Ted Holdcroft

Holdcroft joined Burslem Port Vale in October 1901.^[1] His debut came at centre-half in a goalless draw with Preston North End at the Athletic Ground on 8 September 1902.^[1] He scored his first goal in the Football League on 25 October, converting a penalty in a 3–3 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor.^[1] He became a first-team regular for the Second Division side from the next month until he suffered a toe injury in February 1903 and transferred to local rivals Stoke in March 1903.^[1] At £500 this was a club record for Stoke.^[2]

Holdcroft was converted into a centre forward at the Victoria Ground with mixed success.^[3] He hit two goals in a 5–2 win over Liverpool on 17 October 1903, and opened the 1905–06 season with a goal in each of the first three First Division games. Still, other than these highlights, he proved to be far from a natural goalscorer and in three seasons, he scored 11 goals in 44 appearances.^[3] After retiring due to an ankle injury and later suffering a serious illness that prevented him finding a job, Vale and Stoke held a benefit match on his behalf on 29 April 1907; the game finished 1–1.^[4] This would prove to be Burslem Port Vale's final ever match, as the club were dissolved, only to re-emerge later in the year when Cobridge Church renamed themselves Port Vale F.C.