1929–30 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1929–30 season was Port Vale's 11th consecutive season of football (24th overall) in the English Football League, and their first in the Third Division North.^[1] Under manager Joe Schofield (until his death in September) and subsequently Tom Morgan, the club rebounded impressively to finish as champions with 67 points, earning promotion back to the Second Division and setting a new division record for points accrued.

Vale's success was built on a dominant home record and a strong defence: they won 30 of their 42 league matches — a club record — and conceded just 37 goals, the best in all four Football League divisions that season. Veteran striker Sam Jennings led the attack, finishing as league top scorer with 24 goals and 27 in all competitions. Attendances varied widely, peaking at 15,346 for the York City match on 18 April 1930, although the average crowd was a respectable 9,176. In the FA Cup, Vale progressed to the Second Round before succumbing to Chesterfield. They also finished as runners-up in the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary Cup, losing to Potteries derby rivals Stoke.

The season was overshadowed early on by the passing of respected manager Joe Schofield, who died with the team top of the table, and saw reserve coach Tom Morgan take charge and maintain the momentum toward the club’s first-ever league title and promotion in league football history.

The pre-season saw the directors spend some of the £2,600 they received in the sale of Wilf Kirkham.^[1] In came Tom Baxter (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Frank Watkin (Stoke City), Sam Jennings (Nottingham Forest), Arthur Brown (Reading), and Bill Cope (Bolton Wanderers).^[1][2] Jennings was a proven goalscorer, whilst Brown had kept goal for Wales.^[1] Jennings and Pynegar would form a solid striking partnership despite rumours of a rift between the pair.

The season started well, continued at a high tempo, and finished in style.^[1] Winning ten of their opening eleven games, Vale marked themselves as promotion favourites early on.^[1] The run included a 5–0 win over Barrow and 5–1 victory over New Brighton, with Albert Pynegar scoring a hat-trick in the latter game.^[3] However, during this sequence, tragedy struck on 29 September with the death of manager Joe Schofield, aged 58, following a short illness.^[1] The Sentinel described him as a man adept at developing young players, who remained close to his players to help them realise their full potential.^[1] His funeral took place on 3 October, with Stoke City fans also mourning his death, as he had managed both clubs – the only man ever to do so.^[1] Tom Morgan moved out of the backroom staff to take charge for the remainder of the season.^[1] The team were four points clear at the top at the time of Schofield's death, his final game being a 4–1 victory at Carlisle United.^[1]

Morgan won his first game in charge, the victory over Nelson stretching Vale's lead at the top to six points.^[1] In mid-October, the side suffered a mini-slump, drawing three games in a row.^[1] One of these draws came in a first visit to Rotherham United on 19 October, when Vale let slip a 2–1 first half lead after Frank Watkin was forced off with a knee injury.^[4] To rectify things Bill Rawlings was signed from Manchester United for a four-figure fee, Ben Davies also arrived from Crewe Alexandra in a straight swap for Arthur Brown.^[1] Five wins on the bounce followed.^[1] Two defeats to Stockport County within two days (Christmas and Boxing Day) left the race for the title open despite the "Valiants" excellent start.^[1] Despite having nine players out injured, the Vale marched on, winning nine and drawing two of their following eleven games.^[1] This included a 4–0 win over Carlisle United and a 7–1 mauling over Rotherham United – Watkin scoring five in the latter match.^[1]

The team defeated Halifax Town by three goals to nil on 28 December, though they were held to a 1–1 draw at bottom club Barrow on 4 January. The directors took the players on a week-long excursion to Llandudno to help them recover. The three following matches were won by a total margin of ten goals, with none conceded. Stockport County, the only challengers for the league title, dropped points in February. On 22 February, Vale inflicted a 7–1 win over Rotherham United, with Watkin claiming five of the goals after four months without playing. Just as Vale were looking unbeatable, Jack Mandley was sold to Aston Villa for £5,000.^[1] Protestations from the supporters were quelled slightly by the arrival of Harry Marshall from Wolves.^[1] They slumped in March, winning two, losing two and drawing one.^[1] Despite being top of the league, a small minority of fans protested against the directors.^[1] The final four games were away, and Stockport were still breathing down the Vale's necks.^[1] All four games were won, with 16 goals scored in the season's final five games.^[1] They took the title at Crewe Alexandra's Gresty Road, with 1,000 supporters cheering them on.^[1]

They finished as champions with 67 points from 42 matches, then a division record.^[1] This put them 17 points clear of third-placed Darlington, and four points clear of Stockport.^[1] The previous season County had finished one point off champions Bradford City. Vale were one of five teams in the Football League to score a century of league goals (the others Sheffield Wednesday, West Bromwich Albion, Stockport County, and Darlington).^[1] Sam Jennings and Albert Pynegar scored nearly fifty goals combined. They conceded just 37 goals, fewer than any other team in the four divisions.^[1] At a Burslem Town Hall reception, 2,000 supporters congratulated the team on their achievement, amongst them Stoke's Wilf Kirkham.^[1]

On the financial side, a profit of £363 was made.^[1] Yet attendances were again a concern, a £725 drop in gate receipts saw an intake of just £13,302 on the gates.^[1] Wages came to £8,079.^[1] The directors again began talk of moving stadia to Cobridge.^[1] Leaving the club were Robert Gillespie, Jack Prince, and Bill Rawlings; they left for Wrexham, Rochdale, and New Milton respectively.^[1]

In the FA Cup, Vale progressed into the second round after beating Gainsborough Trinity 5–0 in a replay.^[1] During the first encounter Bob Connelly made his 122nd consecutive appearance, but was injured during the rough match.^[1] The matchday programme at Vale Park was highly disparaging of Trinity's rough tactics.^[1] They then came up against league rivals Chesterfield at Saltergate. Chesterfield would win all but three of their home games in the league and were equally stubborn opposition for the "Valiants", whom they defeated 2–0 after Bob Connelly was forced off with an injury.^[1]

Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; FB – Full back; HB – Half back; FW – Forward

Specific

General

• Kent, Jeff (1993). The Port Vale Record 1879-1993. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9508981-9-8.