1979–80 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1979–80 season was Port Vale's 68th season of football in the Football League, and their second successive season (eighth overall) in the Fourth Division.^[1] One of the club's worst ever seasons, Vale finished twentieth in the league, and exited both cup competitions at the first stage. They also lost a tremendous amount of money. There was also a managerial merry-go-round, with Dennis Butler replaced by Alan Bloor, who was in turned replaced by John McGrath, with Bill Bentley also spending a short period as caretaker manager.

Port Vale

1979–80 season
Chairman	Arthur McPherson
Manager	Dennis Butler (until 30 August) Alan Bloor (30 August to 1 December) Bill Bentley (caretaker in December) John McGrath (from December)
Stadium	Vale Park
Football League Fourth Division	20th (36 Points)
FA Cup	First Round (knocked out by Doncaster Rovers)
League Cup	First Round (knocked out by Tranmere Rovers)
Player of the Year	Kenny Beech
Top goalscorer	League: Neville Chamberlain (11) All: Neville Chamberlain (11)
Highest home attendance	6,756 vs. Walsall, 8 March 1980
Lowest home attendance	2,338 vs. Doncaster Rovers, 3 May 1980
Average home league attendance	3,462
Biggest win	5–0 vs. Northampton Town, 15 September 1979
Biggest defeat	1–7 vs. Huddersfield Town, 22 September 1979
Home colours
← 1978–79 1980–81 →

Overview

Fourth Division

The pre-season saw manager Dennis Butler sign three players on free transfers: Terry Owen (Rochdale), Alan Woolfall (Bury), and Steve Jones (Manchester United).^[1] Meanwhile, the club was fined £500 by The Football Association for the team's ongoing poor disciplinary record.^[1]

The season began with four straight league defeats, which resulted in the dismissal of Butler as manager.^[1] 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, to prove his point he replaced Bernie Wright with Neville Chamberlain.^[1] Chamberlain rewarded him with both goals in a 2–0 victory over Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road.^[1] A 5–0 thrashing of Northampton Town followed eight days later, with both Chamberlain and Wright claiming a brace.^[1] However the following week they were 'massacred' 7–1 at high-flying Huddersfield Town's Leeds Road.^[1] Despite this, Trevor Dance retained his place in goal, with John Connaughton 'in a huff' with the club.^[1] By the end of September, Bloor was made manager on a permanent basis.^[1] Vale celebrated with a 5–1 beating of Rochdale, whilst Ken Todd was sold to Portsmouth for £20,000.^[1] Ged Stenson had his contract cancelled, and signed with Morecambe.^[1] Losing five of their seven games in October, Vale drifted to third-from-bottom.^[1] Bloor spent £30,000 on Crewe Alexandra defender Paul Bowles.^[1] Undefeated in November in the league, Vale then lost 5–1 to York City at Bootham Crescent.^[1] 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.^[1] A surprise came though when Bloor resigned his position, stating that "I do not have what it takes".^[1] Gordon Banks was also dismissed, and he blamed the players for his downfall, claiming they did not like hard work.^[1] Bill Bentley was appointed as caretaker manager, as the club approached numerous managers – including former player Ronnie Allen.^[1] The job went to John McGrath, who had been working as a coach at Southampton.^[1] He appointed Torquay United coach John Rudge as his second in command.^[1]

Finding his new team to be undisciplined, McGrath said 'the holiday is over', and began fining players for various reasons.^[1] He offloaded Connaughton to Altrincham, loaned Paul Bowles to Southampton, and discovered that Wright was no longer willing to play for the club.^[1] In February, McGrath signed goalkeeper Mark Harrison and defender Lee Harwood from Southampton, as well as forward Tony Sealy on loan from Crystal Palace.^[1] He also placed fifteen players on the transfer list, after which the Vale went on a six-game unbeaten run.^[1] Harwood and Phil Sproson made a solid defensive pair, whilst young Mark Chamberlain (brother of Neville) was used in midfield.^[1] The end of their run was a 2–2 draw with league leaders Walsall.^[1] 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.^[1] In April, Felix Healy left the club to return to his native Northern Ireland.^[1] 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.^[1] These wins took Vale out of the re-election zone on goal difference.^[1]

They finished in twentieth place with 36 points, finishing ahead of Hereford United in the re-election zone on goals scored.^[1]

Finances

On the financial side, a loss of £82,069 was recorded.^[1] The financial picture led Chairman Arthur McPherson to describe 1979–80 as 'probably the worst season in the club's history'.^[1] 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).^[1] Several players remained in Burslem on virtue of having extended contracts.^[1]

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.

League table

Main article: 1979–80 Football League

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion
18	Halifax Town	46	13	13	20	46	72	−26	39
19	Hartlepool United	46	14	10	22	59	64	−5	38
20	Port Vale	46	12	12	22	56	70	−14	36
21	Hereford United	46	11	14	21	38	52	−14	36	Re-elected
22	Darlington	46	9	17	20	50	74	−24	35

Source:^{[citation needed]}

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Fourth Division

Results by matchday

Round	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	40	41	42	43	44	45	46
Ground	A	H	A	H	A	H	H	A	H	A	H	A	A	H	H	A	H	A	A	H	A	H	A	H	H	H	A	A	A	H	A	H	H	A	H	A	H	A	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H
Result	L	L	L	L	W	W	L	L	W	L	L	D	L	W	L	L	W	L	L	L	L	L	D	W	L	D	W	L	L	D	W	W	D	D	D	L	W	L	D	L	L	D	L	L	W	W
Position	14	18	23	24	21	17	19	21	17	19	22	21	21	21	21	22	21	22	21	21	22	22	22	22	22	22	20	22	22	22	20	19	19	18	18	21	20	21	20	20	22	21	21	22	20	20

Source: Statto^[2]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Attendance	Scorers
18 August 1979	Newport County	A	1–2	4,008	Tully
20 August 1979	Hereford United	H	0–1	2,744
25 August 1979	Aldershot	A	1–3	2,538	Todd
1 September 1979	Peterborough United	H	0–1	2,794
7 September 1979	Crewe Alexandra	A	2–0	4,539	Chamberlain (2)
15 September 1979	Northampton Town	H	5–0	2,847	Chamberlain (2), Wright (2), Sproson
17 September 1979	Bradford City	H	1–2	4,724	Sproson
22 September 1979	Huddersfield Town	A	1–7	4,299	Chamberlain
29 September 1979	Rochdale	H	5–1	2,835	Wright (2), Farrell, Owen
3 October 1979	Bradford City	A	0–2	4,393
6 October 1979	Lincoln City	H	1–2	3,127	Wright
10 October 1979	Hereford United	A	0–0	2,741
13 October 1979	Hartlepool United	A	1–2	2,441	Wright
20 October 1979	Darlington	H	2–0	2,618	Beech, Farrell
22 October 1979	Tranmere Rovers	H	0–1	2,990
27 October 1979	Walsall	A	1–2	4,976	Woolfall
3 November 1979	Newport County	H	2–0	2,980	Farrell, o.g.
10 November 1979	Halifax Town	A	0–0	1,798
12 November 1979	Tranmere Rovers	A	1–1	2,140	Wright
17 November 1979	Torquay United	H	1–1	2,643	Wright
1 December 1979	York City	A	1–5	2,402	Chamberlain
7 December 1979	Stockport County	H	1–2	2,799	Chamberlain
21 December 1979	Portsmouth	A	2–2	12,022	Griffiths (2)
26 December 1979	Scunthorpe United	H	1–0	3,433	Wright
29 December 1979	Aldershot	H	0–2	2,559
5 January 1980	Bournemouth	H	1–1	2,875	o.g.
12 January 1980	Doncaster Rovers	A	3–2	3,859	Chamberlain (2), Sproson
26 January 1980	Peterborough United	A	0–3	3,287
2 February 1980	Northampton Town	A	1–3	1,946	Woolfall
9 February 1980	Huddersfield Town	H	1–1	5,143	Elsby
15 February 1980	Rochdale	A	2–0	1,784	Sealy, Beech
20 February 1980	Crewe Alexandra	H	2–0	6,655	Sealy, Farrell
23 February 1980	Hartlepool United	H	1–1	3,702	Chamberlain
1 March 1980	Darlington	A	1–1	2,102	Sealy
8 March 1980	Walsall	H	2–2	6,756	Griffiths (pen), Chamberlain
15 March 1980	Lincoln City	A	0–3	2,969
22 March 1980	Halifax Town	H	1–0	2,993	o.g.
26 March 1980	Wigan Athletic	A	1–3	4,854	Beech
29 March 1980	Torquay United	A	1–1	2,109	Keenan
1 April 1980	Portsmouth	H	2–3	3,614	Harwood, Sealy
5 April 1980	Scunthorpe United	A	0–1	1,981
7 April 1980	Wigan Athletic	H	1–1	3,814	Sealy
12 April 1980	Bournemouth	A	1–3	2,863	Owen
19 April 1980	York City	H	1–2	2,640	Owen
25 April 1980	Stockport County	A	1–0	2,404	Sealy
3 May 1980	Doncaster Rovers	H	3–0	2,338	Jones, Griffiths (pen), Bromage

FA Cup

Main article: 1979–80 FA Cup

Round	Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Attendance	Goalscorers
R1	23 November 1979	Doncaster Rovers	H	1–3	4,973	Beech

League Cup

Main article: 1979–80 Football League Cup

Round	Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Attendance	Goalscorers
R1 1st Leg	11 August 1979	Tranmere Rovers	H	1–2	3,213
R1 2nd Leg	15 August 1979	Tranmere Rovers	A	0–1	3,026	Woolfall

Player statistics

Appearances

Pos.	Name	Football League		FA Cup		League Cup		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
GK	John Connaughton	7	0	0	0	2	0	9	0
GK	Trevor Dance	39	0	1	0	0	0	40	0
DF	Neil Griffiths	40	4	1	0	0	0	41	4
DF	Phil Sproson	39	3	1	0	0	0	40	3
DF	Graham Hawkins	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
DF	Bill Bentley	32	0	1	0	2	0	35	0
DF	Gerry Keenan	41	1	1	0	2	0	44	1
DF	Bob Delgado	17	0	2	0	0	0	19	0
DF	Lee Harwood	15	1	0	0	0	0	15	1
DF	Billy Leese	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
DF	Paul Bowles	10	0	1	0	0	0	11	0
DF	Russell Bromage	29	1	0	0	1	0	30	1
MF	Kenny Beech	46	3	1	1	2	0	49	4
MF	Ged Stenson	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
MF	Ken Todd	3	1	0	0	0	0	3	1
MF	Kevin Tully	5	1	0	0	2	0	7	1
MF	Mark Chamberlain	11	0	0	0	0	0	11	0
MF	Peter Farrell	32	5	1	0	0	0	33	5
MF	Ian Elsby	21	1	0	0	1	0	22	1
MF	Felix Healy	18	0	0	0	2	0	20	0
MF	John Fleming	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
FW	Neville Chamberlain	35	11	0	0	0	0	35	11
FW	Bernie Wright	30	9	1	0	2	0	33	9
FW	Alan Woolfall	7	2	1	0	2	1	10	3
FW	Tony Sealy	17	6	0	0	0	0	17	6
FW	Terry Owen	17	3	0	0	2	0	19	3
FW	Steve Jones	15	1	1	0	0	0	16	1

Top scorers

Place	Position	Nation	Name	Fourth Division	FA Cup	League Cup	Total
1	FW	England	Neville Chamberlain	11	0	0	11
2	FW	England	Bernie Wright	9	0	0	9
3	FW	England	Tony Sealy	6	0	0	6
4	MF	England	Peter Farrell	5	0	0	5
5	DF	England	Neil Griffiths	4	0	0	4
–	MF	England	Kenny Beech	3	1	0	4
7	DF	England	Phil Sproson	3	0	0	3
–	FW	England	Terry Owen	3	0	0	3
9	FW	England	Alan Woolfall	2	0	1	3
10	DF	England	Gerry Keenan	1	0	0	1
–	DF	England	Lee Harwood	1	0	0	1
–	MF	England	Ken Todd	1	0	0	1
–	MF	England	Kevin Tully	1	0	0	1
–	MF	England	Ian Elsby	1	0	0	1
–	FW	England	Steve Jones	1	0	0	1
–	DF	England	Russell Bromage	1	0	0	1
–	–	–	Own goals	3	0	0	3
			TOTALS	56	1	1	58

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Fee	Ref.
May 1979	FW		Steve Jones	Manchester United	Free transfer	^[3]
Summer 1979	FW		Terry Owen	Rochdale	Free transfer	^[3]
August 1979	FW		Alan Woolfall	Bury	Free transfer	^[3]
25 October 1979	DF		Paul Bowles	Crewe Alexandra	£30,000	^[3]
11 February 1980	GK		Mark Harrison	Southampton	Free transfer	^[3]
7 February 1980	DF		Lee Harwood	Leatherhead	Free transfer	^[3]

Transfers out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Fee	Ref.
August 1979	FW		Brian Sinclair	Winsford United	Sacked	^[3]
October 1979	DF		Graham Hawkins	Retired		^[3]
October 1979	MF		Ged Stenson	Morecambe	Released	^[3]
5 October 1979	MF		Ken Todd	Portsmouth	£20,000	^[3]
1980	GK		John Connaughton	Altrincham	Free transfer	^[3]
1980	FW		Terry Owen	Northwich Victoria	Free transfer	^[3]
February 1980	MF		Kevin Tully	Chorley	Released	^[3]
May 1980	DF		Bill Bentley	Stafford Rangers	Free transfer	^[3]
May 1980	DF		Bob Delgado	Miami Americans	Released	^[3]
July 1980	FW		Felix Healy	Coleraine	Free transfer	^[3]
Summer 1980	DF		Billy Leese	Retired		^[3]
Summer 1980	FW		Bernie Wright	Kidderminster Harriers	Free transfer	^[3]

Loans in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Date to	Ref.
7 February 1980	FW		Tony Sealy	Crystal Palace	May 1980	^[3]
March 1980	MF		John Fleming	Lincoln City	March 1980	^[3]

Loans out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Date to	Ref.
3 January 1980	DF		Paul Bowles	Southampton	January 1980	^[3]

References

Specific

1. Kent, Jeff (1990). "From Rags to Riches (1979–1990)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 258–290. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
2. Port Vale 1979–1980 : Results & Fixtures 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
3. Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.

General

• Kent, Jeff (1993). The Port Vale Record 1879-1993. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9508981-9-8.