1981–82 Port Vale F.C. season
1981–82 season | ||
---|---|---|
Chairman | Don Ratcliffe | |
Manager | John McGrath | |
Stadium | Vale Park | |
Football League Fourth Division | 7th (70 Points) | |
FA Cup | Third Round (knocked out by Shrewsbury Town) | |
League Cup | Second Round (knocked out by Tranmere Rovers) | |
Player of the Year | Ernie Moss | |
Top goalscorer | League: Ernie Moss (13) All: Ernie Moss (17) | |
Highest home attendance | 8,773 vs. Wigan Athletic, 8 February 1982 | |
Lowest home attendance | 1,924 vs. York City, 1 May 1982 | |
Average home league attendance | 3,639 | |
Biggest win | 4–1 and 5–2 | |
Biggest defeat | 0–2 (four games) and 1–3 (twice) | |
| ||
The 1981–82 season was Port Vale's 70th season of football in the English Football League, and their fourth-successive season (tenth overall) in the Fourth Division.[1] John McGrath led his team to a seventh-place finish, a big improvement on the previous two seasons. Top-scorer Ernie Moss and midfielder Mark Chamberlain proved to be the stars of the season. The season was notable for Vale Park's lowest-ever Football League attendance.
Overview
[edit]Fourth Division
[edit]The pre-season saw John McGrath make four new signings: defender Ray Deakin (Everton); midfielder Geoff Hunter (from Crewe Alexandra for £12,000); and forwards Ernie Moss (from Chesterfield for £12,000) and Jimmy Greenhoff (Toronto Blizzard).[1] Attempts to re-sign Brian Horton failed. On 1 August, a heavy metal concert was held at Vale Park, headlined by local lad Lemmy's Motörhead.[1] Some twenty thousand metal fans paid £7.50 admission each to boost club coffers.[1] However, Vale failed to win any of their pre-season friendlies, and were embarrassed to lose 6–1 at home to local rivals Stoke City.[1]
The season opened with four draws, which was ironic considering that McGrath stated that 'forwards are much more important now' after the Football League changed a win from earning two points to three points.[1] On 12 September, their club-record run of six consecutive draws came to an end. Four victories in five games put Vale into seventh place, and Colin Tartt was signed from Chesterfield for £15,000.[1] A 2–0 home defeat to Sheffield United in front of the television cameras was the first of a run of four defeats in five games and sent an injury-hit Vale down into mid-table.[1] In November, Lee Harwood was forced to retire with a knee injury.[1] Vale then went on a fifteen-match unbeaten run in the league, and between 20 January and 6 March, the team went on a club-record six consecutive home draws.[1] Stoke City offered £100,000 plus incentives for Mark Chamberlain, but Chairman Don Ratcliffe called the offer 'an insult' and rejected it out of hand.[1] Instead Tony Sealy arrived on loan, this time from Queens Park Rangers.[1] On 6 February Mark Chamberlain scored a memorable goal at Field Mill when he stood off the pitch to avoid being caught offside, then returned to tackle a startled Rod Arnold and tap the ball into an empty net.[1] Mansfield Town manager Stuart Boam was so enraged that the goal stood that he raced onto the pitch to abuse the linesman verbally.[1] In March, Johnny Miller had to retire with a knee injury.[1] On 20 March, Mark Harrison conceded 'a crazy goal' from Hull City left-back Dennis Booth at Boothferry Park, whose 50 yards (46 m) free kick hit the back of the net after several bounces.[1] Injuries hit the Vale squad and the promotion campaign faded away.[1] On 1 May, Vale Park witnessed its lowest-ever Football League attendance when a mere 1,924 turned up against York City.[1]
They finished in seventh place with seventy points, eighteen short of fourth-placed Bournemouth.[1] With nine away victories and twelve home draws, McGrath stated that "we blew it at Burslem".[1] Ernie Moss was the Player of the Year and top-scorer with seventeen goals; however, it was Mark Chamberlain who was selected in the PFA Fourth Division team and received a cheque for £250 when he was chosen as The Star's best player of the division.[1]
Finances
[edit]On the financial side, a loss of £65,000 was announced despite donations of £136,070.[1] The overdraft stood at £235,452.[1] Good news was that the club lottery had raised £750,000 in less than five years.[1] McGrath released eight players and retained eleven.[1] The club's first-ever shirt sponsors were NGR Copiers. Those departing included: Peter Farrell and Gerry Keenan (Rochdale); Paul Bowles (Stockport County); Trevor Brissett (Darlington); Andy Higgins (Hartlepool United); and Ray Deakin (Burnley).[1]
Cup competitions
[edit]In the FA Cup, Vale drew with Third Division Lincoln City at Sincil Bank and again in Burslem, and so had to play a second replay, which they won 2–0.[1] Their clash with Stockport County was postponed seven times due to snow and fog, before the "Valiants" finally recorded a 4–1 victory on 2 January.[1] Facing Second Division Shrewsbury Town in the Third Round, they lost by the odd goal at Gay Meadow, the "Shrews" scoring with the last kick of the match.[1]
In the League Cup, a 1–1 draw at Edgar Street was followed by a 2–0 home win to knock Hereford United out 3–1 on aggregate.[1] In the Second Round for the first time since 1972, they lost to Tranmere Rovers both at Prenton Park and Vale Park to exit the competition 4–1 on aggregate.[1]
League table
[edit]
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5 | Peterborough United | 46 | 24 | 10 | 12 | 71 | 57 | +14 | 82 |
6 | Colchester United | 46 | 20 | 12 | 14 | 82 | 57 | +25 | 72 |
7 | Port Vale | 46 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 56 | 49 | +7 | 70 |
8 | Hull City | 46 | 19 | 12 | 15 | 70 | 61 | +9 | 69 |
9 | Bury | 46 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 80 | 59 | +21 | 68 |
Results
[edit]Port Vale's score comes first
Football League Fourth Division
[edit]Results by matchday
[edit]Matches
[edit]Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
29 August 1981 | Halifax Town | H | 0–0 | 3,382 | |
5 September 1981 | Darlington | A | 1–1 | 1,872 | Deakin (pen) |
12 September 1981 | Mansfield Town | H | 0–0 | 3,043 | |
19 September 1981 | Rochdale | A | 2–1 | 1,824 | Keenan, Deakin (pen) |
23 September 1981 | Wigan Athletic | A | 0–2 | 4,525 | |
26 September 1981 | Stockport County | H | 1–0 | 2,755 | Moss |
28 September 1981 | Colchester United | H | 2–1 | 3,351 | Sproson, Moss |
2 October 1981 | Crewe Alexandra | A | 2–0 | 4,604 | N.Chamberlain, M.Chamberlain |
10 October 1981 | Sheffield United | H | 0–2 | 7,289 | |
17 October 1981 | Bury | A | 2–3 | 3,565 | Bowles, Greenhoff |
19 October 1981 | Peterborough United | H | 1–3 | 2,844 | Deakin (pen) |
31 October 1981 | Hull City | H | 2–1 | 2,591 | Shankland, M.Chamberlain |
4 November 1981 | Bradford City | A | 0–1 | 4,043 | |
7 November 1981 | Bournemouth | A | 1–1 | 5,798 | Moss |
11 November 1981 | Blackpool | A | 3–2 | 4,785 | Tartt (2), N.Chamberlain |
14 November 1981 | Aldershot | H | 1–0 | 2,811 | Greenhoff |
28 November 1981 | Hartlepool United | H | 5–2 | 2,477 | Moss (2), M.Chamberlain, N.Chamberlain, Armstrong |
5 December 1981 | Scunthorpe United | A | 0–0 | 2,021 | |
19 December 1981 | Torquay United | A | 1–0 | 1,780 | M.Chamberlain |
20 January 1982 | Darlington | H | 2–2 | 3,529 | Hunter, Moss |
22 January 1982 | Halifax Town | A | 1–1 | 2,965 | M.Chamberlain |
25 January 1982 | Tranmere Rovers | H | 0–0 | 4,355 | |
30 January 1982 | Rochdale | H | 1–1 | 3,835 | Tartt |
2 February 1982 | Northampton Town | A | 5–3 | 1,644 | Hunter (2), Sproson, M.Chamberlain, Greenhoff |
6 February 1982 | Mansfield Town | A | 3–1 | 2,690 | M.Chamberlain, Moss, Sealy |
8 February 1982 | Wigan Athletic | H | 1–1 | 8,773 | Sealy (pen) |
13 February 1982 | Crewe Alexandra | H | 0–0 | 6,542 | |
19 February 1982 | Stockport County | A | 2–1 | 3,001 | Sealy (pen), Moss |
22 February 1982 | York City | A | 0–2 | 1,938 | |
27 February 1982 | Sheffield United | A | 1–2 | 13,813 | Sealy (pen) |
6 March 1982 | Bury | H | 0–0 | 3,733 | |
10 March 1982 | Peterborough United | A | 0–1 | 4,151 | |
13 March 1982 | Blackpool | H | 2–0 | 3,440 | N.Chamberlain, Moss |
15 March 1982 | Bradford City | H | 1–1 | 4,325 | Tartt |
20 March 1982 | Hull City | A | 1–3 | 5,506 | Deakin |
27 March 1982 | Bournemouth | H | 1–1 | 3,004 | Deakin (pen) |
3 April 1982 | Aldershot | A | 2–1 | 1,594 | o.g., Deakin |
10 April 1982 | Hereford United | A | 0–1 | 2,973 | |
12 April 1982 | Northampton Town | H | 1–0 | 3,014 | Sproson |
17 April 1982 | Scunthorpe United | H | 2–1 | 2,507 | Moss (2) |
24 April 1982 | Hartlepool United | A | 1–3 | 1,439 | M.Chamberlain |
26 April 1982 | Hereford United | H | 1–1 | 2,160 | Sproson |
1 May 1982 | York City | H | 0–0 | 1,924 | |
3 May 1982 | Colchester United | A | 0–1 | 1,570 | |
8 May 1982 | Tranmere Rovers | A | 2–1 | 1,524 | Moss (2) |
15 May 1982 | Torquay United | H | 2–0 | 2,007 | Bowles, Sproson |
FA Cup
[edit]Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
R1 | 21 November 1981 | Lincoln City | A | 2–2 | 3,950 | N.Chamberlain, M.Chamberlain |
R1 Replay | 30 November 1981 | Lincoln City | H | 0–0 | 4,769 | |
R1 Replay | 2 December 1981 | Lincoln City | H | 2–0 | 5,373 | Armstrong, N.Chamberlain |
R2 | 2 January 1982 | Stockport County | H | 4–1 | 4,478 | Moss (2), N.Chamberlain (2) |
R3 | 5 January 1982 | Shrewsbury Town | A | 0–1 | 7,230 |
League Cup
[edit]Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
R1 1st Leg | 2 September 1981 | Hereford United | A | 1–1 | 2,817 | Moss |
R1 2nd Leg | 14 September 1981 | Hereford United | H | 2–0 | 3,006 | Deakin (pen), Moss |
R2 1st Leg | 5 October 1981 | Tranmere Rovers | A | 0–2 | 2,791 | |
R2 2nd Leg | 28 October 1981 | Tranmere Rovers | H | 1–2 | 2,372 | N.Chamberlain |
Player statistics
[edit]Appearances
[edit]Pos. | Name | Football League | FA Cup | League Cup | Total | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
GK | ![]() |
46 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 55 | 0 |
DF | ![]() |
42 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 51 | 5 |
DF | ![]() |
21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 24 | 1 |
DF | ![]() |
44 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 53 | 2 |
DF | ![]() |
14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
DF | ![]() |
4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
DF | ![]() |
23 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 27 | 7 |
DF | ![]() |
45 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 54 | 0 |
MF | ![]() |
46 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 55 | 8 |
MF | ![]() |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
MF | ![]() |
34 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 42 | 2 |
MF | ![]() |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
MF | ![]() |
38 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 4 |
MF | ![]() |
41 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 49 | 3 |
FW | ![]() |
30 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 37 | 9 |
FW | ![]() |
6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 |
FW | ![]() |
12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 1 |
FW | ![]() |
44 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 51 | 17 |
FW | ![]() |
33 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 38 | 3 |
FW | ![]() |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Top scorers
[edit]Place | Position | Nation | Name | Fourth Division | FA Cup | League Cup | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | FW | ![]() |
Ernie Moss | 13 | 2 | 2 | 17 |
2 | FW | ![]() |
Neville Chamberlain | 4 | 4 | 1 | 9 |
– | MF | ![]() |
Mark Chamberlain | 8 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
4 | DF | ![]() |
Ray Deakin | 6 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
5 | DF | ![]() |
Phil Sproson | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
6 | FW | ![]() |
Tony Sealy | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
– | MF | ![]() |
Colin Tartt | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
8 | FW | ![]() |
Jimmy Greenhoff | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
– | MF | ![]() |
Geoff Hunter | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
10 | DF | ![]() |
Paul Bowles | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
– | MF | ![]() |
Terry Armstrong | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
12 | FW | ![]() |
Andy Shankland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
– | DF | ![]() |
Gerry Keenan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
– | – | – | Own goals | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
TOTALS | 56 | 8 | 4 | 68 |
Transfers
[edit]Transfers in
[edit]Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Fee | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1981 | DF | ![]() |
Ray Deakin | Everton | Free transfer | [3] |
June 1981 | FW | ![]() |
Ernie Moss | Chesterfield | £12,000 | [3] |
August 1981 | FW | ![]() |
Jimmy Greenhoff | ![]() |
Free transfer | [3] |
August 1981 | MF | ![]() |
Geoff Hunter | Crewe Alexandra | £15,000 | [3] |
October 1981 | FW | ![]() |
Mark Bright | Leek Town | Free transfer | [3] |
November 1981 | MF | ![]() |
Colin Tartt | Chesterfield | £15,000 | [3] |
Transfers out
[edit]Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Fee | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
November 1981 | DF | ![]() |
Lee Harwood | Leatherhead | Retired | [3] |
March 1982 | MF | ![]() |
Johnny Miller | Oakham United | Retired | [3] |
May 1982 | MF | ![]() |
Paul Bennett | Northwich Victoria | Free transfer | [3] |
May 1982 | DF | ![]() |
Paul Bowles | Stockport County | Free transfer | [3] |
May 1982 | DF | ![]() |
Trevor Brissett | Darlington | Free transfer | [3] |
May 1982 | DF | ![]() |
Ray Deakin | Bolton Wanderers | Free transfer | [3] |
May 1982 | MF | ![]() |
Peter Farrell | Rochdale | Free transfer | [3] |
May 1982 | DF | ![]() |
Andy Higgins | Hartlepool United | Free transfer | [3] |
May 1982 | DF | ![]() |
Gerry Keenan | Rochdale | Free transfer | [3] |
August 1982 | MF | ![]() |
Mark Chamberlain | Stoke City | £180,000 (combined) | [3] |
August 1982 | GK | ![]() |
Mark Harrison | Stoke City | £180,000 (combined) | [3] |
Loans in
[edit]Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Date to | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
October 1981 | MF | ![]() |
Colin Tartt | Chesterfield | November 1981 | [3] |
February 1982 | FW | ![]() |
Tony Sealy | Queens Park Rangers | March 1982 | [3] |
Loans out
[edit]Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Date to | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Summer 1981 | GK | ![]() |
Mark Harrison | Stoke City | Summer 1981 | [3] |
August 1981 | MF | ![]() |
Peter Farrell | Doncaster Rovers | August 1981 | [3] |
October 1981 | MF | ![]() |
Peter Farrell | Shrewsbury Town | October 1981 | [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 z aa ab ac ad ae Kent, Jeff (1990). "From Rags to Riches (1979–1990)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 258–290. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
- ^ Port Vale 1981–1982 : 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 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.