The 1939–40 season was Port Vale's 34th season of football in the Football League, and second-successive season in the Third Division South. After just two league matches — both victories — the outbreak of World War II on 1 September 1939 led to the immediate suspension and eventual cancellation of all competitive league football. These opening fixtures were expunged from the official records, ending any formal pursuit of promotion or league progression that year.
With the abandonment of the official competition, Vale turned to regional wartime football, competing in the Football League West Regional League, where they finished 8th with 22 points. A 0–7 defeat and a 1–8 loss formed the season's heaviest reversals, while more encouraging results — such as competitive home performances—offered sporadic morale boosts in a difficult season context. Vale were also knocked out early in the Football League War Cup, exiting in the preliminary round following a defeat to Walsall. Though informal, the season served as a makeshift continuation for fans amid global upheaval.
Jack Roberts emerged as the club's leading scorer, netting 13 league goals and 14 in all competitions across the wartime programme. He remained a key focal point in Vale’s working side, displaying consistent goal-scoring form despite the unsettled nature of the competition structure. Attendances were much reduced due to wartime restrictions: the highest gate of approximately 6,000 came against Everton on 6 April 1940, while the lowest dipped to around 1,000 for a visit by New Brighton on 13 May. The average attendance settled at just 2,568, reflecting the broader limitations of the period.
Off the pitch, Port Vale faced severe financial and personnel strain. Most first-team players were unavailable, having joined the war effort, and the club struggled to field a competitive professional side. As a result, Vale often relied on youth and reserve players while managing across multiple local competitions. By the summer of 1940, financial pressures had escalated, with the club selling its Old Recreation Ground to the city council and operating in a precarious position for the duration of the war.
Overview Having rebuilt the playing squad the previous season, the Port Vale management opted to supplement the relatively team with young signings; notable teenage arrivals were Scottish winger Murdoch Dickie from Crewe Alexandra and inside-forward Bert Flatley from York City. Ken Fish returned as an assistant trainer as well as a player, with the club deciding to do without a manager in favour of a selection committee. The squad consisted of 22 professionals, though both Roy Felton and Roger Whittle were absent on military training, as the club decided to save money by asking squad players to be versatile in their playing positions. A goalless draw on the opening day down at Brighton & Hove Albion was followed by a 1–0 home defeat to Exeter City. Still, match number three against Northampton Town was cancelled after war was declared and the government prohibited all sports gatherings. The Football League was formally cancelled, and the footballing authorities looked at alternative arrangements. Permission was granted for football to take place in Stoke-on-Trent and friendlies took place as during this time.
The Football League eventually decided upon regional leagues and placed Vale in the West Region, alongside the big clubs from Liverpool and Manchester. Attendances were low, with only the fixtures with Manchester United and Everton breaking the 4,000 mark at the Old Recreation Ground. They managed to beat Everton 2–1 in front on a season-high crowd of around 6,000, and also managed to pick up a 1–1 draw with Liverpool in front of just 4,000 spectators at Anfield. Vale suffered heavy defeats at Old Trafford, the Victoria Ground and Maine Road, as well as at home to Liverpool, but managed to record doubles against both Crewe Alexandra and Tranmere Rovers. Despite fielding strong sides in the War Cup and Staffordshire Senior Cup they were eliminated in the opening rounds by Walsall and West Bromwich Albion respectively. Jack Roberts finished as top-scorer with 14 goals in all competitions. The club could not afford to continue fielding a professional team and so fielded just a junior side until the 1944–45 season despite still losing vast sums of money maintaining the Old Recreation Ground.
Results Football League Third Division South
League table
Note: The Football League was cancelled after three matches.
Results by matchday
Football League West (War) League League table
Results by matchday
Football League (War) Cup
Staffordshire Senior Cup
Squad statistics Appearances and goals Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; FB – Full back; HB – Half back; FW – Forward
|colspan="14"|Players who featured but departed the club during the season:
Top scorers PlacePositionNationNameWest (War) LeagueWar CupStaffs CupTotal1FWJack Roberts1310142FWBilly Tunnicliffe100010–FWPhil Griffiths901104FWDennis Higgins70075FWHarry Griffiths31046FWTom Nolan30037FWAlf Bellis2002–FWDon Triner20029HBEdwin Blunt1001–FWArthur Cumberlidge1001–DFJess Sproson1001–––Own goals0000TOTALS522155
Transfers
Transfers in Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref. May 1939 FW Murdoch Dickie Crewe Alexandra Free transfer June 1939 FW Bert Flatley York City Free transfer July 1939 FW Ken Fish Young Boys Free transfer October 1939 FW Phil Griffiths Folkestone Free transfer
Transfers out Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref. December 1939 FW Murdoch Dickie Contract cancelled February 1940 FW Tom Nolan Retired
References Specific
General