproson
8 October 1968 Exeter City A 1–3 3,981 Chapman
12 October 1968 Notts County A 0–0 4,127
19 October 1968 Halifax Town H 1–1 4,493 Morris
26 October 1968 Swansea Town A 0–1 6,091
2 November 1968 Workington H 3–1 2,953 Sproson, Morris, Williams
4 November 1968 Southend United H 1–1 3,668 Wilson
8 November 1968 Newport County A 0–0 3,137
23 November 1968 Grimsby Town A 1–1 3,313 Goodfellow
30 November 1968 Wrexham H 1–0 5,421 Sproson
14 December 1968 Notts County H 0–2 4,169
21 December 1968 Halifax Town A 1–2 3,806 Chapman
26 December 1968 Lincoln City A 1–0 12,208 Newton
28 December 1968 Swansea Town H 1–0 5,431 Chapman
11 January 1969 Workington A 0–0 2,538
18 January 1969 Newport County H 5–0 4,040 Mahon (2), Sproson, Morris, Green
1 February 1969 Darlington A 0–1 5,071
24 February 1969 Southend United A 1–1 10,888 Mahon
1 March 1969 Chesterfield H 0–1 3,610
5 March 1969 Aldershot A 0–3 5,020
8 March 1969 Peterborough United A 1–0 5,337 Mahon
10 March 1969 Darlington A 1–0 3,957 Morris
15 March 1969 Brentford H 4–1 4,478 James (2 [1 pen]), Wilson, Carrick
22 March 1969 Rochdale A 0–1 4,860
24 March 1969 Aldershot H 0–0 4,140
29 March 1969 Chester H 2–1 4,690 Green, Sproson
4 April 1969 York City A 1–3 4,999 Chapman
5 April 1969 Scunthorpe United A 1–0 2,966 James
8 April 1969 Bradford City H 1–1 5,963 James
12 April 1969 Colchester United H 0–0 3,774
16 April 1969 Bradford City A 2–2 8,772 McLaren, Sproson
19 April 1969 Doncaster Rovers A 0–2 9,795
21 April 1969 Grimsby Town H 1–0 2,679 Mahon
25 April 1969 Bradford Park Avenue H 1–1 3,873 Sproson
28 April 1969 Wrexham A 0–2 3,787
5 May 1969 Bradford Park Avenue A 1–0 1,572 McLaren

FA Cup

Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 16 November 1968 Shrewsbury Town A 1–1 5,933 Gough
R1 Replay 18 November 1968 Shrewsbury Town H 3–1 8,800 Gough, Mahon, Morris
R2 7 December 1968 Workington H 0–0 7,635
R2 Replay 11 December 1968 Workington A 2–1 6,038 Chapman, James
R3 4 January 1969 Watford A 0–2 14,076

League Cup

Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 14 August 1968 Wrexham A 0–2 6,927

Player statistics

Appearances

Pos. Name Football League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK England Stuart Sharratt 4 0 0 0 1 0 5 0
GK England Geoff Hickson 17 0 0 0 0 0 17 0
GK England Milija Aleksic 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0
GK England Keith Ball 25 0 3 0 0 0 28 0
DF England Roy Sproson 42 7 5 0 0 0 49 7
DF England Clint Boulton 41 0 4 0 1 0 46 0
DF Scotland Ron Wilson 46 2 5 0 1 0 52 2
DF Scotland Gordon Logan 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
DF England Bill Asprey 9 0 1 0 1 0 11 0
DF England Keith Broomhall 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
MF England Mick Mahon 33 5 3 1 1 0 37 6
MF England Stuart Chapman 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
MF England Jimmy Goodfellow 31 2 5 0 0 0 36 2
MF Scotland Tommy McLaren 18 2 0 0 1 0 19 2
MF England John Green 12 2 0 0 0 0 12 2
MF Wales Graham Williams 23 1 1 0 1 0 25 1
MF England John King 40 0 5 0 1 0 46 0
MF England Malcolm Bailey 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
FW England John James 34 4 4 1 1 0 39 5
FW Scotland Mick Cullerton 23 1 5 0 0 0 28 1
FW England Roy Chapman 30 11 3 1 1 0 34 12
FW England Mick Morris 32 4 5 1 1 0 38 5
FW England Graham Newton 4 1 1 0 0 0 5 1
FW England Bob Mountford 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
FW England Bobby Gough 36 2 5 2 1 0 42 4
FW England David Carrick 16 1 0 0 0 0 16 1

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Name Fourth Division FA Cup League Cup Total
1 FW  England Roy Chapman 11 1 0 12
2 DF  England Roy Sproson 7 0 0 7
3 MF  England Mick Mahon 5 1 0 6
4 MF  England John James 4 1 0 5
– FW  England Mick Morris 4 1 0 5
6 FW  England Bobby Gough 2 2 0 4
7 MF  England Jimmy Goodfellow 2 0 0 2
– MF  Scotland Tommy McLaren 2 0 0 2
– FW  England John Green 2 0 0 2
– DF  Scotland Ron Wilson 2 0 0 2
11 FW  England Graham Newton 1 0 0 1
– FW  England David Carrick 1 0 0 1
– MF  Wales Graham Williams 1 0 0 1
– FW  Scotland Mick Cullerton 1 0 0 1
– – – Own goals 1 0 0 1
TOTALS 46 6 0 52

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
June 1968 FW England Bobby Gough Walsall Free transfer [3]
June 1968 MF England John King Tranmere Rovers Free transfer [3]
July 1968 MF Wales Graham Williams Tranmere Rovers Free transfer [3]
November 1968 GK England Keith Ball Walsall 'small' [3]
November 1968 FW England Graham Newton United States Atlanta Chiefs Trial [3]
January 1969 FW England David Carrick Altrincham Free transfer [3]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
October 1968 MF England Malcolm Gibbon Aston Villa Free transfer [3]
December 1968 DF England Bill Asprey Retired [3]
January 1969 FW England Graham Newton United States Atlanta Chiefs Trial ended [3]
May 1969 GK England Milija Aleksic Eastwood Free transfer [3]
May 1969 DF England Keith Broomhall Eastwood Free transfer [3]
May 1969 FW England Roy Chapman Chester Free transfer [3]
May 1969 FW Scotland Mick Cullerton Chester Free transfer [3]
May 1969 MF England Jimmy Goodfellow Workington Free transfer [3]
May 1969 MF Wales Graham Williams Runcorn Free transfer [3]
Summer 1969 FW England David Carrick Stalybridge Celtic Released [3]

Loans in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
August 1968 GK England Geoff Hickson Crewe Alexandra November 1968 [3]

Loans out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref.
May 1968 MF England John Green Canada Vancouver Royals October 1968 [3]

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 Kent, Jeff (1990). "Flattering Only to Deceive (1960–1969)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 196–226. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. ^ Port Vale 1968–1969 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r 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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