1938–39 Port Vale F.C. 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). Work at the stadium took place, as ground outside the stadium was prepared for car parking. The eclectic training schedule of the previous season was expanded, with bowls and cricket supplemented by games of tennis and baseball. 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.

The season began with George Heppell in goal, as Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club at first refused to allow Jepson to play. With three defeats in the first four games, most new men were dropped as Morgan struggled to find consistency in his picks. 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. They also travelled to St James Park to record a 3–1 win over Exeter City – their first away win since September 1937. 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. 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. 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. Ending their run with a 4–0 win over Bristol City, they lost Jack Roberts to a dislocated shoulder.

Trying out new, young players in 1939, the club re-signed veteran forward Tommy Ward from Stoke City. 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. Disgruntled supporters turned against the team, as regular barracking was directed at the players. Roberts and Jepson struggled with injuries, but by March, the newcomers had finally gelled as a group, and results soon picked up. Yet manager Tom Morgan shocked the club by leaving for the vacant position at Wrexham, 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. 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.

They finished in 18th place with 37 points, then a club record low position. 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. Nolan's 17 goals were the only major contribution in front of goal.

Finances

On the financial side, gate receipts had increased by £659. However, an overall loss was made of £1,723. 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. Further financial worries were lessened by a transfer credit of £1,455. Despite the poor season, 17 players were kept on, though promising teenage midfielder John Smith was sold to Chelsea. 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).

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale overcame Wrexham of the Third Division North 2–1 at the Racecourse Ground. However, they crashed out at the second round, losing 1–0 at home to league rivals Southend United. For both matches the players had relaxed beforehand with activities such as golf, country walks, and games of snooker.

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). 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. The club had lost money in the much-maligned tournament, as atrocious attendances were not enough even to pay player bonuses. 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.

Results

Football League Third Division South

Main article: 1938–39 Football League

League table

Results by matchday

Matches

FA Cup

Main article: 1938–39 FA Cup

Third Division South 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/1938-1939/results Port Vale 1938–1939 : Results & Fixtures] {{Webarchive. link. (4 March 2016 . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.)
3. Kent, Jeff. (1996). "Port Vale Personalities". Witan Books.