| Club: | Port Vale |
| Season: | 1982–83 |
| Manager: | John McGrath |
| Chairman: | Don Ratcliffe (until October) Jim Lloyd (from October) |
| Stadium: | Vale Park |
| League: | Football League Fourth Division |
| League Result: | 3rd (88 Points) |
| Cup1: | FA Cup |
| Cup1 Result: | First Round |
| Cup2: | League Cup |
| Cup2 Result: | First Round (knocked out by Rochdale) |
| Cup3 Result: | Wayne Cegielski |
| League Topscorer: | Bob Newton (20) |
| Season Topscorer: | Bob Newton (20) |
| Lowest Attendance: | 2,565 vs. Rochdale, 30 August 1982 |
| Average Attendance: | 4,806 |
| Largest Win: | 4–0 vs. Rochdale, 30 August 1982 |
| Largest Loss: | 0–2 (twice) |
| Pattern La1: | _blackline |
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| Pattern Sh1: | _white stripes |
| Pattern So1: | _color_3_stripes_black |
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| Shorts1: | 000000 |
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| Prevseason: | 1981–82 |
| Nextseason: | 1983–84 |
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.
The pre-season saw John McGrath try, and fail, to re-sign the League of Ireland's Player of the Year, Felix Healy. He instead signed four players on free transfers: John Ridley (a former Valiant), Wayne Cegielski (Wrexham), Les Lawrence (Torquay United), and Steve Waddington (Walsall). The club also signed a shirt sponsorship deal with PMT. In August, rivals Stoke City paid Vale £180,000 for Mark Chamberlain and Mark Harrison. Chamberlain would go on to play for England. McGrath acted quickly to sign replacement keeper Barry Siddall from Sunderland, and take winger Kevin Sheldon on loan from Wigan Athletic.
The season started with five players making their débuts in a 1–0 defeat to Swindon Town at The County Ground. Waddington damaged his cartilages in this game. McGrath attempted to sign Norwich City's Mick Channon, but failed. Instead he took Bob Newton from Hartlepool United for £15,000. Stoke then took Neville Chamberlain to the Victoria Ground for £40,000. Vale's form did not suffer, and they instead won five straight games in October, taking them into third place. Also Chairman Don Ratcliffe was replaced by Jim Lloyd. Winger Steve Fox also arrived from Welsh club Wrexham on a free transfer. 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'. On 6 November, Vale were losing 3–0 to Rochdale at Spotland and The Sentinel headlined their report with "Heavy defeat for Port Vale". This proved to be an inaccurate headline, as substitute Jimmy Greenhoff inspired a Vale fightback, and the match finished 3–3. In December, Colin Tartt was transfer listed following 'a bust-up with McGrath'. 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.
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. Their run put them nine points clear at the top of the table. On 3 January, Greenhoff scored a volley from 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. Wolverhampton Wanderers' Andy Poole proved to be an inadequate replacement. Vale then lost Greenhoff to Rochdale, who offered him the vacant management post. 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. McGrath decided to sign striker Jim Steel from Oldham Athletic for £10,000, and loaned Mark Lawrence from Hartlepool United. Siddall returned and so did Vale's form, as they recorded five victories in seven games. Ernie Moss left for Lincoln City for a £1,500 fee, McGrath saying 'age caught up with him'. 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. 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.
They finished in third place with 88 points, seven points clear of fifth-placed Bury. Conceding just 34 goals, theirs was the best defensive record in the top four divisions, along with Hull. 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.
On the financial side, a record £100,888 profit was announced, their first profitable season since 1975–76. 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. Total liabilities stood at £236,850 and the bank overdraft was £128,123. 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.
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.
See main article: 1982–83 Football League.
Port Vale's score comes first
| 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) |
See main article: 1982–83 FA Cup.
| R1 | 20 November 1982 | Bradford City | H | 0–1 | 6,151 |
See main article: 1982–83 Football League Cup.
| 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 |
| 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 |
| width=60 | Place | width=60 | Position | width=180 | Nation | width=150 | Name | width=80 | Fourth Division | width=80 | FA Cup | width=80 | League Cup | width=80 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FW | Bob Newton | 20 | 0 | 0 | 20 | |||||||||
| 2 | FW | Ernie Moss | 10 | 0 | 1 | 11 | |||||||||
| 3 | MF | Terry Armstrong | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | |||||||||
| 4 | DF | Wayne Cegielski | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | |||||||||
| 5 | DF | Phil Sproson | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |||||||||
| – | MF | Geoff Hunter | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |||||||||
| 7 | MF | John Ridley | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |||||||||
| – | MF | Steve Fox | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |||||||||
| – | FW | Jim Steel | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |||||||||
| 10 | DF | Russell Bromage | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |||||||||
| – | MF | Colin Tartt | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |||||||||
| – | FW | Jimmy Greenhoff | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |||||||||
| 13 | MF | Robbie Earle | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||
| – | FW | Mark Bright | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||||||||
| TOTALS | 67 | 0 | 1 | 68 | |||||||||||
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Fee | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | MF | | Free transfer | [5] | |||
| July 1982 | DF | Free transfer | |||||
| July 1982 | FW | Free transfer | |||||
| July 1982 | MF | Free transfer | |||||
| July 1982 | MF | Free transfer | |||||
| August 1982 | GK | Free transfer | |||||
| August 1982 | GK | Free transfer | |||||
| September 1982 | FW | Free transfer | |||||
| March 1983 | GK | Free transfer |
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Fee | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 1982 | FW | £40,000 | |||||
| October 1982 | MF | Free transfer | |||||
| March 1983 | FW | Free transfer | |||||
| March 1983 | FW | £1,500 | |||||
| March 1983 | GK | Free transfer | |||||
| March 1983 | FW | £10,000 | |||||
| May 1983 | GK | Free transfer | |||||
| July 1983 | FW | Free transfer | |||||
| July 1983 | MF | Free transfer |
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Date to | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 1982 | MF | September 1982 | |||||
| January 1983 | GK | February 1983 | |||||
| March 1983 | MF | May 1983 |