1892–93 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season

Winning Football League status

Having spent their early history playing only friendly matches, cup games, and in minor leagues such as the Midland Football League; 1892–93 marked the club's first season in the English Football League. The Football League's merger with the Football Alliance saw the club granted Second Division status, due to their third place standing in the Midland League in 1891–92, along with Northwich Victoria and Sheffield United.

Overview

Second Division

The pre-season started terribly, with star striker Frank McGinnes dying of kidney disease before a ball was kicked. His replacement was Wallace Bliss, and local headmaster Fred Farrington was appointed captain. The first match continued in desperately poor fashion; Billy Beats missed the train, and so Vale played with ten men against Small Heath, losing 5–1, with Bliss scoring the club's first Football League goal – his only goal in the league ever. Small Heath's first goal came as "the right wing took the ball in front of goal, and after a little scrimmaging it was sent between the posts"; the goal was credited to Fred Wheldon. Vale rallied, and the game, "more vigorous than scientific", was even until Small Heath scored twice just before half-time. In the second half, with the advantage of the wind, Port Vale pulled a goal back, but the final score was 5–1. Away matches were difficult for the "Valeites" as players had trouble gaining permission from their employers to miss work. The first point was earned away at Bootle on 12 September, with a 1–1 draw secured despite the team's lunch basket being left at Longport railway station. The first victory came 12 days later, as Crewe Alexandra were dispatched by four goals to one in front of a crowd of 1,500 at the Athletic Ground – 800 of which were visiting Crewe fans. C. McAlpine made a return to the club after starting the campaign with Darlington; he was, though, given a six-week suspension as a punishment for having signed contracts with both Darlington and Port Vale. On 22 October, the first away league win was secured, as a 4–3 victory was claimed at Lincoln City and the players left the pitch at John O'Gaunts performing celebratory somersaults. Vale had gone two goals up before half-time, though conceded when Frank Smallman scored out of a scrimmage; in the second half, the home side pressed forward and James Gresham levelled, then Vale put on the pressure and scored twice in four minutes before Smallman scored a late goal.

On 3 December, they faced the return fixture with Lincoln City, and although the opening exchanges were even, Lincoln were soon leading by two goals, before Vale pulled one back before half-time and then pressed forward in the second half. Vale were unable to add another goal, however, thus giving Lincoln their first away league win. Vale secured only one point from six games until the end of the calendar year, at which point they beat Walsall Town Swifts by three goals to nil; new player Johnny Lander scored a brace. The sequence of losses included a 10–0 defeat in a snowstorm at home to Sheffield United on 10 December, a Football League record for a home defeat. Regular custodian Joe Frail was ill, leaving reserve team right-half Billy Delves to play in goal on his behalf. Frail played in the return fixture at Bramall Lane seven days later, which ended in a 4–0 defeat.

Two defeats to Grimsby Town were the only league fixtures in the first five weeks of 1893, with right-back James Clutton needing police protection from Grimsby fans in the away fixture and goalkeeper Levi Higginson failing to show up for the home game, leaving left-half Billy Elson to deputise for him. William McFarlane was signed to bolster the forward line, and he made his debut in a 3–0 defeat at Walsall Town Swifts that saw Vale replace Walsall as the Second Division's bottom club. A 4–0 home win over Northwich Victoria followed, and a further point was gained with a 3–3 draw at Burton Swifts – Burton had only equalised after three players held back Frail to prevent him from saving the shot. After the game, winger Tommy Walker was transferred to Burton Swifts. A 3–0 home defeat by Small Heath concluded the home fixtures, Billy Walton opening the scoring just before half-time with a penalty kick. This left the team needing to claim a point at Northwich Victoria to avoid finishing last. Vale claimed a second league win of the campaign to secure an 11th-place finish ahead of bottom club Walsall Town Swifts. Port Vale retained their league status despite their poor showing (disbanded Bootle were the only team to lose their status), and the next season, three more teams were added to the league. Management decided to retain the entire first team, sans McApline.

Cup competitions

Despite reaching the fifth round of the FA Cup in 1885–86, they failed to make it through the qualifying stages this time round. In the Staffordshire Senior Cup, they exited in the first round to Burton Wanderers in front of just 100 spectators. In the Birmingham Senior Cup, they left in the second round after a 4–1 defeat by Aston Villa.

Results

Football League Second Division

Main article: 1892–93 Football League

League table

Results by matchday

Matches

FA Cup

Main article: 1892–93 FA Cup

Birmingham Senior Cup

Staffordshire Senior Cup

Player statistics

Appearances and goals

:Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; FB – Full back; HB – Half back; FW – Forward

Top scorers

Transfers

Transfers in

Transfers out

References

;Specific

;General

References

1. Kent, Jeff. (1990). "The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale". Witan Books.
2. (11 August 2025). "Gauci signs as Vale prepare for Blackpool". Valiant's Substack.
3. (5 September 1892). "Saturday's Football Matches". Birmingham Daily Post.
4. (6 September 1892). "''Observer''{{'s}} Notes". Birmingham Daily Gazette.
5. Matthews, ''Complete Record'', p. 10.
6. (28 October 1892). "Football". Lincolnshire Chronicle.
7. (9 December 1892). "Football". Lincolnshire Chronicle.
8. (15 January 2018). "Clipping: A match report on Vale's record defeat...". onevalefan.co.uk.
9. (27 March 1893). "Saturday's Football. The League. Division II". Birmingham Daily Post.
10. [http://www.statto.com/football/teams/port-vale/1892-1893/results Port Vale 1892–1893 : Results & Fixtures] {{Webarchive. link. (19 January 2016 . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.)
11. Kent, Jeff. (1996). "Port Vale Personalities". Witan Books.