2004–05 Port Vale F.C. season

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.

Manager Martin Foyle.

Winger Chris Birchall managed to establish himself as a first-team regular.

Port Vale

2004–05 season
Owner	Valiant 2001
Chairman	Bill Bratt
Manager	Martin Foyle
Stadium	Vale Park
Football League One	18th (56 Points)
FA Cup	Second Round (knocked out by Blackpool)
League Cup	First Round (knocked out by Doncaster Rovers)
Football League Trophy	Second Round (knocked out by Tranmere Rovers)
Player of the Year	Billy Paynter
Top goalscorer	League: Lee Matthews, Billy Paynter (10 each) All: Billy Paynter (13)
Highest home attendance	8,671 vs. Sheffield Wednesday, 28 December 2004
Lowest home attendance	1,970 vs. Barnsley, 28 September 2004
Average home league attendance	4,973
Biggest win	5–0 vs. Barnsley, 23 April 2005
Biggest defeat	0–4 (twice)
Home colours
← 2003–04 2005–06 →

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] Teenage defender James O'Connor joined on loan from Aston Villa.^[7] O'Connor made his debut on 4 September as Vale picked up their first away of the season with a 2–0 victory at Bradford City.^[8] 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.^[9] In November, Andreas Lipa returned to his homeland to play for Austria Lustenau, after Foyle released the injury-plagued defender.^[10] McMahon also left the club to join Leyton Orient.^[11] Foyle brought a new signing to Vale Park though, with striker Nathan Lowndes joining on a free transfer from Plymouth Argyle.^[12] In December, defender Tyrone Loran joined on a one-month loan from Tranmere Rovers,^[13] though returned to Prenton Park when the loan deal was up, after Foyle failed to sign him permanently.^[14] Christian Hanson was also signed from non-League Billingham Synthonia. Foyle also signed Nigerian defender George Abbey, who had been released by Macclesfield Town.^[15]

On 3 January, Matthews scored both of the goals as Vale won 2–0 away at Blackpool, ending a run of six defeats in seven games.^[16] 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.^[17] In February, veteran midfielder Danny Sonner joined on a one-month loan from Peterborough United.^[18] 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.^[19] In addition to this, Mark Innes joined on a free transfer from Chesterfield.^[20] Sonner's loan deal was also extended until the end of the season,^[21] at which point he was signed permanently,^[22] as was Dinning.^[23] 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.^[24]

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.^[25] Four players were also released: Simon Eldershaw (Northwich Victoria); Christian Hanson (Billingham Synthonia); Levi Reid (Stafford Rangers); and Ryan Brown (Leek Town).^[26] 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.^[27][28] 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.^[29][30] Foyle was desperate for more funds to attract better players,^[31] and was forced to dismiss speculation that he would sell Billy Paynter to Crewe Alexandra.^[32] 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.^[33] 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.^[34] They then lost out to Blackpool in the second round with a 1–0 defeat at Bloomfield Road.^[35]

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.^[36]

League table

Main article: 2004–05 Football League

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
16	Blackpool	46	15	12	19	54	59	−5	57
17	Chesterfield	46	14	15	17	55	62	−7	57
18	Port Vale	46	17	5	24	49	59	−10	56
19	Oldham Athletic	46	14	10	22	60	73	−13	52
20	Milton Keynes Dons	46	12	15	19	54	68	−14	51

Updated to match(es) played on May 2005. Source: ^{[citation needed]}
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League One

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	43	44	45	46
Ground	A	H	H	A	H	A	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	H	A	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	H	A	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	H
Result	L	W	W	D	W	L	W	L	L	L	L	W	L	W	D	L	W	L	L	W	L	W	L	L	L	W	L	L	L	W	W	L	L	W	L	D	D	W	D	L	W	L	W	L	L	W
Position	15	11	4	9	4	6	3	6	13	16	17	13	15	13	14	16	13	15	17	16	18	16	16	17	18	17	17	17	17	18	16	17	18	16	17	17	18	16	17	18	17	18	18	18	18	18

Source: Statto^[37]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Attendance	Scorers
7 August 2004	Walsall	A	2–3	8,225	Paynter, Matthews
10 August 2004	Milton Keynes Dons	H	3–2	4,602	Armstrong (2), Brooker
14 August 2004	Hull City	H	3–2	6,736	Brooker (2), Collins
21 August 2004	Wrexham	A	1–1	5,005	Brooker
28 August 2004	Bristol City	H	3–0	5,377	James, Brooker, Armstrong
31 August 2004	Chesterfield	A	0–1	5,150
4 September 2004	Bradford City	A	2–0	7,043	Paynter, J.Smith
11 September 2004	Huddersfield Town	H	0–3	6,298
18 September 2004	Brentford	A	0–1	5,442
25 September 2004	Blackpool	H	0–3	5,347
2 October 2004	Colchester United	A	1–2	3,230	Matthews
8 October 2004	Doncaster Rovers	H	2–0	5,314	Paynter, Collins
16 October 2004	Bournemouth	A	0–4	6,119
19 October 2004	Swindon Town	H	1–0	3,872	Birchall
23 October 2004	Stockport County	H	0–0	5,025
30 October 2004	Hartlepool United	A	0–1	4,755
6 November 2004	Barnsley	A	2–1	8,642	Paynter, Williams (og)
20 November 2004	Torquay United	H	1–2	4,763	Cummins
27 November 2004	Peterborough United	A	0–4	3,785
7 December 2004	Tranmere Rovers	H	3–1	4,027	Birchall (2), Paynter
11 December 2004	Luton Town	A	0–1	6,974
18 December 2004	Oldham Athletic	H	3–1	4,849	Paynter, Birchall, Matthews (pen)
26 December 2004	Huddersfield Town	A	1–2	12,243	Eldershaw
28 December 2004	Sheffield Wednesday	H	0–2	8,671
1 January 2005	Bradford City	H	0–1	5,001
3 January 2005	Blackpool	A	2–0	5,115	Matthews (2 [1 pen])
8 January 2005	Doncaster Rovers	A	0–2	5,209
15 January 2005	Brentford	H	0–1	4,230
21 January 2005	Sheffield Wednesday	A	0–1	18,465
5 February 2005	Bournemouth	H	2–1	4,186	Paynter, Birchall
12 February 2005	Stockport County	A	2–1	4,587	Lowndes, Paynter
19 February 2005	Hartlepool United	H	0–1	4,366
23 February 2005	Swindon Town	A	0–1	4,724
26 February 2005	Luton Town	H	3–1	5,353	Hibbert (2), Matthews
5 March 2005	Oldham Athletic	A	0–3	5,799
8 March 2005	Colchester United	H	0–0	3,496
12 March 2005	Milton Keynes Dons	A	1–1	4,676	Matthews
19 March 2005	Walsall	H	2–0	5,085	Cummins, Matthews
26 March 2005	Hull City	A	2–2	17,678	Matthews, Delaney (og)
2 April 2005	Bristol City	A	0–2	10,284
9 April 2005	Chesterfield	H	1–0	4,489	Matthews
16 April 2005	Torquay United	A	0–1	3,592
23 April 2005	Barnsley	H	5–0	4,324	Dinning (2), Paynter (2), Birchall
26 April 2005	Wrexham	H	0–2	4,151
29 April 2005	Tranmere Rovers	A	0–1	8,940
7 May 2005	Peterborough United	H	1–0	4,815	Dinning

FA Cup

Main article: 2004–05 FA Cup

Round	Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Attendance	Goalscorers
R1	12 November 2004	Kidderminster Harriers	H	3–1	4,141	Paynter (2), Reid
R2	4 December 2004	Blackpool	A	0–1	4,669

League Cup

Main article: 2004–05 Football League Cup

Round	Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Attendance	Goalscorers
R1	24 August 2004	Doncaster Rovers	A	1–3	3,943	D.Smith

Football League Trophy

Main article: 2004–05 Football League Trophy

Round	Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Attendance	Goalscorers
R1	28 September 2004	Barnsley	H	1–0	1,970	Paynter (pen)
R2	2 November 2004	Tranmere Rovers	A	1–2	3,735	Birchall

Player statistics

Appearances and goals

Pos.	#	Name	League One		FA Cup		League Cup		Football League Trophy		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
GK	1	Mark Goodlad	20	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	20	0
DF	2	George Pilkington	43	0	2	0	1	0	2	0	48	0
DF	3	Craig James	30	1	0	0	1	0	2	0	33	1
MF	4	Danny Sonner	13	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	13	0
DF	5	Michael Walsh	23	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	25	0
DF	6	Sam Collins	33	2	1	0	1	0	2	0	37	2
FW	7	Lee Matthews	31	10	0	0	1	0	0	0	32	10
MF	8	Micky Cummins	39	2	2	0	0	0	2	0	43	2
FW	9	Nathan Lowndes	12	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	14	1
FW	10	Billy Paynter	45	10	2	2	1	0	2	1	50	13
MF	11	Jeff Smith	34	1	2	0	1	0	2	0	39	1
MF	12	Tony Dinning	7	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	3
MF	13	Levi Reid	30	0	2	1	1	0	1	0	34	1
DF	14	Ryan Brown	20	0	2	0	1	0	2	0	25	0
MF	15	Ian Armstrong	8	3	1	0	1	0	1	0	11	3
DF	16	Steve Rowland	24	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	26	0
MF	17	Chris Birchall	34	6	2	0	1	0	2	1	39	7
FW	19	Simon Eldershaw	13	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	13	1
MF	20	Robin Hulbert	24	0	2	0	0	0	1	0	27	0
FW	21	David Hibbert	9	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	10	2
DF	22	George Abbey	18	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	18	0
GK	23	Joe Anyon	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
GK	24	Jonny Brain	27	0	2	0	1	0	2	0	32	0
DF	25	Christian Hanson	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
MF	26	Daniel Holmes	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
DF	27	Mark Innes	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
MF	30	Andy Porter	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Players that left the club mid-season:
DF	4	Andreas Lipa	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
DF	4	Tyrone Loran	6	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	7	0
FW	9	Steve Brooker	9	5	0	0	1	0	1	0	11	5
DF	12	Dean Smith	13	0	0	0	1	1	1	0	15	1
DF	18	Simon Robinson	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
DF	22	James O'Connor	13	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	15	0
MF	25	Daryl McMahon	5	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	6	0
MF	26	Marc Goodfellow	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
MF	29	Tommy Widdrington	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
FW		Tony Naylor	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Top scorers

Place	Position	Nation	Number	Name	League One	FA Cup	League Cup	Football League Trophy	Total
1	FW	England	10	Billy Paynter	10	2	0	1	13
2	FW	England	7	Lee Matthews	10	0	0	0	10
3	MF	Trinidad	17	Chris Birchall	6	0	0	1	7
4	FW	England	9	Steve Brooker	5	0	0	0	5
5	MF	England	15	Ian Armstrong	3	0	0	0	3
–	MF	England	12	Tony Dinning	3	0	0	0	3
7	MF	Ireland	8	Micky Cummins	2	0	0	0	2
–	DF	England	6	Sam Collins	2	0	0	0	2
–	FW	England	21	David Hibbert	2	0	0	0	2
10	DF	England	3	Craig James	1	0	0	0	1
–	MF	England	11	Jeff Smith	1	0	0	0	1
–	FW	England	19	Simon Eldershaw	1	0	0	0	1
–	FW	England	9	Nathan Lowndes	1	0	0	0	1
–	DF	England	12	Dean Smith	0	0	1	0	1
–	MF	England	13	Levi Reid	0	1	0	0	1
–		–	–	Own goals	2	0	0	0	2
				TOTALS	49	3	1	2	55

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Fee	Ref.
June 2004	FW		Lee Matthews	Bristol City	Free transfer	[38]
June 2004	MF		Jeff Smith	Bolton Wanderers	Free transfer	[38]
July 2004	MF		Robin Hulbert	Telford United	Free transfer	[38]
July 2004	DF		Dean Smith	Sheffield Wednesday	Free transfer	[38]
September 2004	MF		Daryl McMahon	West Ham United	Non-contract terms	[38]
November 2004	FW		Nathan Lowndes	Plymouth Argyle	Free transfer	[38]
December 2004	DF		Christian Hanson	Billingham Synthonia	Free transfer	[38]
December 2004	MF		Andy Porter	Kidsgrove Athletic	Free transfer	[38]
January 2005	MF		Tommy Widdrington	Hartlepool United	Non-contract terms	[38]
March 2005	DF		Mark Innes	Chesterfield	Free transfer	[38]

Transfers out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Fee	Ref.
September 2004	FW		Steve Brooker	Bristol City	£225,000	[38]
November 2004	DF		Andreas Lipa	Austria Lustenau	Free transfer	[38]
November 2004	MF		Daryl McMahon	Leyton Orient	Free transfer	[38]
December 2004	DF		George Abbey	Macclesfield Town	Free transfer	[38]
January 2005	DF		Dean Smith		Released	[38]
May 2005	DF		Ryan Brown	Leek Town	Released	[38]
May 2005	FW		Simon Eldershaw	Northwich Victoria	Released	[38]
May 2005	DF		Christian Hanson	Billingham Synthonia	Released	[38]
May 2005	MF		Levi Reid	Stafford Rangers	Released	[38]
May 2005	MF		Tommy Widdrington	Salisbury City	Released	[38]
June 2005	FW		David Hibbert	Preston North End	£35,000	[38]
Summer 2005	MF		Ian Armstrong	Retired		[38]

Loans in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Date to	Ref.
4 September 2004	DF		James O'Connor	Aston Villa	4 December 2004	[38]
4 October 2004	MF		Marc Goodfellow	Bristol City	4 November 2004	[38]
2 December 2004	DF		Tyrone Loran	Tranmere Rovers	4 January 2005	[38]
21 February 2005	MF		Danny Sonner	Peterborough United	8 May 2005	[38]
22 March 2005	MF		Tony Dinning	Bristol City	8 May 2005	[38]

References

Specific

1. "Matthews joins Port Vale". BBC Sport. 9 June 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
2. "Port Vale snap up Smith". BBC Sport. 22 June 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
3. "Port Vale sign Hulbert". BBC Sport. 15 July 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
4. Baggaley, Mike (15 August 2024). "Transfer and injury updates ahead of Tranmere". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
5. Baggaley, Michael (14 April 2012). "Dear Mr Ryder, the fans need to know your plans". The Sentinel.
6. "Goodlad blow for Vale". BBC Sport. 20 September 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
7. "Vale to sign Villa defender". BBC Sport. 2 September 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
8. Baggaley, Mike (4 September 2024). "Selection issues after Wolves drama". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
9. "Loan switch for Goodfellow". BBC Sport. 4 October 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
10. "Lipa time with Vale comes to end". BBC Sport. 15 November 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
11. "Vale hand chance to Magpie McClen". BBC Sport. 25 November 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
12. "Lowndes leaves Plymouth for Vale". BBC Sport. 5 November 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
13. "Vale sign defender Loran on loan". BBC Sport. 2 December 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
14. "Vale keen to sign defender Loran". BBC Sport. 4 January 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
15. "Vale snap up former Macc defender". BBC Sport. 17 December 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
16. Baggaley, Mike (2 January 2025). "Signs of improvement in Cheltenham stalemate". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
17. "Widdrington joins Port Vale again". BBC Sport. 14 January 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
18. "Sonner joins Vale in loan switch". BBC Sport. 21 February 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
19. "Dinning seals loan deal with Vale". BBC Sport. 22 March 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
20. "Innes joins Vale from Spireites". BBC Sport. 24 March 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
21. "Sonner lengthens Vale loan move". BBC Sport. 22 March 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
22. "Vale sign Posh midfielder Sonner". BBC Sport. 28 May 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
23. "Port Vale complete Dinning swoop". BBC Sport. 1 June 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
24. "Port Vale 5-0 Barnsley". BBC Sport. 23 April 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
25. "Tribunal sets fee on Hibbert move". BBC Sport. 6 September 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
26. "Vale boss Foyle releases quintet". BBC Sport. 9 May 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
27. "Vale hopeful on investor interest". BBC Sport. 13 April 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
28. "Vale made to wait over investment". BBC Sport. 19 May 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
29. "'Mitchell Stadium' scheme mooted". BBC Sport. 9 February 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
30. "Vale cash in on Spitfire legend". BBC Sport. 10 February 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
31. "Vale manager wants better players". BBC Sport. 27 April 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
32. "Foyle dismisses Paynter rumours". BBC Sport. 16 March 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
33. What If There Had Been No Port In The Vale?: Startling Port Vale Stories! p. 181 (Witan Books, 2011, ISBN 978-0-9529152-8-7)
34. "Port Vale 3-1 Kidderminster". BBC Sport. 12 November 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
35. "Blackpool 1-0 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 3 December 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
36. "Tranmere 2-1 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 2 November 2004. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
37. Port Vale 2004–2005 : Results & Fixtures. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
38. "Port Vale FC Club Details | Transfers | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 7 October 2016.

General

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