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1981–82 Port Vale F.C. season

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Port Vale
1981–82 season
ChairmanDon Ratcliffe
ManagerJohn McGrath
StadiumVale Park
Football League Fourth Division7th (70 Points)
FA CupThird Round
(knocked out by Shrewsbury Town)
League CupSecond Round
(knocked out by Tranmere Rovers)
Player of the YearErnie Moss
Top goalscorerLeague: Ernie Moss (13)
All: Ernie Moss (17)
Highest home attendance8,773 vs. Wigan Athletic, 8 February 1982
Lowest home attendance1,924 vs. York City, 1 May 1982
Average home league attendance3,639
Biggest win4–1 and 5–2
Biggest defeat0–2 (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

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Fourth Division

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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] On 28 November, Vale won 5–2 at home to Hartlepool United to go six games unbeaten and The Sentinel's Vale correspondent Chris Harper reported that Chamberlain had impressed the top-flight scouts in attendance and was "one of the most exciting 20 year olds in the league".[2] 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

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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

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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

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Main article: 1981–82 Football League

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
Source: [citation needed]

Results

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Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Fourth Division

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Results by matchday

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Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHAHAAHHAHAHHAAAHHAAHAHHAAHHAAAHAHHAHAAHHAHHAAH
ResultDDDWLWWWLLLWLDWWWDWDDDDWWDDWLLDLWDLDWLWWLDDLWW
Position14141312141067910101211101010888888888888888988888887878887
Source: Statto[3]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

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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

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Main article: 1981–82 FA Cup
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

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Main article: 1981–82 Football League Cup
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

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Appearances and goals

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Pos. Name Football League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK England Mark Harrison 46 0 5 0 4 0 55 0
DF England Phil Sproson 42 5 5 0 4 0 51 5
DF England Gerry Keenan 21 1 0 0 3 0 24 1
DF England Paul Bowles 44 2 5 0 4 0 53 2
DF England Trevor Brissett 14 0 0 0 1 0 15 0
DF England Andy Higgins 4 0 2 0 2 0 8 0
DF England Ray Deakin 23 6 0 0 4 1 27 7
DF England Russell Bromage 45 0 5 0 4 0 54 0
MF England Mark Chamberlain 46 8 5 1 4 0 55 8
MF England Peter Farrell 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
MF England Terry Armstrong 34 1 5 1 3 0 42 2
MF England Paul Bennett 4 0 0 0 1 0 5 0
MF England Colin Tartt 38 4 5 0 0 0 43 4
MF England Geoff Hunter 41 3 5 0 3 0 49 3
FW England Neville Chamberlain 30 4 5 4 2 1 37 9
FW England Tony Sealy 6 4 0 0 0 0 6 4
FW England Andy Shankland 12 1 0 0 1 0 13 1
FW England Ernie Moss 44 13 4 2 3 2 51 17
FW England Jimmy Greenhoff 33 3 4 0 2 0 38 3
FW England Mark Bright 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0

Top scorers

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Place Position Nation Name Fourth Division FA Cup League Cup Total
1 FW  England Ernie Moss 13 2 2 17
2 FW  England Neville Chamberlain 4 4 1 9
– MF  England Mark Chamberlain 8 1 0 9
4 DF  England Ray Deakin 6 0 1 7
5 DF  England Phil Sproson 5 0 0 5
6 FW  England Tony Sealy 4 0 0 4
– MF  England Colin Tartt 4 0 0 4
8 FW  England Jimmy Greenhoff 3 0 0 3
– MF  England Geoff Hunter 3 0 0 3
10 DF  England Paul Bowles 2 0 0 2
– MF  England Terry Armstrong 1 1 0 2
12 FW  England Andy Shankland 1 0 0 1
– DF  England Gerry Keenan 1 0 0 1
– – – Own goals 1 0 0 1
TOTALS 56 8 4 68

Transfers

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Transfers in

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Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
1981 DF England Ray Deakin Everton Free transfer [4]
June 1981 FW England Ernie Moss Chesterfield £12,000 [4]
August 1981 FW England Jimmy Greenhoff Canada Toronto Blizzard Free transfer [4]
August 1981 MF England Geoff Hunter Crewe Alexandra £15,000 [4]
October 1981 FW England Mark Bright Leek Town Free transfer [4]
November 1981 MF England Colin Tartt Chesterfield £15,000 [4]

Transfers out

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Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
November 1981 DF England Lee Harwood Leatherhead Retired [4]
March 1982 MF England Johnny Miller Oakham United Retired [4]
May 1982 MF England Paul Bennett Northwich Victoria Free transfer [4]
May 1982 DF England Paul Bowles Stockport County Free transfer [4]
May 1982 DF England Trevor Brissett Darlington Free transfer [4]
May 1982 DF England Ray Deakin Bolton Wanderers Free transfer [4]
May 1982 MF England Peter Farrell Rochdale Free transfer [4]
May 1982 DF England Andy Higgins Hartlepool United Free transfer [4]
May 1982 DF England Gerry Keenan Rochdale Free transfer [4]
August 1982 MF England Mark Chamberlain Stoke City £180,000 (combined) [4]
August 1982 GK England Mark Harrison Stoke City £180,000 (combined) [4]

Loans in

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Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
October 1981 MF England Colin Tartt Chesterfield November 1981 [4]
February 1982 FW England Tony Sealy Queens Park Rangers March 1982 [4]

Loans out

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Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref.
Summer 1981 GK England Mark Harrison Stoke City Summer 1981 [4]
August 1981 MF England Peter Farrell Doncaster Rovers August 1981 [4]
October 1981 MF England Peter Farrell Shrewsbury Town October 1981 [4]

References

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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 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.
  2. ^ Baggaley, Mike (28 November 2024). "Taking stock at the top of the table". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  3. ^ Port Vale 1981–1982 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  4. ^ 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
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