2004–05 Port Vale F.C. season explained

Club:Port Vale
Season:2004–05
Manager:Martin Foyle
Owner:Valiant 2001
Chairman:Bill Bratt
Stadium:Vale Park
League:
League Result:18th (56 Points)
Cup1:FA Cup
Cup1 Result:Second Round
(knocked out by Blackpool)
Cup2:League Cup
Cup2 Result:First Round
Cup3:Football League Trophy
Cup3 Result:Second Round
(knocked out by Tranmere Rovers)
Cup4 Result:Billy Paynter
League Topscorer:Lee Matthews, Billy Paynter (10 each)
Season Topscorer:Billy Paynter (13)
Lowest Attendance:1,970 vs. Barnsley, 28 September 2004
Average Attendance:4,973
Largest Win:5–0 vs. Barnsley, 23 April 2005
Largest Loss:0–4 (twice)
Pattern La1:_shoulder_stripes_black_stripes
Pattern B1:_collarblack
Pattern Ra1:_shoulder_stripes_black_stripes
Pattern So1:_color_3_stripes_white
Leftarm1:ffffff
Body1:ffffff
Rightarm1:ffffff
Shorts1:000000
Socks1:000000
Prevseason:2003–04
Nextseason:2005–06

The 2004–05 season was Port Vale's 93rd season of football in the English Football League, and first in the newly created League One. Martin Foyle's first full season in charge, Vale survived a relegation dogfight to finish in eighteenth place, having struggled to compete with the departures of Stephen McPhee and Steve Brooker. His side exited both the FA Cup and the Football League Trophy in the second round and left the League Cup in the first round.

Overview

League One

The pre-season saw Martin Foyle add to his squad with a number of free signings: Lee Matthews (Bristol City);[1] Jeff Smith (Bolton Wanderers);[2] Dean Smith (Sheffield Wednesday); Daryl McMahon (West Ham United); and Robin Hulbert (Telford United).[3] The pre-season saw Vale finish 5th in the Isle of Man tournament at The Bowl. They also managed to battle to a draw at home to La Liga club Racing de Santander.

The season started positively with ten points from five games, though until the end of the season, Vale failed to find form and picked up an average of one point a game despite only playing in five draws all season. On 14 August, Vale beat Hull City 3–2, with Brooker scoring two goals including a stoppage-time winner.[4] At half-time at the opening game of the season at Vale Park, fans were surprised to hear an announcement over the public address system telling them not to sing songs deriding rivals Stoke City.[5] Mark Goodlad picked up an injury, allowing Jonny Brain the chance to impress between the sticks.[6] At the end of September, star midfielder Steve Brooker was sold to Bristol City for £225,000. The club failed to bring in Christian Roberts in return, though Marc Goodfellow was signed on a four-week loan deal the following month.[7] Teenage defender James O'Connor also joined on loan from Aston Villa.[8] In November, Andreas Lipa returned to his homeland to play for Austria Lustenau, after Foyle released the injury-plagued defender.[9] McMahon also left the club to join Leyton Orient.[10] Foyle brought a new signing to Vale Park though, with striker Nathan Lowndes joining on a free transfer from Plymouth Argyle.[11] In December, defender Tyrone Loran joined on a one-month loan from Tranmere Rovers,[12] though returned to Prenton Park when the loan deal was up, after Foyle failed to sign him permanently.[13] Christian Hanson was also signed from non-League Billingham Synthonia. Foyle also signed Nigerian defender George Abbey, who had been released by Macclesfield Town.[14]

In January, Dean Smith retired as a player and took up coaching at Leyton Orient. As a replacement, former Vale player Tommy Widdrington joined until the end of the season on non-contract terms.[15] In February, veteran midfielder Danny Sonner joined on a one-month loan from Peterborough United.[16] In March, club legend and former teammate of Foyle, Tony Naylor, joined on an emergency short-term contract, though never took to the field. Tony Dinning also was signed on loan from Bristol City.[17] In addition to this, Mark Innes joined on a free transfer from Chesterfield.[18] Sonner's loan deal was also extended until the end of the season,[19] at which point he was signed permanently,[20] as was Dinning.[21] Vale lost to fellow relegation strugglers Torquay United and Wrexham in the last five games of the season, though a 5–0 win over Barnsley ensured the club's safety from the drop.[22]

They finished in eighteenth place with 56 points, leaving them five points clear of relegated Torquay. Their 59 goals conceded was a highly respectable tally, however, they failed to score in almost half of their league games, and only recorded five draws all season. Vale lost more games and scored fewer goals than all clubs in the division other than Peterborough United and Stockport County, who were both cut adrift early in the season. Billy Paynter was the club's top-scorer with thirteen goals, with other contributions also coming from Lee Matthews and Chris Birchall.

At the end of the season teenage prodigy David Hibbert was snapped up by Preston North End, who paid Vale £35,000 after a tribunal.[23] Four players were also released: Simon Eldershaw (Northwich Victoria); Christian Hanson (Billingham Synthonia); Levi Reid (Stafford Rangers); and Ryan Brown (Leek Town).[24] Ian Armstrong also retired due to injury.

Finances

On the financial front, Chairman Bill Bratt announced there was a 50-50 chance that an elderly American would put funds into the club.[25] [26] However, the investment did not come through. Bratt also went public with his idea of Reginald Mitchell Stadium in honour of the inventor of the Spitfire, hopeful that 85-year-old American billionaire Sidney Frank would thus be encouraged to invest in the club.[27] [28] Foyle was desperate for more funds to attract better players,[29] and was forced to dismiss speculation that he would sell Billy Paynter to Crewe Alexandra.[30] On 13 December, shareholders voted by a margin of 119 to 3 to limit individual holdings in the club to a maximum of 24.9% "to ensure that no single shareholder can acquire undue influence or control over the company", in the words of Bill Bratt.[31] The club's shirt sponsorship came from mobile phone company Tricell. However, the firm could not afford to pay the club any money as they entered administration, worsening an already bleak financial picture for the "Valiants".

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale avoided embarrassment by coming from behind to defeat local side Kidderminster Harriers 3–1.[32] They then lost out to Blackpool in the second round with a 1–0 defeat at Bloomfield Road.[33]

In the League Cup, Vale travelled to Belle Vue, where they were knocked out by Doncaster Rovers after a 3–1 defeat.

In the Football League Trophy, the "Valiants" advanced past Barnsley in front of a Vale Park crowd of just 1,970. However, they then exited at the second round after a 2–1 defeat to Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park.[34]

League table

See main article: 2004–05 Football League.

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League One

Matches

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
7 August 2004 WalsallA2–38,225Paynter, Matthews
10 August 2004 Milton Keynes DonsH3–24,602Armstrong (2), Brooker
14 August 2004 Hull CityH3–26,736Brooker (2), Collins
21 August 2004 WrexhamA1–15,005Brooker
28 August 2004 Bristol CityH3–05,377James, Brooker, Armstrong
31 August 2004 ChesterfieldA0–15,150
4 September 2004 Bradford CityA2–07,043Paynter, J.Smith
11 September 2004 Huddersfield TownH0–36,298
18 September 2004 BrentfordA0–15,442
25 September 2004 BlackpoolH0–35,347
2 October 2004 Colchester UnitedA1–23,230Matthews
8 October 2004 Doncaster RoversH2–05,314Paynter, Collins
16 October 2004 BournemouthA0–46,119
19 October 2004 Swindon TownH1–03,872Birchall
23 October 2004 Stockport CountyH0–05,025
30 October 2004 Hartlepool UnitedA0–14,755
6 November 2004 BarnsleyA2–18,642Paynter, Williams (og)
20 November 2004 Torquay UnitedH1–24,763Cummins
27 November 2004 Peterborough UnitedA0–43,785
7 December 2004 Tranmere RoversH3–14,027Birchall (2), Paynter
11 December 2004 Luton TownA0–16,974
18 December 2004 Oldham AthleticH3–14,849Paynter, Birchall, Matthews (pen)
26 December 2004 Huddersfield TownA1–212,243Eldershaw
28 December 2004 Sheffield WednesdayH0–28,671
1 January 2005 Bradford CityH0–15,001
3 January 2005 BlackpoolA2–05,115Matthews (2 [1 pen])
8 January 2005 Doncaster RoversA0–25,209
15 January 2005 BrentfordH0–14,230
21 January 2005 Sheffield WednesdayA0–118,465
5 February 2005 BournemouthH2–14,186Paynter, Birchall
12 February 2005 Stockport CountyA2–14,587Lowndes, Paynter
19 February 2005 Hartlepool UnitedH0–14,366
23 February 2005 Swindon TownA0–14,724
26 February 2005 Luton TownH3–15,353Hibbert (2), Matthews
5 March 2005 Oldham AthleticA0–35,799
8 March 2005 Colchester UnitedH0–03,496
12 March 2005 Milton Keynes DonsA1–14,676Matthews
19 March 2005 WalsallH2–05,085Cummins, Matthews
26 March 2005 Hull CityA2–217,678Matthews, Delaney (og)
2 April 2005 Bristol CityA0–210,284
9 April 2005 ChesterfieldH1–04,489Matthews
16 April 2005 Torquay UnitedA0–13,592
23 April 2005 BarnsleyH5–04,324Dinning (2), Paynter (2), Birchall
26 April 2005 WrexhamH0–24,151
29 April 2005 Tranmere RoversA0–18,940
7 May 2005 Peterborough UnitedH1–04,815Dinning

FA Cup

See main article: 2004–05 FA Cup.

!Round!!Date!!Opponent!!Venue!!Result!!Attendance!!Goalscorers
R112 November 2004 Kidderminster HarriersH3–14,141Paynter (2), Reid
R24 December 2004 BlackpoolA0–14,669

League Cup

See main article: 2004–05 Football League Cup.

!Round!!Date!!Opponent!!Venue!!Result!!Attendance!!Goalscorers
R124 August 2004 Doncaster RoversA1–33,943D.Smith

Football League Trophy

See main article: 2004–05 Football League Trophy.

!Round!!Date!!Opponent!!Venue!!Result!!Attendance!!Goalscorers
R128 September 2004 BarnsleyH1–01,970Paynter (pen)
R22 November 2004 Tranmere RoversA1–23,735Birchall

Player statistics

Appearances

Pos.NameFootball LeagueFA CupLeague CupFootball League TrophyTotal
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
GK1 Mark Goodlad200000000200
DF2 George Pilkington430201020480
DF3 Craig James301001020331
MF4 Danny Sonner130000000130
DF5 Michael Walsh230200000250
DF6 Sam Collins332101020372
FW7 Lee Matthews31100010003210
MF8 Micky Cummins392200020432
FW9 Nathan Lowndes121200000141
FW10 Billy Paynter45102210215013
MF11 Jeff Smith341201020391
MF12 Tony Dinning7300000073
MF13 Levi Reid300211010341
DF14 Ryan Brown200201020250
MF15 Ian Armstrong83101010113
DF16 Steve Rowland240200000260
MF17 Chris Birchall346201021397
FW19 Simon Eldershaw131000000131
MF20 Robin Hulbert240200010270
FW21 David Hibbert92000010102
DF22 George Abbey180000000180
GK23 Joe Anyon0000000000
GK24 Jonny Brain270201020320
DF25 Christian Hanson5000000050
MF26 Daniel Holmes0000000000
DF27 Mark Innes5000000050
MF30 Andy Porter2000000020
Players that left the club mid-season:
DF4 Andreas Lipa2000000020
DF4 Tyrone Loran6010000070
FW9 Steve Brooker95001010115
DF12 Dean Smith130001110151
DF18 Simon Robinson0000000000
DF22 James O'Connor130000000150
MF25 Daryl McMahon5000001060
MF26 Marc Goodfellow4000000040
MF29 Tommy Widdrington6000000060
FW Tony Naylor0000000000

Top scorers

width=60Placewidth=60Positionwidth=180Nationwidth=60Numberwidth=150Namewidth=80League Onewidth=80FA Cupwidth=80League Cupwidth=80Football League Trophywidth=80Total
1FW10Billy Paynter1020113
2FW7Lee Matthews1000010
3MF17Chris Birchall60017
4FW9Steve Brooker50005
5MF15Ian Armstrong30003
–MF12Tony Dinning30003
7MF8Micky Cummins20002
–DF6Sam Collins20002
–FW21David Hibbert20002
10DF3Craig James10001
–MF11Jeff Smith10001
–FW19Simon Eldershaw10001
–FW9Nathan Lowndes10001
–DF12Dean Smith00101
–MF13Levi Reid01001
–––Own goals20002
TOTALS4931255

Transfers

Transfers in

Date fromPositionNationalityNameFromFeeRef.
June 2004 FW Free transfer [35]
June 2004 MF Free transfer
July 2004 MF Free transfer
July 2004 DF Free transfer
September 2004 MF Non-contract terms
November 2004 FW Free transfer
December 2004 DF Free transfer
December 2004 MF Free transfer
January 2005 MF Non-contract terms
March 2005 DF Free transfer

Transfers out

Date fromPositionNationalityNameToFeeRef.
September 2004 FW £225,000
November 2004 DF Free transfer
November 2004 MF Free transfer
December 2004 DF Free transfer
January 2005 DF Released
May 2005 DF Released
May 2005 FW Released
May 2005 DF Released
May 2005 MF Released
May 2005 MF Released
June 2005 FW £35,000
Summer 2005 MF Retired

Loans in

Date fromPositionNationalityNameFromDate toRef.
4 September 2004 DF 4 December 2004
4 October 2004 MF 4 November 2004
2 December 2004 DF 4 January 2005
21 February 2005 MF 8 May 2005
22 March 2005 MF 8 May 2005

References

Specific
General

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Matthews joins Port Vale. 9 June 2004. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  2. Web site: Port Vale snap up Smith. 22 June 2004. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  3. Web site: Port Vale sign Hulbert. 15 July 2004. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  4. News: Baggaley . Mike . Transfer and injury updates ahead of Tranmere . 16 August 2024 . Valiant's Substack . 15 August 2024.
  5. News: Baggaley. Michael. Dear Mr Ryder, the fans need to know your plans. The Sentinel. 14 April 2012.
  6. Web site: Goodlad blow for Vale. 20 September 2004. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  7. Web site: Loan switch for Goodfellow. 4 October 2004. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  8. Web site: Vale to sign Villa defender. 2 September 2004. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  9. Web site: Lipa time with Vale comes to end. 15 November 2004. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  10. Web site: Vale hand chance to Magpie McClen. 25 November 2004. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  11. Web site: Lowndes leaves Plymouth for Vale. 5 November 2004. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  12. Web site: Vale sign defender Loran on loan. 2 December 2004. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  13. Web site: Vale keen to sign defender Loran. 4 January 2005. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  14. Web site: Vale snap up former Macc defender. 17 December 2004. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  15. Web site: Widdrington joins Port Vale again. 14 January 2005. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  16. Web site: Sonner joins Vale in loan switch. 21 February 2005. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  17. Web site: Dinning seals loan deal with Vale. 22 March 2005. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  18. Web site: Innes joins Vale from Spireites. 24 March 2005. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  19. Web site: Sonner lengthens Vale loan move. 22 March 2005. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  20. Web site: Vale sign Posh midfielder Sonner. 28 May 2005. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  21. Web site: Port Vale complete Dinning swoop. 1 June 2005. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  22. Web site: Port Vale 5-0 Barnsley. 23 April 2005. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  23. Web site: Tribunal sets fee on Hibbert move. 6 September 2005. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  24. Web site: Vale boss Foyle releases quintet. 9 May 2005. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  25. Web site: Vale hopeful on investor interest. 13 April 2005. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  26. Web site: Vale made to wait over investment. 19 May 2005. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  27. Web site: 'Mitchell Stadium' scheme mooted. 9 February 2005. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  28. Web site: Vale cash in on Spitfire legend. 10 February 2005. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  29. Web site: Vale manager wants better players. 27 April 2005. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  30. Web site: Foyle dismisses Paynter rumours. 16 March 2005. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  31. What If There Had Been No Port In The Vale?: Startling Port Vale Stories! p. 181 (Witan Books, 2011,)
  32. Web site: Port Vale 3-1 Kidderminster. 12 November 2004. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  33. Web site: Blackpool 1-0 Port Vale. 3 December 2004. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  34. Web site: Tranmere 2-1 Port Vale. 2 November 2004. BBC Sport. 20 January 2011.
  35. Web site: Port Vale FC Club Details Transfers Soccer Base. www.soccerbase.com. 7 October 2016.

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