1893–94 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season

Burslem Port Vale
1893–94 season
Stadium	Athletic Ground
Football League Second Division	7th (30 Points)
FA Cup	First Qualifying Round; (knocked out by Burton Swifts)
Birmingham Senior Cup	Second Round; (knocked out by West Bromwich Albion)
Staffordshire Senior Cup	Second Round; (knocked out by Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Top goalscorer	League: Billy Beats (16); All: Billy Beats (20)
Highest home attendance	5,000 vs Liverpool, 7 April 1894
Lowest home attendance	500 vs Grimsby Town, 4 December 1893
Average home league attendance	2,185+
Biggest win	5–0 (twice) and 6–1
Biggest defeat	1–8 vs. Manchester City, 7 October 1893
	Home colours
	Home colours
	← 1892–93 1894–95 →

Vale official, and future chairman Sam Bennion was forced to take to the field when the club ran short of players.

The 1893–94 season was Burslem Port Vale's second consecutive season of football in the English Football League.^[1] They achieved a commendable seventh place finish in the Second Division with 30 points from 28 matches (13 wins, 4 draws, 11 losses), scoring 66 goals and conceding 64.

The season commenced impressively, with Vale securing victories in their first seven league matches, which, if included with the previous season's final game, led to a streak of eight league wins that is still a club record. However, their momentum waned, winning only six of the subsequent 22 games, which led to a mid-table finish. Despite this, the club's overall performance was one of its most successful, with only the 1930–31 season surpassing it in terms of league standing.

In cup competitions, Vale were eliminated in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup by Burton Swifts, the Second Round of the Birmingham Senior Cup by West Bromwich Albion, and the Second Round of the Staffordshire Senior Cup by Wolverhampton Wanderers. Billy Beats was the club's top scorer, netting 16 goals in league matches and a total of 20 goals across all competitions. Attendances varied throughout the season, with a peak of 5,000 spectators for the home match against Liverpool on 7 April 1894, and a low of 500 for the fixture against Grimsby Town on 4 December 1893. The average attendance for the season was approximately 2,185.

Overview

Second Division

Two signings were made to improve the team for the season – wingers Lewis Campbell from Aston Villa and Alex Sands. Supporters complained of high ticket prices and subsequently only 2,500 came to see the season-opening victory over Ardwick. Ardwick goalkeeper William Douglas was so disgusted with his side's performance in the 4–2 Vale win that he left the Athletic Ground before the match had finished so the visitors ended the game playing with ten men. September was a perfect month for the "Valeites", achieving as they did seven wins out of seven games, scoring 30 goals in the process.^[1] Although two of these came against whipping boys Northwich Victoria, they did take apart reigning league champions Small Heath 5–0. During this run, on 9 September, Lewis Campbell became the first Vale player to score a league hat-trick, and also four goals in one game, as his team brushed aside Walsall Town Swifts 5–0.^[1] Seven days later, Vale defeated Crewe Alexandra 4–2, with it reported that their opposition "half-backs were guilty of kicking too hard, while the forwards showed no combination".^[2]

The winning run came to an end with an 8–1 collapse at a highly physical Ardwick, which Vale had only been losing by one goal at half-time before goalkeeper Joe Frail gave up in the second half.^[1] Two further defeats followed, including a 6–1 thumping at Notts County on 26 October. The Vale rallied to a 1–0 win at Rotherham Town two days later despite club secretary Dick Danks having to play in goal as Frail had missed his train. Frail was suspended by the club for the rest of the campaign. The team were in third place by December, beating Grimsby Town 6–1 following a 4–0 loss on the road, whilst a 1–1 draw at Crewe Alexandra was hard fought as Crewe fans attempted to physically attack both Vale fans and half-back Billy Elson, before a scrimmage erupted in the dressing room.^[1]

A home win over Burton Swifts was followed by defeats on the road at Woolwich Arsenal, Newcastle United and Middlesbrough Ironopolis. On 6 January, new goalkeeper Hugh Mackay played at outside-right in a 2–1 home victory over Woolwich Arsenal in a game that raised just £15 in gate receipts. The promotion push slowly came to an end, ending completely with a 2–1 home defeat to bottom club Walsall Town Swifts. Two weeks later, Vale claimed a 2–2 draw at Lincoln City despite starting the game with ten men as both William Rhodes and stand-in Jos Randles missed their trains, leading to club official Sam Bennion to change from linesman to left-back 25 minutes into the game. Vale were beaten 6–0 away at champions Small Heath and ended the league season with a 2–2 home draw and 2–1 away defeat with Liverpool, with Liverpool scoring late goals in both encounters.^[1]

Vale racked up 30 points, 10 points away from both the chance of promotion and the risk of relegation. Meshach Dean, Bob McCrindle, Billy Beats, and Alf Wood were all ever-presents, with Jimmy Scarratt and Lewis Campbell missing just one game each. At the end of the season, McCrindle moved South, and Campbell also left the area due to his wife not liking Burslem, though star striker Beats remained.^[1] The club had taken £954 in gate receipts, spent £551 in wages, making a narrow loss as total expenditure of £1,265 over total income of £1,237.^[1]

Cup competitions

For the second successive season, they exited the FA Cup at the first qualifying stage thanks to a defeat at home to Burton Swifts. Full-back James Clutton broke his leg in the match and his football career was ended.^[1] In the Staffordshire Senior Cup, they exited in the second round to Wolverhampton Wanderers after a 6–4 loss – Billy Beats scored a hat-trick yet still found himself on the losing side as Vale conceded four goals after leading 4–2.^[1] In the Birmingham Senior Cup, they left in the second round after a 3–1 defeat at West Bromwich Albion.

Results

Football League Second Division

League table

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GAv	Pts
5	Grimsby Town	28	15	2	11	71	58	1.224	32
6	Burton Swifts	28	14	3	11	79	61	1.295	31
7	Burslem Port Vale	28	13	4	11	66	64	1.031	30
8	Lincoln City	28	11	6	11	59	58	1.017	28
9	Woolwich Arsenal	28	12	4	12	52	55	0.945	28

Source: ^{[citation needed]}
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored

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
Ground	H	A	H	H	A	H	H	A	H	A	A	H	A	H	A	H	A	A	A	H	A	H	H	A	H	A	H	A
Result	W	W	W	W	W	W	W	L	L	L	W	W	L	W	D	W	L	L	L	W	L	D	L	D	W	L	D	L
Position	5	3	4	1	1	1	1	1	2	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	5	6	6	6	7
Points	2	4	6	8	10	12	14	14	14	14	16	18	18	20	21	23	23	23	23	25	25	26	26	27	29	29	30	30

Source: Statto^[3]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

2 September 1893 1	Burslem Port Vale	4–2	Ardwick	Cobridge
	Beats Scarratt Sands	Report		Stadium: Athletic Ground Attendance: 2,500

9 September 1893 2	Walsall Town Swifts	0–5	Burslem Port Vale	Walsall
		Report	Campbell Beats	Stadium: West Bromwich Road Attendance: 2,000

16 September 1893 3	Burslem Port Vale	4–2	Crewe Alexandra	Cobridge
	Wood Beats Campbell	Report		Stadium: Athletic Ground Attendance: 2,000

18 September 1893 4	Burslem Port Vale	4–0	Middlesbrough Ironopolis	Cobridge
	Campbell Beats Dean Wood	Report		Stadium: Athletic Ground Attendance: 3,000

23 September 1893 5	Northwich Victoria	1–5	Burslem Port Vale	Northwich
		Report	Campbell Dean Scarratt unknown	Stadium: Drill Field

25 September 1893 6	Burslem Port Vale	5–0	Small Heath	Cobridge
	Beats Wood Scarratt	Report		Stadium: Athletic Ground Attendance: 3,000

30 September 1893 7	Burslem Port Vale	3–2	Northwich Victoria	Cobridge
	Wood Beats	Report		Stadium: Athletic Ground Attendance: 2,500

7 October 1893 8	Ardwick	8–1	Burslem Port Vale	Gorton
		Report	Wood	Stadium: Hyde Road Attendance: 6,000

21 October 1893 9	Burslem Port Vale	2–3	Rotherham Town	Cobridge
	Dean Scarratt	Report		Stadium: Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,000

26 October 1893 10	Notts County	6–1	Burslem Port Vale	Nottingham
		Report	Dean	Stadium: Castle Ground Attendance: 3,000

28 October 1893 11	Rotherham Town	0–1	Burslem Port Vale	Rotherham
		Report	Beats	Stadium: Clifton Grove Attendance: 2,000

25 November 1893 12	Burslem Port Vale	1–0	Notts County	Cobridge
	Wood	Report		Stadium: Athletic Ground Attendance: 1,000

2 December 1893 13	Grimsby Town	4–0	Burslem Port Vale	Grimsby
		Report		Stadium: Abbey Park Attendance: 2,000

4 December 1893 14	Burslem Port Vale	6–1	Grimsby Town	Cobridge
	Beats Scarratt Elson Corfield	Report		Stadium: Athletic Ground Attendance: 500

9 December 1893 15	Crewe Alexandra	1–1	Burslem Port Vale	Crewe
		Report	og.	Stadium: Alexandra Recreation Ground

16 December 1893 16	Burslem Port Vale	3–1	Burton Swifts	Cobridge
	Campbell Dean	Report		Stadium: Athletic Ground

25 December 1893 17	Woolwich Arsenal	4–1	Burslem Port Vale	Plumstead, London
		Report	Wood	Stadium: Manor Ground Attendance: 8,000

30 December 1893 18	Newcastle United	2–1	Burslem Port Vale	Newcastle upon Tyne
		Report	Beats	Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 3,000

1 January 1894 19	Middlesbrough Ironopolis	3–1	Burslem Port Vale	Middlesbrough
		Report	unknown	Stadium: Paradise Ground Attendance: 4,000

6 January 1894 20	Burslem Port Vale	2–1	Woolwich Arsenal	Cobridge
	Dean Wood	Report		Stadium: Athletic Ground Attendance: 900

13 January 1894 21	Burton Swifts	5–3	Burslem Port Vale	Burton upon Trent
		Report	Elson Dean Campbell	Stadium: Peel Croft Attendance: 2,000

3 February 1894 22	Burslem Port Vale	1–1	Newcastle United	Cobridge
	Wood	Report		Stadium: Athletic Ground Attendance: 2,000

10 February 1894 23	Burslem Port Vale	1–2	Walsall Town Swifts	Cobridge
	Beats	Report		Stadium: Athletic Ground Attendance: 3,000

24 February 1894 24	Lincoln City	2–2	Burslem Port Vale	Lincoln
		Report	Beats	Stadium: John O'Gaunts Attendance: 2,000

10 March 1894 25	Burslem Port Vale	5–3	Lincoln City	Cobridge
	Campbell Edwards Scarratt	Report		Stadium: Athletic Ground Attendance: 2,000

24 March 1894 26	Small Heath	6–0	Burslem Port Vale	Small Heath
		Report		Stadium: Muntz Street Attendance: 4,000

7 April 1894 27	Burslem Port Vale	2–2	Liverpool	Cobridge
	Dean Wood	Report		Stadium: Athletic Ground Attendance: 5,000

14 April 1894 28	Liverpool	2–1	Burslem Port Vale	Liverpool
		Report	Edwards	Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 5,000

FA Cup

14 October 1893 1Q	Burslem Port Vale	3–4	Burton Swifts	Cobridge
	Beats Dean Campbell			Stadium: Athletic Ground

Birmingham Senior Cup

20 January 1894 R1	Redditch Town	2–4	Burslem Port Vale	Redditch
			Scarratt Campbell Dean	Attendance: 1,350

12 February 1894 R2	West Bromwich Albion	3–1	Burslem Port Vale	West Bromwich
			Wood	Stadium: Stoney Lane Attendance: 2,100

Staffordshire Senior Cup

5 March 1894 R2	Burslem Port Vale	4–6	Wolverhampton Wanderers	Cobridge
	Beats Wood			Stadium: Athletic Ground Attendance: 2,000

Player statistics

Appearances and goals

Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; FB – Full back; HB – Half back; FW – Forward

Pos.	Name	League		FA Cup		Other		Total
Pos.	Name	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
GK	Joe Frail	10	0	1	0	0	0	11	0
GK	Tom Baddeley	2	0	0	0	1	0	3	0
GK	Hugh Mackay	16	0	0	0	2	0	18	0
FB	James Clutton	8	0	1	0	0	0	9	0
FB	George Youds	22	0	1	0	0	0	23	0
FB	William Corfield	3	1	0	0	0	0	3	1
FB	G.S. Eccles	6	0	0	0	3	0	9	0
FB	Sam Bennion	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
FB	Bob Ramsay	16	0	0	0	1	0	17	0
FB	William Rhodes	1	0	0	0	1	0	2	0
HB	John Edwards	6	3	0	0	2	0	8	3
HB	Billy Elson	26	2	1	0	2	0	29	2
HB	Fred Farrington	4	0	1	0	0	0	5	0
HB	Bob McCrindle	28	0	1	0	3	0	32	0
HB	Jimmy Scarratt	27	7	1	0	3	2	31	9
HB	James Smith	14	0	0	0	0	0	14	0
HB	Alf Wood	28	12	1	0	3	2	32	14
HB	Joseph Boughey	5	0	0	0	3	0	8	0
FW	Meshach Dean	28	8	1	1	3	2	32	10
FW	Lewis Campbell	27	13	1	1	3	1	31	15
FW	Alex Sands	1	1	0	0	0	0	1	1
FW	Billy Beats	28	16	1	1	3	3	32	20
FW	Dick Danks	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0

Top scorers

Place	Position	Nation	Name	Second Division	FA Cup	Other	Total
1	FW	England	Billy Beats	16	1	3	20
2	FW	Scotland	Lewis Campbell	13	1	1	15
3	HB	England	Alf Wood	12	0	2	14
4	FW	England	Meshach Dean	8	1	1	10
5	HB	England	Jimmy Scarratt	7	0	2	9
6	HB	England	John Edwards	3	0	0	3
7	HB	England	Billy Elson	2	0	0	2
8	FB		William Corfield	1	0	0	1
–	FW	Scotland	Alex Sands	1	0	0	1
–	–	–	Unknown	2	0	0	2
–	–	–	Own goals	1	0	0	1
			TOTALS	66	3	9	78

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from	Position	Name	From	Fee	Ref.
June 1893	FB	George Samuel Eccles	Middleport	Free transfer	^[4]
October 1893	FW	Lewis Campbell	Aston Villa	Free transfer	^[4]
October 1893	GK	Hugh Mackay	Rotherham Town	Free transfer	^[4]
October 1893	FB	Bob Ramsay	Northwich Victoria	Free transfer	^[4]

Transfers out

Date from	Position	Name	To	Fee	Ref.
September 1893	FW	Alex Sands		Released	^[4]
October 1893	FB	James Clutton		Released	^[4]
May 1894	GK	Hugh Mackay	Wigan County	Released	^[4]
May 1894	FB	Bob Ramsay		Released	^[4]
Summer 1894	FB	Sam Bennion		Released	^[4]
Summer 1894	FW	Lewis Campbell	Walsall Town Swifts	Released	^[4]
Summer 1894	FB	William Corfield		Released	^[4]
Summer 1894	FW	Billy Elson	West Manchester	Free transfer	^[4]
Summer 1894	FW	Dick Danks		Released	^[4]
Summer 1894	HB	Fred Farrington	Retired		^[4]
Summer 1894	HB	Bob McCrindle	Luton Town	Free transfer	^[4]

References

Specific

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Kent, Jeff (1990). "Trying to make the Grade (1888-1898)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 26–50. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
^ "Read an 1893 match report as Port Vale thrash rivals Crewe". onevalefan.co.uk. 18 September 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
^ Port Vale 1893–1894 : Results & Fixtures Archived 29 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o 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.

[Kent-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Kent, Jeff (1990). "Trying to make the Grade (1888-1898)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 26–50. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.

[2] "Read an 1893 match report as Port Vale thrash rivals Crewe". onevalefan.co.uk. 18 September 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.

[3] Port Vale 1893–1894 : Results & Fixtures Archived 29 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.

[transfers-4] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

v t e Port Vale F.C. seasons
1880–81 1881–82 1882–83 1883–84 1884–85 1885–86 1886–87 1887–88 1888–89 1889–90
1890–91 1891–92 1892–93 1893–94 1894–95 1895–96 1896–97 1897–98 1898–99 1899–00
1900–01 1901–02 1902–03 1903–04 1904–05 1905–06 1906–07 1907–08 1908–09 1909–10
1910–11 1911–12 1912–13 1913–14 1914–15 1915–16 1916–17 1917–18 1918–19 1919–20
1920–21 1921–22 1922–23 1923–24 1924–25 1925–26 1926–27 1927–28 1928–29 1929–30
1930–31 1931–32 1932–33 1933–34 1934–35 1935–36 1936–37 1937–38 1938–39 1939–40
1940–41 1941–42 1942–43 1943–44 1944–45 1945–46 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50
1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60
1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70
1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80
1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90
1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00
2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10
2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20
2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25 2025–26 2026–27 2027–28 2028–29 2029–30