| Club: | Port Vale |
| Season: | 1970–71 |
| Manager: | Gordon Lee |
| Chairman: | Mark Singer (until February) Graham Bourne (from February) |
| Stadium: | Vale Park |
| League: | Football League Third Division |
| League Result: | 17th (42 Points) |
| Cup1: | FA Cup |
| Cup1 Result: | First Round (knocked out by Notts County) |
| Cup2: | League Cup |
| Cup2 Result: | First Round (knocked out by Walsall) |
| Cup3 Result: | Tommy McLaren |
| League Topscorer: | John James (15) |
| Season Topscorer: | John James (15) |
| Highest Attendance: | 11,224 vs. Aston Villa, 19 October 1970 |
| Lowest Attendance: | 3,450 vs. Reading, 13 March 1971 |
| Average Attendance: | 5,437 |
| Leftarm1: | ffffff |
| Body1: | ffffff |
| Rightarm1: | ffffff |
| Shorts1: | ffffff |
| Socks1: | ffffff |
| Prevseason: | 1969–70 |
| Nextseason: | 1971–72 |
The 1970–71 season was Port Vale's 59th season of football in the Football League, and their first (seventh overall) season back in the Third Division following their promotion from the Fourth Division.[1] Gordon Lee led his team to safety in the league, though Vale exited both cup competitions at the first stage.
The pre-season saw the arrival of centre-half Roy Cross (Walsall); inside-forward Brian Horton (Hednesford Town); and full-back Mick Hopkinson (Mansfield Town).
The season began with two wins, but a run of one win in ten games then followed. In September, four of the five directors resigned, one of them (Len Cliff) stated that "the club is being run by outsiders". A new board was formed by November. Meanwhile, on 13 September the club suffered a loss of 7–3 at Gay Meadow to Shrewsbury Town, despite a Bobby Gough hat-trick – the match also saw a sending off, an attempted pitch invasion, and a £35 fine for Gordon Lee for remarks he made to referee Ricky Nicholson. Tommy McLaren then returned from injury to lead Vale on a four match winning streak that included a 2–0 win over fallen-giants Aston Villa in front of a Burslem crowd of 11,224 fans; Lee described the win as his "finest hour".[2] Four straight defeats soon came after this sequence however, as Vale's form was patchy. In December, Ron Wilson left the club as he emigrated to South Africa due to his son's ill health. A 1–0 defeat at Villa Park on 16 January was the first of a nine-match streak without a victory. At the end of the month Lee signed John Brodie from Northern Premier League side Bradford Park Avenue for £250. During this spell forward, Sammy Morgan began to be jeered by fans after losing his scoring touch. He also began studying to be a teacher. Lee said that "I really feel some of our lads have been singled out by the boo boys. If only they realised that encouragement can lift players, things would be so much better". In February, Mark Singer resigned as chairman, and was replaced by Graham Bourne. By then the club were hovering above the relegation zone, but a record of just ten goals conceded in their final twelve games was enough to secure safety, with Brian Horton in good form.
They finished in the seventeenth spot, with 42 points, leaving them three clear of relegation. John James was the top-scorer with fifteen goals. As a reward for their endeavours, the players were taken on a working holiday to Benidorm, Spain.
On the financial side, a profit of £3,424 was made, the club's first profitable season since 1962–63. A £19,322 donation from the Sportsmen's Association and the Development Fund helped to reduce the club's total debt to £134,640. Three players were released: Mick Hopkinson (Boston United); John Green (Northwich Victoria); and John King (Wigan Athletic).
In the FA Cup, Vale were knocked out in the First Round by Fourth Division Notts County 1–0 in a 'physical' encounter at Meadow Lane.
In the League Cup, Vale were eliminated once again at the first stage, this time Walsall left Burslem with a 1–0 win.
See main article: article and 1970–71 Football League.
Port Vale's score comes first
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 August 1970 | Swansea City | A | 2–0 | 10,713 | Wilson, Morgan | ||
| 22 August 1970 | Rochdale | H | 4–1 | 6,196 | McLaren (2), James, Morris | ||
| 29 August 1970 | Plymouth Argyle | A | 1–2 | 7,753 | Morgan | ||
| 1 September 1970 | Bristol Rovers | A | 0–3 | 7,931 | |||
| 5 September 1970 | Preston North End | H | 1–0 | 6,954 | James (pen) | ||
| 12 September 1970 | Shrewsbury Town | A | 3–7 | 5,856 | Gough (3) | ||
| 19 September 1970 | Gillingham | H | 1–1 | 5,178 | James | ||
| 21 September 1970 | Chesterfield | H | 0–2 | 5,930 | |||
| 26 September 1970 | Walsall | A | 1–3 | 5,456 | James (pen) | ||
| 28 September 1970 | Mansfield Town | A | 0–2 | 8,121 | |||
| 3 October 1970 | Barnsley | H | 1–3 | 4,490 | Gough | ||
| 10 October 1970 | Brighton & Hove Albion | A | 0–0 | 9,383 | |||
| 17 October 1970 | Swansea City | H | 4–0 | 4,962 | Gough (2), James, Morris | ||
| 19 October 1970 | Aston Villa | H | 2–0 | 11,224 | James, Gough | ||
| 24 October 1970 | Rotherham United | H | 1–0 | 7,215 | McLaren | ||
| 31 October 1970 | Bury | A | 3–2 | 3,669 | Lacey, Horton, Boulton | ||
| 7 November 1970 | Tranmere Rovers | H | 2–2 | 5,495 | Morris, McLaren | ||
| 9 November 1970 | Fulham | H | 0–1 | 8,728 | |||
| 14 November 1970 | Reading | A | 1–2 | 5,036 | Morris | ||
| 28 November 1970 | Halifax Town | A | 0–2 | 3,404 | |||
| 5 December 1970 | Torquay United | H | 0–1 | 4,252 | |||
| 19 December 1970 | Rochdale | A | 3–0 | 3,619 | James, Summerscales, Morris | ||
| 26 December 1970 | Wrexham | H | 0–3 | 6,303 | |||
| 2 January 1971 | Doncaster Rovers | A | 2–1 | 2,997 | Cross, Gough | ||
| 9 January 1971 | Mansfield Town | H | 2–0 | 4,412 | Morris, James | ||
| 16 January 1971 | Aston Villa | A | 0–1 | 28,933 | |||
| 23 January 1971 | Bradford City | A | 1–1 | 4,436 | Morris | ||
| 30 January 1971 | Halifax Town | H | 0–1 | 4,059 | |||
| 5 February 1971 | Torquay United | A | 1–1 | 6,817 | Morris | ||
| 12 February 1971 | Bradford City | H | 0–0 | 4,361 | |||
| 20 February 1971 | Fulham | A | 1–4 | 10,389 | Green | ||
| 27 February 1971 | Bury | H | 0–0 | 3,805 | |||
| 6 March 1971 | Rotherham United | A | 1–2 | 6,866 | James | ||
| 10 March 1971 | Chesterfield | A | 0–3 | 7,592 | |||
| 13 March 1971 | Reading | H | 3–1 | 3,450 | McLaren (2), Morgan | ||
| 15 March 1971 | Doncaster Rovers | H | 1–0 | 4,782 | James (pen) | ||
| 22 March 1971 | Tranmere Rovers | A | 1–1 | 3,734 | James | ||
| 27 March 1971 | Preston North End | A | 0–1 | 16,591 | |||
| 3 April 1971 | Plymouth Argyle | H | 2–1 | 3,518 | James, Morgan | ||
| 10 April 1971 | Wrexham | A | 1–1 | 8,186 | Boulton | ||
| 12 April 1971 | Shrewsbury Town | H | 0–1 | 5,655 | |||
| 13 April 1971 | Barnsley | A | 0–1 | 4,837 | |||
| 17 April 1971 | Brighton & Hove Albion | H | 2–1 | 3,789 | Morgan (2) | ||
| 24 April 1971 | Gillingham | A | 1–1 | 2,207 | James | ||
| 26 April 1971 | Bristol Rovers | H | 2–0 | 4,525 | James (2) | ||
| 1 May 1971 | Walsall | H | 1–1 | 5,758 | Lacey |
See main article: article and 1970–71 FA Cup.
| R1 | 21 November 1970 | Notts County | A | 0–1 | 15,965 |
See main article: article and 1970–71 Football League Cup.
| R1 | 18 August 1970 | Walsall | H | 0–1 | 6,605 |
| Pos. | Name | Football League | FA Cup | League Cup | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| GK | Keith Ball | 28 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 0 |
| GK | Stuart Sharratt | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| DF | Roy Sproson | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| DF | Clint Boulton | 45 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 2 |
| DF | Ron Wilson | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 1 |
| DF | Bill Summerscales | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
| DF | Roy Cross | 42 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 1 |
| DF | Mick Hopkinson | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| DF | John Brodie | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
| MF | Tommy McLaren | 36 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 38 | 6 |
| MF | John Green | 25 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 1 |
| MF | John King | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 0 |
| MF | Brian Horton | 39 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 1 |
| MF | Tony Lacey | 44 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 2 |
| FW | John James | 45 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 15 |
| FW | Mick Morris | 46 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 48 | 8 |
| FW | Bobby Gough | 36 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 8 |
| FW | Sammy Morgan | 38 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 6 |
| FW | Bob Mountford | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| width=60 | Place | width=60 | Position | width=180 | Nation | width=150 | Name | width=80 | Third Division | width=80 | FA Cup | width=80 | League Cup | width=80 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FW | John James | 15 | 0 | 0 | 15 | |||||||||
| 2 | FW | Mick Morris | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | |||||||||
| – | FW | Bobby Gough | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | |||||||||
| 4 | MF | Tommy McLaren | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | |||||||||
| – | FW | Sammy Morgan | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | |||||||||
| 6 | MF | Tony Lacey | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |||||||||
| – | DF | Clint Boulton | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |||||||||
| 8 | DF | Ron Wilson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||
| – | DF | Bill Summerscales | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||
| – | DF | Roy Cross | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||
| – | MF | John Green | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||
| – | MF | Brian Horton | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||
| TOTALS | 52 | 0 | 0 | 52 | |||||||||||
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Fee | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 1970 | DF | Free transfer | [3] | ||||
| July 1970 | DF | Free transfer | |||||
| July 1970 | MF | 'a pint of shandy' | |||||
| January 1971 | DF | £250 |
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Fee | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 1970 | DF | Released | |||||
| May 1971 | DF | Free transfer | |||||
| May 1971 | MF | Free transfer | |||||
| Summer 1971 | MF | Released |