1967–68 Port Vale F.C. season explained

Club:Port Vale
Season:1967–68
Manager:Stanley Matthews
Chairman:Fred Pinfold
Stadium:Vale Park
League: Fourth Division
League Result:18th (39 Points)
Cup1:FA Cup
Cup1 Result:First Round
(knocked out by Chester)
Cup2:League Cup
Cup2 Result:Second Round
League Topscorer:Roy Chapman (24)
Season Topscorer:Roy Chapman (25)
Highest Attendance:8,228 vs. Bradford City, 23 October 1967
Lowest Attendance:3,151 vs. Rochdale, 23 March 1968
Average Attendance:4,886
Largest Loss:1–5 vs. York City, 30 March 1968
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Prevseason:1966–67
Nextseason:1968–69

The 1967–68 season was Port Vale's 56th season of football in the English Football League and their third-successive season (fourth overall) in the Fourth Division.[1] A poor season saw them battle to mid-table to avoid the re-election zone. Yet it would be off-the-field developments that would worry Vale supporters the most. An FA/Football League Joint-Inquiry investigated the club as club officials were forced to admit several breaches of the rules regarding payment of players. The result was expulsion from the League, however, before the start of the following season a vote of 39 to 9 allowed the club to be immediately readmitted to the competition. The whole saga was rather ironic, as the club re-entered the League in 1919 after Leeds City were expelled over illegal payments to their players. On the playing front, it was the final season of both Harry Poole and Terry Miles' careers.

Overview

Fourth Division

The pre-season saw the departure of Terry Alcock to Blackpool, after the club 'reluctantly' accepted a £25,000 offer. In came £35-a-week striker Roy Chapman from Lincoln City and forward Mick Morris from Oxford United. In August there was a pre-season tour of Czechoslovakia to help with fitness, as the players also toured the spa at Luhačovice, the wine cellars at Čelákovice, as well as a giant footwear factory. They played friendly games with Gottwaldov and Jisara Skutec.[2]

The season opened with seven games without a win, with just three goals scored. Stanley Matthews then returned to Czechoslovakia on business, much to the dismay of supporters. In came skilful midfielder John Green, who made a 'superb' debut in a 2–0 defeat at high-flying Aldershot. By now Vale were bottom of the league, but a remarkable turnaround then saw Vale hit four goals in each of their next four home games with the useful partnership of Cullerton and Chapman, and the skill of Green. Harry Poole picked up an injury and 'the spell was broken' with a 2–1 defeat in Burslem to league leaders Bradford City. In November Vale again suffered, and more problems came as the Football League began an examination into the club's books over alleged breaches of rules in regard to payment of players. Back on the pitch, Roy Sproson made his 700th appearance in a 1–1 draw with Newport County at Somerton Park. The next month held more financial problems, as lifelong Vale supporter and self-styled 'holiday camp king' Graham Bourne was denied a seat on the board despite buying up 13,000 shares – Chairman Pinfold stated 'we must proceed cautiously' and Bourne quickly sold his shares. On the field, the "Valiants" improved with a seven-match unbeaten run to take them into mid-table, their run was helped by the arrival of Bill Asprey from Oldham Athletic for £2,000.

In January the League's investigation resulted in a Football Association commission to investigate six charges: numerous amateurs had received a weekly wage; associate schoolboys played for the club despite this being against the rules; extra bonuses were offered for reaching the Second Round of the League Cup; John Ritchie had received illegal payments; Clint Boulton and Gordon Logan had received illegal bonuses; and that young players had been given gifts in breach of league rules. With this hanging over the club's head form suffered, and Jimmy Hill left the club to become player-manager of Derry City. Stan Steele returned from South Africa and joined on a month-long trial, however, he only managed to score an 'incredible' own goal by lobbing Stuart Sharratt in a 3–0 loss to Aldershot. On 20 February the FA-Football League joint-inquiry 'severely censured' Port Vale officials at Lancaster Gate after the officials admitted the charges held against them. The club received a £2,000 fine and a recommendation that they be expelled from the league, a month later on 6 March another £2,000 fine was issued and the club were informed that they would be expelled from the Football League at the end of the season. The club's officials were 'shocked and appalled' at the 'savage penalties', and Stoke City chairman Albert Henshall also called the punishment 'severe'. The club changed the leadership structure and defiantly stated their aim to win promotion from the Fourth Division, and also their decision to appoint a new player-manager to lead them to such an aim. On the pitch, Vale hovered uncomfortably above the re-election zone, and only finished above the re-election zone with a 1–0 win over Lincoln City at Sincil Bank on the final day.

They finished in eighteenth position with 39 points, three points clear of the re-election zones. They finished ahead of Rochdale and Exeter City by one point; ahead of York City by three points; ahead of Chester by seven points; ahead of Workington by eight points; and a massive sixteen points clear of Bradford Park Avenue. Recording just two away wins all season, their home form was also poor. Roy Chapman had excelled; however, his 25 goals in all competitions were the highest since 1960–61.

Finances

On the financial side, a loss of £6,279 had been made. Poor attendances reduced gate receipts by almost £5,000, though expenditure was cut by over £6,000. The club's total debt stood at £168,151. Seven players were given free transfers, including youngsters Alex Donald and Malcolm MacKenzie; as well as club veterans Terry Miles and Harry Poole – who had almost thirty years and some 716 league appearances for the Vale between them. Developments at the club included the opening of Vale Shop at the Hamil End and the appointment of 'young... modern track-suited' Gordon Lee as manager. The club were in dire straits however, and Lee had to persuade Sproson to continue playing. On 2 May, "Port Vale Select XI "played a "Midlands All Stars" team for a "Valiant Vale" fund game to raise money for the club; Tom Finney and Nat Lofthouse were amongst the stars of the Vale team, alongside management duo Stanley Matthews and Jackie Mudie.[3]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Chester knocked the Vale out in the First Round with a 2–1 victory in the snow at Vale Park.

In the League Cup, the "Valiants" reached the Second Round after a Mick Cullerton hat-trick in a 3–0 win over Chester at home. Defeat then came at Fratton Park to Second Division Portsmouth after Clint Boulton 'gave away two needless penalties'. It was the first time the club progressed further in the League Cup than in the FA Cup – an occurrence that would not be repeated until 1983–84.

League table

See main article: 1967–68 Football League.

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Fourth Division

Matches

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
19 August 1967 Southend UnitedH1–27,451Cullerton
26 August 1967 ChesterA1–17,932Cullerton (pen)
2 September 1967 ChesterfieldH0–16,214
6 September 1967 Notts CountyA0–04,338
9 September 1967 Exeter CityA1–33,722Hill
16 September 1967 DarlingtonH0–14,599
23 September 1967 AldershotA0–26,138
25 September 1967 Notts CountyH4–14,021Chapman (2), Goodfellow, Poole
30 September 1967 WorkingtonH4–24,752Poole (2), Chapman, MacKenzie
4 October 1967 Bradford CityA1–25,257Chapman
7 October 1967 Doncaster RoversH4–25,436Chapman (2), James, Mahon
14 October 1967 Bradford Park AvenueA2–23,648Chapman, Cullerton (pen)
21 October 1967 BrentfordH4–15,944Morris, Cullerton, Chapman, o.g.
23 October 1967 Bradford CityH1–28,228Mahon
28 October 1967 RochdaleA1–32,566Chapman
4 November 1967 York CityH1–04,786Chapman
13 November 1967 ChesterfieldA0–313,183
18 November 1967 Hartlepools UnitedH2–33,875Chapman (2)
21 November 1967 Newport CountyA1–12,434Cullerton
25 November 1967 Swansea TownA2–44,827Morris, Chapman
2 December 1967 BarnsleyH2–03,724Morris, Chapman
15 December 1967 Southend UnitedA1–18,543Mahon
23 December 1967 ChesterH4–43,740Mahon, Chapman, Sproson, Morris
26 December 1967 Halifax TownH2–16,946Chapman, Sproson
30 December 1967 Halifax TownA1–03,956Chapman
20 January 1968 DarlingtonA2–23,596Chapman, Morris
26 January 1968 Luton TownH0–05,970
3 February 1968 AldershotH0–34,241
10 February 1968 WorkingtonA1–12,880Chapman
16 February 1968 Lincoln CityH1–14,187James
24 February 1968 Hartlepools UnitedA2–24,388Mahon (2)
2 March 1968 Bradford Park AvenueH4–03,938Chapman (2), Morris, o.g.
9 March 1968 Luton TownA0–212,749
16 March 1968 BrentfordA1–35,111Chapman
23 March 1968 RochdaleH1–13,151Chapman
25 March 1968 Exeter CityH1–03,395McLaren
30 March 1968 York CityA1–55,153Mahon
6 April 1968 Newport CountyH0–13,607
12 April 1968 Crewe AlexandraA1–18,775Mahon
13 April 1968 Doncaster RoversA0–010,782
15 April 1968 Crewe AlexandraH0–27,048
20 April 1968 Swansea TownH4–23,555Cullerton (3), Chapman
22 April 1968 WrexhamA0–14,192
26 April 1968 BarnsleyA0–215,913
4 May 1968 WrexhamH1–13,575Mahon
11 May 1968 Lincoln CityA1–06,649Cullerton

FA Cup

See main article: 1967–68 FA Cup.

!Round!!Date!!Opponent!!Venue!!Result!!Attendance!!Goalscorers
R19 December 1967 ChesterH1–24,171Goodfellow

League Cup

See main article: 1967–68 Football League Cup.

!Round!!Date!!Opponent!!Venue!!Result!!Attendance!!Goalscorers
R122 August 1967 ChesterH3–05,006Cullerton (3 [1 pen])
R213 September 1967 PortsmouthA1–316,960Chapman

Player statistics

Appearances

Pos.NameFootball LeagueFA CupLeague CupTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
GK Stuart Sharratt4601020490
DF Roy Sproson3221010342
DF Clint Boulton3901020420
DF Ron Wilson4201020450
DF Gordon Logan1500020170
DF Bill Asprey2200000220
MF Terry Miles2100010220
MF Mick Mahon3291010349
MF Jimmy Hill71002091
MF Alex Donald900010100
MF Stuart Chapman20000020
MF Malcolm Gibbon40000040
MF Jimmy Goodfellow2811120312
MF Tommy McLaren1310000131
MF David McClelland40000040
MF Malcolm MacKenzie61000061
MF John Green1100000110
FW Harry Poole3231020353
FW John James4121010432
FW Mick Cullerton41910234312
FW Paul Bannister30000030
FW Roy Chapman462410214925
FW Mick Morris3061000316
FW Stan Steele20000020

Top scorers

width=60Placewidth=60Positionwidth=180Nationwidth=150Namewidth=80Fourth Divisionwidth=80FA Cupwidth=80League Cupwidth=80Total
1FWRoy Chapman240125
2FWMick Cullerton90312
3MFMick Mahon9009
4FWMick Morris6006
5FWHarry Poole3003
6FWJohn James2002
DFRoy Sproson2002
FWJimmy Goodfellow1102
9FWJimmy Hill1001
MFTommy McLaren1001
MFMalcolm MacKenzie1001
Own goals2002
TOTALS611466

Transfers

Transfers in

Date fromPositionNationalityNameFromFeeRef.
June 1967 FW Free transfer [4]
July 1967 FW Free transfer
August 1967 MF Free transfer
September 1967 MF Free transfer
November 1967 MF Free transfer
December 1967 DF £2,000
January 1968 FW Port Elizabeth City Trial

Transfers out

Date fromPositionNationalityNameToFeeRef.
April 1968 MF Free transfer
May 1968 MF Free transfer
May 1968 FW Free transfer
May 1968 MF Released
May 1968 GK Free transfer
May 1968 MF Sandbach Ramblers Free transfer
July 1968 FW Released
Summer 1968 MF Released
Summer 1968 MF Sandbach Ramblers Free transfer
Summer 1968 FW Port Elizabeth City Released

References

Specific
General

Notes and References

  1. Book: Kent, Jeff. The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. 1990. 196–226. Flattering Only to Deceive (1960–1969). 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. News: Port Vale and Czechoslovakia - a special relationship . 4 June 2020 . onevalefan.co.uk.
  3. News: Port Vale XI v Midlands All-Stars, 1968 . 4 June 2020 . onevalefan.co.uk . 26 June 2015.
  4. Book: Kent, Jeff. Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. 1996. 0-9529152-0-0.