1966–67 Port Vale F.C. season

Port Vale
1966–67 season
ChairmanFred Pinfold
ManagerJackie Mudie
StadiumVale Park
Football League Fourth Division13th (43 Points)
FA CupSecond Round
(knocked out by Barnsley)
League CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Walsall)
Player of the YearRoy Sproson
Top goalscorerLeague: Mick Cullerton (12)
All: Mick Cullerton (12)
Highest home attendance12,784 vs. Barnsley, 16 January 1967
Lowest home attendance2,554 vs. York City, 24 April 1967
Average home league attendance5,114
Biggest win5–0 vs. Rochdale, 28 March 1967
Biggest defeat1–4 vs. Southend United, 14 October 1966

The 1966–67 season was Port Vale's 55th season of football in the English Football League, and their second-successive season (third overall) in the Fourth Division.[1] Led by player‑manager Jackie Mudie and chaired by Fred Pinfold, the club delivered a mid‑table finish — ending 13th with 43 points—and failed once again to challenge for promotion.

After a summer marred by a serious car crash involving general manager Stanley Matthews during a proposed transfer signing, the squad was reshaped with young additions such as Ian Lawson, Mick Mahon, Jimmy Goodfellow and Billy McCartney — while the team notably adopted a new all‑white kit at Matthews's suggestion. Early-season momentum lifted Vale into the promotion conversation, but the sale of a key forward precipitated a dip in form that saw inconsistency plague their campaign. Despite a resurgent late run, including a 5–0 thrashing of Rochdale and the debut of precocious 15‑year‑old Stuart Chapman, the club remained mid-table.

Off the field, defender Roy Sproson was honoured as the club’s first-ever Player of the Year, while Mick Cullerton emerged as top goalscorer, netting 12 times in both league and all competitions. Attendance figures showed a high of 12,784 against Barnsley on 16 January 1967, a low of 2,554 versus York City on 24 April 1967, and an average league gate of 5,114. Cup runs offered only modest respite: Vale were knocked out in the Second Round of the FA Cup, losing to Barnsley, and exited the League Cup in the First Round, falling to Walsall. At season's end, Jackie Mudie resigned as player‑manager, bringing the curtain down on his stewardship.

Overall, the 1966–67 season was a continuation of stasis in the Fourth Division — characterised by modest league performance, limited cup success, squad stability under Mudie, and the first formal recognition of Roy Sproson's excellence.

Overview

Fourth Division

The pre-season saw general manager Stanley Matthews injured in a car accident with a National Coal Board lorry on 29 July. Jackie Mudie was also in the car but remained relatively unharmed.[1] As Matthews recovered, in came four new forwards, the most significant of which was Crystal Palace's 27-year-old Ian Lawson.[1] Lawson cost £1,000 with an additional £1,000 signing on fee.[1] Other new faces included winger Mick Mahon (Loughborough United); inside-forward Jimmy Goodfellow (Bishop Auckland); and Billy McCartney (Rangers).[1] There was a kit change to an all-white strip, upon the suggestion of Stanley Matthews.[1]

The season opened with a 2–1 home win over Southport using an optimistic 4–2–4 formation.[1] Following Roy Sproson's winning goal there was a pitch invasion – by then a disturbingly common occurrence.[1] Six games without a loss followed, leaving the club in fourth position.[1] Goals were still rare, however, and so Lawson was dropped from the first XI, despite the departure of in-form forward John Rowland to Mansfield Town for £6,500.[1] Financial difficulties made the atmosphere around Burslem quite gloomy, not helped by the news that former Valiant John Nicholson had been killed in a car crash.[1] Vale's form suffered, though the defence remained quite strong after Clint Boulton was shifted to right-half.[1] Young Scot Mick Cullerton was a ray of sunshine for the club in front of goal.[1] A 4–1 defeat at Southend United on 14 October, with the hosts four goals ahead after 36 minutes, was part of a sequence of seven games without a victory. Only 3,502 came to Vale Park on 5 November to witness a 1–0 victory over Luton Town.[1]

Good form in the Christmas period continued into an unbeaten January in the league, as the club climbed to within five points of the promotion places with a 3–1 win at Chester on 28 January.[1] In came Wales international centre-forward Mel Charles from Porthmadog for a £1,250 fee.[1] A 1–0 defeat at Gresty Road to Crewe Alexandra in front of an unruly crowd marked the first of a crucial seven-game sequence against the promotion hopefuls.[1] The match was marred by fan disorder and several fans ended up hospitalised.[1] A win over Barrow and a draw at Stockport County was succeeded by five straight defeats, killing Vale's promotion hopes dead.[1] They reversed the decline by doing the double over Rochdale within two days, including a 5–0 victory witnessed by 3,004 fans at Vale Park in "one of the most thrilling exhibitions of attacking football the ground had ever seen".[1] In April, popular player John Ritchie was sold to Preston North End for £17,500.[1] Mel Charles was sidelined with a knee injury and Vale limped to the season's end without a win in their final five games.[1] On 3 May, Stuart Chapman made his debut at the age of 15 in a 2–2 draw with Lincoln City.[1] Five days later, manager Jackie Mudie tendered his resignation as player-manager, citing 'personal reasons'.[1]

They finished in 13th place with 43 points, marking a slight improvement on the previous campaign.[1] Mick Cullerton's twelve goals in all competitions were enough to make him the top-scorer.[1] In the club's first ever Player of the Year ceremony, veteran defender Roy Sproson was bestowed with the honour.[1] Meanwhile, the club's youth team performed brilliantly, reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup, where they were eliminated 3–0 by Scunthorpe United.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, there was a loss of £7,925 despite a transfer credit of £20,425 and a donation of £19,381 from the Sportsmen's Association and the Development Pool.[1] Gate receipts were just £30,298, whilst the club's overdraft stood at £82,373.[1] Nine players were released at the end of the season, most notably: Mel Charles (Oswestry Town); Ian Lawson and Brian Taylor (Barnsley); and untested reserve Ray Kennedy – who would take a break from football before returning to the game to play for Liverpool and England.[1] Roddy Georgeson was also released at his own request to work in a bank,[1] though he soon turned out for Dundee before beginning a long career in Scottish football.

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, a 4–3–3 formation was used to defeat Bradford City 2–1 at Valley Parade with a 40 yards (37 m) 'goal of a lifetime' from John Ritchie.[1] Vale drew Barnsley in the second round, and earned a replay with a "sparkling" 1–1 draw at Oakwell. The replay attracted 12,784 supporters, but "Tykes" ran out 3–1 winners.[1]

In the League Cup, Third Division side Walsall knocked out the Vale at the first stage with a 3–1 win.[1]

League table

Main article: 1966–67 Football League

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GAv Pts
11 Bradford City 46 19 10 17 74 62 1.194 48
12 Halifax Town 46 15 14 17 59 68 0.868 44
13 Port Vale 46 14 15 17 55 58 0.948 43
14 Exeter City 46 14 15 17 50 60 0.833 43
15 Chesterfield 46 17 8 21 60 63 0.952 42
Source: rsssf.com

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Fourth Division

Results by matchday

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHAHHAAHAAHAHHAHAHHAAAHHHAAHAAHHAHAHAHAAHHAHHAA
ResultDDDWDWDLDDLLLWWLWLLDWDDWWLWDLLLLLWWDWLDLWDDDLL
Position4474654991091315141313141417161515151312121111121314171715141313131213121212121213
Points123568991011111111131515171717182021222426262829292929292931333537373838404142434343
Source: Statto[2]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorers
20 August 1966 Southport H 2–1 8,143 Rowland, Sproson
27 August 1966 Notts County A 0–0 5,648
3 September 1966 Chester H 1–1 6,853 Georgeson
5 September 1966 Bradford City H 3–2 6,258 Mahon, Rowland, Hill
10 September 1966 Bradford Park Avenue A 1–1 5,246 Rowland
17 September 1966 Exeter City A 1–0 4,789 Miles
24 September 1966 Crewe Alexandra H 1–1 11,325 Hill
28 September 1966 Bradford City A 0–2 3,928
1 October 1966 Barrow A 2–2 3,354 Goodfellow, Hill
8 October 1966 Tranmere Rovers H 1–1 6,684 Sproson
14 October 1966 Southend United A 1–4 12,609 Ritchie
17 October 1966 Chesterfield H 2–3 5,649 Georgeson, Mahon
22 October 1966 Wrexham H 0–2 7,753
29 October 1966 Aldershot A 1–0 5,047 McCartney
5 November 1966 Luton Town H 1–0 3,502 Mahon
12 November 1966 Barnsley A 0–1 4,823
19 November 1966 Newport County H 2–0 3,883 Miles, Hill
3 December 1966 Halifax Town H 0–1 4,002
10 December 1966 Hartlepools United A 1–2 5,342 Hill
17 December 1966 Southport A 0–0 3,975
27 December 1966 Lincoln City A 1–0 5,268 Cullerton
31 December 1966 Notts County H 0–0 5,359
14 January 1967 Bradford Park Avenue H 0–0 4,798
21 January 1967 Exeter City H 2–0 3,450 Cullerton (pen), Mahon
28 January 1967 Chester A 3–1 5,586 Mahon (2), Cullerton
3 February 1967 Crewe Alexandra A 0–1 10,414
11 February 1967 Barrow H 2–1 6,267 Boulton, Mahon
17 February 1967 Stockport County A 1–1 9,756 Miles
24 February 1967 Tranmere Rovers A 1–2 8,047 Cullerton
4 March 1967 Southend United H 1–3 4,695 Goodfellow
11 March 1967 Stockport County H 0–2 6,363
18 March 1967 Wrexham A 1–2 7,176 Georgeson
25 March 1967 Brentford H 1–3 3,434 Ritchie
27 March 1967 Rochdale A 2–1 2,254 o.g., Goodfellow
28 March 1967 Rochdale H 5–0 3,004 Georgeson, Poole, Cullerton, Goodfellow, Wilson
1 April 1967 Luton Town A 1–1 5,410 Wilson
8 April 1967 Barnsley H 3–1 3,209 Cullerton (2), Hill
10 April 1967 York City A 1–3 3,834 Goodfellow
17 April 1967 Newport County A 1–1 1,914 Cullerton
22 April 1967 Aldershot H 0–2 3,265
24 April 1967 York City H 4–1 2,554 Cullerton (2), Georgeson, Goodfellow
29 April 1967 Halifax Town A 2–2 3,562 Taylor, Goodfellow
3 May 1967 Lincoln City H 2–2 3,085 Cullerton (2)
6 May 1967 Hartlepools United H 0–0 3,178
8 May 1967 Chesterfield A 1–2 2,605 Boulton
13 May 1967 Brentford A 0–2 3,592

FA Cup

Main article: 1966–67 FA Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 26 November 1966 Bradford City A 2–1 5,712 Ritchie, Lawson
R2 7 January 1967 Barnsley A 1–1 13,343 Hill
R2 Replay 16 January 1967 Barnsley H 1–3 12,784 Boulton

League Cup

Main article: 1966–67 Football League Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 23 August 1966 Walsall H 1–3 9,181 Rowland

Player statistics

Appearances and goals

Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK England Stuart Sharratt 45 0 3 0 1 0 49 0
GK Scotland Billy McNulty 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
DF England Roy Sproson 31 2 2 0 1 0 34 2
DF England Terry Alcock 41 0 3 0 1 0 45 0
DF England Clint Boulton 35 2 3 1 1 0 39 3
DF Scotland Ron Wilson 33 2 3 0 0 0 36 2
DF England John Ritchie 28 2 3 1 1 0 32 3
DF Scotland Gordon Logan 7 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
MF England Terry Miles 42 3 3 0 0 0 45 3
MF England Mick Mahon 26 7 1 0 1 0 28 7
MF Northern Ireland Jimmy Hill 36 6 3 1 0 0 39 7
MF Scotland Alex Donald 23 0 1 0 0 0 24 0
MF England Stuart Chapman 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
MF England Malcolm Gibbon 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
MF England Jimmy Goodfellow 26 7 1 0 1 0 28 7
MF Wales Mel Charles 7 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
FW England Harry Poole 32 1 1 0 1 0 34 1
FW England John Rowland 7 3 0 0 1 1 8 4
FW Scotland Jackie Mudie 5 0 2 0 0 0 7 0
FW England Brian Taylor 10 1 1 0 0 0 11 1
FW England John James 7 0 0 0 1 0 8 0
FW Egypt Roddy Georgeson 22 5 0 0 0 0 22 5
FW Scotland Mick Cullerton 28 12 3 0 0 0 30 12
FW Scotland Billy McCartney 15 1 1 0 0 0 16 1
FW England Mel Lintern 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
FW England Ian Lawson 8 0 1 1 1 0 10 1

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Name Fourth Division FA Cup League Cup Total
1 FW  Scotland Mick Cullerton 12 0 0 12
2 MF  England Mick Mahon 7 0 0 7
– MF  England Jimmy Goodfellow 7 0 0 7
– MF  Northern Ireland Jimmy Hill 6 1 0 7
5 FW  Egypt Roddy Georgeson 5 0 0 5
6 FW  England John Rowland 3 0 1 4
7 MF  England Terry Miles 3 0 0 3
– DF  England John Ritchie 2 1 0 3
– DF  England Clint Boulton 2 1 0 3
10 DF  Scotland Ron Wilson 2 0 0 2
– DF  England Roy Sproson 2 0 0 2
12 FW  Scotland Billy McCartney 1 0 0 1
– FW  England Harry Poole 1 0 0 1
– FW  England Brian Taylor 1 0 0 1
– FW  England Ian Lawson 0 1 0 1
– – – Own goals 1 0 0 1
TOTALS 55 4 1 60

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
1966 MF England Jimmy Goodfellow Bishop Auckland Free transfer [3]
June 1966 FW Scotland Billy McCartney Rangers Free transfer [3]
August 1966 FW England Ian Lawson Crystal Palace £1,000 [3]
December 1966 MF Wales Mel Charles Wales Porthmadog £1,250 [3]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
September 1966 FW England John Rowland Mansfield Town £6,500 [3]
November 1966 MF England Alan Johnson Stafford Rangers Free transfer [3]
April 1967 DF England John Ritchie Preston North End £17,500 [3]
May 1967 MF Wales Mel Charles Wales Oswestry Town Free transfer [3]
May 1967 FW England Ian Lawson Barnsley Free transfer [3]
May 1967 FW Scotland Billy McCartney Wales Oswestry Town Free transfer [3]
May 1967 FW Scotland Jackie Mudie Wales Oswestry Town Retired [3]
May 1967 GK Republic of Ireland Jimmy O'Neill Republic of Ireland Cork Celtic Free transfer [3]
May 1967 MF England Brian Taylor Barnsley Free transfer [3]
July 1967 MF Egypt Roddy Georgeson Scotland Dundee Released [3]
August 1967 DF England Terry Alcock Blackpool £30,000 [3]

Loans out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref.
December 1966 GK Republic of Ireland Jimmy O'Neill Republic of Ireland Cork Celtic May 1967 [3]

References

Specific
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai Kent, Jeff (1990). "Flattering Only to Deceive (1960–1969)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 196–226. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. ^ Port Vale 1966–1967 : Results & Fixtures. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
General
  • Kent, Jeff (1993). The Port Vale Record 1879-1993. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9508981-9-8.
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