1979–80 Port Vale F.C. season

Overview

Fourth Division

The pre-season saw manager Dennis Butler sign three players on free transfers: 29-year-old striker Terry Owen (Rochdale), second striker Alan Woolfall (Bury), and 19-year-old forward Steve Jones (Manchester United). Meanwhile, the club was fined £500 by The Football Association for the team's ongoing poor disciplinary record.

The season began with four consecutive league defeats, which led to the dismissal of Butler as manager. Only 2,744 fans turned up to Vale Park for the opening home game of the campaign, a 1–0 defeat to Hereford United. Alan Bloor took over as caretaker manager, who threatened the players with a place on the bench if they failed to deliver in the first XI, and to prove his point he replaced Bernie Wright with Neville Chamberlain. Chamberlain rewarded him with both goals in a 2–0 victory over Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road. A 5–0 thrashing of Northampton Town followed eight days later, with both Chamberlain and Wright claiming a brace. However, the following week they were 'massacred' 7–1 at high-flying Huddersfield Town's Leeds Road. Chris Harper of The Sentinel reported that it was "probably the most unprofessional performance I have witnessed by a Vale side in more than ten years". He further added that "the constant changes [in management] are totally opposed to the stability required to achieve success". Despite conceding serven goals, Trevor Dance retained his place in goal, with John Connaughton 'in a huff' with the club. Coach Graham Hawkins left the club as he felt that, as the assistant manager, he should have been put in caretaker charge over Bloor. By the end of September, Bloor was made manager on a permanent basis. Vale celebrated with a 5–1 beating of Rochdale on 29 September, whilst Ken Todd was sold to Portsmouth for £20,000. Ged Stenson had his contract cancelled, and signed with Morecambe.

Losing five of their seven games in October, Vale drifted to third-from-bottom. Gordon Banks was demoted to coaching the reserves. Bloor spent £30,000 on Crewe Alexandra defender Paul Bowles. Undefeated in November in the league, Vale then lost 5–1 to a York City side at Bootham Crescent that was marashlled by Peter Lorimer. Later in the month, Vale became the first Fourth Division club to strike a shirt advertising deal, signing a deal with TI Creda for £5,000. A surprise came though when Bloor resigned his position, stating that "I do not have what it takes". Gordon Banks was also dismissed, and he blamed the players for his downfall, claiming they did not like hard work. Bill Bentley was appointed as caretaker manager, as the club approached numerous managers – including former player Ronnie Allen. The job went to John McGrath, who had been working as a coach at Southampton. He appointed Torquay United coach John Rudge as his second in command.

Finding his new team to be undisciplined, McGrath said that 'the holiday is over', and began fining players for various reasons. He offloaded Connaughton to Altrincham, loaned Paul Bowles to Southampton, and discovered that Wright was no longer willing to play for the club. On 12 January, a 3–2 victory was achieved at well-placed Doncaster Rovers to take the club out of the bottom four temporarily. In February, McGrath signed 19-year-old goalkeeper Mark Harrison and defender Lee Harwood from Southampton, as well as forward Tony Sealy on loan from Crystal Palace. He also placed 15 players on the transfer list, after which the Vale went on a six-game unbeaten run.

Lee Harwood and Phil Sproson made a solid defensive pair, whilst young Mark Chamberlain (brother of Neville) was used in midfield. Phil Sproson struck a solid defensive partnership with Harwood. The final game of the unbeaten run was a 2–2 draw with league leaders Walsall. In March, John Fleming arrived on loan from Lincoln City, and the club went on a run of one win in twelve games, ending with a 2–1 defeat at Vale Park to fellow strugglers York City. In April, Felix Healy left the club to return to his native Northern Ireland. A Sealy goal earned Vale two points in their penultimate game with Stockport County at Edgeley Park, and their final game was a 3–0 win over Doncaster Rovers in front of just 2,338 supporters. These wins took Vale out of the re-election zone on goal difference.

They finished in twentieth place with 36 points, finishing ahead of Hereford United in the re-election zone on goals scored. Hereford United needed to win by three goals in their final game to finish above Vale, but could only manage a 2–0 victory over Rochdale.

Finances

On the financial side, a loss of £82,069 was recorded. The financial picture led Chairman Arthur McPherson to describe 1979–80 as 'probably the worst season in the club's history'. Leaving the club at the end of the season were: Bernie Wright (Kidderminster Harriers); Bill Bentley (Stafford Rangers); Terry Owen (Northwich Victoria); Bob Delgado (Miami Americans); and Kevin Tully (Chorley). Several players remained in Burslem on virtue of having extended contracts.

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale were knocked out in the first round after losing 3–1 at home to Doncaster Rovers.

In the League Cup, Vale were defeated by Tranmere Rovers 3–1 on aggregate.

Results

Football League Fourth Division

Main article: 1979–80 Football League

League table

Results by matchday

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Matches

FA Cup

Main article: 1979–80 FA Cup

League Cup

Main article: 1979–80 Football League Cup

Player statistics

Appearances and goals

:Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward

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Top scorers

Transfers

Transfers in

Transfers out

Loans in

Loans out

References

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;General

References

1. Kent, Jeff. (1990). "The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale". Witan Books.
2. (15 September 2024). "Vale's statement victory". Valiant's Substack.
3. (1 December 2024). "Making plans and unexpected challenges". Valiant's Substack.
4. [http://www.statto.com/football/teams/port-vale/1979-1980/results Port Vale 1979–1980 : Results & Fixtures] {{Webarchive. link. (4 March 2016 . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.)
5. Kent, Jeff. (1996). "Port Vale Personalities". Witan Books.