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1971–72 Port Vale F.C. season

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Port Vale
1971–72 season
ChairmanGraham Bourne
(until January)
Mark Singer
(from January)
ManagerGordon Lee
StadiumVale Park
Football League Third Division15th (41 Points)
FA CupThird Round
(knocked out by Birmingham City)
League CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Shrewsbury Town)
Player of the YearSammy Morgan
Top goalscorerLeague: Bobby Gough (10)
All: Bobby Gough (10)
Highest home attendance11,118 vs. Aston Villa, 6 November 1971
Lowest home attendance2,475 vs. Rochdale, 12 May 1972
Average home league attendance4,366
Biggest win3–0 vs. Swansea City, 18 March 1972
Biggest defeat0–3 (five games)

The 1971–72 season was Port Vale's 60th season of football in the Football League, and their second-successive season (eighth overall) back in the Third Division.[1] Under the management of Gordon Lee and playing at Vale Park, the club struggled for consistency, eventually finishing 15th in the 24‑team division with 41 points.

Off the field, the campaign marked the end of an era: Roy Sproson, the club's record appearance-maker, retired after 22 years and 755 league games for Vale. Financially, thanks to a £10,000 transfer credit and £13,967 in donations from supporters, the club registered a profit of £596, reducing its total debt to around £100,130. In cup competitions, Vale reached the Third Round of the FA Cup, defeating Blackburn Rovers and Darlington before being knocked out by Second Division Birmingham City; they were eliminated in the First Round of the League Cup by Shrewsbury Town.

Bobby Gough was the season's top scorer with 10 goals across all competitions, earning him recognition for his attacking contributions, while Sammy Morgan was voted the club's Player of the Year for his overall impact. Attendance figures fluctuated: the highest home attendance was 11,118 against Aston Villa on 6 November 1971, the lowest was just 2,475 versus Rochdale on 12 May 1972, and the average league gate settled at 4,366 spectators per match.

Overall, the 1971–72 season proved unexceptional in terms of league position or cup success, but it was historically significant through Sproson's retirement, modest financial improvement, and some individual highlights under Gordon Lee's stewardship.

Overview

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Third Division

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The pre-season saw the arrival of left-half John Flowers from Doncaster Rovers and 22-year-old full-back Tony Loska from Shrewsbury Town for 'a small fee'.[1] Meanwhile, three players picked up injuries: John James (cartilage), Roy Sproson (ribs), and Stuart Sharratt (ankle); whilst Sammy Morgan threatened to quit altogether after falling out with manager Gordon Lee over his decision to remain resident in Great Yarmouth rather than moving nearer to Burslem.[1] The two made up and Lee said "I could not buy a player of his potential for £20,000". Violence broke out in a pre-season game with Bristol City, as the sport was in the grip of hooliganism.[1]

The season opened with a 1–1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion in front of just 4,384 fans, causing Lee to warn that such low attendances would require him to sell off the club's best players.[1] August ended with consecutive home defeats, and Loska joined the injury list with a broken collarbone. By the end of September, Vale were performing well on the pitch, and off it had sold the main car park to The Co-operative Group for £30,000.[1] Bob Mountford scored on his league debut in a 1–1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion on 16 October. Vale were beaten 3–2 at the league leaders Bournemouth three days later. Goals were at a premium despite a 4–3 win over York City and 4–4 draw with Aston Villa at Vale Park.[1] Sporadic violence continued to break out at many matches, as local businesses had their windows smashed, local residents were menaced and fights broke out.[1] In November, Clint Boulton was sold to Torquay United for £10,000.[1] The next month Lee brought "tall and aggressive" Ray Harford from Mansfield Town for a £5,000 fee, as well as "quick and aggressive" right-back Keith Lindsey from Southend United for 'a small fee'.[1] Tony Lacey was sidelined with a dislocated shoulder, though Sammy Morgan looked sharper in front of goal after switching to new contact lenses.[1]

Vale were comfortable in the league. On New Year's Day, Chairman Graham Bourne was reported to The Football Association for swearing at referee Keith Styles in a 2–1 win over Shrewsbury Town. Bourne resigned later that month, along with colleague and fellow director George Sanders.[1] This left the board of directors with just two members, one of whom, previous chairman Mark Singer, was re-elected as chairman.[1] The Sentinel's Chris Harper stated that "Vale will never make progress while they are plagued by trouble at the top".[1] The team continued with good home form, but invariably lost away from Vale Park.[1] On 16 February, Sammy Morgan scored on his debut for Northern Ireland, and picked up six further caps whilst at the club.[1] On 4 March, only 2,809 bothered to turn out for a 1–0 home win over Mansfield Town in strong wind and snow, whilst rivals Stoke City won the 1972 League Cup final in front of a crowd of nearly 100,000 at Wembley Stadium.[1]

Vale went on to go ten games without a win, also scoring just one goal in a run of seven games, to the frustration of their supporters.[1] Despite this, the now annual 'Meet the Manager' evening 'warmed the heart' of Lee.[1] A 1–0 win over Barnsley at the end of April ensured the club's safety from the drop.[1] On 8 May, Sproson made his farewell competitive appearance for the club in front of only 2,743 supporters, in a 2–1 defeat to Rotherham United.[1] Lee angrily declared that "the attendance was nothing short of a disgrace to mark the end of a legend".[1] Four days later there was an even smaller turnout for a final day 1–1 draw with Rochdale.[1] Fans were dissatisfied with the dour style of play under Lee, who was generally seen as performing an excellent job on a shoestring budget with poor training facilities amd injuries to key players.[2]

They finished in 15th place with 41 points, 30 of which were won at home.[1] With just 43 goals scored, they had the lowest goal tally outside the bottom four.[1]

Finances

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On the financial side, a drop in average home attendance of over a thousand failed to prevent a profit of £596.[1] This profit was due to a £10,000 transfer credit and £13,967 worth of donations from the Sportsmen's Association and the Development Fund.[1] The club's total debt stood at £100,130.[1] Four players were let go at the end of the campaign: Mick Morris (Stafford Rangers), Keith Ball (Stourport), Stuart Sharratt (retired), and John Flowers (Eastwood).[1] Sproson also retired as a player, but stayed on as a scout and coach.[1]

Cup competitions

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In the FA Cup, Vale beat Blackburn Rovers 3–1 following a 1–1 draw at Ewood Park. A last-minute Sammy Morgan goal then defeated Fourth Division side Darlington in the second round.[1] Vale then were defeated 3–0 at St Andrew's by Second Division club Birmingham City.

In the League Cup, Vale made 'their annual early exit', losing 2–0 at home to Shrewsbury Town.[1]

League table

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Main article: 1971–72 Football League

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts Qualification or relegation
13 Chesterfield 46 18 8 20 57 57 1.000 44
14 Swansea City 46 17 10 19 46 59 0.780 44
15 Port Vale 46 13 15 18 43 59 0.729 41
16 Wrexham 46 16 8 22 59 63 0.937 40 Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round
17 Halifax Town 46 13 12 21 48 61 0.787 38
Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal average; 3) Goals scored

Results

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Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Third Division

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Results by matchday

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Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHAHHAHAHHAHAAHAHAAHHAHAAHHAHAHAAHAAHHAAHAAAHHH
ResultDWLLWDDWDLDDLWLDWLWWLWLLDWLWLWLLWDDDDLDDLLLWLD
Position134151513131410815151516131717141414101111121412131310121214151313131413141514151515151615
Points133356791010111212141415171719212123232324262628283030303233343536363738383838404041
Source: Statto[3]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

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Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorers
14 August 1971 Brighton & Hove Albion H 1–1 4,384 Horton (pen)
21 August 1971 Swansea City A 1–0 6,457 Morris
28 August 1971 Chesterfield H 0–2 4,416
30 August 1971 Notts County H 0–3 5,298
4 September 1971 Wrexham A 2–1 7,407 Brodie, Horton
11 September 1971 Plymouth Argyle H 0–0 3,707
18 September 1971 Shrewsbury Town A 0–0 5,443
25 September 1971 Halifax Town H 1–0 3,724 Gough
27 September 1971 Blackburn Rovers H 0–0 4,963
2 October 1971 Walsall A 0–2 4,642
9 October 1971 Bolton Wanderers H 1–1 6,394 Horton (pen)
16 October 1971 Brighton & Hove Albion A 1–1 9,007 Mountford
19 October 1971 Bournemouth A 2–3 10,404 Morgan, Gough
23 October 1971 York City H 4–3 4,484 McLaren (2), Gough, Morgan
30 October 1971 Oldham Athletic A 0–1 8,140
6 November 1971 Aston Villa H 4–4 11,118 McLaren, Mountford, Morgan, Loska
13 November 1971 Mansfield Town A 1–0 5,996 Mountford
27 November 1971 Torquay United A 0–3 3,710
4 December 1971 Tranmere Rovers H 2–1 3,701 Morgan, McLaren
18 December 1971 Wrexham H 1–0 4,310 Summerscales
27 December 1971 Bristol Rovers A 1–2 12,073 McLaren
1 January 1972 Shrewsbury Town H 2–1 5,056 Gough, Horton
8 January 1972 Chesterfield A 1–2 6,532 Gough
22 January 1972 Blackburn Rovers A 1–3 8,495 Loska
29 January 1972 Bournemouth H 1–1 4,937 Gough
5 February 1972 Bradford City H 1–0 3,715 Lacey
12 February 1972 York City A 1–2 4,319 Gough
19 February 1972 Oldham Athletic H 1–0 4,506 Morgan
26 February 1972 Aston Villa A 0–2 32,806
4 March 1972 Mansfield Town H 1–0 2,809 Morgan
11 March 1972 Bolton Wanderers A 0–3 6,240
13 March 1972 Rochdale A 2–3 3,157 James, o.g.
18 March 1972 Swansea City H 3–0 3,257 Gough (2), Harford
21 March 1972 Barnsley A 0–0 4,048
25 March 1972 Plymouth Argyle A 0–0 8,801
1 April 1972 Bristol Rovers H 0–0 3,823
3 April 1972 Walsall H 1–1 5,250 Gough
4 April 1972 Halifax Town A 0–2 3,319
8 April 1972 Bradford City A 0–0 2,969
15 April 1972 Torquay United H 0–0 2,737
18 April 1972 Rotherham United A 0–3 4,161
21 April 1972 Tranmere Rovers A 2–3 3,544 McLaren, o.g.
26 April 1972 Notts County A 1–2 9,033 Morgan
29 April 1972 Barnsley H 1–0 2,614 Morris
8 May 1972 Rotherham United H 1–2 2,743 Morris
12 May 1972 Rochdale H 1–1 2,475 Horton (pen)

FA Cup

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Main article: 1971–72 FA Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 20 November 1971 Blackburn Rovers A 1–1 6,947 Horton
R1 Replay 22 November 1971 Blackburn Rovers H 3–1 5,717 Horton (2 [1 pen]), Morgan
R2 11 December 1971 Darlington H 1–0 5,402 Morgan
R3 15 January 1972 Birmingham City A 0–3 32,937

League Cup

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Main article: 1971–72 Football League Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 18 August 1971 Shrewsbury Town H 0–2 4,638

Player statistics

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Appearances and goals

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Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK England Keith Ball 31 0 3 0 1 0 35 0
GK England Stuart Sharratt 15 0 1 0 0 0 16 0
DF England Roy Sproson 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
DF England Clint Boulton 15 0 0 0 1 0 16 0
DF England Bill Summerscales 24 1 5 0 0 0 28 1
DF England Roy Cross 46 0 4 0 1 0 51 0
DF England John Brodie 37 1 4 0 2 0 42 1
DF England Keith Lindsey 16 0 0 0 0 0 16 0
DF England Tony Loska 30 2 4 0 1 0 35 2
MF Scotland Tommy McLaren 45 6 4 0 1 0 50 6
MF England Brian Horton 42 5 4 3 1 0 47 8
MF England Tony Lacey 31 1 2 0 0 0 33 1
MF England Bob Peyton 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
MF England John Flowers 34 0 2 0 1 0 37 0
MF England Ray Harford 19 1 0 0 0 0 19 1
FW England John James 14 1 0 0 0 0 14 1
FW England Mick Morris 31 3 2 0 0 0 33 3
FW England Bobby Gough 42 10 4 0 1 0 47 10
FW Northern Ireland Sammy Morgan 36 7 4 2 1 0 41 9
FW England Bob Mountford 21 3 3 0 1 0 25 3

Top scorers

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Place Position Nation Name Third Division FA Cup League Cup Total
1 FW  England Bobby Gough 10 0 0 10
2 FW  Northern Ireland Sammy Morgan 7 2 0 9
– MF  Scotland Tommy McLaren 6 0 0 9
4 MF  England Brian Horton 5 3 0 8
5 FW  England Mick Morris 3 0 0 3
6 FW  England Bob Mountford 3 0 0 3
7 DF  England Tony Loska 2 0 0 2
– MF  Scotland Ray Harford 1 0 0 1
– DF  England John Brodie 1 0 0 1
– DF  England Bill Summerscales 1 0 0 1
– MF  England Tony Lacey 1 0 0 1
– FW  England John James 1 0 0 1
– – – Own goals 2 0 0 2
TOTALS 43 5 0 48

Transfers

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Transfers in

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Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
July 1971 DF England Tony Loska Southend United Free transfer [4]
August 1971 MF England John Flowers Doncaster Rovers 'small' [4]
December 1971 DF England Ray Harford Mansfield Town £5,000 [4]
December 1971 DF England Keith Lindsey Southend United 'small' [4]
January 1972 MF England Bob Peyton Chelmsley Town Free transfer [4]

Transfers out

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Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
November 1971 DF England Clint Boulton Torquay United £10,000 [4]
May 1972 GK England Keith Ball Stourport Free transfer [4]
May 1972 MF England John Flowers Eastwood Free transfer [4]
May 1972 FW England Mick Morris Stafford Rangers Free transfer [4]
May 1972 DF England Roy Sproson Retired [4]
May 1972 GK England Stuart Sharratt Released [4]

References

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Specific
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af Kent, Jeff (1990). "Surviving on a Shoestring (1969–1979)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 227–257. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. ^ Baggaley, Mike (12 May 2025). "Nathan Smith released and retained list news". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  3. ^ Port Vale 1971–1972 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
General
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