History of Port Vale F.C. - 1959–1969: The Sixties

1959–1969: The Sixties

On 9 January 1960, Port Vale gave 'one of the finest performances in their history', beating high flying Second Division outfit Cardiff City 2–0 at Ninian Park, and 'thoroughly deserved' their Third Round victory. In round four, 'the defence took the honours' in a 1–0 win at second tier Scunthorpe United. The fifth round held eventual Second Division champions Aston Villa, who ran out 2–1 winners at Vale Park. Their fine cup form did not transfer over to the league however, and a mid–table position finished the 1959–60 season. Stan Steele was an ever–present for the third season running.

The club meant business in 1960–61, as proven by a £10,000 attempt to sign Villa's Gerry Hitchens. In January, Albert Leake left for Macclesfield Town, leaving Roy Sproson the only surviving member of the legendary 1953–54 outfit. After Stan Steele was 'rested' following 195 consecutive appearances and consequently put in a transfer request. In March 1961 he moved to West Brom for a £10,000 fee. Cliff Portwood's 26 goals helped the club achieve a seventh place finish.

In preparation for 1961–62, Steele was bought back from The Hawthorns for the same price he was sold for. However, a 'shock' came with the same of Cliff Portwood to Grimsby Town for £6,000. Manager Low believed the team was 'capable of promotion'. On 2 October, 22,895 witnessed Czechoslovakia defeat Port Vale 3–1. Later in the month £6,000 was spent on bringing Colin Grainger from Leeds United. On 27 January, Vale visited Second Division Sunderland in the FA Cup fourth round, almost 50,000 fans witnessed £50,000 Brian Clough effectively contained by the Vale defence as a goalless draw saw the "Mackems" pay a visit to Vale Park. In the replay, Vale recorded a 3–1 win in 'a magical piece of soccer history'. In the fifth round the club were defeated 1–0 by top flight Fulham. Another mid–table finish and small profit ended the season.

The club's poor start to 1962–63 left a heckled Stan Steele transfer listed. On 30 October Low shocked the fans with his resignation, even more surprisingly old boss Freddie Steele was reinstataed. The "Steele curtain" returned to Vale Park, as the team went 525 minutes without conceding a goal, ironically this run was ended by Ronnie Allen, now with Crystal Palace scored an otherwise meaningless consolation goal. The previous season's top scorers Bert Llewellyn and Arthur Longbottom were sold to Northampton Town for £7,000 and Millwall for £2,000 respectively. On 13 March the club went out of the FA Cup at the fourth round, defeated 2–1 by top tier Sheffield United. Tony Richards was bought for £9,000 in March and amazingly became the season's top scorer with 13 goals in three months and 14 games. With rivals Stoke promoted from the second tier and Crewe from the fourth, Vale finished in third, four points off the Second Division.

Determined to win promotion in 1963–64, the club spent £15,000 a piece on Northern Ireland international Billy Bingham and Englishman Albert Cheesebrough. Tim Rawlings was also bought for £4,000 from nearby Walsall. Soon into the season winger Ron Smith was also purchased from Crewe for £6,500. Scotsmen Jackie Mudie and Ron Wilson were transferred from Stoke City for around £12,000. The club did well in the FA Cup, taking Liverpool to a fourth round replay, however the season was a disaster in the league. It was 'the season that misfired', having spent a massive amount of money (nearly £50,000 alone in transfer fees) they finished a whole ten places lower than the previous season. The club made a net loss of £42,650, even with the regular donation from the Supporters Association of close to £20,000.

The club flopped completely in 1964–65. Goalkeeper Ken Hancock was sold to Ipswich Town at Christmas time, raising £10,000. Freddie Steele departed in February, as Jackie Mudie was appointed caretaker manager. Mudie created 'a punchier attack and a far more stable defence' as the club managed four home wins in a row. However the club were relegated in 22nd place, five points away from safety. No club in the Football League had scored less than Vale's tally of 41, with top scorer Cheesebrough managing just seven strikes. In order to slash the wage bill, Stan Steele, Ron Smith, Ron Andrew, Tim Rawlings and Stan Trafford all left on free transfers. The season saw a financial loss of around £15,000, the home attendance being an average of around 5,500.

Stanley Matthews was made general manager in preparation for the 1965–66, his emphasis was strongly on nurturing young talent. As a demonstration of this, over 700 boys were given trials with the club. Centre–half John Nicholson made a club record 208 consecutive appearances before being dropped in favour of Terry Alcock. This unsettled Nicholson, who was soon sold to Doncaster Rovers for £5,000. That money was spent on bringing former Northern Ireland international Jimmy Hill to Vale Park. In a nod to the youth policy, in one game four teenagers made their débuts: Alex Donald, Roddy Georgeson, Mick Cullerton and Paul Ogden. At the age of 15 years 347 days, Malcolm James MacKenzie made his debut against Newport County on 12 April 1966, the youngest player ever to play for the club. The club finished just two points away from re–election, in 19th position, they could hardly sink any deeper. Nearly £30,000 was lost that season, an average home gate of 6,000 would have to double for the club to break even.

After a good start to 1966–67, the previous season's top scorer John Rowland was sold to Mansfield Town for £6,500. A 'gloom' descended, multiplied by matters such as debt and the death of ex–player John Nicholson. The season tailed off, especially with new signing, former Welsh international Mel Charles failing to impress. Just before the season ended, John Ritchie was sold to Preston North End for £17,500, in order to help pay off an £80,000 overdraft. On 8 May, Mudie resigned as player-manager due to 'personal reasons'. The club finished in mid–table with a financial loss, despite making a profit in the transfer market. It was noted that 'the weekly income is insufficient to maintain the club. On a more positive note, Roy Sproson was awarded the first 'player of the year' award by the club.

Numerous players were let go before the 1967–68 campaign began; a young Ray Kennedy's departure would be bitterly regretted over the next two decades. The club also 'reluctantly' accepted a £25,000 Blackpool bid for Terry Alcock. Two new signings were Roy Chapman and Mick Morris, both free transfers. The club took a pre–season tour of Czechoslovakia. In November the FA launched an investigation into alleged breaches of rules on payments to players by the club. By January the investigation became a commission, looking charges of weekly wages for 'amateurs', playing schoolboys, extra bonuses for victories, and an illegal signing on bonus and other bonuses paid to John Ritchie, as well as bonuses to Clint Boulton and Gordon Logan, as well as gifts to young players that broke FA rules. In February the club admitted to the charges and were fined £2,000, later doubled, and told that irrespective of where they finished in the table, they would be made to apply for re-election to the Football League at the end of the season. On 8 June they were readmitted to the league by 39 votes to 9. Stanley Matthews 'gradually drifted out of the picture' and Gordon Lee was appointed as manager.

In 1968–69, Lee won respect for his 'honesty and enthusiasm' as the club consolidated their league status. Bill Asprey retired to go into coaching in a quiet season for the club. Football hooliganism started to take its grip on the game, and Vale's early experience of it consisted of witnessing the Chester City team coach smashed with bricks. At the end of the season the club were in debt to the tune of £178,277, with a £10,900 loss being made on the season. Already strict economies were tightened by the club hierarchy.