1967–68 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1967–68 season was Port Vale's 56th season of football in the English Football League and their third-successive season (fourth overall) in the Fourth Division.^[1] Under the stewardship of player-manager Stanley Matthews, and with Fred Pinfold as chairman, the club struggled for consistency — finishing 18th in the 24‑team division with 39 points, thereby just edging clear of the re‑election zone by three points.

The season began poorly, with Vale failing to win any of their first seven matches and scoring just three goals. A turnaround followed, as a red-hot home form — courtesy of the strike partnership between Mick Cullerton and new signing Roy Chapman — helped Vale climb into mid-table standings. Chapman finished as top scorer with 25 goals in all competitions, the club's best return since 1960–61. Off the pitch, Vale were rocked by an FA–Football League inquiry into payments irregularities. In February and March, the club was fined £2,000 on two counts, and officials were warned of potential expulsion from the League. Although Port Vale were ultimately expelled at season's end, they were overwhelmingly re‑elected at the June AGM by a vote of 40–9.

In terms of cup competitions, Vale suffered a First Round exit in the FA Cup, losing 2–1 at home to Chester in snowy conditions, while their League Cup run reached the Second Round, featuring a hat-trick by Cullerton in a 3–0 win over Chester before elimination by Second Division Portsmouth at Fratton Park — Vale's first greater progression in the League Cup than the FA Cup. Financially, the club reported a loss of £6,279, had gate receipts almost £5,000 lower, and carried a debt of £168,151. Seven players were released on free transfers, including young Alex Donald and Malcolm MacKenzie, as well as long-serving veterans Terry Miles and Harry Poole. In May, the club hosted a high-profile fund-raiser "Valliant Vale" match featuring stars like Tom Finney and Nat Lofthouse, with Matthews and Jackie Mudie also involved.

Overall, the 1967–68 season was a tumultuous campaign marked by poor results, financial turmoil, scandal and scrutiny, and just enough on‑field resilience to avoid losing League status.

The pre-season saw the departure of Terry Alcock to Blackpool, after the club 'reluctantly' accepted a £25,000 offer.^[1] In came £35-a-week striker Roy Chapman from Lincoln City and forward Mick Morris from Oxford United.^[1] In August there was a pre-season tour of Czechoslovakia to help with fitness, as the players also toured the spa at Luhačovice, the wine cellars at Čelákovice, as well as a giant footwear factory.^[1] They played friendly games with Gottwaldov and Jisara Skutec.^[2]

The season opened with a 2–1 defeat to Southend United at Vale Park after Roy Sproson left the game at half-time with strained ligaments. This was the first of seven games without a win, with just three goals scored – none of which came to new forward Chapman.^[1] Stanley Matthews then returned to Czechoslovakia on business, much to the dismay of supporters.^[1] In came skilful midfielder John Green, who made a 'superb' debut in a 2–0 defeat at high-flying Aldershot.^[1] By now Vale were bottom of the league, but a remarkable turnaround then saw Vale hit four goals in each of their next four home games with the useful partnership of Cullerton and Chapman, and the skill of Green.^[1] Harry Poole picked up an injury and 'the spell was broken' with a 2–1 defeat in Burslem to league leaders Bradford City.^[1] In November, Vale's form again suffered, and more problems came as the Football League began an examination into the club's books over alleged breaches of rules concerning payment of players.^[1] Back on the pitch, Roy Sproson made his 700th appearance in a 1–1 draw with Newport County at Somerton Park.^[1] The next month held more financial problems, as lifelong Vale supporter and self-styled 'holiday camp king' Graham Bourne was denied a seat on the board despite buying up 13,000 shares – Chairman Pinfold stated 'we must proceed cautiously' and Bourne quickly sold his shares.^[1] On the field, the "Valiants" improved with a seven-match unbeaten run to take them into mid-table, their run was helped by the arrival of Bill Asprey from Oldham Athletic for £2,000.^[1]

In January, the League's investigation resulted in a Football Association commission to investigate six charges: numerous amateurs had received a weekly wage; associate schoolboys played for the club despite this being against the rules; extra bonuses were offered for reaching the second round of the League Cup; John Ritchie had received illegal payments; Clint Boulton and Gordon Logan had received illegal bonuses; and that young players had been given gifts in breach of league rules.^[1] With this hanging over the club's head form suffered, and Jimmy Hill left the club to become player-manager of Derry City.^[1] Stan Steele returned from South Africa and joined on a month-long trial, however, he only managed to score an 'incredible' own goal by lobbing Stuart Sharratt in a 3–0 loss to Aldershot.^[1]

On 20 February, the FA-Football League joint-inquiry 'severely censured' Port Vale officials at Lancaster Gate after the officials admitted the charges held against them.^[1] The club received a £2,000 fine and a recommendation that they be expelled from the league, a month later on 6 March another £2,000 fine was issued and the club were informed that they would be expelled from the Football League at the end of the season.^[1] The club's officials were 'shocked and appalled' at the 'savage penalties', and Stoke City chairman Albert Henshall also called the punishment 'severe'.^[1] The club changed the leadership structure and defiantly stated their aim to win promotion from the Fourth Division, and also their decision to appoint a new player-manager to lead them to such an aim.^[1] On the pitch, Vale hovered uncomfortably above the re-election zone, and only finished above the re-election zone with a 1–0 win over Lincoln City at Sincil Bank on the final day.^[1]

They finished in 18th position with 39 points, three points clear of the re-election zones.^[1] They finished ahead of Rochdale and Exeter City by one point; ahead of York City by three points; ahead of Chester by seven points; ahead of Workington by eight points; and a massive 16 points clear of Bradford Park Avenue. Recording just two away wins all season, their home form was also poor.^[1] Roy Chapman had excelled; however, his 25 goals in all competitions were the highest since 1960–61.^[1]

On the financial side, a loss of £6,279 had been made.^[1] Poor attendances reduced gate receipts by almost £5,000, though expenditure was cut by over £6,000.^[1] The club's total debt stood at £168,151.^[1] Seven players were given free transfers, including youngsters Alex Donald and Malcolm MacKenzie; as well as club veterans Terry Miles and Harry Poole – who had almost thirty years and some 716 league appearances for the Vale between them.^[1] Developments at the club included the opening of Vale Shop at the Hamil End and the appointment of 'young... modern track-suited' Gordon Lee as manager.^[1] The club were in dire straits however, and Lee had to persuade Sproson to continue playing.^[1] On 2 May, "Port Vale Select XI "played a "Midlands All Stars" team for a "Valiant Vale" fund game to raise money for the club; Tom Finney and Nat Lofthouse were amongst the stars of the Vale team, alongside management duo Stanley Matthews and Jackie Mudie.^[4]

In the FA Cup, Chester knocked the Vale out in the first round with a 2–1 victory in the snow at Vale Park.^[1]

In the League Cup, the "Valiants" reached the second round after a Mick Cullerton hat-trick in a 3–0 win over Chester at home. Defeat then came at Fratton Park to Second Division Portsmouth after Clint Boulton 'gave away two needless penalties'.^[1] It was the first time the club progressed further in the League Cup than in the FA Cup – an occurrence that would not be repeated until 1983–84.

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.