Port Vale
1929–30 season
ChairmanFrank Huntbach
ManagerJoe Schofield
(until 29 September)
Tom Morgan
(from October)
StadiumThe Old Recreation Ground
Football League Third Division North1st (67 Points)
FA CupSecond Round
(knocked out by Chesterfield)
North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary CupRunners-up
(knocked out by Stoke)
Top goalscorerLeague: Sam Jennings (24)
All: Sam Jennings (27)
Highest home attendance15,346 vs. York City, 18 April 1930
Lowest home attendance4,519 vs. Halifax Town, 28 December 1929
Average home league attendance9,176
Biggest win7–1 vs. Rotherham United, 22 February 1930
Biggest defeat0–2 (three games) and 2–4

The 1929–30 season was Port Vale's 11th consecutive season of football (24th overall) in the English Football League, and their first in the Third Division North.[1] They finished as champions and were thus promoted back to the Second Division. With 67 points they broke a division record.[1] After winning the North Staffordshire & District League in 1909–10 it was their first league title, as well as their first ever promotion in the Football League. They also racked up a still-standing club record Football League wins in a season, winning 30 of their 42 games. They were the most southerly team in the North Division.

Despite all the joys of the season there was some considerable solemnity at the season's start, with manager Joe Schofield dying following an illness, his team top of the table.[1]

Billy Briscoe played ten games.
Chairman Frank Huntbach.
Right-back Jack Maddock played only a cameo role.
Scottish midfielder Bob Connelly.
Inside-forward Albert Pynegar.

Overview

Third Division North

The pre-season saw the directors spend some of the £2,600 they received in the sale of Wilf Kirkham.[1] In came Tom Baxter (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Frank Watkin (Stoke City), Sam Jennings (Nottingham Forest), Arthur Brown (Reading), and Bill Cope (Bolton Wanderers).[1] Jennings was a proven goalscorer, whilst Brown had kept goal for Wales.[1] The run included a 5–0 win over Barrow and 5–1 victory over New Brighton, with Albert Pynegar scoring a hat-trick in the latter game.[2]

The season started well, continued at a high tempo, and finished in style.[1] Winning ten of their opening eleven games, Vale marked themselves as promotion favourites early on.[1] However, during this sequence tragedy struck on 29 September with the death of manager Joe Schofield, aged 58, following a short illness.[1] The Sentinel described him as a man adept at developing young players, who remained close to his players in order to help them realize their full potential.[1] His funeral took place on 3 October, with Stoke City fans also mourning his death, as he had managed both clubs – the only man ever to do so.[1] Tom Morgan moved out of the backroom staff to take charge for the remainder of the season.[1]

In mid-October, the side suffered a mini-slump, drawing three games in a row.[1] To rectify things Bill Rawlings was signed from Manchester United for a four-figure fee, Ben Davies also arrived from Crewe Alexandra in a straight swap for Arthur Brown.[1] Five wins on the bounce followed.[1] Two defeats to Stockport County within two days (Christmas and Boxing day) left the race for the title open despite the "Valiants" excellent start.[1] Despite having nine players out injured the Vale marched on, winning nine and drawing two of their following eleven games.[1] This included a 4–0 win over Carlisle United and a 7–1 mauling over Rotherham United – Frank Watkin scoring five in the latter match.[1]

Just as Vale were looking unbeatable Jack Mandley was sold to Aston Villa for £5,000.[1] Protestations from the supporters were quelled slightly by the arrival of Harry Marshall from Wolves.[1] They slumped in March, winning two, losing two and drawing one.[1] Despite being top of the league a small minority of fans began protesting against the directors.[1] The final four games were all away, and Stockport were still breathing down the Vale's necks.[1] However, all four games were won, with sixteen goals scored in the final five games of the season.[1] They took the title at Crewe Alexandra's Gresty Road, with 1,000 supporters cheering them on.[1]

They finished as champions with 67 points from 42 matches, then a division record.[1] This put them seventeen points clear of third-placed Darlington, and four points clear of Stockport.[1] The previous season County had finished one point off champions Bradford City. Vale were one of five teams in the Football League to score a century of league goals (the others Sheffield Wednesday, West Bromwich Albion, Stockport County, and Darlington).[1] Sam Jennings and Albert Pynegar scored nearly fifty goals combined. They conceded just 37 goals, less than any other team in the four divisions.[1] At a Burslem Town Hall reception 2,000 supporters congratulated the team on their achievement, amongst them Stoke's Wilf Kirkham.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, a profit of £363 was made.[1] Yet attendances were again a concern, a £725 drop in gate receipts saw an intake of just £13,302 on the gates.[1] Wages came to £8,079.[1] The directors again began talk of moving stadia to Cobridge.[1] Leaving the club were Robert Gillespie, Jack Prince, and Bill Rawlings; they left for Wrexham, Rochdale, and New Milton respectively.[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale progressed into the Second Round after beating Gainsborough Trinity 5–0 in a replay.[1] During the first encounter Bob Connelly made his 122nd consecutive appearance, but was injured during the rough match.[1] They then came up against league rivals Chesterfield at Saltergate. Chesterfield would win all but three of their home games in the league, and were equally stubborn opposition for the "Valiants", who they defeated 2–0.

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion
1 Port Vale 42 30 7 5 103 37 2.784 67 Division Champions, promoted
2 Stockport County 42 28 7 7 106 44 2.409 63
3 Darlington 42 22 6 14 108 73 1.479 50
4 Chesterfield 42 22 6 14 76 56 1.357 50
5 Lincoln City 42 17 14 11 83 61 1.361 48
Source: rsssf.com

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Third Division North

Results by matchday

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142
GroundAAHHAAHHAHAAHAHAHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAAAA
ResultWWWWWLWWWWWDDDWWWWWLLWDWWWWWWDWWLLWDDWWWWW
Position621111111111111111111111111111111111111111
Source: Statto[3]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
31 August 1929Halifax TownA2–18,101Jennings (2)
2 September 1929New BrightonA1–04,883Jennings
7 September 1929BarrowH5–09,882Griffiths (2), Pynegar, Baxter, Anstiss
9 September 1929New BrightonH5–18,260Pynegar (3 [1 pen]), Griffiths, Anstiss
14 September 1929WrexhamA2–08,828Watkin, Baxter
16 September 1929Lincoln CityA2–35,842Watkin (2)
21 September 1929Wigan BoroughH4–07,915Pynegar (2), Baxter, Jennings
23 September 1929Crewe AlexandraH2–010,674Pynegar (2)
28 September 1929Carlisle UnitedA4–18,784Griffiths (2), Pynegar, Baxter
5 October 1929NelsonH3–17,746Jennings (2), Pynegar
12 October 1929SouthportA2–14,746Watkin, Baxter
19 October 1929Rotherham UnitedA2–26,583Fishwick, Pynegar
26 October 1929RochdaleH3–38,902Fishwick, Pynegar (pen), Griffiths
2 November 1929South ShieldsA0–05,984
9 November 1929Accrington StanleyH5–211,294Pynegar (2), Anstiss, Rawlings, Baxter
16 November 1929DarlingtonA1–07,982Griffiths
23 November 1929Hartlepools UnitedH2–17,166Anstiss, Rawlings
7 December 1929ChesterfieldH4–15,682Anstiss, Baxter, Griffiths, Jennings
21 December 1929Tranmere RoversH1–06,852Anstiss
25 December 1929Stockport CountyH1–214,494Oakes
26 December 1929Stockport CountyA2–422,668Stockton, Jennings
28 December 1929Halifax TownH3–04,519Jennings (2), Stockton
4 January 1930BarrowA1–15,765Mandley
18 January 1930WrexhamH3–010,519Stockton (2), Jennings
25 January 1930Wigan BoroughA3–06,567Jennings (2), Fishwick
1 February 1930Carlisle UnitedH4–09,279Jennings (2), Anstiss (2)
8 February 1930NelsonA3–25,045Anstiss, Jennings, Pynegar
15 February 1930SouthportH1–08,338Baxter
22 February 1930Rotherham UnitedH7–17,989Watkin (5), Jennings, Anstiss
1 March 1930RochdaleA0–07,177
8 March 1930South ShieldsH3–09,748Jennings (3)
15 March 1930Accrington StanleyA2–04,431Anstiss, Marshall
22 March 1930DarlingtonH0–210,543
29 March 1930Hartlepools UnitedA0–27,473
5 April 1930Doncaster RoversH2–19,905Fishwick, Pynegar
12 April 1930ChesterfieldA1–17,450Griffiths
18 April 1930York CityH1–115,346Anstiss
19 April 1930Lincoln CityH5–27,649Jennings (2), Griffiths (2), Pynegar
21 April 1930York CityA2–09,439Griffiths (2)
26 April 1930Tranmere RoversA5–13,784Pynegar (2), Jennings (2), Griffiths
1 May 1930Doncaster RoversA2–05,313Baxter, Anstiss
3 May 1930Crewe AlexandraA2–07,014Pynegar (2)

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R130 November 1929Gainsborough TrinityA0–04,000
R1 Replay4 December 1929Gainsborough TrinityH5–06,253Jennings (2), Anstiss (2), Pynegar
R214 December 1929ChesterfieldA0–211,740

North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
Final5 May 1930StokeH1–26,343Jennings

Player statistics

Team photo taken in 1929.

Appearances

Pos. Name Football League FA Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GKEngland Ben Davies 2903010330
GKEngland Jack Prince 1200000120
GKWales Arthur Brown 10000010
DFEngland Jimmy Oakes 3313000361
DFEngland Jack Maddock 40000040
DFEngland Billy Wootton 2000010210
DFEngland George Shenton 3103010350
DFEngland William Cope 4003000430
MFScotland Bob Connelly 2502000270
MFEngland Roger Jones 3803010420
MFEngland Jack Simms 30000030
MFWales Phil Griffiths 301400103114
MFEngland Bert Fishwick 54000054
MFEngland Jack Mandley 1213000151
MFEngland Tom Baxter 3993010439
MFEngland George Stockton 64000064
MFEngland Dennis Izon 40000040
MFWales George Whitcombe 10000010
MFEngland Jack Sherlock 50000050
MFEngland Sam Spencer 00000000
FWEngland Billy Briscoe 801010100
FWEngland Harry Anstiss 331332103715
FWEngland Robert Gillespie 10000010
FWEngland Albert Pynegar 292131103322
FWEngland Frank Watkin 1390000139
FWEngland Bill Rawlings 52100062
FWEngland Henry O'Grady 10001020
FWEngland Harry Marshall 41000041
FWEngland Sam Jennings 302422113327

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Name Third Division North FA Cup Infirmary Cup Total
1FW EnglandSam Jennings242127
2FW EnglandAlbert Pynegar211022
3FW EnglandHarry Anstiss132015
4MF WalesPhil Griffiths140014
5MF EnglandTom Baxter9009
–FW EnglandFrank Watkin9009
7MF EnglandGeorge Stockton4004
–MF EnglandBert Fishwick4004
9FW EnglandBill Rawlings2002
10DF EnglandJimmy Oakes1001
–MF EnglandJack Mandley1001
–FW EnglandHarry Marshall1001
TOTALS 103 5 1 109

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 1929GKWalesArthur BrownReadingFree transfer[4]
May 1929FWEnglandSam JenningsNottingham ForestFree transfer[4]
May 1929DFEnglandJack SherlockHanley Y.M.C.A.Free transfer[4]
June 1929DFEnglandFrank WatkinStoke CityFree transfer[4]
July 1929DFEnglandBill CopeBolton WanderersFree transfer[4]
October 1929DFEnglandArnold BlissDartfordFree transfer[4]
October 1929GKEnglandBen DaviesCrewe AlexandraFree transfer[4]
November 1929MFEnglandCliff BirksStoke CityFree transfer[4]
November 1929FWEnglandHenry O'GradyWitton AlbionFree transfer[4]
November 1929FWEnglandBill RawlingsManchester United'four-figure'[4]
March 1930FWEnglandHarry MarshallWolverhampton Wanderers'sizeable outlay'[4]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
October 1929GKWalesArthur BrownCrewe AlexandraFree transfer[4]
March 1930MFEnglandJack MandleyAston Villa£7,000[4]
May 1930GKEnglandJack PrinceRochdaleReleased[4]
Summer 1930FWEnglandBill RawlingsNew MiltonFree transfer[4]

References

Specific
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Kent, Jeff (1990). "From Glory to Despair (1929–1939)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 124–150. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. ↑ Fielding, Rob (18 April 2020). "Eleven games played, won ten - Port Vale's amazing start to 1929-30". onevalefan.co.uk. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  3. ↑ Port Vale 1929–1930 : Results & Fixtures Archived 19 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 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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