# 1957–58 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1957–58 season was Port Vale's 46th season of football in the English Football League and their first full season (eighth overall) back in the Third Division South following their relegation from the Second Division. An unusual season, the regional split was to be abolished at the season's end, meaning the bottom two clubs of the Second Division and the clubs placed 2nd to 12th in the Third Division North and the Third Division South would be the founder members of the Third Division. It also meant that the bottom twelve clubs of the Third Division North and the Third Division South would be the founder members of the Fourth Division. In effect, the team's performance in this season could see them placed in either the second, third or fourth tier the following season. Finishing in fifteenth, what would have otherwise been a mid-table finish of little consequence saw them relegated to the Fourth Division.

## Overview
### Third Division South

The pre-season saw manager Norman Low sign several young new players to replace those released at the end of the previous season, saying his team would 'fight like hell to get back into the Second Division'. Four of these signings were: impressive forward Jack Wilkinson (Sheffield United); Welsh international goalkeeper Keith Jones (signed from Aston Villa for £3,500); defender Bert Carberry (Gillingham); and Alan Martin – who returned to the club as a part-time professional.
The season opened with a 1–0 win over Aldershot at the Recreation Ground. This started a sequence of just four defeats in seventeen games, which included doing the double over Southampton (a 3–0 win at The Dell followed by a 4–0 win at Vale Park). This was achieved with Low's attacking policy, a stark contrast to 'the Steele Curtain' defence. However, their five clean sheets in their first eight games also illustrated their defensive strength. In September, right-half Selwyn Whalley turned part-time, dividing his duties between playing football and teaching at Hanley High School. Winger Alan Bennett was also transferred to Crewe Alexandra. By November, Vale were third in the league, and Low signed Bert Carberry and Jack Wilkinson. Following this top-scorer Stan Steele went off the boil, as the Vale lost their form in the Christmas period, losing 1–0 twice to Coventry City in two days. Though before this, a 6–1 victory was recorded over Aldershot.
In January, Ken Griffiths was sold to Mansfield Town for a four-figure fee, having mostly languished in the reserves. By February, Vale were in seventh position, only four points off the top spot (with three games in hand) despite their loss of form. Four straight defeats dragged them down towards the bottom half of the table. They bought former Wales international Noel Kinsey from Birmingham City for £5,000 in an attempt to bolster their form. He helped the club achieve a 5–0 win over Watford on 8 March, scoring two goals. Though as injuries developed the club's form again declined, and the team lost eight of their final twelve games. Two points from their final six games doomed them to the fourth tier.
They finished in fifteenth position with 42 points from 46 games. Five points away from the top half of the table, their 'remarkable decline' continued with a second relegation in two years. Their 58 goals conceded was a respectable total, as was their 67 goals scored. Stan Steele, Jack Wilkinson, and Harry Poole all proved themselves consistent goalscorers, scoring 22, 19, and 16 goals respectively.

### Finances

On the financial side, a decline in average attendance by around 3,500 left the club with an average gate of 10,457. Gate receipts were down to £33,800. However, a small staff helped to make a profit of £145 despite player wages rising to £24,158. Five players were released in the summer, most notably Bert Carberry (Exeter City) and Bill Cleary (King's Lynn). Low also sold Colin Askey to Walsall for 'a fairly substantial fee' and Basil Hayward to Portsmouth for 'a fair fee'.

### Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale narrowly defeated Shrewsbury Town with two goals from Wilkinson. Third Division North Hull City knocked the Vale out in the Second Round, however, winning the replay 4–3 at Boothferry Park.

## League table

| Pos | Team v t e | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GAv | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
| 13 | Northampton Town | 46 | 19 | 6 | 21 | 87 | 79 | 1.101 | 44 | Moved to 4th Division |
| 14 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 70 | 72 | 0.972 | 43 | Moved to 4th Division |
| 15 | Port Vale | 46 | 16 | 10 | 20 | 67 | 58 | 1.155 | 42 | Moved to 4th Division |
| 16 | Watford | 46 | 13 | 16 | 17 | 59 | 77 | 0.766 | 42 | Moved to 4th Division |
| 17 | Shrewsbury Town | 46 | 15 | 10 | 21 | 49 | 71 | 0.690 | 40 | Moved to 4th Division |

## Results

Port Vale's score comes first

### Football League Third Division South
#### Results by matchday

| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 |
| Ground | A | A | H | H | A | A | H | H | A | H | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | A | A | H | H | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | A | H | H | A | H | H | A | A |
| Result | W | L | W | D | L | W | W | W | L | W | D | D | L | W | W | W | D | L | L | D | W | W | L | L | D | D | D | W | W | L | L | L | L | W | L | W | L | L | L | W | D | L | L | D | L | L |
| Position | 1 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 |

#### Matches

| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
| 24 August 1957 | Aldershot | A | 1–0 | 6,802 | Steele |
| 26 August 1957 | Shrewsbury Town | A | 0–1 | 9,869 | |
| 31 August 1957 | Swindon Town | H | 3–1 | 16,503 | Steele (2), Wilkinson |
| 2 September 1957 | Shrewsbury Town | H | 0–0 | 15,538 | |
| 7 September 1957 | Millwall | A | 1–2 | 17,429 | Poole |
| 11 September 1957 | Southampton | A | 3–0 | 18,887 | Steele, Poole, Askey |
| 14 September 1957 | Gillingham | H | 2–0 | 14,717 | Poole (2) |
| 16 September 1957 | Southampton | H | 4–0 | 11,021 | Steele (3), Wilkinson |
| 21 September 1957 | Exeter City | A | 0–1 | 9,397 | |
| 28 September 1957 | Queens Park Rangers | H | 2–1 | 12,816 | Steele, Hayward |
| 30 September 1957 | Newport County | H | 2–2 | 8,669 | Poole (2) |
| 5 October 1957 | Southend United | A | 1–1 | 11,943 | Steele |
| 12 October 1957 | Reading | A | 0–3 | 11,501 | |
| 19 October 1957 | Northampton Town | H | 3–0 | 12,443 | Steele (2), Wilkinson |
| 26 October 1957 | Watford | A | 2–0 | 9,513 | Wilkinson, Askey |
| 2 November 1957 | Crystal Palace | H | 4–0 | 13,602 | Wilkinson (2), Poole, Askey |
| 9 November 1957 | Torquay United | A | 1–1 | 7,620 | Poole |
| 11 November 1957 | Newport County | A | 1–2 | 8,480 | Poole |
| 23 November 1957 | Colchester United | A | 1–2 | 9,106 | Askey |
| 30 November 1957 | Norwich City | H | 2–2 | 13,816 | Steele, Poole |
| 14 December 1957 | Walsall | H | 2–1 | 8,827 | Wilkinson, Poole |
| 21 December 1957 | Aldershot | H | 6–1 | 8,273 | Wilkinson (2), Poole (2), Cunliffe (2) |
| 25 December 1957 | Coventry City | A | 0–1 | 13,713 | |
| 26 December 1957 | Coventry City | H | 0–1 | 17,286 | |
| 28 December 1957 | Swindon Town | A | 0–0 | 15,000 | |
| 4 January 1958 | Brighton & Hove Albion | A | 0–0 | 13,312 | |
| 11 January 1958 | Millwall | H | 1–1 | 9,002 | Steele |
| 18 January 1958 | Gillingham | A | 2–0 | 7,407 | Wilkinson, Steele |
| 1 February 1958 | Exeter City | H | 3–2 | 9,300 | Wilkinson (2), Cunliffe |
| 8 February 1958 | Queens Park Rangers | A | 1–2 | 7,594 | Askey |
| 15 February 1958 | Southend United | H | 1–3 | 7,642 | Wilkinson |
| 22 February 1958 | Reading | H | 1–2 | 5,940 | Steele |
| 1 March 1958 | Northampton Town | A | 2–3 | 8,711 | Steele (2) |
| 8 March 1958 | Watford | H | 5–0 | 8,515 | Kinsey (2), Wilkinson, Steele, Whalley |
| 15 March 1958 | Crystal Palace | A | 0–1 | 13,577 | |
| 22 March 1958 | Colchester United | H | 2–0 | 7,151 | Steele, Wilkinson |
| 24 March 1958 | Brentford | H | 0–1 | 5,149 | |
| 29 March 1958 | Walsall | A | 0–3 | 8,613 | |
| 4 April 1958 | Plymouth Argyle | A | 0–1 | 22,458 | |
| 5 April 1958 | Torquay United | H | 2–1 | 7,504 | Sproson, Wilkinson |
| 7 April 1958 | Plymouth Argyle | H | 0–0 | 11,059 | |
| 12 April 1958 | Norwich City | A | 0–3 | 17,843 | |
| 19 April 1958 | Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic | H | 2–3 | 8,481 | Steele, Cunliffe |
| 23 April 1958 | Brighton & Hove Albion | H | 2–2 | 7,256 | Poole, Askey |
| 26 April 1958 | Brentford | A | 1–4 | 11,923 | Steele |
| 30 April 1958 | Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic | A | 1–3 | 10,683 | Wilkinson |

### FA Cup

| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
| R1 | 16 November 1957 | Shrewsbury Town | H | 2–1 | 17,660 | Wilkinson (2) |
| R2 | 7 December 1957 | Hull City | H | 2–2 | 14,338 | Poole, Askey |
| R2 Replay | 9 December 1957 | Hull City | A | 3–4 | 17,403 | Poole, Steele, Sproson |

## Player statistics
### Appearances and goals

| Pos. | Name | Football League | Football League | FA Cup | FA Cup | Total | Total |
| Pos. | Name | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| GK | John Poole | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| GK | Keith Jones | 43 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 46 | 0 |
| DF | Roy Sproson | 37 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 40 | 2 |
| DF | David Raine | 31 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 34 | 0 |
| DF | Selwyn Whalley | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 |
| DF | Fred Donaldson | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 0 |
| DF | Bert Carberry | 29 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 32 | 0 |
| DF | Jimmy Adams | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| MF | Albert Leake | 32 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 0 |
| MF | John Cunliffe | 42 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 45 | 4 |
| MF | Colin Askey | 35 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 37 | 7 |
| MF | Terry Miles | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| MF | Basil Hayward | 42 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 45 | 1 |
| MF | Alan Martin | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| MF | Brian Hopkins | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| MF | Fred Hough | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| MF | Bill Cleary | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| FW | Ken Griffiths | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| FW | Harry Poole | 41 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 44 | 16 |
| FW | Stan Steele | 46 | 21 | 3 | 1 | 49 | 22 |
| FW | Jack Wilkinson | 41 | 17 | 3 | 2 | 44 | 19 |
| FW | Jimmy McLean | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| FW | Noel Kinsey | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 2 |

### Top scorers

| Place | Position | Nation | Name | Third Division South | FA Cup | Total |
| 1 | FW | England | Stan Steele | 21 | 1 | 22 |
| 2 | FW | England | Jack Wilkinson | 17 | 2 | 19 |
| 3 | FW | England | Harry Poole | 14 | 2 | 16 |
| 4 | MF | England | Colin Askey | 6 | 1 | 7 |
| 5 | MF | England | John Cunliffe | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 6 | FW | England | Roy Sproson | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| – | FW | Wales | Noel Kinsey | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 8 | DF | England | Selwyn Whalley | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| – | MF | England | Basil Hayward | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| – | – | – | Own goals | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | | | TOTALS | 67 | 7 | 74 |

## Transfers
### Transfers in

| Date from | Position | Name | From | Fee |
| June 1957 | FW | Jack Wilkinson | Sheffield United | Free transfer |
| July 1957 | MF | Bert Carberry | Gillingham | Free transfer |
| July 1957 | GK | Keith Jones | Aston Villa | £3,500 |
| July 1957 | MF | Alan Martin | Bangor City | Non-contract |
| November 1957 | MF | Bill Cleary | Wisbech Town | Free transfer |
| February 1958 | FW | Noel Kinsey | Birmingham City | £5,000 |
| March 1958 | FW | Jimmy McLean | Alva Rangers | Free transfer |

### Transfers out

| Date from | Position | Name | To | Fee |
| September 1957 | MF | Alan Bennett | Crewe Alexandra | Free transfer |
| January 1958 | FW | Ken Griffiths | Mansfield Town | 'four-figure fee' |
| January 1958 | GK | Leslie Wood | Southport | Free transfer |
| March 1958 | MF | Brian Hopkins | Burton Albion | Free transfer |
| May 1958 | DF | Basil Hayward | Portsmouth | 'fair' |
| May 1958 | MF | Fred Hough | | Released |
| July 1958 | MF | Colin Askey | Walsall | 'fairly substantial' |
| July 1958 | MF | Bill Cleary | Boston United | Free transfer |
| August 1957 | MF | Bert Carberry | Exeter City | Free transfer |