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1982–83 Port Vale F.C. season

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Port Vale
1982–83 season
ChairmanDon Ratcliffe
(until October)
Jim Lloyd
(from October)
ManagerJohn McGrath
StadiumVale Park
Football League Fourth Division3rd (88 Points)
FA CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Bradford City)
League CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Rochdale)
Player of the YearWayne Cegielski
Top goalscorerLeague: Bob Newton (20)
All: Bob Newton (20)
Highest home attendance8,241 vs. Crewe Alexandra, 5 March 1983
Lowest home attendance2,565 vs. Rochdale, 30 August 1982
Average home league attendance4,806
Biggest win4–0 vs. Rochdale, 30 August 1982
Biggest defeat0–2 (twice)

The 1982–83 season was Port Vale's 71st season of football in the English Football League, and their fifth-successive season (11th overall) in the Fourth Division.[1] John McGrath led the Vale to a club-record 88 points (equalled in 1993–94), which saw them win promotion in third place. This was some achievement considering McGrath had sold both the Chamberlain brothers and goalkeeper Mark Harrison to rivals Stoke City at the start of the season. Receiving £240,000 for these three players, he spent only £15,000 to bring top-scorer Bob Newton to Vale Park, and signed Player of the Year Wayne Cegielski for free.

Overview

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Fourth Division

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The pre-season saw John McGrath try, and fail, to re-sign the League of Ireland's Player of the Year, Felix Healy.[1] He instead signed four players on free transfers: John Ridley (a former Valiant), Wayne Cegielski (Wrexham), Les Lawrence (Torquay United), and Steve Waddington (Walsall).[1] The club also signed a shirt sponsorship deal with PMT.[1] In August, rivals Stoke City paid Vale £180,000 for Mark Chamberlain and Mark Harrison.[1] Chamberlain would go on to play for England.[1] McGrath acted quickly to sign replacement keeper Barry Siddall from Sunderland, and take winger Kevin Sheldon on loan from Wigan Athletic.[1]

The season started with five players making their débuts in a 1–0 defeat to Swindon Town at The County Ground.[1] Waddington damaged his cartilages in this game.[1] McGrath attempted to sign Norwich City's Mick Channon, but failed.[1] Instead he took Bob Newton from Hartlepool United for £15,000.[1] Stoke then took Neville Chamberlain to the Victoria Ground for £40,000.[1] Vale's form did not suffer, and they instead won five straight games in October, taking them into third place.[1] Also Chairman Don Ratcliffe was replaced by Jim Lloyd.[1] Winger Steve Fox also arrived from Welsh club Wrexham on a free transfer.[1] During the club's 2–1 win over Crewe Alexandra on 22 October at Gresty Road a petrol bomb was thrown at the 3,000 strong Vale crowd, though it was extinguished by police without doing 'any real damage'.[1] On 6 November, Vale were losing 3–0 to Rochdale at Spotland and The Sentinel headlined their report with "Heavy defeat for Port Vale".[1][2] This proved to be an inaccurate headline, as substitute Jimmy Greenhoff inspired a Vale fightback, and the match finished 3–3.[1] In December, Colin Tartt was transfer listed following 'a bust-up with McGrath'.[1] They built on this result with a 1–0 home win over Hull City, with Russell Bromage doing an excellent job of man-marking Brian Marwood whilst goalscorer Phil Sproson helped the defence to keep both Les Mutrie and Billy Whitehurst from scoring.[3] Following only one win in a run of five games, Tranmere Rovers' players told the Vale players "see you next season" after picking up a 1–0 win at Vale Park.[1]

A win over Wimbledon started a run of ten wins in twelve games, despite having to sign Everton's Neville Southall on loan following a knee injury to Siddall.[1] Their run put them nine points clear at the top of the table.[1] On 3 January, Greenhoff scored a volley from 30 yards (27 m)s out in a 2–1 win over York City.[4] At the end of February, Southall was recalled, and Stoke refused to loan back Harrison as cover.[1] Wolverhampton Wanderers' Andy Poole proved to be an inadequate replacement.[1] Vale then lost Greenhoff to Rochdale, who offered him the vacant management post.[1] Lol Hamlett's last match as trainer (he retired due to illness) was a 2–0 defeat to Blackpool at Bloomfield Road, as Vale were in danger of failing to win promotion.[1] McGrath decided to sign striker Jim Steel from Oldham Athletic for £10,000, and loaned Mark Lawrence from Hartlepool United.[1] Siddall returned and so did Vale's form, as they recorded five victories in seven games.[1] Ernie Moss left for Lincoln City for a £1,500 fee, McGrath saying 'age caught up with him'.[1] On 4 April, Vale only managed a draw at Bristol City, with McGrath commenting that striker Newton was "going through one of those spells when he could not hit the back of a bus". Four days later, Newton opened the scoring in a 2–0 win at Tranmere Rovers.[5] Wimbledon ran away with the championship, though Vale managed to secure promotion with a 2–0 win over Stockport County at Edgeley Park on 6 May.[1] The crowd of 5,516 was Stockport's biggest gate of the season.[6] The jubilant players seemed distracted in the final two games, and their two defeats allowed Hull City to take the runners-up spot.[1]

They finished in third place with 88 points, seven points clear of fifth-placed Bury.[1] Conceding just 34 goals, theirs was the best defensive record in the top four divisions, along with Hull.[1] Bob Newton was top-scorer with twenty goals, whilst four players were chosen for the PFA Fourth Division team – Phil Sproson, Russell Bromage, Geoff Hunter, and Steve Fox.[1]

Finances

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On the financial side, a record £100,888 profit was announced, their first profitable season since 1975–76.[1] The lottery brought in £142,324, the open market rents took in £51,462, whilst Vale's average home attendance was the second-highest in the division.[1] Total liabilities stood at £236,850 and the bank overdraft was £128,123.[1] Two players departing at the end of the season were Les Lawrence (Aldershot) and Steve Waddington (Chesterfield), who had not established themselves in the first-team.[1]

Cup competitions

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In the FA Cup, they were knocked out by Third Division side Bradford City 1–0 in the First Round.

In the League Cup, Vale lost out 2–1 on aggregate to Rochdale, following a 2–0 defeat at Spotland.

League table

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Main article: 1982–83 Football League

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion
1 Wimbledon 46 29 11 6 96 45 +51 98 Division Champions, promoted
2 Hull City 46 25 15 6 75 34 +41 90 Promoted
3 Port Vale 46 26 10 10 67 34 +33 88
4 Scunthorpe United 46 23 14 9 71 42 +29 83
5 Bury 46 23 12 11 74 46 +28 81
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
GroundAHHAHAAHHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAAHAHAAHH
ResultLDDWWDWLWWWWWLDWDLWWWDWWWLWWWWDDLWLWDWWWLWDWLL
Position202017125137974323553565543322322212233334222333223
Source: Statto[7]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

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Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorers
28 August 1982 Swindon Town A 0–1 3,785
4 September 1982 Bury H 0–0 2,888
6 September 1982 Colchester United H 0–0 2,887
11 September 1982 Mansfield Town A 2–0 2,316 Ridley, Bromage
18 September 1982 Chester H 2–1 3,303 Sproson (2)
25 September 1982 Darlington A 0–0 2,255
28 September 1982 Aldershot A 4–1 1,781 Moss, Tartt, Earle, Newton
2 October 1982 Stockport County H 2–3 3,474 Newton, Armstrong
9 October 1982 Hereford United H 2–0 2,875 Cegielski, Bright
15 October 1982 Halifax Town A 2–0 2,009 Moss, Cegielski
18 October 1982 Hartlepool United H 3–0 3,664 Moss, Armstrong, Hunter
22 October 1982 Crewe Alexandra A 2–1 4,713 Cegielski, Newton (pen)
30 October 1982 Blackpool H 1–0 5,449 Newton (pen)
2 November 1982 Scunthorpe United A 0–1 3,766
6 November 1982 Rochdale A 3–3 2,220 Hunter, Moss, Greenhoff
13 November 1982 Hull City H 1–0 5,298 Sproson
27 November 1982 Peterborough United A 0–0 3,043
4 December 1982 Tranmere Rovers H 0–1 3,452
18 December 1982 Wimbledon H 1–0 2,761 Newton
27 December 1982 Bristol City A 3–1 6,852 Armstrong, Moss, Newton
28 December 1982 Torquay United H 1–0 4,760 Moss
1 January 1983 Northampton Town A 2–2 3,618 Moss, Newton (pen)
3 January 1983 York City H 2–1 6,056 Greenhoff, Moss
8 January 1983 Bury A 1–0 4,748 Hunter
15 January 1983 Swindon Town H 3–0 6,397 Newton (2), Moss
22 January 1983 Chester A 0–1 4,269
29 January 1983 Mansfield Town H 4–1 4,102 Armstrong (2), Fox, Newton
5 February 1983 Darlington H 2–1 4,110 Armstrong, Moss
19 February 1983 Hereford United A 2–0 3,075 Newton, Ridley
26 February 1983 Halifax Town H 2–1 5,163 Sproson, Hunter
2 March 1983 Hartlepool United A 2–2 1,398 Ridley, Newton
5 March 1983 Crewe Alexandra H 1–1 8,241 Tartt
12 March 1983 Blackpool A 0–2 4,519
19 March 1983 Rochdale H 4–0 5,129 Newton (3), Bromage
26 March 1983 Hull City A 0–1 14,410
2 April 1983 Torquay United A 1–0 2,408 Steel
4 April 1983 Bristol City H 1–1 6,573 Armstrong
8 April 1983 Tranmere Rovers A 2–0 3,252 Newton, Fox
12 April 1983 Colchester United A 2–1 3,275 Newton, Fox
16 April 1983 Aldershot H 2–1 5,624 Cegielski, Newton (pen)
23 April 1983 Wimbledon A 0–1 4,061
29 April 1983 Peterborough United H 2–1 5,375 Cegielski, Newton
2 May 1983 York City A 0–0 4,814
6 May 1983 Stockport County A 2–0 5,516 Steel (2)
9 May 1983 Scunthorpe United H 0–1 6,212
14 May 1983 Northampton Town H 1–2 6,761 Newton (pen)

FA Cup

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Main article: 1982–83 FA Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 20 November 1982 Bradford City H 0–1 6,151

League Cup

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Main article: 1982–83 Football League Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 1st Leg 30 August 1982 Rochdale H 1–0 2,565 Moss
R1 2nd Leg 14 September 1982 Rochdale A 0–2 1,546

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 Barry Siddall 33 0 1 0 2 0 36 0
GK England Neville Southall 9 0 0 0 0 0 9 0
GK Scotland Neil McAdam 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
GK England Andy Poole 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
DF England Phil Sproson 42 4 1 0 2 0 45 4
DF Wales Wayne Cegielski 45 5 1 0 2 0 48 5
DF England Stuart Eccleston 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DF England Russell Bromage 46 2 1 0 2 0 49 2
MF England Terry Armstrong 42 7 1 0 2 0 45 7
MF England Colin Tartt 45 2 1 0 2 0 48 2
MF England Geoff Hunter 46 4 1 0 2 0 49 4
MF England Steve Waddington 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0
MF England John Ridley 41 3 1 0 2 0 44 3
MF England Kevin Sheldon 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
MF England Mark Lawrence 11 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
MF Jamaica Robbie Earle 8 1 0 0 1 0 9 1
MF England Steve Fox 34 3 1 0 0 0 35 3
FW England Neville Chamberlain 5 0 0 0 1 0 6 0
FW England Andy Shankland 4 0 0 0 1 0 5 0
FW England Ernie Moss 30 10 1 0 2 1 33 11
FW England Jimmy Greenhoff 15 2 1 0 1 0 17 2
FW England Mark Bright 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1
FW Scotland Jim Steel 13 3 0 0 0 0 13 3
FW England Les Lawrence 8 0 0 0 1 0 9 0
FW England Bob Newton 41 20 1 0 0 0 42 20
FW England John Askey 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Top scorers

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Place Position Nation Name Fourth Division FA Cup League Cup Total
1 FW  England Bob Newton 20 0 0 20
2 FW  England Ernie Moss 10 0 1 11
3 MF  England Terry Armstrong 7 0 0 7
4 DF  Wales Wayne Cegielski 5 0 0 5
5 DF  England Phil Sproson 4 0 0 4
– MF  England Geoff Hunter 4 0 0 4
7 MF  England John Ridley 3 0 0 3
– MF  England Steve Fox 3 0 0 3
– FW  Scotland Jim Steel 3 0 0 3
10 DF  England Russell Bromage 2 0 0 2
– MF  England Colin Tartt 2 0 0 2
– FW  England Jimmy Greenhoff 2 0 0 2
13 MF  Jamaica Robbie Earle 1 0 0 1
– FW  England Mark Bright 1 0 0 1
TOTALS 67 0 1 68

Transfers

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Transfers in

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Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
1982 MF Jamaica Robbie Earle Stoke City Free transfer [8]
July 1982 DF Wales Wayne Cegielski Wrexham Free transfer [8]
July 1982 FW England Les Lawrence Torquay United Free transfer [8]
July 1982 MF England John Ridley Chesterfield Free transfer [8]
July 1982 MF England Steve Waddington Walsall Free transfer [8]
August 1982 GK Scotland Neil McAdam Northwich Victoria Free transfer [8]
August 1982 GK England Barry Siddall Sunderland Free transfer [8]
September 1982 FW England Bob Newton Hartlepool United Free transfer [8]
March 1983 GK England Andy Poole Wolverhampton Wanderers Free transfer [8]

Transfers out

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Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
September 1982 FW England Neville Chamberlain Stoke City £40,000 [8]
October 1982 MF England Steve Fox Wrexham Free transfer [8]
March 1983 FW England Jimmy Greenhoff Rochdale Free transfer [8]
March 1983 FW England Ernie Moss Lincoln City £1,500 [8]
March 1983 GK England Andy Poole Gillingham Free transfer [8]
March 1983 FW Scotland Jim Steel Oldham Athletic £10,000 [8]
May 1983 GK Scotland Neil McAdam Oswestry Town Free transfer [8]
July 1983 FW England Les Lawrence Aldershot Free transfer [8]
July 1983 MF England Steve Waddington Chesterfield Free transfer [8]

Loans in

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Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
August 1982 MF England Kevin Sheldon Wigan Athletic September 1982 [8]
January 1983 GK Wales Neville Southall Everton February 1983 [8]
March 1983 MF England Mark Lawrence Hartlepool United May 1983 [8]

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 af ag ah ai aj ak al 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 (3 November 2024). "Vale stretched too far in FA Cup exit". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  3. ^ Baggaley, Mike (13 November 2024). "Encouragement in strange Trophy drama". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  4. ^ Baggaley, Mike (8 January 2024). "Vale planning for stars of the future". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  5. ^ Baggaley, Mike (8 April 2024). "Preparing for a tense end to the season at Vale". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  6. ^ Baggaley, Mike (5 May 2024). "Taking heart for the season ahead". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  7. ^ Port Vale 1982–1983 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
General
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