1895–96 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season

Overview

Second Division

No major signings were made for the 1895–96 campaign due to a lack of funds. Nevertheless, a 2–0 opening day victory at Rotherham Town boded well. It proved to be the last away win of the season. Back at the Athletic Ground on 14 September, and only a superb performance from goalkeeper Tom Baddeley prevented visitors Notts County from scoring more than four goals. Two weeks later, another heavy defeat came at Anfield, Liverpool claiming a 5–1 win. Crowds dwindled to 1,000 to witness a 3–3 draw with Darwen on 5 October, with only £25 in gate receipts taken to outweigh the £16 costs of hosting the match. Darwen won the return fixture 8–2 despite Vale debuting two forwards signed from Blackburn Rovers reserves in James Downie and David Black. Downie was deemed "absolutely useless" at outside-left before the club discovered he was right-footed and therefore had played out of position. Baddeley was praised for keeping Darwen to no more than eight goals. Two days after the drubbing, on 21 October, Vale recorded a 5–4 home win over Liverpool as both Downie and Black opened their accounts for the club. A 2–1 home victory over perennial strugglers Crewe Alexandra followed.

A four-game losing sequence, which included an aggregate 10–2 defeat to Grimsby Town, saw the Valeites fall down the league table. The club became acutely desperate for players, particularly so after Billy Eardley and Ted McDonald were suspended "for a breach of regulations". Jimmy Ditchfield was drafted in for a game after two seasons without a first-team appearance. David Black was deemed overweight and was sacked. His replacement, Joseph Sandham from Crewe Alexandra, scored on his debut in a 2–2 draw with Burton Wanderers. A 4–0 home win over Rotherham Town completed a three-game unbeaten streak, with the visitors finishing the match with nine players and Vale having another four goals disallowed. However, Vale then gained just one point from their next seven games, scoring only two goals, both from reserve team graduate Ernest Beckett. Supporters vented their frustration at winger Jim Mason in particular for his many wayward shots.

On 23 March, Vale claimed a 3–0 victory over Newton Heath after the visitors were reduced to ten men. This was followed by a 3–2 defeat at Crewe Alexandra in which Baddeley was again praised for preventing an embarrassing scoreline. This was the first of five defeats in six games. The season concluded with a 2–0 win over Newcastle United. Vale finished in 14th place in the 16-team league. Having twice successfully applied for re-election in the past three seasons, this time around, they lost their Football League status after receiving ten votes, with 15 required to remain in the division. Tom Baddeley and George Eccles left for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Eardley and McDonald left for Stoke, all wishing to remain Football League players.

Finances

In March, an Extraordinary general meeting was held as the club's debt reached £145, with ongoing losses throughout the season. It was decided to form a Limited liability company and 120 ten-shilling shares were applied for, though the scheme never came to fruition as interest levels dwindled. The season ended with debts at £154, wages outweighing gate receipts by £481 to £455.

Cup competitions

Again, Vale failed poorly in the FA Cup, easing past Hereford Thistle in the first round of qualification with a walkover after the visitors refused to show up without being paid their railway expenses and a guaranteed sum. The second round held league rivals Burton Swifts, who managed to draw at Vale's home and then win the replay with the odd goal. Facing rivals Stoke in the Staffordshire Senior Cup, they lost 4–0 at home. The Stoke game raised £115, though Eccles was badly injured and Dick Evans had also left the field with injury to leave Vale with just nine players.

Results

Football League Second Division

Main article: 1894–95 Football League

League table

Results by matchday

Matches

FA Cup

Main article: 1895–96 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

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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. [http://www.statto.com/football/teams/port-vale/1895-1896/results Port Vale 1895–1896 : Results & Fixtures] {{Webarchive. link. (4 March 2016 . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.)
3. Kent, Jeff. (1996). "Port Vale Personalities". Witan Books.