1957–58 Port Vale F.C. season

Overview

Third Division South

The pre-season saw manager Norman Low sign several young new players to replace those released at the end of the previous season, saying his team would 'fight like hell to get back into the Second Division'. Four of these signings were: impressive forward Jack Wilkinson (Sheffield United); Welsh international goalkeeper Keith Jones (signed from Aston Villa for £3,500); defender Bert Carberry (Gillingham); and Alan Martin – who returned to the club as a part-time professional.

The season opened with a 1–0 win over Aldershot at the Recreation Ground. This started a sequence of just four defeats in 17 games, which included doing the double over Southampton (a 3–0 win at The Dell followed by a 4–0 win at Vale Park). This was achieved with Low's attacking policy, a stark contrast to 'the Steele Curtain' defence. However, their five clean sheets in their first eight games also illustrated their defensive strength. In September, right-half Selwyn Whalley turned part-time, dividing his duties between playing football and teaching at Hanley High School. Winger Alan Bennett was also transferred to Crewe Alexandra. By November, Vale were third in the league, and Low signed Bert Carberry and Jack Wilkinson. On 2 November, Vale recorded a 4–0 home win over Crystal Palace. Despite their attacking nature, Vale had by this time conceded fewer goals than any other side in the Football League. Following this top-scorer Stan Steele went off the boil, as the Vale lost their form in the Christmas period, losing 1–0 twice to Coventry City in two days. Though before this, a 6–1 victory was recorded over Aldershot to put the club into fourth position.

In January, Ken Griffiths was sold to Mansfield Town for a four-figure fee, having mostly languished in the reserves. By February, Vale were in seventh position, only four points off the top spot (with three games in hand) despite their loss of form. Four straight defeats dragged them down towards the bottom half of the table. They bought former Wales international Noel Kinsey from Birmingham City for £5,000 in an attempt to bolster their form. He helped the club achieve a 5–0 win over Watford during a blizzard on 8 March, scoring two goals. Though as injuries developed, the club's form again declined, and the team lost eight of their final twelve games. They laboured to a 2–1 win over Torquay United on 5 April, which was their only victory in the final ten games. Two points from their final six games doomed them to the fourth tier. On 12 April, Keith Jones allowed a free-kick to go into the net after he mistakenly thought it was an indirect free kick, and Norwich City went on to win the game by three goals. Vale lost 3–2 at home to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic the following week after Kinsey missed a penalty. A 4–1 defeat at Brentford confirmed Vale's lower-half finish with a game to spare.

They finished in 15th position with 42 points from 46 games. Five points away from the top half of the table, their 'remarkable decline' continued with a second relegation in two years. Their 58 goals conceded were a respectable total, as was their 67 goals scored. Stan Steele, Jack Wilkinson, and Harry Poole all proved themselves consistent goal scorers, scoring 22, 19, and 16 goals respectively.

Finances

On the financial side, a decline in average attendance by around 3,500 left the club with an average gate of 10,457. Gate receipts were down to £33,800. However, a small staff helped to make a profit of £145 despite player wages rising to £24,158. Five players were released in the summer, most notably Bert Carberry (Exeter City) and Bill Cleary (King's Lynn). Low also sold Colin Askey to Walsall for 'a fairly substantial fee' and Basil Hayward to Portsmouth for 'a fair fee'.

FA Cup

In the FA Cup, Vale narrowly defeated Shrewsbury Town with two goals from Wilkinson. Third Division North Hull City knocked the Vale out in the second round, however, winning the replay 4–3 at Boothferry Park.

Results

Football League Third Division South

Main article: 1957–58 Football League

League table

Results by matchday

Matches

FA Cup

Main article: 1957–58 FA 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/1957-1958/results Port Vale 1957–1958 : Results & Fixtures] {{Webarchive. link. (4 March 2016 . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.)
3. Kent, Jeff. (1996). "Port Vale Personalities". Witan Books.