1938–39 Port Vale F.C. season
Encyclopedia
The 1938–39 season was Port Vale
's thirty-third season of football in the Football League
, and their first ever season in the Third Division South
, having switched from the Third Division North
in summer 1938. It was the club's last full season of football before the breakout of war in Europe
. It was thus the last season of competitive football for many of the players, including Tom Nolan, who became the club's top scorer for the fourth and final time with seventeen goals. Progressing to the semi-final stage of the Football League Third Division South Cup
, they could progress no further as the tournament was cancelled before its conclusion. Manager Tom Morgan
shocked the club by leaving for another position in March.
, most notably: highly-rated goalkeeper Arthur Jepson
(Grantham Town
); veteran left-back George Collin
(Sunderland
); right-half George Hannah
(Derby County
); left-half Sid Wileman
(signed from Derby for 'a substantial fee'); and goalscoring winger John Callender
(Lincoln City
). Work at the stadium took place, as ground outside the stadium was prepared for car parking. The eclectic training schedule of the previous season was expanded, with bowls
and cricket
supplemented by games of tennis
and baseball
. Also on 20 August, a Football League Jubilee Fund match was played against nearby Crewe Alexandra
, with the Vale picking up a 3–2 win, raising £243 in the process.
The season began with George Heppell
in goal, as Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
at first refused to allow Jepson to play. With three defeats in the first four games, most of the new men were dropped, as Morgan struggled to find consistency in his picks. It took until the end of October for the team to get into their stride, as their 5–1 win over Walsall
was their fifth consecutive home win. They also travelled to St James Park to record a 3–1 win over Exeter City
– their first away win since September 1937. Nottinghamshire CCC seemed justified in initially refusing Jepson permission to play, as he played seventy minutes of the game with his right hand strapped up, having dislocated his fingers. Ken Fish
was then sold to BSC Young Boys
of Switzerland
, having fallen out of favour; yet the directors refused to hear offers for the rest of the team, determined as they were to strengthen the team. Despite stylish play, especially from Alf Bellis
, the club then went from Guy Fawkes Night
to New Year's Eve
without a victory, their five defeats taking them to just two points clear of the re-election zone. Ending their run with a 4–0 win over Bristol City
, they lost Jack Roberts to a dislocated shoulder.
Trying out new, young players in 1939, the club re-signed veteran forward Tommy Ward
from Stoke City
. A 4–0 hammering at Fellows Park
from bottom-placed Walsall
left Vale third-from-bottom by March. Disgruntled supporters turned against the team, as regular barracking was directed at the players. Roberts and Jepson struggled with injuries, but by March the newcomers had finally gelled as a group, and results soon picked up. Yet manager Tom Morgan
shocked the club by leaving for the vacant position at Wrexham, leaving the club somewhat rudderless. Despite receiving a 4–0 beating from Notts County
at Meadow Lane
, the players rallied to produce four points from their last three games. Two of these points came from a 2–0 win over champions Newport County
at Somerton Park
, making Vale the only team to have recorded the double over the ironsides that season.
They finished in eighteenth place with 37 points, then a club record low position. They were four points clear of having to petition for re-election, and eighteen points short of promotion. Their 52 goals scored was a poor record, though a total of 58 goals conceded was much improved on the previous campaign. Nolan's seventeen goals were the only major contribution in front of goal.
was sold to Chelsea
. Other departures included Harry Davies (retired); Leonard Smart
; Tommy Ward (Mansfield Town
); Arthur Caldwell; Arthur Masters
; George Collin
(Burton Town
); Sid Wileman
(Hinckley United
); and John Callender
(Gateshead
).
, Vale overcame Wrexham of the Third Division North
2–1 at the Racecourse Ground
. However they crashed out at the Second Round, losing 1–0 at home to league rivals Southend United
. For both matches the players had relaxed beforehand with activities such as golf
, country walks
, and games of snooker
.
In the short-lived Football League Third Division South Cup
, the "Valiants" progressed to the semi-finals at the expense of Walsall
(4–0), Mansfield Town
(3–1), and Ipswich Town
(2–0). In the semis they came to a goalless stalemate with Queens Park Rangers
at Loftus Road
– the tournament was cancelled at this stage, and so no club would win it. The club had actually lost money in the much maligned tournament, as atrocious attendances were not enough to even pay player bonuses. Port Vale and Queens Park Rangers actually protested in favour of cancelling the tournament due to the financial failure of the cup, and the Football League agreed with them to 'wash out' the competition.
Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against;
GA = Goal average; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
's thirty-third season of football in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
, and their first ever season in the Third Division South
Football League Third Division South
The Football League Third Division South was a level of English professional football which ran in parallel to Third Division North from 1921 to 1958....
, having switched from the Third Division North
Football League Third Division North
The Third Division North of The Football League was a tier in the English association football league system from 1921 to 1958. It ran parallel to Third Division South with clubs elected to the League or relegated from a higher division allocated to one or the other according to geographical position...
in summer 1938. It was the club's last full season of football before the breakout of war in Europe
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was thus the last season of competitive football for many of the players, including Tom Nolan, who became the club's top scorer for the fourth and final time with seventeen goals. Progressing to the semi-final stage of the Football League Third Division South Cup
Football League Third Division South Cup
The Football League Third Division South Cup was a football knockout competition open to teams competing in Football League Third Division South. The competition was first held in 1933–34 and ran until the 1938–39 season.-Format:...
, they could progress no further as the tournament was cancelled before its conclusion. Manager Tom Morgan
Tom Morgan (footballer)
Thomas M. Morgan was a football manager, noted in the 1930s for twice being the manager of Port Vale, as well a having a spell as manager of Wrexham.-Playing career:...
shocked the club by leaving for another position in March.
Third Division South
The pre-season saw another reconstruction of the first eleven, as eleven new signings arrived at The Old Recreation GroundThe Old Recreation Ground
The Old Recreation Ground was a football stadium, located in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent and home to Port Vale for almost 40 years. The Rec had been Vale's home between 1913 and 1950 and was the sixth ground the club used.-Structure and facilities:...
, most notably: highly-rated goalkeeper Arthur Jepson
Arthur Jepson
Arthur Jepson was an English first-class cricketer who played for Nottinghamshire before becoming an umpire. In addition to cricket he was also an accomplished football goalkeeper who played over 100 games in the Football League before turning his hand to management.-Cricket career:Jepson, a...
(Grantham Town
Grantham Town F.C.
Grantham Town F.C. is a football club, based in Grantham, Lincolnshire, currently playing in the Northern Premier League Division One South. They are nicknamed The Gingerbreads and they play their home matches at the South Kesteven Sports Stadium . They were established in August 1874...
); veteran left-back George Collin
George Collin
George Collin was an English footballer.-Playing career:Collin played for West Stanley , Arsenal, Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, Derby County and Sunderland before joining Port Vale in June 1938. He made his debut on 27 August 1937, in a 3–1 home defeat by Aldershot and was not selected again...
(Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
); right-half George Hannah
George Hannah (footballer born 1914)
George Lamb Hannah is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Hannah played for Washington Colliery and Derby County before joining Port Vale in June 1938. He was an ever-present during the 1938–39 season, but lost his place in October 1939...
(Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
); left-half Sid Wileman
Sid Wileman
Sidney Wileman was an English footballer.-Playing career:Wileman played for Hugglescote Wesleyans, Gresley Rovers, Nottingham Forest and Derby County before joining Port Vale for 'a substantial fee' in June 1938...
(signed from Derby for 'a substantial fee'); and goalscoring winger John Callender
John Callender (footballer)
John Callender was an English footballer.-Playing career:Callender played for Walker Celtic, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chesterfield, Ashington and Lincoln City before joining Port Vale in May 1938. He was unable to himself in the first team and after four games and one goal he was given a free...
(Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
). Work at the stadium took place, as ground outside the stadium was prepared for car parking. The eclectic training schedule of the previous season was expanded, with bowls
Bowls
Bowls is a sport in which the objective is to roll slightly asymmetric balls so that they stop close to a smaller "jack" or "kitty". It is played on a pitch which may be flat or convex or uneven...
and cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
supplemented by games of tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
and baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
. Also on 20 August, a Football League Jubilee Fund match was played against nearby Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
, with the Vale picking up a 3–2 win, raising £243 in the process.
The season began with George Heppell
George Heppell
George Heppell was an English football goalkeeper who made over 200 appearances for Port Vale.-Playing career:...
in goal, as Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Nottinghamshire, and the current county champions. Its limited overs team is called the Nottinghamshire Outlaws...
at first refused to allow Jepson to play. With three defeats in the first four games, most of the new men were dropped, as Morgan struggled to find consistency in his picks. It took until the end of October for the team to get into their stride, as their 5–1 win over Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
was their fifth consecutive home win. They also travelled to St James Park to record a 3–1 win over Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
– their first away win since September 1937. Nottinghamshire CCC seemed justified in initially refusing Jepson permission to play, as he played seventy minutes of the game with his right hand strapped up, having dislocated his fingers. Ken Fish
Ken Fish
Kenneth Henry Albert Fish was a South African footballer.-Playing career:Fish played for Railway Association before moving to England to play for Aston Villa. He signed with Port Vale for a sizeable fee in November 1937...
was then sold to BSC Young Boys
BSC Young Boys
Berner Sport Club Young Boys 1898 is a Swiss sporting club based in the capital city of Bern. The name is often abbreviated to YB . Abroad, YB is often referred to as Young Boys Bern. The club's colors are yellow and black....
of Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, having fallen out of favour; yet the directors refused to hear offers for the rest of the team, determined as they were to strengthen the team. Despite stylish play, especially from Alf Bellis
Alf Bellis
Alfred "Alf" Bellis is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Bellis joined Port Vale from Burnell's Ironworks in March 1938. During the war he played for the club, as well as guesting for Ellesmere Port Town, Rochdale, Notts County, Manchester United and Manchester City...
, the club then went from Guy Fawkes Night
Guy Fawkes Night
Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire Night and Firework Night, is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily in England. Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605, when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding...
to New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is observed annually on December 31, the final day of any given year in the Gregorian calendar. In modern societies, New Year's Eve is often celebrated at social gatherings, during which participants dance, eat, consume alcoholic beverages, and watch or light fireworks to mark the...
without a victory, their five defeats taking them to just two points clear of the re-election zone. Ending their run with a 4–0 win over Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
, they lost Jack Roberts to a dislocated shoulder.
Trying out new, young players in 1939, the club re-signed veteran forward Tommy Ward
Tommy Ward (footballer)
Thomas Edward George Ward is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Ward played for Chatham, Crystal Palace and Grimsby Town before he joined Port Vale in June 1936. He converted to a centre-forward role in November 1936 and with 18 goals in the 1936–37 season was the club's top scorer...
from Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
. A 4–0 hammering at Fellows Park
Fellows Park
Fellows Park was a football stadium in Walsall, England. It was the home ground of Walsall F.C. from 1896 till 1990, when the team moved to the Bescot Stadium....
from bottom-placed Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
left Vale third-from-bottom by March. Disgruntled supporters turned against the team, as regular barracking was directed at the players. Roberts and Jepson struggled with injuries, but by March the newcomers had finally gelled as a group, and results soon picked up. Yet manager Tom Morgan
Tom Morgan (footballer)
Thomas M. Morgan was a football manager, noted in the 1930s for twice being the manager of Port Vale, as well a having a spell as manager of Wrexham.-Playing career:...
shocked the club by leaving for the vacant position at Wrexham, leaving the club somewhat rudderless. Despite receiving a 4–0 beating from Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
at Meadow Lane
Meadow Lane
Not to be confused with The Meadow, home of Southern Football League Premier Division football team Chesham UnitedThe Meadow Lane Stadium is a football stadium in Nottingham, England...
, the players rallied to produce four points from their last three games. Two of these points came from a 2–0 win over champions Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
at Somerton Park
Somerton Park
Somerton Park was a football, greyhound and speedway stadium in Newport, Monmouthshire. In April 1912 Newport County had been accepted to play in the Southern League for the 1912–13 season. Shortly afterwards, the site for the ground was obtained by the Club's chairman Bert Moss...
, making Vale the only team to have recorded the double over the ironsides that season.
They finished in eighteenth place with 37 points, then a club record low position. They were four points clear of having to petition for re-election, and eighteen points short of promotion. Their 52 goals scored was a poor record, though a total of 58 goals conceded was much improved on the previous campaign. Nolan's seventeen goals were the only major contribution in front of goal.
Finances
On the financial side, gate receipts had increased by £659, however an overall loss was made of £1,723. The move to the southern division had cost a considerable amount in transfer fees, though home game income had improved by £676 to £6,403. Further financial worries were lessened by a transfer credit of £1,455. Despite the poor season, seventeen players were kept on, though promising teenage midfielder John SmithJohn Smith (footballer born 1921)
John F. Smith is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Smith joined Port Vale in September 1938. He scored on his debut at inside-right in a 4–0 home win over Walsall in a first round Southern Section Cup match on 26 September 1938...
was sold to Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
. Other departures included Harry Davies (retired); Leonard Smart
Leonard Smart
-Playing career:Smart played for Folkestone Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Port Vale in March 1939. He only spent two months with the club before moving on to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic.-References:...
; Tommy Ward (Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
); Arthur Caldwell; Arthur Masters
Arthur Masters
Arthur Masters was an English footballer.-Playing career:Masters played for Horwich R.M.I. and Nottingham Forest before joining Port Vale in exchange for Allan Todd in June 1937...
; George Collin
George Collin
George Collin was an English footballer.-Playing career:Collin played for West Stanley , Arsenal, Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, Derby County and Sunderland before joining Port Vale in June 1938. He made his debut on 27 August 1937, in a 3–1 home defeat by Aldershot and was not selected again...
(Burton Town
Burton Town F.C.
Burton Town F.C. was an English association football club based in Burton upon Trent in Staffordshire. Originally known as Burton All Saints, the club competed in the Birmingham & District League, one of the country's strongest semi-professional leagues, between 1924 and 1935, winning the...
); Sid Wileman
Sid Wileman
Sidney Wileman was an English footballer.-Playing career:Wileman played for Hugglescote Wesleyans, Gresley Rovers, Nottingham Forest and Derby County before joining Port Vale for 'a substantial fee' in June 1938...
(Hinckley United
Hinckley United F.C.
Hinckley United Football Club are an English football club, from Hinckley, Leicestershire currently playing in the Conference North. Formed only in 1997, the club has risen from the Southern League Midland/West Division to the Conference North in those 14 years...
); and John Callender
John Callender (footballer)
John Callender was an English footballer.-Playing career:Callender played for Walker Celtic, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chesterfield, Ashington and Lincoln City before joining Port Vale in May 1938. He was unable to himself in the first team and after four games and one goal he was given a free...
(Gateshead
Gateshead F.C.
Gateshead Football Club are a professional Association football club, based in Gateshead, England. They currently play in the Conference National, the fifth level of the English football league system.Ian Bogie is the current manager....
).
Cup competitions
In the FA CupFA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
, Vale overcame Wrexham of the Third Division North
Football League Third Division North
The Third Division North of The Football League was a tier in the English association football league system from 1921 to 1958. It ran parallel to Third Division South with clubs elected to the League or relegated from a higher division allocated to one or the other according to geographical position...
2–1 at the Racecourse Ground
Racecourse Ground
The Glyndŵr University Racecourse Stadium AKA The Racecourse Ground is a stadium located in Wrexham, North Wales. It is the home of Wrexham F.C. and, since 2010, the Crusaders Rugby League team who play in the engage Super League...
. However they crashed out at the Second Round, losing 1–0 at home to league rivals Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
. For both matches the players had relaxed beforehand with activities such as golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
, country walks
Walking in the United Kingdom
Walking is claimed to be the most popular outdoor recreational activity in the United Kingdom. The country has a comprehensive network of rights of way, which permit easy access to the countryside as well as wilderness areas....
, and games of snooker
Snooker
Snooker is a cue sport that is played on a green baize-covered table with pockets in each of the four corners and in the middle of each of the long side cushions. A regular table is . It is played using a cue and snooker balls: one white , 15 worth one point each, and six balls of different :...
.
In the short-lived Football League Third Division South Cup
Football League Third Division South Cup
The Football League Third Division South Cup was a football knockout competition open to teams competing in Football League Third Division South. The competition was first held in 1933–34 and ran until the 1938–39 season.-Format:...
, the "Valiants" progressed to the semi-finals at the expense of Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
(4–0), Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
(3–1), and Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
(2–0). In the semis they came to a goalless stalemate with Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
at Loftus Road
Loftus Road
Loftus Road is a football stadium in Shepherd's Bush, London. It is home to the English football team Queens Park Rangers of the Premier League and has a capacity of around 18,500. The four stands are called the Loftus Road End , Ellerslie Road Stand, South Africa Road Stand and the School End,...
– the tournament was cancelled at this stage, and so no club would win it. The club had actually lost money in the much maligned tournament, as atrocious attendances were not enough to even pay player bonuses. Port Vale and Queens Park Rangers actually protested in favour of cancelling the tournament due to the financial failure of the cup, and the Football League agreed with them to 'wash out' the competition.
Final league table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | W | D | L | F | A | F | A | GA | GD | Pts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newport County Newport County A.F.C. Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system... |
42 | 15 | 4 | 2 | 37 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 | 29 | 58 | 45 | 1.289 | + 13 | 55 | ||||
| 2 | Crystal Palace Crystal Palace F.C. Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in... |
42 | 15 | 4 | 2 | 49 | 18 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 22 | 34 | 71 | 52 | 1.365 | + 19 | 52 | ||||
| 3 | Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system.... |
42 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 43 | 14 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 25 | 35 | 68 | 49 | 1.388 | + 19 | 49 | ||||
| 4 | Watford Watford F.C. Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade... |
42 | 14 | 6 | 1 | 44 | 15 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 36 | 62 | 51 | 1.216 | + 11 | 46 | ||||
| 5 | Reading Reading F.C. Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship... |
42 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 46 | 23 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 23 | 36 | 69 | 59 | 1.169 | + 10 | 46 | ||||
| 6 | Queens Park Rangers Queens Park Rangers F.C. Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years... |
42 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 44 | 15 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 24 | 34 | 68 | 49 | 1.388 | + 19 | 44 | ||||
| 7 | Ipswich Town Ipswich Town F.C. Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02.... |
42 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 46 | 21 | 2 | 9 | 10 | 16 | 31 | 62 | 52 | 1.192 | + 10 | 44 | ||||
| 8 | Bristol City Bristol City F.C. Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City... |
42 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 42 | 19 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 44 | 61 | 63 | 0.968 | – 2 | 44 | ||||
| 9 | Swindon Town Swindon Town F.C. Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011... |
42 | 15 | 4 | 2 | 53 | 25 | 3 | 4 | 14 | 19 | 52 | 72 | 77 | 0.935 | – 5 | 44 | ||||
| 10 | Aldershot Aldershot F.C. Aldershot Football Club was an English Football League club, which was wound up in the High Court in March 1992. They became the first Football League club since Accrington Stanley to resign from the League during the course of a season. The club was nicknamed the Shots for both the last syllable... |
42 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 31 | 15 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 22 | 51 | 53 | 66 | 0.803 | – 13 | 44 | ||||
| 11 | Notts County Notts County F.C. Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system... |
42 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 36 | 16 | 5 | 3 | 13 | 23 | 38 | 59 | 54 | 1.093 | + 4 | 43 | ||||
| 12 | Southend United Southend United F.C. Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had... |
42 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 38 | 13 | 2 | 4 | 15 | 23 | 51 | 61 | 64 | 0.953 | – 3 | 41 | ||||
| 13 | Cardiff City Cardiff City F.C. Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for... |
42 | 12 | 1 | 8 | 40 | 28 | 3 | 10 | 8 | 21 | 37 | 61 | 65 | 0.938 | – 4 | 41 | ||||
| 14 | Exeter City Exeter City F.C. Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003... |
42 | 9 | 9 | 3 | 40 | 32 | 4 | 5 | 12 | 25 | 50 | 65 | 82 | 0.793 | – 17 | 40 | ||||
| 15 | Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic A.F.C. Bournemouth A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899.... |
42 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 38 | 22 | 3 | 5 | 13 | 14 | 36 | 52 | 58 | 0.897 | – 6 | 39 | ||||
| 16 | Mansfield Town Mansfield Town F.C. Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910... |
42 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 33 | 19 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 11 | 43 | 44 | 62 | 0.710 | – 18 | 39 | ||||
| 17 | Northampton Town Northampton Town F.C. Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season... |
42 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 41 | 20 | 2 | 3 | 16 | 10 | 38 | 51 | 58 | 0.879 | – 7 | 38 | ||||
| 18 | Port Vale Port Vale F.C. Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as... |
42 | 10 | 5 | 6 | 36 | 23 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 16 | 35 | 52 | 58 | 0.897 | – 6 | 37 | ||||
| 19 | Torquay United Torquay United F.C. Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley... |
42 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 27 | 28 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 27 | 42 | 54 | 70 | 0.771 | – 16 | 37 | ||||
| 20 | Clapton Orient Leyton Orient F.C. Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63... |
42 | 10 | 9 | 2 | 40 | 16 | 1 | 4 | 16 | 13 | 39 | 53 | 55 | 0.964 | – 2 | 35 | ||||
| 21 | Walsall Walsall F.C. Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second... |
42 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 47 | 23 | 2 | 5 | 14 | 21 | 46 | 68 | 69 | 0.986 | – 1 | 33 | ||||
| 22 | Bristol Rovers Bristol Rovers F.C. Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city.... |
42 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 30 | 17 | 2 | 5 | 14 | 25 | 44 | 55 | 61 | 0.902 | – 6 | 33 |
Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against;
GA = Goal average; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points
Legend
| Win | Draw | Loss |
Football League Third Division South
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 August 1938 | Aldershot Aldershot F.C. Aldershot Football Club was an English Football League club, which was wound up in the High Court in March 1992. They became the first Football League club since Accrington Stanley to resign from the League during the course of a season. The club was nicknamed the Shots for both the last syllable... |
H | 1–3 | 10,036 | Callender John Callender (footballer) John Callender was an English footballer.-Playing career:Callender played for Walker Celtic, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chesterfield, Ashington and Lincoln City before joining Port Vale in May 1938. He was unable to himself in the first team and after four games and one goal he was given a free... |
| 29 August 1938 | Newport County Newport County A.F.C. Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system... |
H | 2–1 | 6,240 | O'Brien William O'Brien (footballer) -Playing career:O'Brien played for Glasgow based St. Anthony's before heading to England to play for Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic. He joined Port Vale in May 1968. He played a mere four games for the club, but did score a goal before his departure in April 1939. He moved on to Watford.-References:... , Roberts |
| 3 September 1938 | Bristol City Bristol City F.C. Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City... |
A | 1–5 | 16,975 | Nolan |
| 8 September 1938 | Clapton Orient Leyton Orient F.C. Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63... |
A | 0–1 | 4,399 | |
| 10 September 1938 | Crystal Palace Crystal Palace F.C. Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in... |
H | 2–0 | 10,478 | Nolan (2) |
| 17 September 1938 | Watford Watford F.C. Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade... |
A | 0–2 | 9,503 | |
| 24 September 1938 | Mansfield Town Mansfield Town F.C. Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910... |
H | 3–0 | 8,100 | Masters Arthur Masters Arthur Masters was an English footballer.-Playing career:Masters played for Horwich R.M.I. and Nottingham Forest before joining Port Vale in exchange for Allan Todd in June 1937... (2), Bellis Alf Bellis Alfred "Alf" Bellis is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Bellis joined Port Vale from Burnell's Ironworks in March 1938. During the war he played for the club, as well as guesting for Ellesmere Port Town, Rochdale, Notts County, Manchester United and Manchester City... |
| 1 October 1938 | Swindon Town Swindon Town F.C. Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011... |
H | 2–0 | 10,082 | Griffiths Harry Griffiths Harry Stanley Griffiths was an English footballer and baseball international. He played in defence for Everton between 1930 and 1935, but after failing to get a game moved on to Port Vale between 1935 and 1947, playing 192 games in all competitions... , Roberts |
| 8 October 1938 | Torquay United Torquay United F.C. Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley... |
A | 0–1 | 3,382 | |
| 15 October 1938 | Queens Park Rangers Queens Park Rangers F.C. Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years... |
A | 2–2 | 13,853 | Nolan, Roberts |
| 22 October 1938 | Walsall Walsall F.C. Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second... |
H | 5–1 | 8,593 | Davies (2), Nolan, Roberts, Masters Arthur Masters Arthur Masters was an English footballer.-Playing career:Masters played for Horwich R.M.I. and Nottingham Forest before joining Port Vale in exchange for Allan Todd in June 1937... |
| 29 October 1938 | Exeter City Exeter City F.C. Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003... |
A | 3–1 | 6,885 | Roberts (2), Bellis Alf Bellis Alfred "Alf" Bellis is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Bellis joined Port Vale from Burnell's Ironworks in March 1938. During the war he played for the club, as well as guesting for Ellesmere Port Town, Rochdale, Notts County, Manchester United and Manchester City... |
| 5 November 1938 | Cardiff City Cardiff City F.C. Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for... |
H | 1–1 | 12,521 | Nolan |
| 12 November 1938 | Ipswich Town Ipswich Town F.C. Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02.... |
A | 0–2 | 13,637 | |
| 19 November 1938 | Reading Reading F.C. Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship... |
H | 0–2 | 9,633 | |
| 3 December 1938 | Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system.... |
H | 1–1 | 8,015 | Nolan |
| 17 December 1938 | Southend United Southend United F.C. Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had... |
H | 2–2 | 4,209 | Masters Arthur Masters Arthur Masters was an English footballer.-Playing career:Masters played for Horwich R.M.I. and Nottingham Forest before joining Port Vale in exchange for Allan Todd in June 1937... , Roberts |
| 26 December 1938 | Northampton Town Northampton Town F.C. Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season... |
A | 0–2 | 4,734 | |
| 27 December 1938 | Northampton Town Northampton Town F.C. Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season... |
H | 0–2 | 10,717 | |
| 31 December 1938 | Bristol City Bristol City F.C. Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City... |
H | 4–0 | 4,597 | Nolan (2), Griffiths Harry Griffiths Harry Stanley Griffiths was an English footballer and baseball international. He played in defence for Everton between 1930 and 1935, but after failing to get a game moved on to Port Vale between 1935 and 1947, playing 192 games in all competitions... , Roberts |
| 7 January 1939 | Bristol Rovers Bristol Rovers F.C. Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city.... |
A | 1–0 | 3,962 | Nolan |
| 14 January 1939 | Crystal Palace Crystal Palace F.C. Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in... |
A | 0–1 | 13,773 | |
| 21 January 1939 | Watford Watford F.C. Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade... |
H | 1–2 | 5,204 | Nolan |
| 28 January 1939 | Mansfield Town Mansfield Town F.C. Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910... |
A | 0–2 | 3,742 | |
| 4 February 1939 | Swindon Town Swindon Town F.C. Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011... |
A | 1–1 | 8,823 | Ward Tommy Ward (footballer) Thomas Edward George Ward is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Ward played for Chatham, Crystal Palace and Grimsby Town before he joined Port Vale in June 1936. He converted to a centre-forward role in November 1936 and with 18 goals in the 1936–37 season was the club's top scorer... |
| 11 February 1939 | Torquay United Torquay United F.C. Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley... |
H | 0–1 | 8,064 | |
| 18 February 1939 | Queens Park Rangers Queens Park Rangers F.C. Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years... |
H | 1–2 | 7,210 | Ward Tommy Ward (footballer) Thomas Edward George Ward is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Ward played for Chatham, Crystal Palace and Grimsby Town before he joined Port Vale in June 1936. He converted to a centre-forward role in November 1936 and with 18 goals in the 1936–37 season was the club's top scorer... |
| 25 February 1939 | Walsall Walsall F.C. Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second... |
A | 0–4 | 5,749 | |
| 4 March 1939 | Exeter City Exeter City F.C. Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003... |
H | 3–2 | 6,240 | Nolan, Moreland Geoffrey Moreland Arthur Geoffrey Moreland, known as Geoffrey Moreland, was an English professional footballer who made 11 appearances in the Football League playing for Birmingham and Port Vale. He played as an centre forward.... , Masters Arthur Masters Arthur Masters was an English footballer.-Playing career:Masters played for Horwich R.M.I. and Nottingham Forest before joining Port Vale in exchange for Allan Todd in June 1937... |
| 11 March 1939 | Cardiff City Cardiff City F.C. Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for... |
A | 4–2 | 9,145 | Smart Leonard Smart -Playing career:Smart played for Folkestone Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Port Vale in March 1939. He only spent two months with the club before moving on to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic.-References:... (2), Ward Tommy Ward (footballer) Thomas Edward George Ward is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Ward played for Chatham, Crystal Palace and Grimsby Town before he joined Port Vale in June 1936. He converted to a centre-forward role in November 1936 and with 18 goals in the 1936–37 season was the club's top scorer... , Nolan |
| 15 March 1939 | Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic A.F.C. Bournemouth A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899.... |
A | 1–1 | 3,243 | Ward Tommy Ward (footballer) Thomas Edward George Ward is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Ward played for Chatham, Crystal Palace and Grimsby Town before he joined Port Vale in June 1936. He converted to a centre-forward role in November 1936 and with 18 goals in the 1936–37 season was the club's top scorer... |
| 18 March 1939 | Ipswich Town Ipswich Town F.C. Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02.... |
H | 0–0 | 6,361 | |
| 25 March 1939 | Reading Reading F.C. Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship... |
A | 1–2 | 5,079 | Moreland Geoffrey Moreland Arthur Geoffrey Moreland, known as Geoffrey Moreland, was an English professional footballer who made 11 appearances in the Football League playing for Birmingham and Port Vale. He played as an centre forward.... |
| 1 April 1939 | Bristol Rovers Bristol Rovers F.C. Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city.... |
H | 2–1 | 5,634 | Nolan, Smart Leonard Smart -Playing career:Smart played for Folkestone Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Port Vale in March 1939. He only spent two months with the club before moving on to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic.-References:... |
| 7 April 1939 | Notts County Notts County F.C. Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system... |
H | 3–1 | 9,658 | Smart Leonard Smart -Playing career:Smart played for Folkestone Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Port Vale in March 1939. He only spent two months with the club before moving on to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic.-References:... , o.g. Own goal An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents.... , Nolan |
| 8 April 1939 | Brighton & Hove Albion Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system.... |
A | 0–1 | 7,807 | |
| 10 April 1939 | Notts County Notts County F.C. Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system... |
A | 0–4 | 10,401 | |
| 15 April 1939 | Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic A.F.C. Bournemouth A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899.... |
H | 2–0 | 3,902 | Nolan, Moreland Geoffrey Moreland Arthur Geoffrey Moreland, known as Geoffrey Moreland, was an English professional footballer who made 11 appearances in the Football League playing for Birmingham and Port Vale. He played as an centre forward.... |
| 19 April 1939 | Aldershot Aldershot F.C. Aldershot Football Club was an English Football League club, which was wound up in the High Court in March 1992. They became the first Football League club since Accrington Stanley to resign from the League during the course of a season. The club was nicknamed the Shots for both the last syllable... |
A | 0–1 | 3,518 | |
| 22 April 1939 | Southend United Southend United F.C. Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had... |
A | 0–0 | 4,239 | |
| 29 April 1939 | Newport County Newport County A.F.C. Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system... |
A | 2–0 | 7,260 | Smart Leonard Smart -Playing career:Smart played for Folkestone Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Port Vale in March 1939. He only spent two months with the club before moving on to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic.-References:... , Bellis Alf Bellis Alfred "Alf" Bellis is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Bellis joined Port Vale from Burnell's Ironworks in March 1938. During the war he played for the club, as well as guesting for Ellesmere Port Town, Rochdale, Notts County, Manchester United and Manchester City... |
| 6 May 1939 | Clapton Orient Leyton Orient F.C. Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63... |
H | 1–1 | 3,482 | Nolan |
FA Cup
| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | 26 November 1938 | Wrexham | A | 2–1 | 5,000 | Roberts (2) |
| R2 | 10 December 1938 | Southend United Southend United F.C. Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had... |
H | 0–1 | 7,993 |
Appearances
| Pos. | Name | Football League | FA Cup | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| GK |  George HeppellGeorge Heppell George Heppell was an English football goalkeeper who made over 200 appearances for Port Vale.-Playing career:... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| GK | Arthur Jepson Arthur Jepson Arthur Jepson was an English first-class cricketer who played for Nottinghamshire before becoming an umpire. In addition to cricket he was also an accomplished football goalkeeper who played over 100 games in the Football League before turning his hand to management.-Cricket career:Jepson, a... |
39 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 45 | 0 |
| DF | Harry Griffiths Harry Griffiths Harry Stanley Griffiths was an English footballer and baseball international. He played in defence for Everton between 1930 and 1935, but after failing to get a game moved on to Port Vale between 1935 and 1947, playing 192 games in all competitions... |
33 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 37 | 3 |
| DF | Johnny Rowe Johnny Rowe (footballer) Jonathan "Johnny" Rowe was an English footballer.-Playing career:Rowe played for Manchester Central, Reading and Queen's Park Rangers before joining Port Vale in May 1937. He was a regular for the side until the outbreak of World War II when the club went into abeyance as football was put on hold... |
35 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 40 | 0 |
| DF | Roger Whittle Roger Whittle -Playing career:Whittle joined Port Vale in May 1938 and made his debut in a 1–1 draw at Swindon Town on 4 February 1939. He played in the 1–0 reverse at home to Torquay United seven days later and also was in the side for two further games in April 1939. During the war he guested for Leeds United,... |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| DF | Roy Felton Roy Felton Robert Francis Foster Felton was an English footballer.-Playing career:Felton played for Everton before joining Port Vale in June 1938. He played ten league and two cup games before being called up for military training in August 1939. During the war he guested for Bath City, but returned to Vale... |
10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| DF | George Collin George Collin George Collin was an English footballer.-Playing career:Collin played for West Stanley , Arsenal, Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, Derby County and Sunderland before joining Port Vale in June 1938. He made his debut on 27 August 1937, in a 3–1 home defeat by Aldershot and was not selected again... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| MF | Arthur Caldwell |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| MF | Tommy Ward Tommy Ward (footballer) Thomas Edward George Ward is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Ward played for Chatham, Crystal Palace and Grimsby Town before he joined Port Vale in June 1936. He converted to a centre-forward role in November 1936 and with 18 goals in the 1936–37 season was the club's top scorer... |
12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 7 |
| MF | Wilf Smith |
37 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 40 | 0 |
| MF | Arthur Cumberlidge Arthur Cumberlidge Arthur Leonard Cumberlidge was an English footballer.-Playing career:Cumberlidge played for Stoke City before joining Port Vale as an amateur in October 1936, before making his debut the following February and signing professional forms in March 1937... |
35 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 41 | 0 |
| MF | Alf Bellis Alf Bellis Alfred "Alf" Bellis is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Bellis joined Port Vale from Burnell's Ironworks in March 1938. During the war he played for the club, as well as guesting for Ellesmere Port Town, Rochdale, Notts County, Manchester United and Manchester City... |
26 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 31 | 3 |
| MF | Sid Wileman Sid Wileman Sidney Wileman was an English footballer.-Playing career:Wileman played for Hugglescote Wesleyans, Gresley Rovers, Nottingham Forest and Derby County before joining Port Vale for 'a substantial fee' in June 1938... |
4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| MF | Don Triner Don Triner Donald Arthur Triner is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Triner played for Downing's Tileries before joining Port Vale in December 1938. In only his second game, a 1–0 home win at Bristol Rovers on 7 January 1939, he broke his leg... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| MF | Leonard Smart Leonard Smart -Playing career:Smart played for Folkestone Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Port Vale in March 1939. He only spent two months with the club before moving on to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic.-References:... |
13 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 5 |
| MF | John Smith John Smith (footballer born 1921) John F. Smith is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Smith joined Port Vale in September 1938. He scored on his debut at inside-right in a 4–0 home win over Walsall in a first round Southern Section Cup match on 26 September 1938... |
13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 2 |
| MF | George Hannah George Hannah (footballer born 1914) George Lamb Hannah is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Hannah played for Washington Colliery and Derby County before joining Port Vale in June 1938. He was an ever-present during the 1938–39 season, but lost his place in October 1939... |
42 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 48 | 0 |
| MF | Bill Booth Bill Booth (footballer) William Samuel Booth was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Brighton & Hove Albion and Port Vale.-Playing career:... |
9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| MF | John Callender John Callender (footballer) John Callender was an English footballer.-Playing career:Callender played for Walker Celtic, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chesterfield, Ashington and Lincoln City before joining Port Vale in May 1938. He was unable to himself in the first team and after four games and one goal he was given a free... |
3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| FW | Jack Roberts |
20 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 21 | 10 |
| FW | Tom Nolan |
39 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 41 | 17 |
| FW | Arthur Masters Arthur Masters Arthur Masters was an English footballer.-Playing career:Masters played for Horwich R.M.I. and Nottingham Forest before joining Port Vale in exchange for Allan Todd in June 1937... |
33 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 37 | 7 |
| FW | Harry Davies |
29 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 3 |
| FW | Joe Wheatley Joe Wheatley Harold Joseph Wheatley is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Wheatley played for Ellesmere Port Town before joining Port Vale as an amateur in March 1938 and signing as a professional player the following month... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| FW | John Sanderson John Sanderson (footballer) -Playing career:Sanderson joined Port Vale from Newcastle United in June 1938. He played the first two matches of the cancelled 1939–40 season before war broke out. He returned to the Vale in March 1945, but failed to gain a regular spot and was given a free transfer in May 1946.-References:... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| FW | Geoffrey Moreland Geoffrey Moreland Arthur Geoffrey Moreland, known as Geoffrey Moreland, was an English professional footballer who made 11 appearances in the Football League playing for Birmingham and Port Vale. He played as an centre forward.... |
7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 |
| FW |  William O'BrienWilliam O'Brien (footballer) -Playing career:O'Brien played for Glasgow based St. Anthony's before heading to England to play for Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic. He joined Port Vale in May 1968. He played a mere four games for the club, but did score a goal before his departure in April 1939. He moved on to Watford.-References:... |
4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| FW | Richard Fuller Richard Fuller (footballer) Richard J. Fuller is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Fuller played for Stockport County before joining Port Vale in May 1938. His only game for the club was on 28 January 1939, in a 2–0 defeat at Mansfield Town. Failing to make an impression on the first team he left on a free... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
All competitions
| Scorer | Goals |
|---|---|
| Tom Nolan |
17 |
| Jack Roberts |
10 |
| Arthur Masters Arthur Masters Arthur Masters was an English footballer.-Playing career:Masters played for Horwich R.M.I. and Nottingham Forest before joining Port Vale in exchange for Allan Todd in June 1937... |
7 |
| Tommy Ward Tommy Ward (footballer) Thomas Edward George Ward is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Ward played for Chatham, Crystal Palace and Grimsby Town before he joined Port Vale in June 1936. He converted to a centre-forward role in November 1936 and with 18 goals in the 1936–37 season was the club's top scorer... |
|
| Leonard Smart Leonard Smart -Playing career:Smart played for Folkestone Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Port Vale in March 1939. He only spent two months with the club before moving on to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic.-References:... |
5 |
| Geoffrey Moreland Geoffrey Moreland Arthur Geoffrey Moreland, known as Geoffrey Moreland, was an English professional footballer who made 11 appearances in the Football League playing for Birmingham and Port Vale. He played as an centre forward.... |
3 |
| Alf Bellis Alf Bellis Alfred "Alf" Bellis is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Bellis joined Port Vale from Burnell's Ironworks in March 1938. During the war he played for the club, as well as guesting for Ellesmere Port Town, Rochdale, Notts County, Manchester United and Manchester City... |
|
| Harry Davies |
|
| Harry Griffiths Harry Griffiths Harry Stanley Griffiths was an English footballer and baseball international. He played in defence for Everton between 1930 and 1935, but after failing to get a game moved on to Port Vale between 1935 and 1947, playing 192 games in all competitions... |
|
| John Smith John Smith (footballer born 1921) John F. Smith is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Smith joined Port Vale in September 1938. He scored on his debut at inside-right in a 4–0 home win over Walsall in a first round Southern Section Cup match on 26 September 1938... |
2 |
| John Callender John Callender (footballer) John Callender was an English footballer.-Playing career:Callender played for Walker Celtic, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chesterfield, Ashington and Lincoln City before joining Port Vale in May 1938. He was unable to himself in the first team and after four games and one goal he was given a free... |
1 |
| William O'Brien William O'Brien (footballer) -Playing career:O'Brien played for Glasgow based St. Anthony's before heading to England to play for Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic. He joined Port Vale in May 1968. He played a mere four games for the club, but did score a goal before his departure in April 1939. He moved on to Watford.-References:... |
League
| Scorer | Goals |
|---|---|
| Tom Nolan |
17 |
| Jack Roberts |
8 |
| Arthur Masters Arthur Masters Arthur Masters was an English footballer.-Playing career:Masters played for Horwich R.M.I. and Nottingham Forest before joining Port Vale in exchange for Allan Todd in June 1937... |
5 |
| Leonard Smart Leonard Smart -Playing career:Smart played for Folkestone Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Port Vale in March 1939. He only spent two months with the club before moving on to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic.-References:... |
|
| Tommy Ward Tommy Ward (footballer) Thomas Edward George Ward is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Ward played for Chatham, Crystal Palace and Grimsby Town before he joined Port Vale in June 1936. He converted to a centre-forward role in November 1936 and with 18 goals in the 1936–37 season was the club's top scorer... |
4 |
| Geoffrey Moreland Geoffrey Moreland Arthur Geoffrey Moreland, known as Geoffrey Moreland, was an English professional footballer who made 11 appearances in the Football League playing for Birmingham and Port Vale. He played as an centre forward.... |
3 |
| Alf Bellis Alf Bellis Alfred "Alf" Bellis is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Bellis joined Port Vale from Burnell's Ironworks in March 1938. During the war he played for the club, as well as guesting for Ellesmere Port Town, Rochdale, Notts County, Manchester United and Manchester City... |
|
| Harry Davies |
2 |
| Harry Griffiths Harry Griffiths Harry Stanley Griffiths was an English footballer and baseball international. He played in defence for Everton between 1930 and 1935, but after failing to get a game moved on to Port Vale between 1935 and 1947, playing 192 games in all competitions... |
|
| John Callender John Callender (footballer) John Callender was an English footballer.-Playing career:Callender played for Walker Celtic, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chesterfield, Ashington and Lincoln City before joining Port Vale in May 1938. He was unable to himself in the first team and after four games and one goal he was given a free... |
1 |
| William O'Brien William O'Brien (footballer) -Playing career:O'Brien played for Glasgow based St. Anthony's before heading to England to play for Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic. He joined Port Vale in May 1968. He played a mere four games for the club, but did score a goal before his departure in April 1939. He moved on to Watford.-References:... |