The 1954–55 season was Port Vale's 43rd season of football in the English Football League and their first season (thirtieth overall) back in the Second Division following their promotion from the Third Division North. Under manager Freddie Steele and chairman Fred Burgess, the club adapted to life in the second tier, finishing in 17th place with 35 points from 42 league matches. Despite a strong home record, Vale struggled on the road, winning just three away games throughout the season.

In the FA Cup, Vale advanced to the Fourth Round, where they were eliminated by Tottenham Hotspur. The club's top scorer was Cyril Done, who netted 13 goals during the season. Attendance at Vale Park was impressive, with an average crowd of 20,869, including a club record 40,066 spectators for the derby against Potteries derby rivals Stoke City on 25 April 1955, the first league meeting between the two clubs since 1932–33.

This season laid the groundwork for future success, as the club continued to build upon the foundation established by Steele's "Iron Curtain" defence and the solid squad that had achieved promotion the previous year.

Overview

Second Division The pre-season saw the players taken on a short outing to Ireland for their exploits the previous season. No major signings took place, and no players of note departed in the summer. Chairman Fred Burgess boasted of his team's loyalty.

The season opened with a 1–0 defeat at The Memorial Stadium to Bristol Rovers, though the team put in 'an encouraging display'. Two days later Vale Park welcomed a crowd of 26,805 for a 1–1 draw with Notts County. When they travelled to the Victoria Ground on 4 September, Stoke City had a 100% win record, but 46,777 locals witnessed a goalless draw between the Potteries clubs. Twelve days later, Vale travelled to Vetch Field, where they opened the scoring only to lose 7–1 to Swansea Town, a team they had beaten 1–0 just ten days earlier. This occurred because Tommy Cheadle and Stan Turner had to leave the game before half-time with injuries. The heavy defeat seemed to have destroyed the reputation of 'the Steele Curtain', as the team would have to wait another 14 matches before holding a clean sheet. During this time, manager Freddie Steele switched tactics from a defensive set-up to 'a semi-continental style' in the hunt for goals. Five straight losses followed, as the players struggled to adapt. Also lost was their record of 42 home games without a loss when on 18 September 1954, Blackburn Rovers claimed a 3–0 victory. Basil Hayward dropped from the first XI, they failed to beat strugglers Ipswich Town as the club hovered above the relegation zone. A 3–2 win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground sustained them until two home wins came in late-December. They had to do without Ken Griffiths, however, who sustained an ankle injury. On 27 November, Vale crashed to a 7–2 defeat at Birmingham City after Tommy Cheadle was stretchered off after half an hour with a fractured rib. In December, Cyril Done, an experienced striker, was signed from Tranmere Rovers for a four-figure fee. He helped to inspire a 4–0 victory over Fulham on 27 December.

On 5 February, strugglers Derby County thrashed the Vale 6–1 at the Baseball Ground despite "a spectacular solo goal" from Done. However, Vale's poor away record failed to deter a strong contingent of Vale fans from following the club around the country dressed in fancy dress. The following month, aggressive young forward Len Stephenson was signed from Blackpool. He impressed with his performances, though he proved more effective as a winger than in the much-needed centre-forward role. Three defeats left the Vale in a relegation dogfight, but seven points from the first five games in April proved very useful. On 8 April, Done put four past his former club Liverpool in a 4–3 win as Vale came from 3–1 down to win the match from the penalty spot. Three days later he scored a penalty at Anfield to earn a 1–1 draw. On 25 April, more than 40,000 turned up to Vale Park to witness the "Potters" claim a 1–0 victory. Vale won their final two games, including a 1–0 win over Rotherham United that denied the "Millers" a place in the top flight. Barnsley manager Andy Smailes bemaoned the state of the Vale Park pitch, saying "it was just like playing on Blackpool beach!".

They finished in 17th place, seven points clear of relegation but 19 short of promotion. With 48 goals, only Hull City scored fewer goals. Cyril Done was the only consistent scorer and was the top scorer for both Vale and Tranmere, having scored twice as many league goals as the next-highest scorer at both clubs.

Finances On the financial side, a scant profit of £141 was recorded despite a club-record average home attendance of 20,708. The £6,850 spent to bolster the forward line had swallowed up most of the profits. The Supporters' Club therefore announced it would raise £5,000 – £1,500 of which would go towards the terracing on the Bycars End. Reserve team players Mick Hulligan and Len Barber were allowed to leave for Northwich Victoria on free transfers.

FA Cup In the FA Cup, the "Valiants" drew 2–2 with West Ham United at Upton Park after going two goals behind. Vale won the replay 3–1 despite West Ham's protestations over the state of the pitch. Vale were drawn against First Division Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in the fourth round. A crowd of 50,684 saw an exciting game in which four "Spurs" goals wiped out a Ken Griffiths brace.

Results

Football League Second Division

League table

Results by matchday

Matches

FA Cup

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

Top scorers PlacePositionNationNameSecond DivisionFA CupTotal1FWCyril Done130132FWStan Smith6283FWKen Griffiths527–FWJohn Cunliffe5275FWBasil Hayward606–HBAlbert Leake5167FWColin Askey4048HBRoy Sproson101–FWAlbert Mullard101–FWLen Stephenson101–––Own goals101TOTALS48755

Transfers

Transfers in Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref. December 1954 FW Cyril Done Tranmere Rovers 'four figure fee' 10 March 1955 FW Len Stephenson Blackpool £5,000

Transfers out Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref. July 1955 FW Len Barber Northwich Victoria Free transfer July 1955 FW Mick Hulligan Northwich Victoria Free transfer Summer 1955 HB Roy Brien Released Summer 1955 FB Jim Elsby Wereton Queen's Park Free transfer Summer 1955 FW Derek Tomkinson Crewe Alexandra Free transfer

References Specific

General