Wikipedia

1937–38 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1937–38 season was Port Vale's 32nd season of football in the English Football League, and their second-successive season (third overall) in the Third Division North.[1] With thirty goals, Jack Roberts was the division's top scorer. However, the club managed only a mid-table finish, also exiting both cup competitions at the first stage.

Port Vale
1937–38 season
ChairmanFrank Huntbach
ManagerTom Morgan
(from December)
StadiumThe Old Recreation Ground
Football League Third Division North15th (38 Points)
FA CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Gainsborough Trinity)
Football League Third Division North CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Tranmere Rovers)
Top goalscorerLeague: Jack Roberts (28)
All: Jack Roberts (30)
Highest home attendance10,984 vs. Hull City, 15 April 1938
Lowest home attendance2,992 vs. Rochdale, 30 April 1938
Average home league attendance6,716
Biggest win4–0 and 5–1
Biggest defeat0–5 and 2–7
Chairman Frank Huntbach

Overview edit

Third Division North edit

The pre-season saw the arrival of goalkeepers James Nicholls and George Heppell (Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers); veteran right-back Johnny Rowe (Queen's Park Rangers); left-back Harry Johnson (Newcastle United); winger Charlie Rattray (Mansfield Town); experienced inside-right Arthur Masters (Nottingham Forest); and 'clever' inside-left William Price (Fulham).[1] Pre-season training included bowls, cricket, and practice with rubbers balls and rubber boots to improve ball control.[1] The fans were not optimistic about the campaign, and so ticket sales were low despite lowered prices.[1]

The season began with a 3–0 defeat at Oldham Athletic's Boundary Park.[1] Tom Nolan found himself dropped in favour of Jack Roberts, who immediately went on a run of three goals in three games.[1] The team went on to go six games unbeaten, including a 4–0 win over Barrow in which Roberts scored all four.[1] Their 5–1 win over Hartlepools United – in which Arthur Caldwell scored a hat-trick – took them into seventh in the table.[1] This run ended with a 5–0 drubbing at Valley Parade.[1] After this defeat to Bradford City the Vale signed forward Ken Fish from Aston Villa for 'a sizeable fee'.[1] In November, William Price was released from his contract.[1] The next month the side were on the end of a 7–2 beating by Chester at Sealand Road.[1] Soon after this Tom Morgan was re-appointed as manager, having been demoted to assistant-secretary in June 1932.[1] Immediately following this the club went on a run of one defeat in nine games.[1] During this run Roberts scored a hat-trick past Accrington Stanley in a 4–1 win.[1]

In February, Tommy Ward was traded to Stoke City in exchange for Harry Davies and a small fee.[1] On 5 March, Vale inflicted a 4–3 win over Bradford City, soon after which Sam Baum was signed from Bolton Wanderers just two minutes before the transfer deadline closed.[1] On 15 April, the club saw its first five-figure crowd of the season, as promotion-chasing Hull City took away both the points despite a brace from Roberts.[1] Revenge came at Anlaby Road three days later, when the "Valiants" held a clean sheet to damage the "Tigers" promotion prospects.[1] On the final home game of the season a seventeen-year-old Alf Bellis scored on his debut as Vale beat Rochdale 4–1.[1]

They finished fifteenth with 38 points, just six points clear of the re-election zone.[1] Away from The Old Recreation Ground the side struggled, managing just a single win.[1] Jack Roberts was the club's top goalscorer with 28 league strikes in 37 games – also making him the division's top scorer.[1]

Finances edit

On the financial side, a bare profit of some £300 was recorded, due to a transfer credit of £2,900.[1] The annual summer clear-out saw the departure of fourteen of the twenty-six players, including Sam Baum; Spencer Evans (Northwich Victoria); Roderick Welsh; Charlie Rattray (Accrington Stanley); Harry Johnson (Hartlepools United); Trevor Rhodes; and Fred Obrey (who was sold to Tranmere Rovers).[1] At the season's end the club were delighted to hear they had been transferred to the Third Division South, where gate receipts were higher.[1] On 27 June another meeting at the Grand Hotel (Hanley) saw the issue of a name change debated, where Stoke United and Stoke North End were again considered.[1] A change of name was advocated by every letter written in by supporters, however, once again there was insufficient time to implement a name change before the upcoming season.[1]

Cup competitions edit

In the FA Cup, a first-round exit came at the hands of Midland League Gainsborough Trinity, after Trinity won the replay 2–1.[1] In the short-lived Football League Third Division North Cup, Vale went out in the first round to Tranmere Rovers – a 1–1 stalemate at home was followed by a 2–0 defeat in the replay at Prenton Park.[1]

League table edit

Main article: 1937–38 Football League

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Promotion
13 New Brighton 42 15 8 19 60 61 0.984 38
14 Bradford City 42 14 10 18 66 69 0.957 38
15 Port Vale 42 12 14 16 65 73 0.890 38 Transferred to the Third Division South
16 Southport 42 12 14 16 53 82 0.646 38
17 Rochdale 42 13 11 18 67 78 0.859 37
Source: rsssf.com

Results edit

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Third Division North edit

Results by matchday edit

Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142
GroundAHHAAHAHAHHAHAHAAAAHHHHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHHAAHA
ResultLDWLLWWWDWDLWLLLLDLWDDWDDDLWLLWDWLDLLDDLWD
Position2017141417131110997991011131615171414131212111213111313121212121214151414161315
Source: Statto[2]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches edit

Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorers
28 August 1937 Oldham Athletic A 0–3 5,781
30 August 1937 Gateshead H 2–2 6,699 Caldwell, Roberts
4 September 1937 Darlington H 1–0 7,233 Roberts
8 September 1937 Gateshead A 1–2 9,641 Roberts
11 September 1937 Doncaster Rovers A 2–3 11,538 Price, Caldwell
13 September 1937 New Brighton H 3–2 4,257 Caldwell, Roberts, Masters
18 September 1937 Crewe Alexandra A 2–1 5,888 Price, Roberts
25 September 1937 Barrow H 4–0 7,416 Roberts (4)
2 October 1937 Wrexham A 0–0 5,364
9 October 1937 Hartlepools United H 5–1 7,951 Caldwell (3), Ward (2)
16 October 1937 Southport H 1–1 8,151 Masters
23 October 1937 Bradford City A 0–5 3,176
30 October 1937 York City H 3–2 5,139 Masters (2), Caldwell
6 November 1937 Tranmere Rovers A 1–2 7,597 Masters
13 November 1937 Halifax Town H 0–2 6,579
20 November 1937 Carlisle United A 1–3 4,959 Fish
4 December 1937 Chester A 2–7 3,849 Roberts (2 [1 pen])
18 December 1937 Rochdale A 1–1 3,560 Roberts (pen)
27 December 1937 Lincoln City A 0–1 13,354
28 December 1937 Lincoln City H 1–0 5,740 Roberts (pen)
1 January 1938 Oldham Athletic H 2–2 6,878 Roberts, Ward
3 January 1938 Rotherham United H 0–0 3,604
8 January 1938 Accrington Stanley H 4–1 5,443 Roberts (3), Masters
15 January 1938 Darlington A 2–2 2,330 Roberts, Ward
22 January 1938 Doncaster Rovers H 1–1 7,153 Caldwell
29 January 1938 Crewe Alexandra H 1–1 5,851 Caldwell
5 February 1938 Barrow A 0–3 5,759
12 February 1938 Wrexham H 2–0 7,861 Davies, Caldwell
19 February 1938 Hartlepools United A 1–2 4,483 Roberts
26 February 1938 Southport A 0–1 3,797
5 March 1938 Bradford City H 4–3 8,022 Nolan (2), Davies, Roberts
12 March 1938 York City A 2–2 7,319 Roberts (2)
19 March 1938 Tranmere Rovers H 1–0 9,916 Nolan
26 March 1938 Halifax Town A 1–2 4,363 Roberts
2 April 1938 Carlisle United H 2–2 6,463 Rattray, Roberts
9 April 1938 Accrington Stanley A 1–2 2,990 Nolan
15 April 1938 Hull City H 2–4 10,984 Roberts (2)
16 April 1938 Chester H 2–2 6,695 Nolan (2)
18 April 1938 Hull City A 0–0 13,564
23 April 1938 Rotherham United A 2–3 5,346 Roberts, Nolan
30 April 1938 Rochdale H 4–1 2,992 Masters (2), Roberts, Bellis
7 May 1938 New Brighton A 1–1 3,259 Griffiths

FA Cup edit

Main article: 1937–38 FA Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 27 November 1937 Gainsborough Trinity H 1–1 6,772 Roberts
R1 Replay 1 December 1937 Gainsborough Trinity A 1–2 4,220 Roberts

Third Division North Cup edit

Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
1 11 October 1937 Tranmere Rovers H 1–1 900 Rattray
Replay 10 November 1937 Tranmere Rovers A 0–2 500

Player statistics edit

Appearances edit

Pos. Name Football League FA Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK   George Heppell 25 0 1 0 27 0
GK   James Nicholls 17 0 1 0 19 0
DF   Trevor Rhodes 13 0 0 0 14 0
DF   Roderick Welsh 27 0 2 0 31 0
DF   Harry Griffiths 27 1 1 0 28 1
DF   Johnny Rowe 37 0 2 0 40 0
DF   Harry Johnson 19 0 0 0 21 0
MF   Arthur Caldwell 35 10 1 0 37 10
MF   Tommy Ward 11 4 1 0 14 4
MF   Billy Tunnicliffe 1 0 1 0 2 0
MF   Wilf Smith 21 0 0 0 22 0
MF   Fred Obrey 16 0 2 0 18 0
MF   Spencer Evans 34 0 2 0 37 0
MF   Arthur Cumberlidge 23 0 1 0 26 0
MF   Arthur Whittaker 0 0 0 0 1 0
MF   Charlie Rattray 22 1 1 0 24 2
MF   William Price 13 2 0 0 14 2
MF   Stanley Dimbleby 1 0 0 0 2 0
MF   Sam Baum 3 0 0 0 3 0
MF   Alf Bellis 1 1 0 0 1 1
MF   Frank Briggs 8 0 0 0 8 0
MF   Harry Sellars 0 0 0 0 0 0
FW   Jack Roberts 37 28 2 2 40 30
FW   Tom Nolan 18 7 1 0 20 7
FW   Arthur Masters 33 8 2 0 35 8
FW   Ken Fish 5 1 1 0 6 1
FW   Harry Davies 15 2 0 0 15 2

Top scorers edit

Place Position Nation Name Third Division North FA Cup Northern Cup Total
1 FW   England Jack Roberts 28 2 0 30
2 MF   England Arthur Caldwell 10 0 0 10
3 FW   England Arthur Masters 8 0 0 8
4 FW   England Tom Nolan 7 0 0 7
5 MF   England Tommy Ward 4 0 0 4
6 MF   England Charlie Rattray 1 0 1 2
– MF   England William Price 2 0 0 2
– FW   England Harry Davies 2 0 0 2
9 FW   South Africa Ken Fish 1 0 0 1
– DF   England Harry Griffiths 1 0 0 1
– MF   England Alf Bellis 1 0 0 1
– – – Own goals 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 65 2 1 68

Transfers edit

Transfers in edit

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 1937 GK   George Heppell Wolverhampton Wanderers Free transfer [3]
May 1937 MF   William Price Fulham Free transfer [3]
May 1937 MF   Charlie Rattray Mansfield Town Free transfer [3]
May 1937 DF   Johnny Rowe Queen's Park Rangers Free transfer [3]
June 1937 MF   Stanley Dimbleby Hull City Free transfer [3]
June 1937 DF   Harry Johnson Newcastle United Free transfer [3]
June 1937 FW   Arthur Masters Nottingham Forest Exchange [3]
June 1937 GK   James Nicholls Brentford Free transfer [3]
November 1937 FW   Ken Fish Aston Villa 'Sizeable' [3]
February 1938 FW   Harry Davies Stoke City Exchange [3]
March 1938 MF   Sam Baum Bolton Wanderers Free transfer [3]
March 1938 MF   Alf Bellis Burnell's Ironworks Free transfer [3]
March 1938 FW   Joe Wheatley Ellesmere Port Town Free transfer [3]

Transfers out edit

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
September 1937 FW   Arthur Ford Wolverhampton Wanderers Free transfer [3]
November 1937 MF   William Price Mutual consent [3]
February 1938 MF   Tommy Ward Stoke City 'Small' [3]
May 1938 MF   Sam Baum Released [3]
May 1938 MF   Frank Briggs Aston Villa Released [3]
May 1938 MF   Stanley Dimbleby Released [3]
May 1938 DF   Spencer Evans Northwich Victoria Free transfer [3]
May 1938 MF   Charlie Rattray Accrington Stanley Free transfer [3]
May 1938 FW   Billy Tunnicliffe Bournemouth Free transfer [3]
May 1938 DF   Roderick Welsh Released [3]
June 1938 MF   Fred Obrey Tranmere Rovers Free transfer [3]
Summer 1938 DF   Harry Johnson Hartlepools United Free transfer [3]
Summer 1938 GK   James Nicholls Released [3]
Summer 1938 MF   Trevor Rhodes Released [3]

References edit

Specific
  1. ^ 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 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 1937–1938 : Results & Fixtures Archived 19 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  3. ^ 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 Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
General
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1937–38_Port_Vale_F.C._season&oldid=1185723566"