1979–80 Port Vale F.C. season
Encyclopedia
The 1979–80 season was Port Vale
's sixty-eighth season of football in the Football League
, and their second successive season (eighth overall) in the Fourth Division
. One of the club's worst ever seasons, Vale finished twentieth in the league, and exited both cup competitions at the first stage. They also lost a tremendous amount of money. There was also a managerial merry-go-round, with Dennis Butler
replaced by Alan Bloor
, who was in turned replaced by John McGrath, with Bill Bentley
also spending a short period as caretaker-manager.
sign three players on free transfers: Terry Owen
(Rochdale
), Alan Woolfall
(Bury
), and Steve Jones
(Manchester United
). Meanwhile the club was fined £500 by The Football Association
for the team's ongoing poor disciplinary record.
The season began with four straight league defeats, which resulted in the dismissal of Butler as manager. Alan Bloor
took over as caretaker-manager, who threatened the players with a place on the bench if they failed to deliver in the first eleven, to prove his point he replaced Bernie Wright
with Neville Chamberlain
. Chamberlain rewarded him with both goals in a 2–0 victory over Crewe Alexandra
at Gresty Road
. A 5–0 thrashing of Northampton Town
followed eight days later, with both Chamberlain and Wright claiming a brace. However the following week they were 'massacred' 7–1 at high-flying Huddersfield Town
's Leeds Road
. Despite this, Trevor Dance
retained his place in goal, with John Connaughton
'in a huff' with the club. By the end of September, Bloor was made manager on a permanent basis. Vale celebrated with a 5–1 beating of Rochdale
, whilst Ken Todd
was sold to Portsmouth
for £20,000. Ged Stenson
had his contract cancelled, and signed with Morecambe
. Losing five of their seven games in October, Vale drifted to third-from-bottom. Bloor spent £30,000 on Crewe Alexandra
defender Paul Bowles
. Undefeated in November in the league, Vale then lost 5–1 to York City
at Bootham Crescent. Later in the month, Vale became the first Fourth Division club to strike a shirt advertising deal, signing a deal with TI Creda
for £5,000. A surprise came though when Bloor resigned his position, stating that "I do not have what it takes". Gordon Banks
was also dismissed, and he blamed the players for his downfall, claiming they did not like hard work. Bill Bentley
was appointed as caretaker-manager, as the club approached numerous managers – including former player Ronnie Allen
. The job went to John McGrath, who had been working as a coach at Southampton
. He appointed Torquay United
coach John Rudge
as his second in command.
Finding his new team to be undisciplined, McGrath said 'the holiday is over', and began fining players for various reasons. He offloaded Connaughton to Altrincham
, loaned Paul Bowles
to Southampton, and discovered that Wright was no longer willing to play for the club. In February, McGrath signed goalkeeper Mark Harrison
and defender Lee Harwood
from Southampton, as well as forward Tony Sealy
on loan from Crystal Palace
. He also placed fifteen players on the transfer list, after which the Vale went on a six game unbeaten run. Harwood and Phil Sproson
made a solid defensive pair, whilst young Mark Chamberlain
(brother of Neville) was used in midfield. The end of their run was a 2–2 draw with league leaders Walsall
. In March John Fleming
arrived on loan from Lincoln City
, and the club went on a run of one win in twelve games, ending with a 2–1 defeat at Vale Park
to fellow strugglers York City
. In April, Felix Healy
left the club to return to his native Northern Ireland
. A Sealy goal earned Vale two points in their penultimate game with Stockport County
at Edgeley Park
, and their final game was a 3–0 win over Doncaster Rovers
in front of just 2,338 supporters. These wins took Vale out of the re-election zone on goal difference.
They finished in twentieth place with 36 points, finishing ahead of Hereford United
in the re-election zone on goals scored.
'. Leaving the club at the end of the season were: Bernie Wright (Kidderminster Harriers
); Bill Bentley
(Stafford Rangers
); Terry Owen
(Northwich Victoria
); Bob Delgado
(Miami Americans
); and Kevin Tully
(Chorley
). Several players remained in Burslem
on virtue of having extended contracts.
, Vale were knocked out in the First Round after losing 3–1 at home to Doncaster Rovers
.
In the League Cup
, Vale were defeated by Tranmere Rovers
3–1 on aggregate.
P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; 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 sixty-eighth 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 second successive season (eighth overall) in the Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
. One of the club's worst ever seasons, Vale finished twentieth in the league, and exited both cup competitions at the first stage. They also lost a tremendous amount of money. There was also a managerial merry-go-round, with Dennis Butler
Dennis Butler
Dennis Anthony Butler is an English former footballer and football manager. He played as a winger for Bolton Wanderers between 1959 and 1968, before ending his playing career following a five year spell at Rochdale...
replaced by Alan Bloor
Alan Bloor
Alan Bloor is an English professional footballer and manager, now retired. He made close to 400 appearances in the Football League for both Potteries teams...
, who was in turned replaced by John McGrath, with Bill Bentley
Bill Bentley
William John "Bill" Bentley is an English former professional football player. He played as a left-back....
also spending a short period as caretaker-manager.
Fourth Division
The pre-season saw manager Dennis ButlerDennis Butler
Dennis Anthony Butler is an English former footballer and football manager. He played as a winger for Bolton Wanderers between 1959 and 1968, before ending his playing career following a five year spell at Rochdale...
sign three players on free transfers: Terry Owen
Terry Owen
Leslie Terence "Terry" Owen is a former professional footballer who played as a striker with several clubs in the 1970s, and is best known as the father of Manchester United striker, Michael Owen....
(Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
), Alan Woolfall
Alan Woolfall
Alan Francis Woolfall is an English former footballer who played as a forward. He scored fourteen goals in 75 league games in the Football League.-Playing career:...
(Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
), and Steve Jones
Steve Jones (footballer born 1960)
Steve Francis Jones is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Jones played for Manchester United before joining Port Vale in May 1979. He played thirty games for the club, scoring two goals but was never a regular first team player and so was given a free transfer in April 1981.-References:...
(Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
). Meanwhile the club was fined £500 by The Football Association
The Football Association
The Football Association, also known as simply The FA, is the governing body of football in England, and the Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was formed in 1863, and is the oldest national football association...
for the team's ongoing poor disciplinary record.
The season began with four straight league defeats, which resulted in the dismissal of Butler as manager. Alan Bloor
Alan Bloor
Alan Bloor is an English professional footballer and manager, now retired. He made close to 400 appearances in the Football League for both Potteries teams...
took over as caretaker-manager, who threatened the players with a place on the bench if they failed to deliver in the first eleven, to prove his point he replaced Bernie Wright
Bernie Wright
Bernard Peter "Bernie" Wright , nicknamed Bernie the Bolt, is an English former footballer. A tough centre-forward, he scored 78 goals in 320 league games in a nine year career in the Football League....
with Neville Chamberlain
Neville Chamberlain (footballer)
Neville Patrick Chamberlain is a retired English footballer. His brother, Mark was also a footballer, and his nephew Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain plays for Arsenal.-Playing career:...
. Chamberlain rewarded him with both goals in a 2–0 victory over 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...
at Gresty Road
Alexandra Stadium
The Alexandra Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Crewe, England. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Crewe Alexandra...
. A 5–0 thrashing of 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...
followed eight days later, with both Chamberlain and Wright claiming a brace. However the following week they were 'massacred' 7–1 at high-flying Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
's Leeds Road
Leeds Road
Leeds Road may refer to:* Leeds Road, former football and rugby league stadium in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England* A660 road, West Yorkshire, England, between Golden Acre Park and the Otley bypass...
. Despite this, Trevor Dance
Trevor Dance
Trevor Dance is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Dance joined Port Vale as an apprentice in August, signing his first professional forms in July 1976 and making his debut in a 2–1 defeat at Mansfield Town on 28 December 1976...
retained his place in goal, with John Connaughton
John Connaughton
Patrick John Connaughton is an English former professional football goalkeeper. He played 387 games in a sixteen year career. He also represented England at youth level on three occasions....
'in a huff' with the club. By the end of September, Bloor was made manager on a permanent basis. Vale celebrated with a 5–1 beating of Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
, whilst Ken Todd
Ken Todd
Kenneth Todd is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Todd played four league games for Wolverhampton Wanderers before Port Vale broke their club record fee to purchase him for £37,000 in August 1978. Expectations loomed large on the youngster as he struggled to live up to his price tag...
was sold to Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
for £20,000. Ged Stenson
Ged Stenson
Gerard Patrick Stenson is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Stenson played for Everton before joining Third Division Port Vale in March 1978. The club were relegated that season, but Stenon's debut came on 12 August 1978, in a League Cup round one 3–0 home defeat to Chester...
had his contract cancelled, and signed with Morecambe
Morecambe F.C.
Morecambe Football Club is an English football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire. It plays its football in League Two, the fourth division of English football, having been promoted in 2007 for the first time in their history to the Football League. They played their home matches at Christie Park...
. Losing five of their seven games in October, Vale drifted to third-from-bottom. Bloor spent £30,000 on 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...
defender Paul Bowles
Paul Bowles (footballer)
Paul Michael Anthony Bowles is a former English footballer. He was a cousin of Stan Bowles.-Playing career:...
. Undefeated in November in the league, Vale then lost 5–1 to York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
at Bootham Crescent. Later in the month, Vale became the first Fourth Division club to strike a shirt advertising deal, signing a deal with TI Creda
TI Group
TI Group plc was a holding company for specialised engineering companies. It was based in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. It was registered as Tube Investments in 1919, combining the seamless steel tube businesses of Tubes Ltd, New Credenda Tube , Simplex and Accles & Pollock. In 1928 Reynolds Tube joined...
for £5,000. A surprise came though when Bloor resigned his position, stating that "I do not have what it takes". Gordon Banks
Gordon Banks
Gordon Banks, OBE is a retired English football goalkeeper. The IFFHS named Banks the second best goalkeeper of the 20th century – after Lev Yashin and ahead of Dino Zoff ....
was also dismissed, and he blamed the players for his downfall, claiming they did not like hard work. Bill Bentley
Bill Bentley
William John "Bill" Bentley is an English former professional football player. He played as a left-back....
was appointed as caretaker-manager, as the club approached numerous managers – including former player Ronnie Allen
Ronnie Allen
Ronald "Ronnie" Allen was an English international football player and manager. He was a professional footballer for nineteen years, between 1946 and 1964, making 638 appearances in the Football League, and scoring 276 goals. He also won five caps for England national team...
. The job went to John McGrath, who had been working as a coach at Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
. He appointed 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...
coach John Rudge
John Rudge
John Robert Rudge is an English former football player and football manager. He is currently working as the director of football at Stoke City....
as his second in command.
Finding his new team to be undisciplined, McGrath said 'the holiday is over', and began fining players for various reasons. He offloaded Connaughton to Altrincham
Altrincham F.C.
Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
, loaned Paul Bowles
Paul Bowles (footballer)
Paul Michael Anthony Bowles is a former English footballer. He was a cousin of Stan Bowles.-Playing career:...
to Southampton, and discovered that Wright was no longer willing to play for the club. In February, McGrath signed goalkeeper Mark Harrison
Mark Harrison (footballer)
Mark Simon Harrison is a former English footballer, specialist goalkeeper trainer, and manager.-Playing career:Harrison was a trainee with Southampton before joining Port Vale in February 1980. He was immediately the first choice keeper, however was troubled by cartilage problems from November 1980...
and defender Lee Harwood
Lee Harwood (footballer)
Lee Harwood is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Harwood played for Southampton , Wimbledon and Leatherhead before joining Port Vale in February 1980. He enjoyed regular football for the rest of the 1979–80 season, but damaged a cartilage in August 1980...
from Southampton, as well as forward Tony Sealy
Tony Sealy
Anthony John "Tony" Sealy is a retired footballer in the 1970s and 1980s. He won four Championship medals with four different clubs and played for numerous clubs across the world.-Playing career:...
on loan from 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...
. He also placed fifteen players on the transfer list, after which the Vale went on a six game unbeaten run. Harwood and Phil Sproson
Phil Sproson
Phillip Jess "Phil" Sproson is a former English footballer who played as a central defender. He played in 500 matches for Port Vale and scored 41 goals , this places him third highest in the list of appearances for Port Vale...
made a solid defensive pair, whilst young Mark Chamberlain
Mark Chamberlain
Mark Valentine Chamberlain is an English retired international footballer. He is the younger brother of Neville Chamberlain, and the father of Arsenal and England U21 player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain....
(brother of Neville) was used in midfield. The end of their run was a 2–2 draw with league leaders 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...
. In March John Fleming
John Fleming (footballer)
John Joseph Fleming is an English former footballer who played 199 league games in the Football League in a ten year professional career. He later became a player and coach in Australia....
arrived on loan from 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....
, and the club went on a run of one win in twelve games, ending with a 2–1 defeat at Vale Park
Vale Park
Vale Park is a football stadium in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home ground of Port Vale F.C., who have played at the ground since 1950....
to fellow strugglers York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
. In April, Felix Healy
Felix Healy
Felix Healy is a former Northern Ireland international footballer who played for Coleraine and then became a football manager...
left the club to return to his native Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. A Sealy goal earned Vale two points in their penultimate game with Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
at Edgeley Park
Edgeley Park
Edgeley Park is an association football and rugby union stadium in Stockport, England. The stadium was initially built for the rugby league club Stockport in 1901, but by 1902, the rugby club was defunct and in the same year, Stockport County Football Club, who were looking for a bigger ground,...
, and their final game was a 3–0 win over Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
in front of just 2,338 supporters. These wins took Vale out of the re-election zone on goal difference.
They finished in twentieth place with 36 points, finishing ahead of Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
in the re-election zone on goals scored.
Finances
On the financial side, a loss of £82,069 was recorded. The financial picture led Chairman Arthur McPherson to describe 1979–80 as 'probably the worst season in the club's historyHistory of Port Vale F.C.
The history of Port Vale F.C., an English association football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, began when the club was formed in 1876. In 1884, the club moved to the town of Burslem, changing their name to Burslem Port Vale in the process. The club joined the Football League Second Division upon its...
'. Leaving the club at the end of the season were: Bernie Wright (Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
); Bill Bentley
Bill Bentley
William John "Bill" Bentley is an English former professional football player. He played as a left-back....
(Stafford Rangers
Stafford Rangers F.C.
Stafford Rangers Football Club is a semi-professional English football team from Stafford which plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.The team wear black and white stripes with black shorts...
); Terry Owen
Terry Owen
Leslie Terence "Terry" Owen is a former professional footballer who played as a striker with several clubs in the 1970s, and is best known as the father of Manchester United striker, Michael Owen....
(Northwich Victoria
Northwich Victoria F.C.
Northwich Victoria Football Club are an English football club who play at the Victoria Stadium in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of...
); Bob Delgado
Bob Delgado
Robert Allan Delgado is a Welsh footballer who played for most of his career in the 1970s, with the majority of his league appearances coming at Rotherham United and Chester.-Playing career:...
(Miami Americans
Miami Americans
The Miami Americans was an American soccer club based in Miami, Florida that was a member of the American Soccer League. The team existed for only the 1980 season and played their home games at Tropical Park Stadium.-History:...
); and Kevin Tully
Kevin Tully
Kevin Francis Tully is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Tully began his career with Prestwich Heys. In 1972 he joined a then-managerless Blackpool, for whom he went on to make eleven league appearances...
(Chorley
Chorley F.C.
Chorley Football Club are a football club from Chorley, Lancashire, England. They were founded as a rugby union club in 1875 but switched to football in 1883. They have reached the FA Cup second round twice in 1986–87 and 1990–91. Their best performance in the FA Trophy was in 1995–96 when they...
). Several players remained in Burslem
Burslem
The town of Burslem, known as the Mother Town, is one of the six towns that amalgamated to form the current city of Stoke-on-Trent, in the ceremonial county of Staffordshire, in the Midlands of England.-Topography:...
on virtue of having extended contracts.
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 were knocked out in the First Round after losing 3–1 at home to Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
.
In the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
, Vale were defeated by Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
3–1 on aggregate.
Final league table
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huddersfield Town Huddersfield Town F.C. Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One... |
46 | 27 | 12 | 7 | 101 | 48 | 66 | |
| 2 | 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... |
46 | 23 | 18 | 5 | 75 | 47 | 64 | |
| 3 | 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... |
46 | 27 | 7 | 12 | 83 | 50 | 61 | |
| 4 | Portsmouth Portsmouth F.C. Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from... |
46 | 24 | 12 | 10 | 91 | 49 | 60 | |
| 5 | Bradford City Bradford City A.F.C. Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two.... |
46 | 24 | 12 | 10 | 77 | 50 | 60 | |
| 6 | Wigan Athletic Wigan Athletic F.C. Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW... |
46 | 21 | 13 | 12 | 76 | 61 | 55 | |
| 7 | 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.... |
46 | 18 | 17 | 11 | 64 | 42 | 53 | |
| 8 | Peterborough United Peterborough United F.C. Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is... |
46 | 21 | 10 | 15 | 58 | 47 | 52 | |
| 9 | 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... |
46 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 70 | 69 | 47 | |
| 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... |
46 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 62 | 53 | 45 | |
| 11 | Bournemouth 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.... |
46 | 13 | 18 | 15 | 52 | 51 | 44 | |
| 12 | Doncaster Rovers Doncaster Rovers F.C. Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in... |
46 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 62 | 63 | ||
| 44 | |||||||||
| 13 | 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... |
46 | 16 | 12 | 18 | 51 | 66 | ||
| 44 | |||||||||
| 14 | Scunthorpe United Scunthorpe United F.C. Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One.... |
46 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 58 | 75 | ||
| 43 | |||||||||
| 15 | Tranmere Rovers Tranmere Rovers F.C. Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system... |
46 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 50 | 56 | ||
| 41 | |||||||||
| 16 | Stockport County Stockport County F.C. Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport... |
46 | 14 | 12 | 20 | 48 | 72 | ||
| 40 | |||||||||
| 17 | York City York City F.C. York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions... |
46 | 14 | 11 | 21 | 65 | 82 | ||
| 39 | |||||||||
| 18 | Halifax Town Halifax Town A.F.C. Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years... |
46 | 13 | 13 | 20 | 46 | 72 | ||
| 39 | |||||||||
| 19 | Hartlepool United Hartlepool United F.C. Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season... |
46 | 14 | 10 | 22 | 59 | 64 | ||
| 38 | |||||||||
| 20 | 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... |
46 | 12 | 12 | 22 | 56 | 70 | -14 | 36 |
| 21 | Hereford United Hereford United F.C. Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',... |
46 | 11 | 14 | 21 | 38 | 52 | ||
| 36 | |||||||||
| 22 | Darlington Darlington F.C. Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003... |
46 | 9 | 17 | 20 | 50 | 74 | ||
| 35 | |||||||||
| 23 | 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... |
46 | 11 | 13 | 22 | 35 | 68 | ||
| 35 | |||||||||
| 24 | Rochdale Rochdale A.F.C. Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921... |
46 | 7 | 13 | 26 | 33 | 79 | ||
| 27 |
P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points
Legend
| Win | Draw | Loss |
Football League Fourth Division
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 August 1979 | 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 | 1–2 | 4,008 | Tully Kevin Tully Kevin Francis Tully is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Tully began his career with Prestwich Heys. In 1972 he joined a then-managerless Blackpool, for whom he went on to make eleven league appearances... |
| 20 August 1979 | Hereford United Hereford United F.C. Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',... |
|H | 0–1 | 2,744 | |
| 25 August 1979 | 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 | 1–3 | 2,538 | Todd Ken Todd Kenneth Todd is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Todd played four league games for Wolverhampton Wanderers before Port Vale broke their club record fee to purchase him for £37,000 in August 1978. Expectations loomed large on the youngster as he struggled to live up to his price tag... |
| 1 September 1979 | Peterborough United Peterborough United F.C. Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is... |
|H | 0–1 | 2,794 | |
| 7 September 1979 | 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... |
|A | 2–0 | 4,539 | Chamberlain Neville Chamberlain (footballer) Neville Patrick Chamberlain is a retired English footballer. His brother, Mark was also a footballer, and his nephew Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain plays for Arsenal.-Playing career:... (2) |
| 15 September 1979 | 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 | 5–0 | 2,847 | Chamberlain Neville Chamberlain (footballer) Neville Patrick Chamberlain is a retired English footballer. His brother, Mark was also a footballer, and his nephew Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain plays for Arsenal.-Playing career:... (2), Wright Bernie Wright Bernard Peter "Bernie" Wright , nicknamed Bernie the Bolt, is an English former footballer. A tough centre-forward, he scored 78 goals in 320 league games in a nine year career in the Football League.... (2), Sproson Phil Sproson Phillip Jess "Phil" Sproson is a former English footballer who played as a central defender. He played in 500 matches for Port Vale and scored 41 goals , this places him third highest in the list of appearances for Port Vale... |
| 17 September 1979 | Bradford City Bradford City A.F.C. Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two.... |
|H | 1–2 | 4,724 | Sproson Phil Sproson Phillip Jess "Phil" Sproson is a former English footballer who played as a central defender. He played in 500 matches for Port Vale and scored 41 goals , this places him third highest in the list of appearances for Port Vale... |
| 22 September 1979 | Huddersfield Town Huddersfield Town F.C. Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One... |
|A | 1–7 | 4,299 | Chamberlain Neville Chamberlain (footballer) Neville Patrick Chamberlain is a retired English footballer. His brother, Mark was also a footballer, and his nephew Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain plays for Arsenal.-Playing career:... |
| 29 September 1979 | Rochdale Rochdale A.F.C. Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921... |
|H | 5–1 | 2,835 | Wright Bernie Wright Bernard Peter "Bernie" Wright , nicknamed Bernie the Bolt, is an English former footballer. A tough centre-forward, he scored 78 goals in 320 league games in a nine year career in the Football League.... (2), Farrell Peter Farrell (English footballer) Peter John Farrell is an English former football midfielder noted for his excellent technical ability. He is now a coach at Brentford.... , Owen Terry Owen Leslie Terence "Terry" Owen is a former professional footballer who played as a striker with several clubs in the 1970s, and is best known as the father of Manchester United striker, Michael Owen.... |
| 3 October 1979 | Bradford City Bradford City A.F.C. Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two.... |
|A | 0–2 | 4,393 | |
| 6 October 1979 | 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.... |
|H | 1–2 | 3,127 | Wright Bernie Wright Bernard Peter "Bernie" Wright , nicknamed Bernie the Bolt, is an English former footballer. A tough centre-forward, he scored 78 goals in 320 league games in a nine year career in the Football League.... |
| 10 October 1979 | Hereford United Hereford United F.C. Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',... |
|A | 0–0 | 2,741 | |
| 13 October 1979 | Hartlepool United Hartlepool United F.C. Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season... |
|A | 1–2 | 2,441 | Wright Bernie Wright Bernard Peter "Bernie" Wright , nicknamed Bernie the Bolt, is an English former footballer. A tough centre-forward, he scored 78 goals in 320 league games in a nine year career in the Football League.... |
| 20 October 1979 | Darlington Darlington F.C. Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003... |
|H | 2–0 | 2,618 | Beech Kenny Beech Kenneth "Kenny" Beech is a former English footballer. A midfielder, he played for Port Vale between 1976 and 1981, picking up the club's Player of the Year award in 1980, also playing on loan at American club Cleveland Cobras in 1978. In 1981 he was sold to Walsall, before he moved on to... , Farrell Peter Farrell (English footballer) Peter John Farrell is an English former football midfielder noted for his excellent technical ability. He is now a coach at Brentford.... |
| 22 October 1979 | Tranmere Rovers Tranmere Rovers F.C. Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system... |
|H | 0–1 | 2,990 | |
| 27 October 1979 | 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 | 1–2 | 4,976 | Woolfall Alan Woolfall Alan Francis Woolfall is an English former footballer who played as a forward. He scored fourteen goals in 75 league games in the Football League.-Playing career:... |
| 3 November 1979 | 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 | 2–0 | 2,980 | Farrell Peter Farrell (English footballer) Peter John Farrell is an English former football midfielder noted for his excellent technical ability. He is now a coach at Brentford.... , 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.... |
| 10 November 1979 | Halifax Town Halifax Town A.F.C. Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years... |
|A | 0–0 | 1,798 | |
| 12 November 1979 | Tranmere Rovers Tranmere Rovers F.C. Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system... |
|A | 1–1 | 2,140 | Wright Bernie Wright Bernard Peter "Bernie" Wright , nicknamed Bernie the Bolt, is an English former footballer. A tough centre-forward, he scored 78 goals in 320 league games in a nine year career in the Football League.... |
| 17 November 1979 | 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 | 1–1 | 2,643 | Wright Bernie Wright Bernard Peter "Bernie" Wright , nicknamed Bernie the Bolt, is an English former footballer. A tough centre-forward, he scored 78 goals in 320 league games in a nine year career in the Football League.... |
| 1 December 1979 | York City York City F.C. York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions... |
|A | 1–5 | 2,402 | Chamberlain Neville Chamberlain (footballer) Neville Patrick Chamberlain is a retired English footballer. His brother, Mark was also a footballer, and his nephew Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain plays for Arsenal.-Playing career:... |
| 7 December 1979 | Stockport County Stockport County F.C. Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport... |
|H | 1–2 | 2,799 | Chamberlain Neville Chamberlain (footballer) Neville Patrick Chamberlain is a retired English footballer. His brother, Mark was also a footballer, and his nephew Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain plays for Arsenal.-Playing career:... |
| 21 December 1979 | Portsmouth Portsmouth F.C. Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from... |
|A | 2–2 | 12,022 | Griffiths Neil Griffiths (footballer) Neil Griffiths is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths joined Port Vale from Chester in exchange for £5,000 and Tony Loska in December 1973. He lined up against his old club in the final of the 1977 Debenhams Cup and scored an own goal in a 4–1 defeat... (2) |
| 26 December 1979 | Scunthorpe United Scunthorpe United F.C. Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One.... |
|H | 1–0 | 3,433 | Wright Bernie Wright Bernard Peter "Bernie" Wright , nicknamed Bernie the Bolt, is an English former footballer. A tough centre-forward, he scored 78 goals in 320 league games in a nine year career in the Football League.... |
| 29 December 1979 | 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 | 0–2 | 2,559 | |
| 5 January 1980 | Bournemouth 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 | 1–1 | 2,875 | 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.... |
| 12 January 1980 | Doncaster Rovers Doncaster Rovers F.C. Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in... |
|A | 3–2 | 3,859 | Chamberlain Neville Chamberlain (footballer) Neville Patrick Chamberlain is a retired English footballer. His brother, Mark was also a footballer, and his nephew Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain plays for Arsenal.-Playing career:... (2), Sproson Phil Sproson Phillip Jess "Phil" Sproson is a former English footballer who played as a central defender. He played in 500 matches for Port Vale and scored 41 goals , this places him third highest in the list of appearances for Port Vale... |
| 26 January 1980 | Peterborough United Peterborough United F.C. Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is... |
|A | 0–3 | 3,287 | |
| 2 February 1980 | 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 | 1–3 | 1,946 | Woolfall Alan Woolfall Alan Francis Woolfall is an English former footballer who played as a forward. He scored fourteen goals in 75 league games in the Football League.-Playing career:... |
| 9 February 1980 | Huddersfield Town Huddersfield Town F.C. Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One... |
|H | 1–1 | 5,143 | Elsby Ian Elsby Ian Christopher Elsby is an English former footballer. His uncle is the former footballer Jim Elsby.-Playing career:Elsby graduated from the Port Vale youth team to sign as a professional in May 1978. He was immediately sent out to the USA on loan with the Cleveland Cobras, but returned by August... |
| 15 February 1980 | Rochdale Rochdale A.F.C. Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921... |
|A | 2–0 | 1,784 | Sealy Tony Sealy Anthony John "Tony" Sealy is a retired footballer in the 1970s and 1980s. He won four Championship medals with four different clubs and played for numerous clubs across the world.-Playing career:... , Beech Kenny Beech Kenneth "Kenny" Beech is a former English footballer. A midfielder, he played for Port Vale between 1976 and 1981, picking up the club's Player of the Year award in 1980, also playing on loan at American club Cleveland Cobras in 1978. In 1981 he was sold to Walsall, before he moved on to... |
| 20 February 1980 | 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... |
|H | 2–0 | 6,655 | Sealy Tony Sealy Anthony John "Tony" Sealy is a retired footballer in the 1970s and 1980s. He won four Championship medals with four different clubs and played for numerous clubs across the world.-Playing career:... , Farrell Peter Farrell (English footballer) Peter John Farrell is an English former football midfielder noted for his excellent technical ability. He is now a coach at Brentford.... |
| 23 February 1980 | Hartlepool United Hartlepool United F.C. Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season... |
|H | 1–1 | 3,702 | Chamberlain Neville Chamberlain (footballer) Neville Patrick Chamberlain is a retired English footballer. His brother, Mark was also a footballer, and his nephew Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain plays for Arsenal.-Playing career:... |
| 1 March 1980 | Darlington Darlington F.C. Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003... |
|A | 1–1 | 2,102 | Sealy Tony Sealy Anthony John "Tony" Sealy is a retired footballer in the 1970s and 1980s. He won four Championship medals with four different clubs and played for numerous clubs across the world.-Playing career:... |
| 8 March 1980 | 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 | 2–2 | 6,756 | Griffiths Neil Griffiths (footballer) Neil Griffiths is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths joined Port Vale from Chester in exchange for £5,000 and Tony Loska in December 1973. He lined up against his old club in the final of the 1977 Debenhams Cup and scored an own goal in a 4–1 defeat... (pen), Chamberlain Neville Chamberlain (footballer) Neville Patrick Chamberlain is a retired English footballer. His brother, Mark was also a footballer, and his nephew Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain plays for Arsenal.-Playing career:... |
| 15 March 1980 | 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.... |
|A | 0–3 | 2,969 | |
| 22 March 1980 | Halifax Town Halifax Town A.F.C. Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years... |
|H | 1–0 | 2,993 | 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.... |
| 26 March 1980 | Wigan Athletic Wigan Athletic F.C. Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW... |
|A | 1–3 | 4,854 | Beech Kenny Beech Kenneth "Kenny" Beech is a former English footballer. A midfielder, he played for Port Vale between 1976 and 1981, picking up the club's Player of the Year award in 1980, also playing on loan at American club Cleveland Cobras in 1978. In 1981 he was sold to Walsall, before he moved on to... |
| 29 March 1980 | 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 | 1–1 | 2,109 | Gerry Keenan Gerry Keenan Gerard Patrick "Gerry" Keenan is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Keenan played for Liverpool, Skelmersdale United and Bury before signing for Port Vale in September 1978 for a £15,000 fee. After enjoying two seasons of regular football he suffered with knee injuries from September... |
| 1 April 1980 | Portsmouth Portsmouth F.C. Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from... |
|H | 2–3 | 3,614 | Harwood Lee Harwood (footballer) Lee Harwood is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Harwood played for Southampton , Wimbledon and Leatherhead before joining Port Vale in February 1980. He enjoyed regular football for the rest of the 1979–80 season, but damaged a cartilage in August 1980... , Sealy Tony Sealy Anthony John "Tony" Sealy is a retired footballer in the 1970s and 1980s. He won four Championship medals with four different clubs and played for numerous clubs across the world.-Playing career:... |
| 5 April 1980 | Scunthorpe United Scunthorpe United F.C. Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One.... |
|A | 0–1 | 1,981 | |
| 7 April 1980 | Wigan Athletic Wigan Athletic F.C. Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW... |
|H | 1–1 | 3,814 | Sealy Tony Sealy Anthony John "Tony" Sealy is a retired footballer in the 1970s and 1980s. He won four Championship medals with four different clubs and played for numerous clubs across the world.-Playing career:... |
| 12 April 1980 | Bournemouth 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 | 1–3 | 2,863 | Owen Terry Owen Leslie Terence "Terry" Owen is a former professional footballer who played as a striker with several clubs in the 1970s, and is best known as the father of Manchester United striker, Michael Owen.... |
| 19 April 1980 | York City York City F.C. York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions... |
|H | 1–2 | 2,640 | Owen Terry Owen Leslie Terence "Terry" Owen is a former professional footballer who played as a striker with several clubs in the 1970s, and is best known as the father of Manchester United striker, Michael Owen.... |
| 25 April 1980 | Stockport County Stockport County F.C. Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport... |
|A | 1–0 | 2,404 | Sealy Tony Sealy Anthony John "Tony" Sealy is a retired footballer in the 1970s and 1980s. He won four Championship medals with four different clubs and played for numerous clubs across the world.-Playing career:... |
| 3 May 1980 | Doncaster Rovers Doncaster Rovers F.C. Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in... |
|H | 3–0 | 2,338 | Jones Steve Jones (footballer born 1960) Steve Francis Jones is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Jones played for Manchester United before joining Port Vale in May 1979. He played thirty games for the club, scoring two goals but was never a regular first team player and so was given a free transfer in April 1981.-References:... , Griffiths Neil Griffiths (footballer) Neil Griffiths is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths joined Port Vale from Chester in exchange for £5,000 and Tony Loska in December 1973. He lined up against his old club in the final of the 1977 Debenhams Cup and scored an own goal in a 4–1 defeat... (pen), Bromage Russell Bromage Russell Bromage is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. In a fourteen year career in the Football League he made 400 league appearances, scoring 14 goals.... |
FA Cup
| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | 23 November 1979 | Doncaster Rovers Doncaster Rovers F.C. Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in... |
H | 1–3 | 4,973 | Beech Kenny Beech Kenneth "Kenny" Beech is a former English footballer. A midfielder, he played for Port Vale between 1976 and 1981, picking up the club's Player of the Year award in 1980, also playing on loan at American club Cleveland Cobras in 1978. In 1981 he was sold to Walsall, before he moved on to... |
League Cup
| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 1st Leg | 11 August 1979 | Tranmere Rovers Tranmere Rovers F.C. Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system... |
H | 1–2 | 3,213 | |
| R1 2nd Leg | 15 August 1979 | Tranmere Rovers Tranmere Rovers F.C. Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system... |
A | 0–1 | 3,026 | Woolfall Alan Woolfall Alan Francis Woolfall is an English former footballer who played as a forward. He scored fourteen goals in 75 league games in the Football League.-Playing career:... |
Appearances
| Pos. | Name | Football League | FA Cup | League Cup | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| GK |  John ConnaughtonJohn Connaughton Patrick John Connaughton is an English former professional football goalkeeper. He played 387 games in a sixteen year career. He also represented England at youth level on three occasions.... |
7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| GK | Trevor Dance Trevor Dance Trevor Dance is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Dance joined Port Vale as an apprentice in August, signing his first professional forms in July 1976 and making his debut in a 2–1 defeat at Mansfield Town on 28 December 1976... |
39 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 0 |
| DF | Neil Griffiths Neil Griffiths (footballer) Neil Griffiths is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths joined Port Vale from Chester in exchange for £5,000 and Tony Loska in December 1973. He lined up against his old club in the final of the 1977 Debenhams Cup and scored an own goal in a 4–1 defeat... |
40 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 4 |
| DF | Phil Sproson Phil Sproson Phillip Jess "Phil" Sproson is a former English footballer who played as a central defender. He played in 500 matches for Port Vale and scored 41 goals , this places him third highest in the list of appearances for Port Vale... |
39 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 3 |
| DF | Graham Hawkins Graham Hawkins Graham Norman Hawkins is an English former football player and manager.A defender, he began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1964, before he moved on to Preston North End three years later. In seven years with Preston he made 245 league appearances, and also served as their captain... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| DF | Bill Bentley Bill Bentley William John "Bill" Bentley is an English former professional football player. He played as a left-back.... |
32 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 35 | 0 |
| DF | Gerry Keenan Gerry Keenan Gerard Patrick "Gerry" Keenan is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Keenan played for Liverpool, Skelmersdale United and Bury before signing for Port Vale in September 1978 for a £15,000 fee. After enjoying two seasons of regular football he suffered with knee injuries from September... |
41 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 44 | 1 |
| DF |  Bob DelgadoBob Delgado Robert Allan Delgado is a Welsh footballer who played for most of his career in the 1970s, with the majority of his league appearances coming at Rotherham United and Chester.-Playing career:... |
17 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
| DF | Lee Harwood Lee Harwood (footballer) Lee Harwood is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Harwood played for Southampton , Wimbledon and Leatherhead before joining Port Vale in February 1980. He enjoyed regular football for the rest of the 1979–80 season, but damaged a cartilage in August 1980... |
15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 |
| DF | Billy Leese Billy Leese William Leese is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Leese graduated through the Port Vale youth team to earn a loan move to American side Cleveland Cobras in May 1978, he returned three months later and signed as a Port Vale professional in March 1979. His first team debut came on 1... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| DF | Paul Bowles Paul Bowles (footballer) Paul Michael Anthony Bowles is a former English footballer. He was a cousin of Stan Bowles.-Playing career:... |
10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| MF | Kenny Beech Kenny Beech Kenneth "Kenny" Beech is a former English footballer. A midfielder, he played for Port Vale between 1976 and 1981, picking up the club's Player of the Year award in 1980, also playing on loan at American club Cleveland Cobras in 1978. In 1981 he was sold to Walsall, before he moved on to... |
46 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 49 | 4 |
| MF | Russell Bromage Russell Bromage Russell Bromage is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. In a fourteen year career in the Football League he made 400 league appearances, scoring 14 goals.... |
29 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 1 |
| MF | Ged Stenson Ged Stenson Gerard Patrick Stenson is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Stenson played for Everton before joining Third Division Port Vale in March 1978. The club were relegated that season, but Stenon's debut came on 12 August 1978, in a League Cup round one 3–0 home defeat to Chester... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| MF | Ken Todd Ken Todd Kenneth Todd is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Todd played four league games for Wolverhampton Wanderers before Port Vale broke their club record fee to purchase him for £37,000 in August 1978. Expectations loomed large on the youngster as he struggled to live up to his price tag... |
3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| MF | Kevin Tully Kevin Tully Kevin Francis Tully is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Tully began his career with Prestwich Heys. In 1972 he joined a then-managerless Blackpool, for whom he went on to make eleven league appearances... |
5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
| MF | Mark Chamberlain Mark Chamberlain Mark Valentine Chamberlain is an English retired international footballer. He is the younger brother of Neville Chamberlain, and the father of Arsenal and England U21 player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.... |
11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| MF | Peter Farrell Peter Farrell (English footballer) Peter John Farrell is an English former football midfielder noted for his excellent technical ability. He is now a coach at Brentford.... |
32 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 5 |
| MF | Ian Elsby Ian Elsby Ian Christopher Elsby is an English former footballer. His uncle is the former footballer Jim Elsby.-Playing career:Elsby graduated from the Port Vale youth team to sign as a professional in May 1978. He was immediately sent out to the USA on loan with the Cleveland Cobras, but returned by August... |
21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 1 |
| MF |  Felix HealyFelix Healy Felix Healy is a former Northern Ireland international footballer who played for Coleraine and then became a football manager... |
18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| MF | John Fleming John Fleming (footballer) John Joseph Fleming is an English former footballer who played 199 league games in the Football League in a ten year professional career. He later became a player and coach in Australia.... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| FW | Neville Chamberlain Neville Chamberlain (footballer) Neville Patrick Chamberlain is a retired English footballer. His brother, Mark was also a footballer, and his nephew Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain plays for Arsenal.-Playing career:... |
35 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 11 |
| FW | Bernie Wright Bernie Wright Bernard Peter "Bernie" Wright , nicknamed Bernie the Bolt, is an English former footballer. A tough centre-forward, he scored 78 goals in 320 league games in a nine year career in the Football League.... |
30 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 33 | 9 |
| FW | Alan Woolfall Alan Woolfall Alan Francis Woolfall is an English former footballer who played as a forward. He scored fourteen goals in 75 league games in the Football League.-Playing career:... |
7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 3 |
| FW | Tony Sealy Tony Sealy Anthony John "Tony" Sealy is a retired footballer in the 1970s and 1980s. He won four Championship medals with four different clubs and played for numerous clubs across the world.-Playing career:... |
17 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 6 |
| FW | Terry Owen Terry Owen Leslie Terence "Terry" Owen is a former professional footballer who played as a striker with several clubs in the 1970s, and is best known as the father of Manchester United striker, Michael Owen.... |
17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 19 | 3 |
| FW | Steve Jones Steve Jones (footballer born 1960) Steve Francis Jones is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Jones played for Manchester United before joining Port Vale in May 1979. He played thirty games for the club, scoring two goals but was never a regular first team player and so was given a free transfer in April 1981.-References:... |
15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 |
All competitions
| Scorer | Goals |
|---|---|
| Neville Chamberlain Neville Chamberlain (footballer) Neville Patrick Chamberlain is a retired English footballer. His brother, Mark was also a footballer, and his nephew Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain plays for Arsenal.-Playing career:... |
11 |
| Bernie Wright Bernie Wright Bernard Peter "Bernie" Wright , nicknamed Bernie the Bolt, is an English former footballer. A tough centre-forward, he scored 78 goals in 320 league games in a nine year career in the Football League.... |
9 |
| Tony Sealy Tony Sealy Anthony John "Tony" Sealy is a retired footballer in the 1970s and 1980s. He won four Championship medals with four different clubs and played for numerous clubs across the world.-Playing career:... |
6 |
| Peter Farrell Peter Farrell (English footballer) Peter John Farrell is an English former football midfielder noted for his excellent technical ability. He is now a coach at Brentford.... |
5 |
| Neil Griffiths Neil Griffiths (footballer) Neil Griffiths is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths joined Port Vale from Chester in exchange for £5,000 and Tony Loska in December 1973. He lined up against his old club in the final of the 1977 Debenhams Cup and scored an own goal in a 4–1 defeat... |
4 |
| Kenny Beech Kenny Beech Kenneth "Kenny" Beech is a former English footballer. A midfielder, he played for Port Vale between 1976 and 1981, picking up the club's Player of the Year award in 1980, also playing on loan at American club Cleveland Cobras in 1978. In 1981 he was sold to Walsall, before he moved on to... |
|
| Phil Sproson Phil Sproson Phillip Jess "Phil" Sproson is a former English footballer who played as a central defender. He played in 500 matches for Port Vale and scored 41 goals , this places him third highest in the list of appearances for Port Vale... |
3 |
| Terry Owen Terry Owen Leslie Terence "Terry" Owen is a former professional footballer who played as a striker with several clubs in the 1970s, and is best known as the father of Manchester United striker, Michael Owen.... |
|
| Alan Woolfall Alan Woolfall Alan Francis Woolfall is an English former footballer who played as a forward. He scored fourteen goals in 75 league games in the Football League.-Playing career:... |
|
| Gerry Keenan Gerry Keenan Gerard Patrick "Gerry" Keenan is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Keenan played for Liverpool, Skelmersdale United and Bury before signing for Port Vale in September 1978 for a £15,000 fee. After enjoying two seasons of regular football he suffered with knee injuries from September... |
1 |
| Lee Harwood Lee Harwood (footballer) Lee Harwood is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Harwood played for Southampton , Wimbledon and Leatherhead before joining Port Vale in February 1980. He enjoyed regular football for the rest of the 1979–80 season, but damaged a cartilage in August 1980... |
|
| Ken Todd Ken Todd Kenneth Todd is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Todd played four league games for Wolverhampton Wanderers before Port Vale broke their club record fee to purchase him for £37,000 in August 1978. Expectations loomed large on the youngster as he struggled to live up to his price tag... |
|
| Kevin Tully Kevin Tully Kevin Francis Tully is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Tully began his career with Prestwich Heys. In 1972 he joined a then-managerless Blackpool, for whom he went on to make eleven league appearances... |
|
| Ian Elsby Ian Elsby Ian Christopher Elsby is an English former footballer. His uncle is the former footballer Jim Elsby.-Playing career:Elsby graduated from the Port Vale youth team to sign as a professional in May 1978. He was immediately sent out to the USA on loan with the Cleveland Cobras, but returned by August... |
|
| Steve Jones Steve Jones (footballer born 1960) Steve Francis Jones is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Jones played for Manchester United before joining Port Vale in May 1979. He played thirty games for the club, scoring two goals but was never a regular first team player and so was given a free transfer in April 1981.-References:... |
|
| Russell Bromage Russell Bromage Russell Bromage is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. In a fourteen year career in the Football League he made 400 league appearances, scoring 14 goals.... |
|
League
| Scorer | Goals |
|---|---|
| Neville Chamberlain Neville Chamberlain (footballer) Neville Patrick Chamberlain is a retired English footballer. His brother, Mark was also a footballer, and his nephew Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain plays for Arsenal.-Playing career:... |
11 |
| Bernie Wright Bernie Wright Bernard Peter "Bernie" Wright , nicknamed Bernie the Bolt, is an English former footballer. A tough centre-forward, he scored 78 goals in 320 league games in a nine year career in the Football League.... |
9 |
| Tony Sealy Tony Sealy Anthony John "Tony" Sealy is a retired footballer in the 1970s and 1980s. He won four Championship medals with four different clubs and played for numerous clubs across the world.-Playing career:... |
6 |
| Peter Farrell Peter Farrell (English footballer) Peter John Farrell is an English former football midfielder noted for his excellent technical ability. He is now a coach at Brentford.... |
5 |
| Neil Griffiths Neil Griffiths (footballer) Neil Griffiths is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths joined Port Vale from Chester in exchange for £5,000 and Tony Loska in December 1973. He lined up against his old club in the final of the 1977 Debenhams Cup and scored an own goal in a 4–1 defeat... |
4 |
| Phil Sproson Phil Sproson Phillip Jess "Phil" Sproson is a former English footballer who played as a central defender. He played in 500 matches for Port Vale and scored 41 goals , this places him third highest in the list of appearances for Port Vale... |
3 |
| Kenny Beech Kenny Beech Kenneth "Kenny" Beech is a former English footballer. A midfielder, he played for Port Vale between 1976 and 1981, picking up the club's Player of the Year award in 1980, also playing on loan at American club Cleveland Cobras in 1978. In 1981 he was sold to Walsall, before he moved on to... |
|
| Terry Owen Terry Owen Leslie Terence "Terry" Owen is a former professional footballer who played as a striker with several clubs in the 1970s, and is best known as the father of Manchester United striker, Michael Owen.... |
|
| Alan Woolfall Alan Woolfall Alan Francis Woolfall is an English former footballer who played as a forward. He scored fourteen goals in 75 league games in the Football League.-Playing career:... |
2 |
| Gerry Keenan Gerry Keenan Gerard Patrick "Gerry" Keenan is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Keenan played for Liverpool, Skelmersdale United and Bury before signing for Port Vale in September 1978 for a £15,000 fee. After enjoying two seasons of regular football he suffered with knee injuries from September... |
1 |
| Lee Harwood Lee Harwood (footballer) Lee Harwood is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Harwood played for Southampton , Wimbledon and Leatherhead before joining Port Vale in February 1980. He enjoyed regular football for the rest of the 1979–80 season, but damaged a cartilage in August 1980... |
|
| Ken Todd Ken Todd Kenneth Todd is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Todd played four league games for Wolverhampton Wanderers before Port Vale broke their club record fee to purchase him for £37,000 in August 1978. Expectations loomed large on the youngster as he struggled to live up to his price tag... |
|
| Kevin Tully Kevin Tully Kevin Francis Tully is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Tully began his career with Prestwich Heys. In 1972 he joined a then-managerless Blackpool, for whom he went on to make eleven league appearances... |
|
| Ian Elsby Ian Elsby Ian Christopher Elsby is an English former footballer. His uncle is the former footballer Jim Elsby.-Playing career:Elsby graduated from the Port Vale youth team to sign as a professional in May 1978. He was immediately sent out to the USA on loan with the Cleveland Cobras, but returned by August... |
|
| Steve Jones Steve Jones (footballer born 1960) Steve Francis Jones is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Jones played for Manchester United before joining Port Vale in May 1979. He played thirty games for the club, scoring two goals but was never a regular first team player and so was given a free transfer in April 1981.-References:... |
|
| Russell Bromage Russell Bromage Russell Bromage is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. In a fourteen year career in the Football League he made 400 league appearances, scoring 14 goals.... |
|