1965–66 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1965–66 season was Port Vale's 54th season of football in the English Football League, and their first season (second overall) back in the Fourth Division following their relegation from the Third Division.^[1] Managed by Jackie Mudie and chaired by Fred Pinfold, the club once again struggled — finishing 19th in the 24‑team division with 39 points, equating to 87th overall among the 92 League clubs.

Despite expectations of an immediate promotion push, the club's fortunes continued to decline. Stanley Matthews, appointed as general manager, pioneered a youth-focused policy that saw several teenagers make their debuts — on one occasion, five teenagers made up the forward line in match — Alex Donald, Roddy Georgeson, Mick Cullerton, Paul Bannister, and Paul Ogden. Notably, 15‑year‑old Malcolm MacKenzie became the youngest player in club history when he debuted on 12 April 1966.

The league's top scorer was John Rowland, whose 21 goals in league play (23 in all competitions) proved a rare positive in an otherwise grim season. Vale experienced a financial loss of around £30,000, despite rising gate receipts and the continuation of their youth project, with an average attendance of 6,015 and a lowest recorded attendance of just 3,959 for the match against Southport on 27 November 1965. In cup competitions, Vale reached the Third Round of the FA Cup, ultimately eliminated by Cardiff City, and were knocked out of the League Cup in the First Round by Reading after a replay.

Overall, the 1965–66 season was a continuation of the club’s decline, marked by relegation struggles, a youth experiment under Matthews, modest crowds, growing financial concerns, and another unfulfilled hope of promotion.

On 19 July 1965, Stanley Matthews was appointed general manager to help his friend Jackie Mudie as manager.^[1] Matthews announced his policy of 'attracting and nurturing young footballers' and stressed the need for 'patience'.^[1] Matthews did not receive and did not request a contract.^[1] Though a massive lift for the club at the time, this development transpired to be a negative one for all involved, as Roy Sproson later explained that 'the club had their priorities wrong and the first-team suffered badly, whilst Stan trusted people, who took advantage of him'.^[1] Most of the summer signings were youngsters, which also suited the club's directors, who had overseen massive losses over the past two seasons. In came Brian Taylor (£3,000 from Shrewsbury Town); winger Roger Smith (Walsall); Scottish inside-forwards John Cummings and Tommy Morrison (Aberdeen); as well as 16-year-old Scottish trialist winger Alex Donald.^[1] Matthews also initiated a series of trials for 700 boys.^[1]

The season opened with a 1–0 win over Colchester United in front of 11,212 at Vale Park.^[1] Two narrow away defeats followed in what would be a season-long pattern of success at home and defeat away.^[1] Tony Richards made his return from injury in the 1–0 loss at Tranmere Rovers on 27 August, though he broke down again with an injury two games later. Terry Miles replaced Terry Lowe in a 2–0 win over Stockport County on 4 September to become Vale's first ever playing substitute.^[1] John Nicholson's club record run of 208 consecutive appearances, which began on 2 September 1961, ended on 8 September. Nicholson was unhappy with this and was sold to Doncaster Rovers for £5,000 – much to supporters' distress.^[1] Attendances fell away to only 4,605 on 18 September, when Vale 'disgraced themselves' by only beating Lincoln City 3–0, who provided 'abysmal opposition'.^[1] Keeper Jimmy O'Neill was 'in vintage form', but 12 forwards were tried up front in the first ten games.^[1] Only John Rowland was scoring with any regularity. On 2 October, Jackie Mudie's 'extra craft' helped the Vale to thrash high-flying Chester 5–2, and two days later Vale beat Crewe Alexandra.^[1] Chester manager Peter Hauser claimed that Vale were "easily the best team we have come across". However, the club then played a friendly with SC Tasmania 1900 Berlin in Berlin (losing 2–0). Vale proceeded to lose their next six league games.^[1] The club then signed Jimmy Hill from Everton for £5,000; however, Hill seemed to be a replica of Mudie, rather than an addition to the firepower.^[1]

As Vale slipped down the table, they were denied permission by the Ministry of Labour to sign USA international forward Willy Roy as he did not meet the two-year residential requirement.^[1] On 27 November, Vale recorded a 4–1 victory over Southport during a blizzard at Vale Park. More trouble came when Bo'ness United reported the club to the Scottish Junior Football Association for an alleged breach of the rules in the transfer of 17-year-old Roddy Georgeson.^[1] On the pitch results continued to go against the Vale, as they found themselves in a re-election struggle by January.^[1] Vale then went on a club-record six consecutive away games without scoring a goal in a run lasting from 8 January to 9 March. In came left-back John Ritchie from Whitley Bay, though free agent Graham Barnett did not return to the club, despite protestations from supporters – the management stated that Barnett's wage demands were too great.^[1] On 8 January, Vale were beaten 2–0 at second-from-bottom club Hartlepools United. For the clash with bottom-placed Bradford City on 12 January, Vale assembled the youngest ever Football League forward line: Alex Donald (17), Roddy Georgeson (17), Mick Cullerton (17), Paul Bannister (18), and Paul Ogden (19).^[1] Of the five forwards, only Bannister had played competitively before.^[1] Bradford won 2–0. A 2–1 win over Rochdale was then followed by four straight defeats.^[1] Cummings and Morrison were judged not to have made the grade and so were released from their contracts, signing with Ayr United and Sligo Rovers respectively.^[1]

Stanley Matthews encouraged supporters not to raise their expectations, claiming that "we are rebuilding and miracles don't happen overnight".^[1] On 12 February, the team slipped to a 3–0 defeat at bottom club Aldershot. Starting with a 2–1 win over Darlington, Vale picked up seven points out of a possible eight.^[1] Their defence was bolstered by the signing of goalkeeper Stuart Sharratt from Oswestry Town for £2,000.^[1] A 1–0 victory at Lincoln City was the first away win fo the season. However, they were back in the re-election zone by April.^[1] On 12 April, Malcolm MacKenzie became the youngest ever first-team player for the club when, at 15 years 347 days old, he was selected for the game against Newport County.^[1] To act a nursery club, Broxburn Athletic of Edinburgh was adopted to save having to bring youngsters to Burslem for trials.^[1] They finished the season in indifferent form and received a final-day thrashing 5–0 from Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.^[1] Matthews was absent for this game as he embarked on a tour of South Africa.^[1]

They finished in 19th spot with 39 points, leaving them two points away from having to apply for re-election.^[1] They were ahead of Chesterfield on goal average, and two points ahead of Rochdale, Lincoln City, and Bradford City, and four points ahead of Wrexham. Their 48 goals scored were atrocious and easily the weakest in the division. However, the defence only conceded 59.^[1] The one saviour was John Rowland, whose 23 goals in all competitions were almost quadruple that of his nearest rival.^[1]

On the financial side, another big loss of £29,696 was announced despite another large donation from the Sportsmen's Association, the Development Fund and the social club.^[1] Wages had risen by 25% to £54,552, and there was a £5,000 credit in player transfers, though an improved home crowd average saw gate receipts rise by 25% to £30,994.^[1] The management was determined to stick with the club's youth policy.^[1]

Six players were released, most significantly Tony Richards departed, who had never really recovered from a knee injury, he joined Nuneaton Borough.^[1] Also leaving were Mel Machin to Gillingham, Roger Smith to Walsall, whilst Selwyn Whalley retired with a foot injury.^[1] This left 23 professionals at the club.^[1]

In the FA Cup, Jimmy Hill 'masterminded the Vale attack' in a 'thrilling' 2–2 draw at Third Division side Oxford United.^[1] The referee had threatened to abandon the match, however, after Jimmy O'Neil became entangled in toilet paper that had been thrown onto the Manor Ground pitch. Vale would have won the tie if not for a hotly disputed penalty decision in which the visitors claimed Oxford striker Bill Calder had handled the ball. Vale won the replay 3–2 to meet Dartford of the Southern League in the second round.^[1] Vale won 1–0 despite the best efforts of what The Sentinel described as 'man-eating sharks' that left the "Valiants" nursing several injuries.^[1] In the third round, they were defeated 2–1 by Second Division Cardiff City at Ninian Park despite a surprisingly resilient defensive display.^[1]

In the League Cup, Vale drew 2–2 at home to Reading before exiting the competition with a 1–0 defeat at Elm Park.^[1]

Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward

Specific

General

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