1982–83 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1982–83 season was Port Vale's 71st season of football in the English Football League, and their fifth-successive season (11th overall) in the Fourth Division.^[1] John McGrath led the Vale to a club-record 88 points (equalled in 1993–94), which saw them win promotion in third place. This was some achievement considering McGrath had sold both the Chamberlain brothers and goalkeeper Mark Harrison to rivals Stoke City at the start of the season. Receiving £240,000 for these three players, he spent only £15,000 to bring top-scorer Bob Newton to Vale Park, and signed Player of the Year Wayne Cegielski for free.

Port Vale

1982–83 season
Chairman	Don Ratcliffe (until October) Jim Lloyd (from October)
Manager	John McGrath
Stadium	Vale Park
Football League Fourth Division	3rd (88 Points)
FA Cup	First Round (knocked out by Bradford City)
League Cup	First Round (knocked out by Rochdale)
Player of the Year	Wayne Cegielski
Top goalscorer	League: Bob Newton (20) All: Bob Newton (20)
Highest home attendance	8,241 vs. Crewe Alexandra, 5 March 1983
Lowest home attendance	2,565 vs. Rochdale, 30 August 1982
Average home league attendance	4,806
Biggest win	4–0 vs. Rochdale, 30 August 1982
Biggest defeat	0–2 (twice)
Home colours Away colours
← 1981–82 1983–84 →

Overview

Fourth Division

The pre-season saw John McGrath try, and fail, to re-sign the League of Ireland's Player of the Year, Felix Healy.^[1] He instead signed four players on free transfers: John Ridley (a former Valiant), Wayne Cegielski (Wrexham), Les Lawrence (Torquay United), and Steve Waddington (Walsall).^[1] The club also signed a shirt sponsorship deal with PMT.^[1] In August, rivals Stoke City paid Vale £180,000 for Mark Chamberlain and Mark Harrison.^[1] Chamberlain would go on to play for England.^[1] McGrath acted quickly to sign replacement keeper Barry Siddall from Sunderland, and take winger Kevin Sheldon on loan from Wigan Athletic.^[1]

The season started with five players making their débuts in a 1–0 defeat to Swindon Town at The County Ground.^[1] Waddington damaged his cartilages in this game.^[1] McGrath attempted to sign Norwich City's Mick Channon, but failed.^[1] Instead he took Bob Newton from Hartlepool United for £15,000.^[1] Stoke then took Neville Chamberlain to the Victoria Ground for £40,000.^[1] Vale's form did not suffer, and they instead won five straight games in October, taking them into third place.^[1] Also Chairman Don Ratcliffe was replaced by Jim Lloyd.^[1] Winger Steve Fox also arrived from Welsh club Wrexham on a free transfer.^[1] During the club's 2–1 win over Crewe Alexandra on 22 October at Gresty Road a petrol bomb was thrown at the 3,000 strong Vale crowd, though it was extinguished by police without doing 'any real damage'.^[1] On 6 November, Vale were losing 3–0 to Rochdale at Spotland and The Sentinel headlined their report with "Heavy defeat for Port Vale".^[1] This proved to be an inaccurate headline, as substitute Jimmy Greenhoff inspired a Vale fightback, and the match finished 3–3.^[1] In December, Colin Tartt was transfer listed following 'a bust-up with McGrath'.^[1] Following only one win in a run of five games, Tranmere Rovers' players told the Vale players "see you next season" after picking up a 1–0 win at Vale Park.^[1]

A win over Wimbledon started a run of ten wins in twelve games, despite having to sign Everton's Neville Southall on loan following a knee injury to Siddall.^[1] Their run put them nine points clear at the top of the table.^[1] On 3 January, Greenhoff scored a volley from 30 yards (27 m)s out in a 2–1 win over York City.^[2] At the end of February, Southall was recalled, and Stoke refused to loan back Harrison as cover.^[1] Wolverhampton Wanderers' Andy Poole proved to be an inadequate replacement.^[1] Vale then lost Greenhoff to Rochdale, who offered him the vacant management post.^[1] Lol Hamlett's last match as trainer (he retired due to illness) was a 2–0 defeat to Blackpool at Bloomfield Road, as Vale were in danger of failing to win promotion.^[1] McGrath decided to sign striker Jim Steel from Oldham Athletic for £10,000, and loaned Mark Lawrence from Hartlepool United.^[1] Siddall returned and so did Vale's form, as they recorded five victories in seven games.^[1] Ernie Moss left for Lincoln City for a £1,500 fee, McGrath saying 'age caught up with him'.^[1] On 4 April, Vale only managed a draw at Bristol City, with McGrath commenting that striker Newton was "going through one of those spells when he could not hit the back of a bus". Four days later, Newton opened the scoring in a 2–0 win at Tranmere Rovers.^[3] Wimbledon ran away with the championship, though Vale managed to secure promotion with a 2–0 win over Stockport County at Edgeley Park on 6 May.^[1] The crowd of 5,516 was Stockport's biggest gate of the season.^[4] The jubilant players seemed distracted in the final two games, and their two defeats allowed Hull City to take the runners-up spot.^[1]

They finished in third place with 88 points, seven points clear of fifth-placed Bury.^[1] Conceding just 34 goals, theirs was the best defensive record in the top four divisions, along with Hull.^[1] Bob Newton was top-scorer with twenty goals, whilst four players were chosen for the PFA Fourth Division team – Phil Sproson, Russell Bromage, Geoff Hunter, and Steve Fox.^[1]

Finances

On the financial side, a record £100,888 profit was announced, their first profitable season since 1975–76.^[1] The lottery brought in £142,324, the open market rents took in £51,462, whilst Vale's average home attendance was the second-highest in the division.^[1] Total liabilities stood at £236,850 and the bank overdraft was £128,123.^[1] Two players departing at the end of the season were Les Lawrence (Aldershot) and Steve Waddington (Chesterfield), who had not established themselves in the first-team.^[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, they were knocked out by Third Division side Bradford City 1–0 in the First Round.

In the League Cup, Vale lost out 2–1 on aggregate to Rochdale, following a 2–0 defeat at Spotland.

League table

Main article: 1982–83 Football League

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion
1	Wimbledon	46	29	11	6	96	45	+51	98	Division Champions, promoted
2	Hull City	46	25	15	6	75	34	+41	90	Promoted
3	Port Vale	46	26	10	10	67	34	+33	88
4	Scunthorpe United	46	23	14	9	71	42	+29	83
5	Bury	46	23	12	11	74	46	+28	81

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	H	A	H	A	A	H	H	A	H	A	H	A	A	H	A	H	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	A	H	A	A	H	A	H	A	A	H	H
Result	L	D	D	W	W	D	W	L	W	W	W	W	W	L	D	W	D	L	W	W	W	D	W	W	W	L	W	W	W	W	D	D	L	W	L	W	D	W	W	W	L	W	D	W	L	L
Position	20	20	17	12	5	13	7	9	7	4	3	2	3	5	5	3	5	6	5	5	4	3	3	2	2	3	2	2	2	1	2	2	3	3	3	3	4	2	2	2	3	3	3	2	2	3

Source: Statto^[5]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Attendance	Scorers
28 August 1982	Swindon Town	A	0–1	3,785
4 September 1982	Bury	H	0–0	2,888
6 September 1982	Colchester United	H	0–0	2,887
11 September 1982	Mansfield Town	A	2–0	2,316	Ridley, Bromage
18 September 1982	Chester	H	2–1	3,303	Sproson (2)
25 September 1982	Darlington	A	0–0	2,255
28 September 1982	Aldershot	A	4–1	1,781	Moss, Tartt, Earle, Newton
2 October 1982	Stockport County	H	2–3	3,474	Newton, Armstrong
9 October 1982	Hereford United	H	2–0	2,875	Cegielski, Bright
15 October 1982	Halifax Town	A	2–0	2,009	Moss, Cegielski
18 October 1982	Hartlepool United	H	3–0	3,664	Moss, Armstrong, Hunter
22 October 1982	Crewe Alexandra	A	2–1	4,713	Cegielski, Newton (pen)
30 October 1982	Blackpool	H	1–0	5,449	Newton (pen)
2 November 1982	Scunthorpe United	A	0–1	3,766
6 November 1982	Rochdale	A	3–3	2,220	Hunter, Moss, Greenhoff
13 November 1982	Hull City	H	1–0	5,298	Sproson
27 November 1982	Peterborough United	A	0–0	3,043
4 December 1982	Tranmere Rovers	H	0–1	3,452
18 December 1982	Wimbledon	H	1–0	2,761	Newton
27 December 1982	Bristol City	A	3–1	6,852	Armstrong, Moss, Newton
28 December 1982	Torquay United	H	1–0	4,760	Moss
1 January 1983	Northampton Town	A	2–2	3,618	Moss, Newton (pen)
3 January 1983	York City	H	2–1	6,056	Greenhoff, Moss
8 January 1983	Bury	A	1–0	4,748	Hunter
15 January 1983	Swindon Town	H	3–0	6,397	Newton (2), Moss
22 January 1983	Chester	A	0–1	4,269
29 January 1983	Mansfield Town	H	4–1	4,102	Armstrong (2), Fox, Newton
5 February 1983	Darlington	H	2–1	4,110	Armstrong, Moss
19 February 1983	Hereford United	A	2–0	3,075	Newton, Ridley
26 February 1983	Halifax Town	H	2–1	5,163	Sproson, Hunter
2 March 1983	Hartlepool United	A	2–2	1,398	Ridley, Newton
5 March 1983	Crewe Alexandra	H	1–1	8,241	Tartt
12 March 1983	Blackpool	A	0–2	4,519
19 March 1983	Rochdale	H	4–0	5,129	Newton (3), Bromage
26 March 1983	Hull City	A	0–1	14,410
2 April 1983	Torquay United	A	1–0	2,408	Steel
4 April 1983	Bristol City	H	1–1	6,573	Armstrong
8 April 1983	Tranmere Rovers	A	2–0	3,252	Newton, Fox
12 April 1983	Colchester United	A	2–1	3,275	Newton, Fox
16 April 1983	Aldershot	H	2–1	5,624	Cegielski, Newton (pen)
23 April 1983	Wimbledon	A	0–1	4,061
29 April 1983	Peterborough United	H	2–1	5,375	Cegielski, Newton
2 May 1983	York City	A	0–0	4,814
6 May 1983	Stockport County	A	2–0	5,516	Steel (2)
9 May 1983	Scunthorpe United	H	0–1	6,212
14 May 1983	Northampton Town	H	1–2	6,761	Newton (pen)

FA Cup

Main article: 1982–83 FA Cup

Round	Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Attendance	Goalscorers
R1	20 November 1982	Bradford City	H	0–1	6,151

League Cup

Main article: 1982–83 Football League Cup

Round	Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Attendance	Goalscorers
R1 1st Leg	30 August 1982	Rochdale	H	1–0	2,565	Moss
R1 2nd Leg	14 September 1982	Rochdale	A	0–2	1,546

Player statistics

Appearances

Pos.	Name	Football League		FA Cup		League Cup		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
GK	Barry Siddall	33	0	1	0	2	0	36	0
GK	Neville Southall	9	0	0	0	0	0	9	0
GK	Neil McAdam	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
GK	Andy Poole	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
DF	Phil Sproson	42	4	1	0	2	0	45	4
DF	Wayne Cegielski	45	5	1	0	2	0	48	5
DF	Stuart Eccleston	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
DF	Russell Bromage	46	2	1	0	2	0	49	2
MF	Terry Armstrong	42	7	1	0	2	0	45	7
MF	Colin Tartt	45	2	1	0	2	0	48	2
MF	Geoff Hunter	46	4	1	0	2	0	49	4
MF	Steve Waddington	1	0	0	0	1	0	2	0
MF	John Ridley	41	3	1	0	2	0	44	3
MF	Kevin Sheldon	5	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
MF	Mark Lawrence	11	0	0	0	0	0	11	0
MF	Robbie Earle	8	1	0	0	1	0	9	1
MF	Steve Fox	34	3	1	0	0	0	35	3
FW	Neville Chamberlain	5	0	0	0	1	0	6	0
FW	Andy Shankland	4	0	0	0	1	0	5	0
FW	Ernie Moss	30	10	1	0	2	1	33	11
FW	Jimmy Greenhoff	15	2	1	0	1	0	17	2
FW	Mark Bright	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	1
FW	Jim Steel	13	3	0	0	0	0	13	3
FW	Les Lawrence	8	0	0	0	1	0	9	0
FW	Bob Newton	41	20	1	0	0	0	42	20
FW	John Askey	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Top scorers

Place	Position	Nation	Name	Fourth Division	FA Cup	League Cup	Total
1	FW	England	Bob Newton	20	0	0	20
2	FW	England	Ernie Moss	10	0	1	11
3	MF	England	Terry Armstrong	7	0	0	7
4	DF	Wales	Wayne Cegielski	5	0	0	5
5	DF	England	Phil Sproson	4	0	0	4
–	MF	England	Geoff Hunter	4	0	0	4
7	MF	England	John Ridley	3	0	0	3
–	MF	England	Steve Fox	3	0	0	3
–	FW	Scotland	Jim Steel	3	0	0	3
10	DF	England	Russell Bromage	2	0	0	2
–	MF	England	Colin Tartt	2	0	0	2
–	FW	England	Jimmy Greenhoff	2	0	0	2
13	MF	Jamaica	Robbie Earle	1	0	0	1
–	FW	England	Mark Bright	1	0	0	1
			TOTALS	67	0	1	68

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Fee	Ref.
1982	MF		Robbie Earle	Stoke City	Free transfer	^[6]
July 1982	DF		Wayne Cegielski	Wrexham	Free transfer	^[6]
July 1982	FW		Les Lawrence	Torquay United	Free transfer	^[6]
July 1982	MF		John Ridley	Chesterfield	Free transfer	^[6]
July 1982	MF		Steve Waddington	Walsall	Free transfer	^[6]
August 1982	GK		Neil McAdam	Northwich Victoria	Free transfer	^[6]
August 1982	GK		Barry Siddall	Sunderland	Free transfer	^[6]
September 1982	FW		Bob Newton	Hartlepool United	Free transfer	^[6]
March 1983	GK		Andy Poole	Wolverhampton Wanderers	Free transfer	^[6]

Transfers out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Fee	Ref.
September 1982	FW		Neville Chamberlain	Stoke City	£40,000	^[6]
October 1982	MF		Steve Fox	Wrexham	Free transfer	^[6]
March 1983	FW		Jimmy Greenhoff	Rochdale	Free transfer	^[6]
March 1983	FW		Ernie Moss	Lincoln City	£1,500	^[6]
March 1983	GK		Andy Poole	Gillingham	Free transfer	^[6]
March 1983	FW		Jim Steel	Oldham Athletic	£10,000	^[6]
May 1983	GK		Neil McAdam	Oswestry Town	Free transfer	^[6]
July 1983	FW		Les Lawrence	Aldershot	Free transfer	^[6]
July 1983	MF		Steve Waddington	Chesterfield	Free transfer	^[6]

Loans in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Date to	Ref.
August 1982	MF		Kevin Sheldon	Wigan Athletic	September 1982	^[6]
January 1983	GK		Neville Southall	Everton	February 1983	^[6]
March 1983	MF		Mark Lawrence	Hartlepool United	May 1983	^[6]

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. Baggaley, Mike (8 January 2024). "Vale planning for stars of the future". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
3. Baggaley, Mike (8 April 2024). "Preparing for a tense end to the season at Vale". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
4. Baggaley, Mike (5 May 2024). "Taking heart for the season ahead". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
5. Port Vale 1982–1983 : Results & Fixtures 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
6. 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.