| 1923–24 season | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Sampson Walker | |
| Secretary-manager | Joe Schofield | |
| Stadium | Old Recreation Ground | |
| Football League Second Division | 16th (38 Points) | |
| FA Cup | Fifth Qualification Round (knocked out by Wrexham) | |
| North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup | Runners-up (knocked out by Stoke) | |
| Top goalscorer | League: Billy Briscoe (10) All: Billy Briscoe, Tom Page (10 each) | |
| Highest home attendance | 16,800 vs Stoke, 13 October 1923 | |
| Lowest home attendance | 3,000 vs South Shields, 21 January 1924 | |
| Average home league attendance | 8,489 | |
| Biggest win | 3–0 and 4–1 | |
| Biggest defeat | 0–5 and 1–6 | |
|
| ||
The 1923–24 season was Port Vale's fifth consecutive season of football (18th overall) in the English Football League.[1] Managed by Joe Schofield and chaired by Sampson Walker, the team played their home matches at the Old Recreation Ground. The club finished 17th in the 22-team division, earning 37 points from 14 wins, 9 draws, and 19 losses, scoring 45 goals while conceding 58. Despite a steady if unspectacular league performance, the club struggled to build consistent form throughout the season.
Wilf Kirkham debuted, and goals came from all across the team. A still-standing club record was set on 5 April 1924, when Tom Holford played against Derby County at the age of 46. The most notable incident in the campaign was the death of Tom Butler on 11 November 1923; he died from complications of a broken arm that he picked up whilst playing for the club.
In cup competitions, Vale were knocked out in the Fifth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup after a 5–1 defeat away at Wrexham. The club also participated in the North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup but again finished runners-up, losing 3–1 to Potteries derby rivals Stoke. These early cup exits denied the club any significant cup success to brighten an otherwise difficult campaign. Off the pitch, Port Vale continued to face financial challenges, struggling with low attendances and rising wage bills. Nevertheless, the club's management remained focused on stability and gradual improvement. The 1923–24 season ended with the club narrowly avoiding relegation, highlighting the need for reinvestment and squad strengthening in the seasons ahead.
Front row: Jack Lowe, Tom Page, Fred Howard, Tom Butler, Louis Bookman, Bob Connelly
Overview
[edit]Second Division
[edit]To strengthen the side, pre-season signings included: Stalybridge Celtic goalkeeper Tommy Lonsdale; Macclesfield Town 'penalty king' right-back Jack Maddock; Leeds United tough-tackling half-back Alf Dark; Bolton Wanderers winger Jack Lowe; Clyde's reliable forward Fred Howard; and Exeter City goal machine Harold Crockford.[1] The kit for the season was picked – red jerseys with white shorts.[1]
The season started positively, with two wins recorded, as well as a 14,000 home crowd. However, a run of one point won in five games saw the club slump down the table.[1] The arrival of Ireland international Louis Bookman for £250 from Luton Town couldn't reverse the side's fortunes.[1] Their stats by the end of October were: played twelve, lost eight, failed to score in six.[1] This miserable run included two defeats inflicted by rivals Stoke – the first time they had done the double over Vale in the league.[1] Crockford agreed to have his contract cancelled, and talks began to try to re-sign Billy Briscoe.[1] A young Wilf Kirkham made his debut against Leeds United, but failed to make much of an impact.[1]
Their rotten form seemed to have been turned around when the "Valiants" earned a 1–1 draw with Clapton Orient on 3 November 1923.[1] Tom Butler scored the goal, yet paid the ultimate price for his efforts.[1] Near the end of the match, he suffered a compound fracture in his left arm, and complications set in whilst he was at Hackney Hospital, causing septic poisoning; he died of lockjaw on 11 November.[1] The club paid his widow the rest of his wages, and Stoke and numerous other clubs donated generously to provide the widow with a £700 benefit fund.[1]
Back to football, and the club signed 41-year-old former England international Arthur Bridgett, even though he had spent several years in retirement.[1] The winger impressed and scored within ninety seconds of his debut.[1] Later in the year, Peter Pursell returned to the field for the first time in the season following an injury, and it was like a new signing.[1] Despite all this, Vale still suffered, and a heavy defeat at Old Trafford saw them stuck at the foot of the table.[1] Turning to 1924, the Vale managed a run of six games unbeaten, and Briscoe was finally given his pay rise, and so was re-signed from Congleton Town.[1] Fred Howard was subsequently given a free transfer.[1]
Despite Blackpool putting twelve past the Vale defence, the latter half of the season saw a massive improvement, losing just 6 of the 22 games. Briscoe and Kirkham provided the goals to lift the club out of the relegation zone. On 5 April, Tom Holford played against Derby County at the age of 46 – still a club record.[1]
At the end of the season, Vale finished in 16th place with 38 points, making it a consecutive season that the club bettered their previous season tally by one point and one place. Performing poorly at home, only bottom place Bristol City lost more home games, and only second-bottom Nelson conceded more at home. Vale were five points clear of relegation but 13 points off a promotion place.
Briscoe, Page, Kirkham, and Bridgett were the major goalscorers. Full-back Len Birks was an ever-present, and Tommy Lonsdale, Jack Hampson, and Jack Lowe were also key first-team players. As well as the debut of Kirkham, Roger Jones also made his debut, starting his 14-year association with the club. At the end of the season, the club let Peter Pursell leave for Wigan Borough, whereas Lonsdale and Hampson both retired due to injuries.[1]
Finances
[edit]Finances were once again worrying for the club and its supporters.[1] A greatly reduced wage bill of £7,900 still necessitated fundraising activities from fans to keep the club alive.[1] Arthur Prince was also sold to Sheffield Wednesday to raise cash.[1] Season ticket prices ranged from £2 6s. 6d. to £3, 6s. 6d.[1]
Cup competitions
[edit]In the FA Cup, Vale drew Third Division North Wrexham in the fifth round of Qualifying for the second successive season, and another disappointing defeat followed, this time at the Racecourse Ground, with the Welsh club running out 5–1 winners. The North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup went to Stoke, who beat Vale 1–0 at the Old Recreation Ground.
Results
[edit]Football League Second Division
[edit]League table
[edit]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GAv | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Manchester United | 42 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 52 | 44 | 1.182 | 40 |
| 15 | Crystal Palace | 42 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 53 | 65 | 0.815 | 39 |
| 16 | Port Vale | 42 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 50 | 66 | 0.758 | 38 |
| 17 | Hull City | 42 | 10 | 17 | 15 | 46 | 51 | 0.902 | 37 |
| 18 | Bradford City | 42 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 35 | 48 | 0.729 | 37 |
Results by matchday
[edit]Matches
[edit]| 25 August 1923 1 | Crystal Palace | 1–2 | Port Vale | Selhurst, Croydon |
| Report | Crockford  Dark |
Stadium: Croydon Common Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 10,000 |
| 27 August 1923 2 | Port Vale | 2–0 | The Wednesday | Hanley |
| Collinge Crockford |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 14,000 |
| 1 September 1923 3 | Port Vale | 3–4 | Crystal Palace | Hanley |
| Howard pen' Page |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 12,900 |
| 3 September 1923 4 | The Wednesday | 2–1 | Port Vale | Owlerton |
| Report | Lowe |
Stadium: Hillsborough Stadium Attendance: 12,000 |
| 8 September 1923 5 | Stockport County | 0–0 | Port Vale | Stockport |
| Report | Stadium: Edgeley Park Attendance: 12,000 |
| 15 September 1923 6 | Port Vale | 0–1 | Stockport County | Hanley |
| Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 11,000 |
| 22 September 1923 7 | Leicester City | 2–0 | Port Vale | Leicester |
| Chandler |
Report | Stadium: Filbert Street Attendance: 19,000 |
| 29 September 1923 8 | Port Vale | 2–1 | Leicester City | Hanley |
| Page Connelly |
Report | Graham |
Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 6,400 |
| 6 October 1923 9 | Stoke | 1–0 | Port Vale | Stoke-upon-Trent |
| Report | Stadium: Victoria Ground Attendance: 21,685 |
| 13 October 1923 10 | Port Vale | 2–4 | Stoke | Hanley |
| Page Butler |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 16,800 |
| 20 October 1923 11 | Port Vale | 0–1 | Leeds United | Hanley |
| Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 9,300 |
| 27 October 1923 12 | Leeds United | 3–0 | Port Vale | Beeston, Leeds |
| Report | Stadium: Elland Road Attendance: 12,000 |
| 3 November 1923 13 | Clapton Orient | 1–1 | Port Vale | Clapton, London |
| Report | Butler |
Stadium: Clapton Stadium Attendance: 15,000 |
| 10 November 1923 14 | Port Vale | 1–0 | Clapton Orient | Hanley |
| Bridgett |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 7,540 |
| 17 November 1923 15 | Bradford City | 2–0 | Port Vale | Bradford |
| Report | Stadium: Valley Parade Attendance: 7,500 |
| 24 November 1923 16 | Port Vale | 2–2 | Bradford City | Hanley |
| Connelly Bridgett |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 6,000 |
| 8 December 1923 17 | Port Vale | 4–1 | Barnsley | Hanley |
| Page Hampson Bridgett |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 6,083 |
| 15 December 1923 18 | Port Vale | 0–1 | Manchester United | Hanley |
| Report | Grimwood |
Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 7,500 |
| 22 December 1923 19 | Manchester United | 5–0 | Port Vale | Old Trafford |
| Bain Lochhead Spence |
Report | Stadium: Old Trafford Attendance: 11,750 |
| 29 December 1923 20 | Port Vale | 2–1 | Bury | Hanley |
| Reid Bridgett |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 8,348 |
| 1 January 1924 21 | South Shields | 3–3 | Port Vale | South Shields |
| Report | Page Bridgett Reid |
Stadium: Horsley Hill Attendance: 10,000 |
| 5 January 1924 22 | Bury | 0–0 | Port Vale | Bury, Greater Manchester |
| Report | Stadium: Gigg Lane Attendance: 10,000 |
| 19 January 1924 23 | Coventry City | 1–3 | Port Vale | Coventry |
| Shea |
Report | Bridgett Kirkham |
Stadium: Highfield Road Attendance: 8,000 |
| 21 January 1924 24 | Port Vale | 1–1 | South Shields | Hanley |
| Hampson |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 3,000 |
| 26 January 1924 25 | Port Vale | 1–1 | Coventry City | Hanley |
| Lowe |
Report | Pynegar |
Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 10,000 |
| 9 February 1924 27 | Port Vale | 0–2 | Bristol City | Hanley |
| Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 6,000 |
| 13 February 1924 28 | Bristol City | 0–0 | Port Vale | Ashton Gate, Bristol |
| Report | Stadium: Ashton Gate Attendance: 7,000 |
| 16 February 1924 29 | Southampton | 1–1 | Port Vale | Southampton |
| Dominy |
Report | Briscoe |
Stadium: The Dell Attendance: 10,000 |
| 1 March 1924 30 | Fulham | 0–0 | Port Vale | Fulham, West London |
| Report | Stadium: Craven Cottage Attendance: 12,000 |
| 8 March 1924 31 | Port Vale | 3–1 | Fulham | Hanley |
| Kirkham Briscoe |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 9,000 |
| 15 March 1924 32 | Port Vale | 2–6 | Blackpool | Hanley |
| Briscoe pen' |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 11,700 |
| 17 March 1924 33 | Port Vale | 1–0 | Southampton | Hanley |
| Kirkham |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 5,000 |
| 22 March 1924 34 | Blackpool | 6–1 | Port Vale | Blackpool |
| Report | Page |
Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 10,000 |
| 29 March 1924 35 | Port Vale | 2–0 | Derby County | Hanley |
| Maddock pen' Briscoe |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 8,000 |
| 5 April 1924 36 | Derby County | 2–0 | Port Vale | Derby |
| Galloway Bromage |
Report | Stadium: Baseball Ground Attendance: 10,000 |
| 12 April 1924 37 | Nelson | 1–3 | Port Vale | Nelson, Lancashire |
| Report | Page Briscoe Kirkham |
Stadium: Seedhill Football Ground Attendance: 6,000 |
| 18 April 1924 38 | Oldham Athletic | 2–0 | Port Vale | Oldham |
| Report | Stadium: Boundary Park Attendance: 11,000 |
| 21 April 1924 40 | Port Vale | 3–0 | Oldham Athletic | Hanley |
| Kirkham Page Briscoe |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 6,000 |
| 26 April 1924 41 | Port Vale | 2–2 | Hull City | Hanley |
| Briscoe Kirkham |
Report | Stadium: Old Recreation Ground Attendance: 5,689 |
| 3 May 1924 42 | Hull City | 1–2 | Port Vale | Kingston upon Hull |
| Report | Briscoe |
Stadium: Anlaby Road Attendance: 6,000 |
FA Cup
[edit]| 1 December 1923 5Q | Wrexham | 5–1 | Port Vale | Wrexham |
| Page |
Stadium: Racecourse Ground Attendance: 8,390 |
North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup
[edit]| 28 April 1924 Final | Port Vale | 0–1 | Stoke | Hanley |
| Stadium: Old Recreation Ground |
Player statistics
[edit]Appearances and goals
[edit]- Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; FB – Full back; HB – Half back; FW – Forward
| Pos. | Name | Football League | FA Cup | Other | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| GK |  Robert Radford
|
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| GK | Tommy Lonsdale
|
31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 |
| GK | Sidney Brown
|
8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| FB |  Peter Pursell
|
24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
| FB | Len Birks
|
42 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 44 | 0 |
| FB | Jimmy Oakes
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| FB | William Newton
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| FB | Jack Maddock
|
21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 1 |
| HB | Ernest Collinge
|
18 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 1 |
| HB | Bob Connelly
|
24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 2 |
| HB |  Jack Hampson
|
31 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 2 |
| HB | Tom Holford
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| HB | Roger Jones
|
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| HB | Jack Mellor
|
6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| HB | Tom Davis
|
14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| HB | Alf Dark
|
25 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 1 |
| FW | Arthur Prince
|
27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 0 |
| FW | Jack Lowe
|
30 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 32 | 2 |
| FW |  Louis Bookman
|
10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| FW | Arthur Bridgett
|
14 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 7 |
| FW | George Benson
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| FW | Harold Crockford
|
6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 |
| FW | Tom Page
|
37 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 39 | 10 |
| FW | Albert Spencer | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| FW | Tom Reid
|
17 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 2 |
| FW | Tom Butler
|
7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 |
| FW | Joe Pointon
|
6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| FW | Fred Howard
|
12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 |
| FW | Wilf Kirkham
|
21 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 7 |
| FW | Billy Briscoe
|
20 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 10 |
| FW | Harry Lovatt
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Top scorers
[edit]| Place | Position | Nation | Name | Second Division | FA Cup | Infirmary Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FW | England |
Tom Page | 9 | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| – | FW | England |
Billy Briscoe | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 3 | FW | England |
Wilf Kirkham | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| – | FW | England |
Arthur Bridgett | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| 5 | FW | England |
Fred Howard | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| – | FW | England |
Tom Butler | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| – | FW | Scotland |
Tom Reid | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| – | FW | England |
Harold Crockford | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| – | FW | England |
Jack Lowe | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| – | HB | Wales |
Jack Hampson | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| – | HB | Scotland |
Bob Connelly | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 12 | FB | England |
Jack Maddock | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | HB | England |
Ernest Collinge | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | HB | England |
Alf Dark | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| TOTALS | 50 | 1 | 0 | 51 | |||
Transfers
[edit]Transfers in
[edit]| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1923 | FW | |
Arthur Bridgett | Sunderland | Free transfer | [3] |
| 1923 | FW | |
Wilf Kirkham | Congleton Town | Free transfer | [3] |
| April 1923 | FW | |
Joe Pointon | Stoke City | Free transfer | [3] |
| May 1923 | FW | |
Harold Crockford | Exeter City | Free transfer | [3] |
| May 1923 | FW | |
Jack Lowe | Bolton Wanderers | Free transfer | [3] |
| June 1923 | HB | |
Alf Dark | Leeds United | Free transfer | [3] |
| June 1923 | GK | |
Tommy Lonsdale | Stalybridge Celtic | Free transfer | [3] |
| June 1923 | FB | |
William Newton | Red Street P.S.A. | Free transfer | [3] |
| July 1923 | FW | |
Fred Howard | Clyde |
Free transfer | [3] |
| July 1923 | HB | |
Roger Jones | Ravensdale | Free transfer | [3] |
| July 1923 | HB | |
Jack Mellor | New Mills | Free transfer | [3] |
| July 1923 | GK | |
Robert Radford | Brereton Social | Free transfer | [3] |
| August 1923 | FB | |
Jack Maddock | Macclesfield Town | Free transfer | [3] |
| August 1923 | FB | |
Jimmy Oakes | Milton Albion | Free transfer | [3] |
| September 1923 | FW | |
Louis Bookman | Luton Town | £250 | [3] |
| November 1923 | FW | |
Albert Spencer | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Free transfer | [3] |
| January 1924 | FW | |
Billy Briscoe | Congleton Town | Free transfer | [3] |
| February 1924 | FW | |
George Benson | Queens Park Rangers | Trial | [3] |
Transfers out
[edit]| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 1923 | FW | |
Harold Crockford | Chesterfield | Mutual consent | [3] |
| November 1923 | FW | |
Tom Butler | His death | [3] | |
| November 1923 | FW | |
Fred Howard | New Brighton | Free transfer | [3] |
| February 1924 | FW | |
George Benson | Chorley | Trial ended | [3] |
| February 1924 | FB | |
William Newton | Congleton Town | Free transfer | [3] |
| May 1924 | FW | |
Arthur Prince | Sheffield Wednesday | £750 | [3] |
| Summer 1924 | FW | |
Louis Bookman | Shelbourne |
Released | [3] |
| Summer 1924 | FW | |
Arthur Bridgett | Sandbach Ramblers | Released | [3] |
| Summer 1924 | HB | |
Alf Dark | Halifax Town | Released | [3] |
| Summer 1924 | HB | |
Jack Hampson | Released | [3] | |
| Summer 1924 | HB | |
Tom Holford | Retired | [3] | |
| Summer 1924 | GK | |
Tommy Lonsdale | Released | [3] | |
| Summer 1924 | HB | |
Jack Mellor | New Mills | Released | [3] |
| Summer 1924 | FB | |
Peter Pursell | Wigan Borough | Free transfer | [3] |
| Summer 1924 | GK | |
Robert Radford | Brereton Social | Released | [3] |
| Summer 1924 | FW | |
Albert Spencer | Willenhall | Released | [3] |
References
[edit]- Specific
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Kent, Jeff (1990). "Keeping in Good Company (1919-1929)". The Valiants' Years The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 98–123. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
- ^ Port Vale 1923–1924 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 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 p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah 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.