1931–32 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1931–32 season was Port Vale's 26th season of football in the English Football League and their second-successive season (25th overall) in the Second Division.^[1] Aiming to build on their fifth-place finish in 1930–31 and to win promotion, they finished in 20th place, only avoiding relegation on the last day thanks to their superior goal average – having a 0.048 better average than Barnsley. Their one highlight of the season was a 3–0 home win over rivals Stoke City that helped to deny Stoke a promotion place – however, City comfortably took revenge at the last end of season North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup match, beating Vale 7–0. Manager Tom Morgan was also let go at this time, replaced by former manager Tom Holford. The season was notable for the debut of Tom Nolan, whose goalscoring exploits at the club would be a point of pride in an otherwise miserable pre-war period.

Chairman Frank Huntbach.

Club record goalscorer Wilf Kirkham.

Scottish midfielder Bob Connelly.

Midfielder Jack Round.

Port Vale

1931–32 season
Chairman	Frank Huntbach
Manager	Tom Morgan
Stadium	The Old Recreation Ground
Football League Second Division	20th (33 Points)
FA Cup	Fourth Round (knocked out by Leicester City)
North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary Cup	Runners-up (knocked out by Stoke)
Top goalscorer	League: Tom Nolan, Tom Tippett (8 each) All: Tom Nolan (11)
Highest home attendance	21,089 vs. Stoke, 6 February 1932
Lowest home attendance	3,436 vs. Oldham Athletic, 25 January 1932
Average home league attendance	9,564
Biggest win	3–0 (twice) and 4–1
Biggest defeat	0–7 vs. Stoke, 9 May 1932
Home colours
← 1930–31 1932–33 →

Overview

Second Division

The pre-season saw the departure of Phil Griffiths to Second Division champions Everton for £6,000; whilst Jack Simms and Harry Anstiss departed for Swansea Town.^[1] In came Dicky York, Arthur Dorrell, Billy Easton, Tom Tippett, and George Poyser.^[1] Dorrell and York arrived from First Division runners-up Aston Villa, and the ageing wingers had England caps to their names.^[1] Easton had a proven goalscoring record at Swansea, and Tippett and Pyser arrived from Rochdale and Mansfield Town respectively.^[1] Big things were expected, and season ticket sales were up by 300% on the previous season.^[1]

The season began with a 3–1 win at Plymouth Argyle's Home Park, with Sam Jennings scoring a brace.^[1] The first home match took place in front of a new £10,351 stand, yet Leeds United took home the points.^[1] In September, Jennings was sold to Stockport County, and Stewart Littlewood took his place in the first XI.^[1] Two close run victories followed that saw eleven goals scored, however, performances tailed off until 26 September when Stoke City romped to a 4–0 victory at the Victoria Ground.^[1] "Inferior in all departments", the "Valiants" changed their line-up following the defeat, 'resting' Littlewood – this resulted in a four-match unbeaten streak.^[1] The next month saw the arrival of centre-forward Tom Nolan from Manchester Central.^[1] Harry Marshall was attracting praise for his performances in the half-back role. However, Tippett was criticized for his lack of goals.^[1] Due to the Great Depression, the bank refused to allow an extension to the club's £5,000 overdraft. So, the club controversially notified other clubs that it would consider offers for its players to raise the funds to buy new players.^[1]

On 21 November, they lost 9–3 to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.^[1] This twelve-goal match is still a club record. On 12 December, they suffered the division's biggest home defeat of the season, going down 7–1 to eventual free-scoring champions Wolverhampton Wanderers.^[1] Going into their Boxing Day win over Notts County they had lost seven of their previous nine games, conceding 33 goals. A holiday break in Llandudno seemed to raise the team's spirits, as two further 2–0 victories followed.^[1] In January, Wilf Kirkham was re-signed from Stoke to the delight of fans.^[1] On 6 February, he took part in a morale-boosting 3–0 home win over Stoke in front of 21,089 fans – an attendance that raised £1,350 of funds.^[1] The referee T.Crew also enjoyed the game, congratulating both sides on a sporting display that "was the most pleasurable game he had ever officiated".^[1] Vale followed this by picking just four points in their next thirteen games to almost certainly doom the club to relegation – crucially though were the two points they earned from a 3–0 win over Barnsley.^[1] With two games to go they were three points (and inferior goal average) behind the tykes.^[1] After a 2–1 win over Chesterfield matched by a 4–1 home defeat by Barnsley, they were just behind by a single point.^[1] Vale's final game of the season was against already promoted second place Leeds United – a 'convincing' 2–0 victory followed at Elland Road.^[1] Barnsley only managed a 2–2 draw, and so Vale leapfrogged Barnsley to reach the safety of 20th place.^[1]

They finished 20th due to their superior goal average.^[1] However, with 58 goals scored, their attack was the third worst in the division, whilst their 89 goals conceded made them the second leakiest defence in the division.^[1] Lacking a consistent goalscorer, top-scorers Nolan and Tippett failed to reach twenty goals between them.^[1] Losing half their games, their statistic of nine home defeats was particularly worrying.^[1]

Lucky to still be a second-tier club, a clear-out followed.^[1] Impressive Harry Marshall was sold to Tottenham Hotspur, whilst 323 league-game eleven-year club veteran Bob Connelly was handed a free transfer to Congleton Town.^[1] Joseph Chell and Clarence Spencer were also released, signing for Stoke City and Norwich City respectively.^[1] Arthur Dorrell and Dicky York's best days were well behind them, as Dorrell retired and York signed with Brierley Hill Alliance.^[1] Manager Tom Morgan meanwhile reverted to his old position as assistant secretary, replaced at the helm by former manager Tom Holford.^[1]

Finances

On the financial side, gate receipts were at £12,170 – their lowest total since re-joining the Football League in 1919.^[1] However, 'rigid economy' ensured a profit of £873.^[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, they travelled to Brighton & Hove Albion's Goldstone Ground of the Third Division South. They progressed with a 2–1 victory thanks to two strikes from Nolan. Coming up against First Division Leicester City in the Fourth Round, they were defeated 2–1 in front of 20,637 deafening supporters.^[1] On 9 May they lost the last North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup friendly with Stoke, losing 7–0 in a match they "scarcely tried" to win.^[1]

League table

Main article: 1931–32 Football League

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GAv	Pts	Promotion or relegation
1	Wolverhampton Wanderers (C, P)	42	24	8	10	115	49	2.347	56	Promotion to the First Division
2	Leeds United (P)	42	22	10	10	78	54	1.444	54
3	Stoke City	42	19	14	9	69	48	1.438	52
4	Plymouth Argyle	42	20	9	13	100	66	1.515	49
5	Bury	42	21	7	14	70	58	1.207	49
6	Bradford Park Avenue	42	21	7	14	72	63	1.143	49
7	Bradford City	42	16	13	13	80	61	1.311	45
8	Tottenham Hotspur	42	16	11	15	87	78	1.115	43
9	Millwall	42	17	9	16	61	61	1.000	43
10	Charlton Athletic	42	17	9	16	61	66	0.924	43
11	Nottingham Forest	42	16	10	16	77	72	1.069	42
12	Manchester United	42	17	8	17	71	72	0.986	42
13	Preston North End	42	16	10	16	75	77	0.974	42
14	Southampton	42	17	7	18	66	77	0.857	41
15	Swansea Town	42	16	7	19	73	75	0.973	39
16	Notts County	42	13	12	17	75	75	1.000	38
17	Chesterfield	42	13	11	18	64	86	0.744	37
18	Oldham Athletic	42	13	10	19	62	84	0.738	36
19	Burnley	42	13	9	20	59	87	0.678	35
20	Port Vale	42	13	7	22	58	89	0.652	33
21	Barnsley (R)	42	12	9	21	55	91	0.604	33	Relegation to the Third Division North
22	Bristol City (R)	42	6	11	25	39	78	0.500	23	Relegation to the Third Division South

Source: ^{[citation needed]}
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Second 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
Ground	A	H	H	A	A	H	H	A	A	H	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	A	H	H	A	H	A	H	H	A	A	H	A	H	H	A	A	H	A	H	A	H	A
Result	W	L	W	W	L	D	L	L	D	W	D	W	L	L	W	L	L	D	L	L	L	W	W	W	D	L	W	D	L	L	L	D	L	W	L	L	L	L	L	L	W	W
Position	5	9	7	3	6	10	10	15	14	12	12	10	12	13	12	13	13	15	17	17	20	20	15	13	14	14	14	13	13	18	18	18	19	19	19	19	19	21	21	21	21	20

Source: Statto^[2]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Attendance	Scorers
29 August 1931	Plymouth Argyle	A	3–1	21,749	Jennings (2), Easton
31 August 1931	Leeds United	H	1–2	16,864	o.g.
5 September 1931	Bristol City	H	4–2	10,770	Littlewood (2), Round, Easton
7 September 1931	Swansea City	A	3–2	9,927	Dorrell, Easton, Littlewood
12 September 1931	Oldham Athletic	A	0–3	10,323
19 September 1931	Bury	H	1–1	12,600	York
21 September 1931	Swansea City	H	0–4	7,969
26 September 1931	Stoke City	A	0–4	28,292
3 October 1931	Millwall	A	2–2	16,766	Jones (2)
10 October 1931	Bradford City	H	2–0	9,304	Round (pen), York
17 October 1931	Southampton	H	0–0	11,990
24 October 1931	Preston North End	A	4–1	8,936	Nolan (2), Rowbotham, York
31 October 1931	Burnley	H	1–3	9,468	Tippett
7 November 1931	Charlton Athletic	A	1–2	9,312	Nolan
14 November 1931	Nottingham Forest	H	2–0	7,055	Henshall, York
21 November 1931	Tottenham Hotspur	A	3–9	22,226	Tippett, Nolan, Henshall
28 November 1931	Manchester United	H	1–2	6,955	York
5 December 1931	Bradford Park Avenue	A	2–2	10,281	Dorrell, Tippett
12 December 1931	Wolverhampton Wanderers	H	1–7	11,133	Easton
19 December 1931	Chesterfield	A	0–4	7,966
25 December 1931	Notts County	A	2–4	21,367	Nolan, Marshall
26 December 1931	Notts County	H	2–0	13,463	Nolan, Tippett
2 January 1932	Plymouth Argyle	H	2–0	7,731	Henshall, Dorrell
16 January 1932	Bristol City	A	2–0	8,690	Dorrell, Nolan
25 January 1932	Oldham Athletic	H	1–1	3,436	Easton
30 January 1932	Bury	A	0–2	9,099
6 February 1932	Stoke City	H	3–0	21,089	Marshall (2), Henshall
13 February 1932	Millwall	H	2–2	7,311	Kirkham, Tippett
20 February 1932	Bradford City	A	0–4	15,553
27 February 1932	Southampton	A	1–5	7,115	o.g.
5 March 1932	Preston North End	H	0–1	8,132
12 March 1932	Burnley	A	2–2	6,869	Easton, Round
19 March 1932	Charlton Athletic	H	0–1	6,578
25 March 1932	Barnsley	H	3–0	9,983	Kirkham, Nolan, Tippett
26 March 1932	Nottingham Forest	A	1–2	8,486	Tippett
28 March 1932	Barnsley	A	0–3	5,881
2 April 1932	Tottenham Hotspur	H	1–3	7,682	Dorrell
9 April 1932	Manchester United	A	0–2	10,916
16 April 1932	Bradford Park Avenue	H	1–3	6,672	Kirkham
23 April 1932	Wolverhampton Wanderers	A	0–2	28,744
30 April 1932	Chesterfield	H	2–1	4,663	Kirkham, Littlewood
7 May 1932	Leeds United	A	2–0	9,588	Littlewood, Tippett

FA Cup

Main article: 1931–32 FA Cup

Round	Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Attendance	Goalscorers
R3	9 January 1932	Brighton & Hove Albion	A	2–1	21,690	Nolan (2)
R4	23 January 1932	Leicester City	H	1–2	20,637	Nolan

North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary Cup

Round	Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Attendance	Goalscorers
Final	9 May 1932	Stoke	A	0–7

Player statistics

Appearances and goals

Pos.	Name	Football League		FA Cup		Other		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
GK	Ben Davies	34	0	2	0	1	0	37	0
GK	Arthur Slater	6	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
GK	Jock Leckie	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
DF	Jimmy Oakes	29	0	2	0	1	0	32	0
DF	Billy Wootton	6	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
DF	George Shenton	39	0	1	0	1	0	41	0
DF	William Cope	30	0	2	0	1	0	33	0
DF	William Allsop	1	0	1	0	0	0	2	0
DF	Arnold Bliss	6	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
DF	George Poyser	6	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
MF	Bob Connelly	8	0	0	0	0	0	8	0
MF	Roger Jones	27	2	1	0	0	0	28	2
MF	Albert Beech	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
MF	Dennis Izon	12	0	2	0	0	0	14	0
MF	Clarence Spencer	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
MF	Jack Round	30	3	2	0	1	0	33	3
MF	James Henshall	14	4	1	0	1	0	16	4
MF	Arthur Dorrell	34	5	2	0	0	0	36	5
MF	Jimmy McGrath	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0
MF	Dicky York	26	5	0	0	0	0	26	5
MF	Jack Sherlock	12	0	0	0	0	0	12	0
FW	Harry Marshall	27	3	2	0	0	0	29	3
FW	Sam Jennings	2	2	0	0	0	0	2	2
FW	Harry Rowbotham	6	1	0	0	0	0	6	1
FW	Stewart Littlewood	12	5	0	0	1	0	13	5
FW	Tom Tippett	31	8	2	0	1	0	34	8
FW	Tom Nolan	19	8	2	3	0	0	21	11
FW	Billy Easton	22	6	0	0	1	0	23	6
FW	Wilf Kirkham	16	4	0	0	1	0	17	4

Top scorers

Place	Position	Nation	Name	Second Division	FA Cup	Infirmary Cup	Total
1	FW	England	Tom Nolan	8	3	0	11
2	FW	England	Tom Tippett	8	0	0	8
3	FW	England	Billy Easton	6	0	0	6
4	MF	England	Arthur Dorrell	5	0	0	5
–	MF	England	Dicky York	5	0	0	5
–	FW	England	Stewart Littlewood	5	0	0	5
7	FW	England	Wilf Kirkham	4	0	0	4
–	MF	England	James Henshall	4	0	0	4
9	FW	England	Harry Marshall	3	0	0	3
–	MF	England	Jack Round	3	0	0	3
11	FW	England	Sam Jennings	2	0	0	2
–	MF	England	Roger Jones	2	0	0	2
13	FW	England	Harry Rowbotham	1	0	0	1
–	–	–	Own goals	2	0	0	2
			TOTALS	58	3	0	61

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Fee	Ref.
May 1931	FW		Billy Easton	Swansea Town	Free transfer	[3]
May 1931	DF		George Poyser	Mansfield Town	Free transfer	[3]
June 1931	DF		William Allsop	Bolton Wanderers	Free transfer	[3]
June 1931	MF		Arthur Dorrell	Aston Villa	Free transfer	[3]
June 1931	FW		Tom Tippett	Rochdale	Free transfer	[3]
June 1931	DF		Dicky York	Aston Villa	Free transfer	[3]
October 1931	FW		Robert G. Davies	Stoke St.Peter's	Free transfer	[3]
October 1931	FW		Tom Nolan	Manchester Central	Free transfer	[3]
January 1932	FW		Wilf Kirkham	Stoke City	Free transfer	[3]
March 1932	MF		Horace Baker	Longton Hall	Free transfer	[3]
March 1932	GK		Jock Leckie	Bray Unknowns	Free transfer	[3]
April 1932	MF		Fred Mills	Middleport	Free transfer	[3]

Transfers out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Fee	Ref.
September 1931	FW		Sam Jennings	Stockport County	Free transfer	[3]
March 1932	FW		Harry Marshall	Tottenham Hotspur	Undisclosed	[3]
May 1932	FW		Joseph Chell	Stoke City	Free transfer	[3]
May 1932	MF		Bob Connelly	Congleton Town	Free transfer	[3]
May 1932	MF		Arthur Dorrell	Retired		[3]
Summer 1932	FW		Harry Rowbotham	Hyde United	Released	[3]
August 1932	GK		Arthur Slater	Watford	Free transfer	[3]
August 1932	DF		Billy Wootton	Southend United	Free transfer	[3]
August 1932	DF		Dicky York	Brierley Hill Alliance	Free transfer	[3]

References

Specific

1. Kent, Jeff (1990). "From Glory to Despair (1929–1939)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 124–150. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
2. Port Vale 1931–1932 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
3. 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.