1938–39 Port Vale F.C. season
Port Vale 1938–39 football season
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 1938–39 season was Port Vale's 33rd season of football in the English Football League, and their first ever season in the Third Division South, having switched from the Third Division North in summer 1938.[1] Under manager Tom Nolan and chairman Frank Huntbach, Vale played their home games at the Old Recreation Ground. They finished 18th in the 22‑team league with 37 points from 14 wins, 9 draws, and 19 losses, scoring 52 goals and conceding 58—safely clear of the re‑election zone but well adrift of promotion.
(until March)
| 1938–39 season | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Frank Huntbach | |
| Manager | Tom Morgan (until March) | |
| Stadium | Old Recreation Ground | |
| Football League Third Division South | 18th (37 points) | |
| FA Cup | Second Round (eliminated by Southend United) | |
| Football League Third Division South Cup | Semi-finals (tournament cancelled) | |
| Top goalscorer | League: Tom Nolan (17) All: Tom Nolan (17) | |
| Highest home attendance | 12,521 vs. Cardiff City, 5 November 1938 | |
| Lowest home attendance | 3,482 vs. Clapton Orient, 6 May 1939 | |
| Average home league attendance | 7,587 | |
| Biggest win | 4–0 (twice) and 5–1 | |
| Biggest defeat | 0–4 (twice) and 1–5 | |
|
| ||
Port Vale began the season by integrating several new signings – most notably goalkeeper Arthur Jepson, left-back George Collin, half-backs George Hannah and Sid Wileman, and winger John Callender – in an attempt to rebuild the starting lineup. Early results were poor, with three league defeats in the first four games, before a turnaround saw five straight home wins, including a 5–1 drubbing of Walsall and a 3–1 away victory over Exeter City. However, a winless run from November through to the New Year left them perilously close to the bottom.
Their cup campaigns brought mixed fortunes. In the FA Cup, Vale beat Wrexham in the First Round before being eliminated by Second Division Southend United at home in the Second Round. In the ill-fated Third Division South Cup, Vale reached the semi‑final—defeating Walsall, Mansfield Town, and Ipswich Town – before the tournament was cancelled and all results voided due to financial and attendance issues.
Forward Tom Nolan was the club's leading scorer, contributing 17 goals across all competitions amid a generally low-scoring campaign. Off the field, rising gate receipts by £659 were offset by a loss of £1,723 for the season, largely tied to costly transfers and the league switch. Despite spirited performances in the final matches – including a 2–0 win at champions Newport County – Vale finished in their lowest ever league position at the time, though they avoided re‑election by four points and set the groundwork for rebuilding heading into the war‑interrupted 1939–40 season.
Overview
Third Division South
Port Vale were switched to the Third Division South from the Third Division North. The pre-season saw another reconstruction of the first XI, as eleven new signings arrived at the Old Recreation Ground, most notably: highly rated goalkeeper Arthur Jepson (Grantham Town); veteran left-back George Collin (Sunderland); right-half George Hannah (Derby County); left-half Sid Wileman (signed from Derby for 'a substantial fee'); and goalscoring winger John Callender (Lincoln City).[1] Work at the stadium took place, as ground outside the stadium was prepared for car parking.[1] The eclectic training schedule of the previous season was expanded, with bowls and cricket supplemented by games of tennis and baseball.[1] Also on 20 August, a Football League Jubilee Fund match was played against nearby Crewe Alexandra, with the Vale picking up a 3–2 win, raising £243 in the process.[1]
The season began with George Heppell in goal, as Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club at first refused to allow Jepson to play.[1] With three defeats in the first four games, most new men were dropped as Morgan struggled to find consistency in his picks.[1] It took until the end of October for the team to get into their stride, as their 5–1 win over Walsall was their fifth consecutive home win.[1] They also travelled to St James Park to record a 3–1 win over Exeter City – their first away win since September 1937.[1] Nottinghamshire CCC seemed justified in initially refusing Jepson permission to play, as he played seventy minutes of the game with his right hand strapped up, having dislocated his fingers.[1] Ken Fish was then sold to BSC Young Boys of Switzerland, having fallen out of favour. Yet, the directors refused to hear offers for the rest of the team, determined as they were to strengthen the team.[1] Despite stylish play, especially from Alf Bellis, the club then went from Guy Fawkes Night to New Year's Eve without a victory, their five defeats taking them to just two points clear of the re-election zone.[1] Ending their run with a 4–0 win over Bristol City, they lost Jack Roberts to a dislocated shoulder.[1]
Trying out new, young players in 1939, the club re-signed veteran forward Tommy Ward from Stoke City.[1] The team were in a rut and picked up just one point from seven games. A 4–0 hammering at Fellows Park from bottom-placed Walsall left Vale third-from-bottom by March.[1] Disgruntled supporters turned against the team, as regular barracking was directed at the players.[1] Roberts and Jepson struggled with injuries, but by March, the newcomers had finally gelled as a group, and results soon picked up.[1] Yet manager Tom Morgan shocked the club by leaving for the vacant position at Wrexham,[1] leaving the club somewhat rudderless. Despite receiving a 4–0 beating from Notts County at Meadow Lane, the players rallied to produce four points from their last three games.[1] Two of these points came from a 2–0 win over champions Newport County at Somerton Park, making Vale the only team to have recorded the double over "Ironsides" that season.[1]
They finished in 18th place with 37 points, then a club record low position.[1] They were four points clear of having to petition for re-election, and 18 points short of promotion. Their 52 goals scored was a poor record, though a total of 58 goals conceded was much improved on the previous campaign.[1] Nolan's 17 goals were the only major contribution in front of goal.[1]
Finances
On the financial side, gate receipts had increased by £659. However, an overall loss was made of £1,723.[1] The move to the southern division had cost a considerable amount in transfer fees, though home game income had improved by £676 to £6,403.[1] Further financial worries were lessened by a transfer credit of £1,455.[1] Despite the poor season, 17 players were kept on, though promising teenage midfielder John Smith was sold to Chelsea.[1] Other departures included Harry Davies (retired); Leonard Smart; Tommy Ward (Mansfield Town); Arthur Caldwell; Arthur Masters; George Collin (Burton Town); Sid Wileman (Hinckley United); and John Callender (Gateshead).[1]
Cup competitions
In the FA Cup, Vale overcame Wrexham of the Third Division North 2–1 at the Racecourse Ground.[1] However, they crashed out at the second round, losing 1–0 at home to league rivals Southend United.[1] For both matches the players had relaxed beforehand with activities such as golf, country walks, and games of snooker.[1]
In the short-lived Football League Third Division South Cup, the "Valiants" progressed to the semi-finals at the expense of Walsall (4–0), Mansfield Town (3–1), and Ipswich Town (2–0).[1] In the semis, they came to a goalless stalemate with Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road – the tournament was cancelled at this stage, and so no club would win it.[1] The club had lost money in the much-maligned tournament, as atrocious attendances were not enough even to pay player bonuses.[1] Port Vale and Queens Park Rangers protested in favour of cancelling the tournament due to the financial failure of the cup, and the Football League agreed with them to 'wash out' the competition.[1]
Results
Football League Third Division South
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GAv | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Mansfield Town | 42 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 44 | 62 | 0.710 | 39 |
| 17 | Northampton Town | 42 | 15 | 8 | 19 | 51 | 58 | 0.879 | 38 |
| 18 | Port Vale | 42 | 14 | 9 | 19 | 52 | 58 | 0.897 | 37 |
| 19 | Torquay United | 42 | 14 | 9 | 19 | 54 | 70 | 0.771 | 37 |
| 20 | Clapton Orient | 42 | 11 | 13 | 18 | 53 | 55 | 0.964 | 35 |
Results by matchday
Matches
| 27 August 1938 1 | Port Vale | 1–3 | Aldershot | Hanley |
Callender  |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 10,036 |
| 29 August 1938 2 | Port Vale | 2–1 | Newport County | Hanley |
| O'Brien Roberts |
Report | Hickman |
Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 6,240 |
| 3 September 1938 3 | Bristol City | 5–1 | Port Vale | Ashton Gate, Bristol |
| Report | Nolan |
Stadium: Ashton Gate Attendance: 16,975 |
| 8 September 1938 4 | Clapton Orient | 1–0 | Port Vale | Leyton, East London |
| Report | Stadium: Brisbane Road Attendance: 4,399 |
| 10 September 1938 5 | Port Vale | 2–0 | Crystal Palace | Hanley |
| Nolan |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 10,478 |
| 17 September 1938 6 | Watford | 2–0 | Port Vale | Watford |
| Dunderdale Wipfler |
Report | Stadium: Vicarage Road Attendance: 9,503 |
| 24 September 1938 7 | Port Vale | 3–0 | Mansfield Town | Hanley |
| Masters Bellis |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 8,100 |
| 1 October 1938 8 | Port Vale | 2–0 | Swindon Town | Hanley |
| Griffiths Roberts 80' |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 10,082 Referee: W.J. Lewington |
| 8 October 1938 9 | Torquay United | 1–0 | Port Vale | Torquay |
| Report | Stadium: Plainmoor Attendance: 3,382 |
| 15 October 1938 10 | Queens Park Rangers | 2–2 | Port Vale | Shepherd's Bush, West London |
| Report | Nolan Roberts |
Stadium: Loftus Road Attendance: 13,853 |
| 22 October 1938 11 | Port Vale | 5–1 | Walsall | Hanley |
| Davies Nolan Roberts Masters |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 8,593 |
| 29 October 1938 12 | Exeter City | 1–3 | Port Vale | Exeter |
| Report | Roberts Bellis |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 6,885 Referee: G.T.Gould |
| 5 November 1938 13 | Port Vale | 1–1 | Cardiff City | Hanley |
| Nolan |
Report | Jimmy Collins |
Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 12,521 |
| 12 November 1938 14 | Ipswich Town | 2–0 | Port Vale | Ipswich |
| Report | Stadium: Portman Road Attendance: 13,637 |
| 19 November 1938 15 | Port Vale | 0–2 | Reading | Hanley |
| Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 9,633 |
| 3 December 1938 16 | Port Vale | 1–1 | Brighton & Hove Albion | Hanley |
| Nolan |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 8,015 |
| 17 December 1938 17 | Port Vale | 2–2 | Southend United | Hanley |
| Masters Roberts |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 4,209 |
| 26 December 1938 18 | Northampton Town | 2–0 | Port Vale | Northampton |
| Report | Stadium: County Cricket Ground Attendance: 4,734 |
| 27 December 1938 19 | Port Vale | 0–2 | Northampton Town | Hanley |
| Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 10,717 |
| 31 December 1938 20 | Port Vale | 4–0 | Bristol City | Hanley |
| Nolan Griffiths Roberts |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 4,597 |
| 7 January 1939 21 | Bristol Rovers | 0–1 | Port Vale | Bristol |
| Report | Nolan |
Stadium: Eastville Stadium Attendance: 3,962 |
| 14 January 1939 22 | Crystal Palace | 1–0 | Port Vale | Selhurst, Croydon |
| Report | Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 13,773 |
| 21 January 1939 23 | Port Vale | 1–2 | Watford | Hanley |
| Nolan |
Report | Dunderdale |
Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 5,204 |
| 28 January 1939 24 | Mansfield Town | 2–0 | Port Vale | Mansfield |
| Carter Bungay |
Report | Stadium: Field Mill Attendance: 3,742 |
| 4 February 1939 25 | Swindon Town | 1–1 | Port Vale | Swindon |
| Wilcockson 90' |
Report | Ward 12' |
Stadium: County Ground Attendance: 8,823 Referee: W.J. Lewington |
| 11 February 1939 26 | Port Vale | 0–1 | Torquay United | Hanley |
| Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 8,064 |
| 18 February 1939 27 | Port Vale | 1–2 | Queens Park Rangers | Hanley |
| Ward |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 7,210 |
| 25 February 1939 28 | Walsall | 4–0 | Port Vale | Walsall |
| Report | Stadium: Fellows Park Attendance: 5,749 |
| 4 March 1939 29 | Port Vale | 3–2 | Exeter City | Hanley |
| Nolan Moreland Masters |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 6,240 Referee: W. Martin |
| 11 March 1939 30 | Cardiff City | 2–4 | Port Vale | Cardiff |
| Harry Egan Les Talbot |
Report | Smart Ward Nolan |
Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 9,145 |
| 15 March 1939 31 | Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic | 1–1 | Port Vale | Bournemouth |
| Report | Ward |
Stadium: Dean Court Attendance: 3,243 |
| 18 March 1939 32 | Port Vale | 0–0 | Ipswich Town | Hanley |
| Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 6,361 |
| 25 March 1939 33 | Reading | 2–1 | Port Vale | Reading, Berkshire |
| Report | Moreland |
Stadium: Elm Park Attendance: 5,079 |
| 1 April 1939 34 | Port Vale | 2–1 | Bristol Rovers | Hanley |
| Nolan Smart |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 5,634 |
| 7 April 1939 35 | Port Vale | 3–1 | Notts County | Hanley |
| Smart (og.) Nolan |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 9,658 |
| 8 April 1939 36 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 1–0 | Port Vale | Hove |
| Report | Stadium: Goldstone Ground Attendance: 7,807 |
| 10 April 1939 37 | Notts County | 4–0 | Port Vale | Nottingham |
| Report | Stadium: Meadow Lane Attendance: 10,401 |
| 15 April 1939 38 | Port Vale | 2–0 | Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic | Hanley |
| Nolan Moreland |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 3,902 |
| 19 April 1939 39 | Aldershot | 1–0 | Port Vale | Aldershot |
| Report | Stadium: Recreation Ground Attendance: 3,518 |
| 22 April 1939 40 | Southend United | 0–0 | Port Vale | Southend-on-Sea |
| Report | Stadium: Southend Stadium Attendance: 4,239 |
| 29 April 1939 41 | Newport County | 0–2 | Port Vale | Newport, Wales |
| Report | Smart Bellis |
Stadium: Somerton Park Attendance: 7,260 |
| 6 May 1939 42 | Port Vale | 1–1 | Clapton Orient | Hanley |
| Nolan |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 3,482 |
FA Cup
| 26 November 1938 R1 | Wrexham | 1–2 | Port Vale | Wrexham |
| 14:15 GMT | Burditt 43' |
Report | Roberts 15', 74' |
Stadium: Racecourse Ground Attendance: 5,000 Referee: W. Heskine |
| 10 December 1938 R2 | Port Vale | 0–1 | Southend United | Hanley |
| Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 7,993 |
Third Division South Cup
| 26 September 1938 R1 | Port Vale | 4–0 | Walsall | Hanley |
| Smith Masters Griffiths Davies |
Stadium: Old Recreation Ground |
| 13 February 1939 R2 | Port Vale | 3–1 | Mansfield Town | Hanley |
| Ward Smith |
Stadium: Old Recreation Ground |
| 27 February 1939 R3 | Port Vale | 2–0 | Ipswich Town | Hanley |
| Ward Masters |
Stadium: Old Recreation Ground |
| 4 May 1939 Semi-final | Queens Park Rangers | 0–0 | Port Vale | Shepherd's Bush, West London |
| Stadium: Loftus Road Attendance: 300 |
Squad statistics
Appearances and goals
- Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; FB – Full back; HB – Half back; FW – Forward
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Third Division South | FA Cup | Third Division South Cup | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||||
| GK |  ENG |
George Heppell | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| GK | ENG |
Arthur Jepson | 45 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |||
| FB | ENG |
Tom Clark | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| FB | ENG |
Roy Felton | 12 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||
| FB | ENG |
Johnny Rowe | 40 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |||
| FB | ENG |
Roger Whittle | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| HB | ENG |
Bill Booth | 10 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| HB | ENG |
Harry Griffiths | 37 | 3 | 33 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |||
| HB | ENG |
George Hannah | 48 | 0 | 42 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |||
| HB | ENG |
Wilf Smith | 40 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| HB | ENG |
Tommy Ward | 15 | 7 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | |||
| HB | ENG |
Sid Wileman | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| FW | ENG |
Alf Bellis | 31 | 3 | 26 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |||
| FW | ENG |
Arthur Caldwell | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||
| FW | ENG |
Arthur Cumberlidge | 41 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |||
| FW | ENG |
Arthur Masters | 37 | 7 | 33 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |||
| FW | ENG |
Geoffrey Moreland | 9 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||
| FW | ENG |
Tom Nolan | 41 | 17 | 39 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| FW | ENG |
Jack Roberts | 21 | 10 | 20 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |||
| FW | ENG |
John Sanderson | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| FW | ENG |
Leonard Smart | 13 | 5 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| FW | ENG |
John Smith | 17 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | |||
| FW | ENG |
Don Triner | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| FW | ENG |
Joe Wheatley | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| Players who featured but departed the club during the season: | |||||||||||||
| FB | ENG |
George Collin | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| FW | ENG |
John Callender | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| FW | ENG |
Harry Davies | 34 | 3 | 29 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | |||
| FW |  RSA |
Ken Fish | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| FW | ENG |
Richard Fuller | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| FW |  SCO |
William O'Brien | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
Top scorers
| Place | Position | Nation | Name | Third Division North | FA Cup | Southern Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FW | England | Tom Nolan | 17 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| 2 | FW | England | Jack Roberts | 8 | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| 3 | FW | England | Arthur Masters | 5 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| – | HB | England | Tommy Ward | 4 | 0 | 3 | 7 |
| 5 | FW | England | Leonard Smart | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 6 | FW | England | Geoffrey Moreland | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| – | FW | England | Alf Bellis | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| – | FW | England | Harry Davies | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| – | HB | England | Harry Griffiths | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 10 | FW | England | John Smith | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 11 | FW | England | John Callender | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | FW | Scotland | William O'Brien | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | – | – | Own goals | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| TOTALS | 52 | 2 | 9 | 61 | |||
Transfers
Transfers in
|
Transfers out
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
