The 1952–53 season was Port Vale's 41st season of football in the English Football League, and their first season (fourth overall) back in the Third Division North, following their switch from the Third Division South. It was the first in that section under manager Freddie Steele and chairman Fred Burgess. With a remarkably settled squad — just 19 players used all season — Vale narrowly missed out on promotion, finishing second by a single point on 58 points from 46 matches.

Vale's strength was defensive: they conceded just 35 goals all season, a foundation for the emerging "Iron/Steele Curtain" defence, while Basil Hayward was the club's top scorer with 22 league goals. In the FA Cup, Vale passed the First Round but were eliminated in the Second Round, and also finished runners-up in the Coronation Cup, succumbing to Potteries derby rivals Stoke City in that competition. Support at Vale Park averaged 14,504 per game, peaking at 25,398 in the December fixture against Oldham Athletic, while the lowest attendance was around 6,000 in December 1952 against Bradford City.

The 1952–53 campaign laid the groundwork for Vale’s outstanding 1953–54 season, with Steele’s emphasis on continuity, defence, and local talent reshaping the club’s identity.

Overview

Third Division North The pre-season saw the club switch from the Third Division South to the Third Division North, very much against the wishes of the directors, who believed a loss of income would follow. Manager Freddie Steele decided against making any new signings and instead kept faith with the young team he had inherited the previous season. Offers were made for some of the young prospects, but none were accepted.

The season began with a 1–0 defeat at Valley Parade with a goal from Ray King's brother George, managed by Steele's predecessor Ivor Powell. This did not affect the team's spirits, as they went straight on to a seven-match unbeaten run, conceding just three goals. The highlight of this run was a 5–2 home win over Rochdale. Steele picked up an injury and so selected the versatile Basil Hayward to replace him. A shrewd move, Hayward would go on to become the club's top scorer. It took a while to pay off however, as after losing 2–0 at Hartlepools United on 20 September, Vale went five games scoring just one goal. Steele attempted to sign a new forward, but to no avail. A 1–0 home defeat to wooden spoon contenders Accrington Stanley exemplified the club's trouble in front of goal. Also, it ended their record-breaking run of twelve consecutive home wins. Inside-forwards Albert Mullard and Ken Griffiths went 13 games without scoring. Steele and trainer Ken Fish put the squad to work on the special fitness regime they devised as the "Valiants" marched onwards.

Travelling to Boundary Park on 15 November, they beat Oldham Athletic 1–0 despite Norman Hallam missing the second half due to injury, taking themselves up into third place. On 13 December, Vale held league leaders Grimsby Town to a 1–1 draw at Blundell Park. They dropped points during the Christmas period, though picked up a useful 4–1 win over Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road on Boxing Day. Three points out of a possible eight in February allowed leaders Oldham to pull away from the chasing Vale. In March, Oldham and Grimsby Town struggled. So Vale took advantage with six points from ten, conceding just three goals. With six of the final nine games at home and all of the chasing pack yet to visit Burslem, the omens seemed good for promotion. Vale duly remained unbeaten until the season's end, however, drawing five of these games proved not enough. The 4 April encounter with Oldham proved to be the title decider. Vale had dominated the game but conceded a fatal equalising goal in the 86th minute. Two draws against strugglers Chester were also costly. Nevertheless, they finished strongly, hammering Grimsby Town 4–0, Reg Potts scoring with a lob from out.

They finished second, a single point away from top spot. Steele's emphasis on teamwork had turned the team around and earned the club its best finish since their relegation from the second tier in 1935–36. Their defensive record of 35 goals conceded was bettered only by Second Division Huddersfield Town. Their tally of 58 points was second only to the club's extraordinary 1929–30 campaign. Their main weakness was an average offence, though Hayward proved to be a revelation with 22 goals.

On 4 May, Vale played Potteries derby rivals Stoke City, who had just been relegated from the First Division. This Coronation Cup match ended in a 2–0 win for Stoke, with £1,053 raised for charity.

Finances On the financial side, a £1,676 profit was recorded. This was due to a club record average attendance of 14,504 – which took gate receipts to £39,929 – and a £5,000 slash in the wage bill to £18,246. For once, the club did not sell its best players, yet it also made a profit. Steele was rewarded with a three-year contract. He again kept on almost all of the squad, with two exceptions being Jimmy Todd (Wellington Town) and Norman Hallam (Halifax Town).

Cup competitions In the FA Cup, Third Division South Exeter City were beaten 2–1 despite some "faulty finishing". However, in the second round, league leaders Oldham Athletic won 3–0 in front of a season-best 25,398 crowd at Vale Park – 8,000 of them Oldham supporters.

Results

Football League Third Division North

League table

Results by matchday

Matches

FA Cup

Coronation Cup

Squad statistics Appearances and goals Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; FB – Full back; HB – Half back; FW – Forward

Top scorers PlacePositionNationNameThird Division NorthFA CupCoronation CupTotal1FWBasil Hayward2200222FWKen Griffiths1310143HBAlbert Mullard61074FWFreddie Steele50055HBAlbert Leake4004–FWMick Hulligan4004–FWJohn Cunliffe40048FWAlan Bennett30039HBRoy Sproson200210FWColin Askey1001–FBReg Potts1001–––Own goals2002TOTALS672069

Transfers

Transfers in Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref. December 1952 FW Derek Tomkinson Burton Albion Free transfer

Transfers out Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref. May 1953 FB John Abbotts Released May 1953 HB Norman Hallam Halifax Town Free transfer May 1953 HB Jimmy Todd Wellington Town Free transfer Summer 1953 FW Freddie Steele Retired

References Specific

General