1961–62 Port Vale F.C. season

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Port Vale
1961–62 season
ChairmanJoe Machin
ManagerNorman Low
StadiumVale Park
Football League Third Division12th (45 Points)
FA CupFifth Round
(knocked out by Fulham)
League CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Blackpool)
Top goalscorerLeague: Arthur Longbottom (16)
All: Bert Llewellyn, Arthur Longbottom (20 each)
Highest home attendance28,226 vs. Sunderland, 31 January 1961
Lowest home attendance4,770 vs. Swindon Town, 14 April 1962
Average home league attendance8,993
Biggest win4–0 (twice)
Biggest defeat1–4 vs. Southend United, 16 October 1961

The 1961–62 season was Port Vale's 50th season of football in the English Football League, and their third season in the Third Division, under manager Norman Low and chairman Joe Machin.[1] After a pessimistic opening—described by local media as "gloom has descended" — Vale regrouped with several key signings, including Arthur Longbottom, Stan Steele, John Nicholson, Colin Grainger, and Ralph Hunt, while offloading Cliff Portwood to Grimsby Town to balance the books. The squad eventually settled into a mid‑table 12th‑place finish with 45 points.

Vale's FA Cup run became the campaign's defining highlight. After holding Sunderland to a goalless draw at Roker Park — where goalkeeper Ken Hancock famously thwarted Brian Clough — they won the replay 3–1 at Vale Park in front of one of their highest home attendances (28,226) and were awarded the Sunday Pictorial "Giant‑Killer Cup". Their progress ended in the Fifth Round with a contentious defeat to Fulham, amid disputed refereeing decisions. In the League Cup, Vale were knocked out in the First Round by Blackpool.

Leading scorers Arthur Longbottom and Bert Llewellyn netted 20 goals each across all competitions, though the overall attack remained inconsistent and under-supported. At Vale Park, average attendance stood at approximately 8,993, with a low of 4,770 (versus Swindon) and a standout high of 28,226 for the Sunderland cup tie. Off‑field developments included the opening of an £8,000 social club at Vale Park, aimed at expanding the stadium's community appeal and family focus.

Ultimately, the 1961–62 campaign was one of consolidation and occasional excitement. While league form never threatened promotion, a glorious FA Cup performance — toppling Sunderland and thrilling Vale fans — provided the season's standout memories.

Overview

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Third Division

[edit]

The pre-season saw Norman Low spend some of the £10,000 in transfer funds he was allocated.[1] He spent £2,000 acquiring inside-forward Arthur Longbottom from Queens Park Rangers.[1] Low then repaid West Bromwich Albion the £10,000 for Stan Steele to bring him back to Vale Park.[1] This meant a 'shock' for the fans, as Cliff Portwood was sold to Grimsby Town for £6,000 to balance the books.[1] Another £2,000 was spent on bringing centre-half John Nicholson from Liverpool.[1] Free signings included winger Stan Edwards (Everton), goalkeeper Peter Taylor (Middlesbrough), and Joe Maloney (Shrewsbury Town).[1] Low declared that the logic behind the signings was to improve the defence and that his side was now 'capable of getting promotion'.[1] To whip the new signings into shape trainer Lol Hamlett took them on a seven-mile run.[1]

The defence began poorly in an opening day 4–2 defeat to Shrewsbury Town at Gay Meadow, whilst the referee also made an error initially blowing up for half-time after just 32 minutes.[1] Maloney was subsequently dropped and sold to Crewe Alexandra for 'a small fee'.[1] The first match at Burslem saw Vale "casually steamroller" Hull City 4–0.[1] On 2 September, John Nicholson made the first of his club record 208 consecutive appearances, that would end on 8 September 1965. On a four-match sequence without a win, The Sentinel commented that "gloom has descended".[1] The mood lifted with a 1–0 win over Bristol City at Ashton Gate on 9 September, in the first of five wins in six games.[1]

On 2 October Czechoslovakia beat Vale 3–1 in front of 22,895 fans at Vale Park, repaying the club for their successful tour of the country at the end of the 1959–60 season.[1] Two days later, Terry Miles had a stone thrown at him in a goalless draw at fourth-placed Reading. Later that month, Dennis Fidler was sold to Grimsby Town for £2,000, and the "Valiants" struggled, losing 4–1 at Southend United on 16 October.[1] Vale then signed Colin Grainger from Leeds United for £6,000, and the former England international scored on his debut in a 4–1 victory over Torquay United.[1] In December, Low further added to his firepower by signing Ralph Hunt from Swindon Town for £3,500.[1] Hunt scored a hat-trick in his second game for the club, a 4–1 win over Shrewsbury Town on 16 December.[1] He also hit the back of the net in the following two victories. Vale then struggled in the league, losing four games in a row.[1] Around this time rivals Stoke City faced an upsurge in support with the return of Stanley Matthews. Low attempted to tempt Tom Finney out of retirement, but was unsuccessful.[1]

By the end of February, Vale lay four points clear of relegation, and star player Grainger was injured.[1] Beating Barnsley 2–0, they picked up six points out of a possible ten.[1] A 4–0 home win over Lincoln City on 17 March was much needed. Low made a series of team changes that eventually paid off as the team remained unbeaten throughout the opening six games of April, ensuring survival from relegation.[1] At this time, Noel Kinsey's contract was cancelled, as he wished to go into the pottery business in Norwich.[1] At Vale Park, an £8,000 social club was opened, as the club management stated their intention to turn the ground into 'a real family social centre'.[1] On 23 April, Vale defeated Brentford by three goals to nil, though Steele got into a fistfight with the opposing centre-forward George Francis.[1]

They finished the season in 12th position with 45 points, closer to the drop zone than the promotion zone. A weak attack did not support a strong defence.[1] Llewellyn and Longbottom scored twenty goals each in all competitions but received little support.[1]

Finances

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On the financial side, declining attendance failed to prevent a profit of £1,261.[1] This profit came thanks to a hefty £16,250 donation from the Sportsmen's Association and Vale's daily pools.[1] Gate receipts stood at £44,388, whilst expenditures rose to £73,059 despite wages being kept at around £31,000.[1] Peter Taylor was allowed to leave for Burton Albion as he failed to dislodge Ken Hancock; Taylor later became acquainted with Brian Clough at Burton. Low also sold three players for £2,000 each: Brian Jackson to Peterborough United, Ralph Hunt to Newport County, and David Raine to Doncaster Rovers.[1]

In May, the team took a tour of Poland, playing four friendlies, climbing the Tatra Mountains, and sailing on the Tatras River.[1] When one boat capsized, 'the lads told the attendant in colourful Potteries language what they thought of him'.[1] The final game of the tour was a goalless draw with Legia.[1]

Cup competitions

[edit]

In the FA Cup, Vale brushed past Bradford Park Avenue with a "storming 1–0 victory" at Horsfall Stadium. In the second round, they faced Crewe Alexandra, who beat 3–0 in a replay, following a 1–1 draw at Gresty Road. Vale then beat Northampton Town 3–1, all the goals coming from Bert Llewellyn.[1] In the fourth round, they travelled to Sunderland's Roker Park, holding the "Mackems" to a goalless draw in front of 49,468 noisy Sunderland fans - not even £50,000 star striker Brian Clough could master the Vale defence as Hancock made an excellent late save to force a replay.[1] For the return, 28,226 witnessed a 3–1 victory for the Vale over the Second Division side in "a magical piece of soccer history".[1] The Vale were missing Hunt due to him being cup-tied and Steele through suspension, but "spat and hissed like angry alley cats" for their win, intimidating tricky winger Harry Hooper.[1] Hancock went down injured with twisted ankle ligaments in the first minute, though played on and was aided by two pain-killing injections at half-time.[2] Jackson opened the scoring after capitalising on a missed clearance on 37 minutes.[2] Harry Poole celebrated his 27th birthday by scoring from 25 yards (23 m) out shortly after the start of the second half.[2] Longbottom made it three after working an opening on 79 minutes.[2] In the fifth round, they were beaten by First Division Fulham at Craven Cottage with a disputed late penalty.[1] The referee also gave the "Cottagers" a goal kick when the ball had in fact crossed the line for a goal – to the fury of the Vale supporters.[3] The team were awarded the Sunday Pictorial Giant-Killer Cup and the players each given a set of gold cufflinks.[1][4]

In the League Cup, First Division Blackpool took a 2–1 win at Bloomfield Road to dump Vale out of the competition.[1]

Results

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Football League Third Division

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Main article: 1961–62 Football League

League table

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Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
10 Hull City 46 20 8 18 67 54 1.241 48
11 Bradford (Park Avenue) 46 20 7 19 80 78 1.026 47
12 Port Vale 46 17 11 18 65 58 1.121 45
13 Notts County 46 17 9 20 67 74 0.905 43
14 Coventry City 46 16 11 19 64 71 0.901 43
Source: [citation needed]

Results by matchday

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Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHHAAHAHAAHHAHHAAHAAHHAHAHHHAHAHAAHHAHAHAAAHHA
ResultLWLLDDWWWDWWDLWLLWDLDLLWWWDLLLLWLDWWLLDDWWDWLL
Position15101218171615131110655665556106131311991010121316121513131012141616121212101212
Points022234681011131516161818182021212222222426282929292929313132343636363738404243454545
Source: Statto[5]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

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19 August 1961 1 Shrewsbury Town 4–2 Port Vale Shrewsbury
Report Fidler
Longbottom 		Stadium: Gay Meadow
Attendance: 8,632
21 August 1961 2 Port Vale 4–0 Hull City Burslem
Poole
Llewellyn
Jackson 		Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 11,480
26 August 1961 3 Port Vale 0–1 Peterborough United Burslem
Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 18,797
31 August 1961 4 Hull City 3–1 Port Vale Kingston upon Hull
Report Longbottom Stadium: Boothferry Park
Attendance: 8,095
2 September 1961 5 Northampton Town 1–1 Port Vale Northampton
Report Llewellyn Stadium: County Cricket Ground
Attendance: 9,573
4 September 1961 6 Port Vale 0–0 Southend United Burslem
Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 10,317
9 September 1961 7 Bristol City 0–1 Port Vale Ashton Gate, Bristol
Report Poole Stadium: Ashton Gate
Attendance: 10,670
16 September 1961 8 Port Vale 3–2 Bradford (Park Avenue) Burslem
Steele
Llewellyn
Longbottom 		Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 9,279
21 September 1961 9 Notts County 2–3 Port Vale Nottingham
Report Jackson
Llewellyn
Poole 		Stadium: Meadow Lane
Attendance: 8,676
23 September 1961 10 Grimsby Town 1–1 Port Vale Cleethorpes
Report Poole Stadium: Blundell Park
Attendance: 8,910
25 September 1961 11 Port Vale 1–0 Notts County Burslem
Whalley Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 11,707
30 September 1961 12 Port Vale 2–0 Coventry City Burslem
Longbottom
Poole 		Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 9,821
4 October 1961 13 Reading 0–0 Port Vale Reading, Berkshire
Report Stadium: Elm Park
Attendance: 11,779
7 October 1961 14 Port Vale 1–3 Watford Burslem
Steele Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 10,120
9 October 1961 15 Port Vale 2–1 Reading Burslem
Steele
Longbottom 		Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 7,208
14 October 1961 16 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic 1–0 Port Vale Bournemouth
Report Stadium: Dean Court
Attendance: 13,675
16 October 1961 17 Southend United 4–1 Port Vale Southend-on-Sea
Report Nicholson Stadium: Roots Hall
Attendance: 8,090
21 October 1961 18 Port Vale 4–1 Torquay United Burslem
Jackson
Grainger
Llewellyn 		Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 10,383
28 October 1961 19 Lincoln City 1–1 Port Vale Lincoln
Report Llewellyn Stadium: Sincil Bank
Attendance: 4,708
11 November 1961 20 Queens Park Rangers 2–1 Port Vale Shepherd's Bush, West London
Report Llewellyn Stadium: Loftus Road
Attendance: 7,087
18 November 1961 21 Port Vale 1–1 Halifax Town Burslem
Longbottom Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 9,374
2 December 1961 22 Port Vale 0–1 Crystal Palace Burslem
Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 9,761
9 December 1961 23 Portsmouth 1–0 Port Vale Portsmouth
Report Stadium: Fratton Park
Attendance: 11,925
16 December 1961 24 Port Vale 4–1 Shrewsbury Town Burslem
Hunt
Jackson 		Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 8,837
23 December 1961 25 Peterborough United 1–3 Port Vale Peterborough
Report Hunt
Llewellyn 		Stadium: London Road Stadium
Attendance: 9,294
26 December 1961 26 Port Vale 3–0 Newport County Burslem
Llewellyn
Longbottom
Hunt 		Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 12,182
13 January 1962 27 Port Vale 1–1 Northampton Town Burslem
Llewellyn Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 8,229
20 January 1962 28 Port Vale 0–2 Bristol City Burslem
Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 7,262
3 February 1962 29 Bradford (Park Avenue) 2–1 Port Vale Bradford
Report Sproson Stadium: Park Avenue
Attendance: 9,294
10 February 1962 30 Port Vale 0–2 Grimsby Town Burslem
Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 10,071
24 February 1962 31 Watford 2–0 Port Vale Watford
Report Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 7,778
5 March 1962 32 Port Vale 2–0 Barnsley Burslem
Longbottom
Steele 		Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 4,958
10 March 1962 33 Torquay United 2–0 Port Vale Torquay
Report Stadium: Plainmoor
Attendance: 4,565
12 March 1962 34 Newport County 1–1 Port Vale Newport, Wales
Report Longbottom Stadium: Somerton Park
Attendance: 2,524
17 March 1962 35 Port Vale 4–0 Lincoln City Burslem
Steele
Longbottom
Edwards 		Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 6,239
19 March 1962 36 Port Vale 1–0 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic Burslem
Llewellyn Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 8,993
24 March 1962 37 Barnsley 2–1 Port Vale Barnsley
Report Longbottom Stadium: Oakwell
Attendance: 4,670
31 March 1962 38 Port Vale 2–3 Queens Park Rangers Burslem
Longbottom Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 4,936
7 April 1962 39 Halifax Town 3–3 Port Vale Halifax, West Yorkshire
Report Steele
Longbottom
Llewellyn 		Stadium: The Shay
Attendance: 2,938
14 April 1962 40 Port Vale 1–1 Swindon Town Burslem
Longbottom Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 4,770
16 April 1962 41 Coventry City 0–1 Port Vale Coventry
Report Edwards Stadium: Highfield Road
Attendance: 5,907
20 April 1962 42 Brentford 1–2 Port Vale Brentford, West London
Report o.g.
Llewellyn 		Stadium: Griffin Park
Attendance: 11,175
21 April 1962 43 Crystal Palace 0–0 Port Vale Selhurst, Croydon
Report Stadium: Selhurst Park
Attendance: 10,519
23 April 1962 44 Port Vale 3–0 Brentford Burslem
Longbottom
Edwards
Steele 		Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 5,928
28 April 1962 45 Port Vale 2–3 Portsmouth Burslem
Llewellyn Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 6,186
30 April 1962 46 Swindon Town 1–0 Port Vale Swindon
Report Stadium: County Ground
Attendance: 7,331

FA Cup

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Main article: 1961–62 FA Cup
4 November 1961 R1 Bradford (Park Avenue) 0–1 Port Vale Bradford
Report Jackson Stadium: Park Avenue
Attendance: 12,127
25 November 1961 R2 Crewe Alexandra 1–1 Port Vale Crewe
Report Longbottom Stadium: Gresty Road
Attendance: 13,081
27 November 1961 Replay Port Vale 3–0 Crewe Alexandra Burslem
Longbottom
Llewellyn 		Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 19,029
6 January 1962 R3 Port Vale 3–1 Northampton Town Burslem
Llewellyn Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 19,444
27 January 1962 R4 Sunderland 0–0 Port Vale Sunderland
Report Stadium: Roker Park
Attendance: 49,468
31 January 1962 Replay Port Vale 3–1 Sunderland Burslem
Jackson
Poole
Llewellyn 		Report Stadium: Vale Park
Attendance: 28,226
17 February 1962 R5 Fulham 1–0 Port Vale Fulham, West London
Report Stadium: Craven Cottage
Attendance: 29,559

League Cup

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Main article: 1961–62 Football League Cup
13 September 1961 R1 Blackpool 2–1 Port Vale Blackpool
Report Llewellyn Stadium: Bloomfield Road
Attendance: 10,494

Player statistics

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Appearances and goals

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Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK England Ken Hancock 44 0 7 0 1 0 52 0
GK England John Cooke 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
GK England Peter Taylor 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
DF England Roy Sproson 46 1 7 0 1 0 54 1
DF England David Raine 7 0 5 0 0 0 12 0
DF England Selwyn Whalley 40 1 7 0 1 0 48 1
DF England Terry Lowe 6 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
MF England John Nicholson 42 1 7 0 1 0 50 1
MF England Terry Miles 44 0 7 0 1 0 52 0
MF England Brian Jackson 34 5 7 2 1 0 42 7
MF England Peter Ford 13 0 0 0 1 0 14 0
MF England Dennis Fidler 4 1 0 0 0 0 4 1
MF England Roy Gater 3 0 2 0 0 0 5 0
MF England Joe Maloney 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
MF England Colin Grainger 11 1 7 0 0 0 18 1
MF England Stan Edwards 22 3 0 0 0 0 22 3
MF England Colin Corbishley 8 0 0 0 0 0 8 0
FW England Harry Poole 39 6 5 1 1 0 45 7
FW England Stan Steele 35 8 2 0 1 0 38 8
FW England Bert Llewellyn 42 15 7 4 1 1 50 20
FW England Barry Hancock 5 0 1 0 0 0 6 0
FW England Ralph Hunt 14 6 0 0 0 0 14 6
FW England Arthur Longbottom 42 16 6 4 1 0 49 20
FW England Derek Edge 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0

Top scorers

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Place Position Nation Name Third Division FA Cup League Cup Total
1 FW  England Arthur Longbottom 16 4 0 20
– FW  England Bert Llewellyn 15 4 1 20
3 FW  England Stan Steele 8 0 0 8
4 FW  England Harry Poole 6 1 0 7
– MF  England Brian Jackson 5 2 0 7
6 FW  England Ralph Hunt 6 0 0 6
7 MF  England Stan Edwards 3 0 0 3
8 MF  England Colin Grainger 1 0 0 1
– MF  England John Nicholson 1 0 0 1
– DF  England Selwyn Whalley 1 0 0 1
– MF  England Dennis Fidler 1 0 0 1
– DF  England Roy Sproson 1 0 0 1
– – – Own goals 1 0 0 1
TOTALS 65 11 1 77

Transfers

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Transfers in

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Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 1961 MF England Stan Edwards Everton Free transfer [6]
May 1961 FW England Arthur Longbottom Queens Park Rangers £2,000 [6]
June 1961 MF England Joe Maloney Shrewsbury Town Free transfer [6]
June 1961 GK England Peter Taylor Middlesbrough £750 [6]
July 1961 FW England Stan Steele West Bromwich Albion £10,000 [6]
July 1961 MF England Colin Grainger Leeds United £6,000 [6]
August 1961 DF England John Nicholson Liverpool £2,000 [6]
December 1961 FW England Ralph Hunt Swindon Town £3,500 [6]

Transfers out

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Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
June 1961 MF England Joe Maloney Crewe Alexandra 'small' [6]
October 1961 MF England Dennis Fidler Grimsby Town £2,000 [6]
April 1962 FW Wales Noel Kinsey Mutual consent [6]
May 1962 MF England Colin Corbishley Chester Released [6]
May 1962 FW England Derek Edge Crewe Alexandra Free transfer [6]
May 1962 GK England Peter Taylor Burton Albion Free transfer [6]
June 1962 MF England Roy Gater Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic 'small' [6]
June 1962 MF England Brian Jackson Peterborough United £2,000 [6]
July 1962 FW England Ralph Hunt Newport County £2,000 [6]
July 1962 DF England David Raine Doncaster Rovers £2,000 [6]
Summer 1962 FW England Stan March Macclesfield Released [6]

References

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Specific
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq Kent, Jeff (1990). "Flattering Only to Deceive (1960–1969)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 196–226. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. ^ a b c d Sherwin, Phil (11 November 2018). Port Vale matchday programme v Sunderland. Port Vale FC. pp. 42–3.
  3. ^ Kent, Jeff (December 1991). Port Vale Tales: A Collection Of Stories, Anecdotes And Memories. Witan Books. p. 109. ISBN 0-9508981-6-3.
  4. ^ Baggaley, Mike (21 April 2024). "Apologies and pledges as Vale are relegated". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  5. ^ Port Vale 1961–1962 : Results & Fixtures Archived 11 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
General