1982–83 Port Vale F.C. season

Port Vale
1982–83 season
Chairman Don Ratcliffe
(until October)
Jim Lloyd
(October onwards)
Manager John McGrath
Stadium Vale Park
Football League Fourth Division 3rd (88 Points)
FA Cup First Round
League Cup First Round
Player of the Year Wayne Cegielski
Top goalscorer League: Bob Newton (20)
All: Bob Newton (20)
Highest home attendance 8,241 vs. Crewe Alexandra (5 March 1983)
Lowest home attendance 2,565 vs. Rochdale (30 August 1982)
Average home league attendance 4,806
Home colours
Away colours

The 1982–83 season was Port Vale's 71st season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season (11th overall) in the Fourth Division.[1] John McGrath led the Vale to a club-record 88 points (equalled in 1993–94), which saw them win promotion in third place. This was some achievement considering McGrath had sold both the Chamberlain brothers and goalkeeper Mark Harrison to rivals Stoke City at the start of the season. Receiving £240,000 for these three players, he spent only £15,000 to bring top-scorer Bob Newton to Vale Park, and signed Player of the Year Wayne Cegielski for free.

Overview

Fourth Division

The pre-season saw John McGrath try, and fail, to re-sign the League of Ireland's player of the year, Felix Healy.[1] He instead signed four players on free transfers: John Ridley (a former Valiant), Wayne Cegielski (Wrexham), Les Lawrence (Torquay United), and Steve Waddington (Walsall).[1] The club also signed a shirt sponsorship deal with PMT.[1] In August, rivals Stoke City paid Vale £180,000 for Mark Chamberlain and Mark Harrison.[1] Chamberlain would go on to play for England.[1] McGrath acted quickly to sign replacement keeper Barry Siddall from Sunderland, and take winger Kevin Sheldon on loan from Wigan Athletic.[1]

The season started with five players making their débuts in a 1–0 defeat to Swindon Town at The County Ground.[1] Waddington damaged his cartilages in this game.[1] McGrath attempted to sign Norwich City's Mick Channon, but failed.[1] Instead he took Bob Newton from Hartlepool United for £15,000.[1] Stoke then took Neville Chamberlain to the Victoria Ground for £40,000.[1] Vale's form did not suffer, and they instead won five straight games in October, taking them into third place.[1] Also Chairman Don Ratcliffe was replaced by Jim Lloyd.[1] Winger Steve Fox also arrived from Welsh club Wrexham on a free transfer.[1] During the club's 2–1 win over Crewe Alexandra on 22 October at Gresty Road a petrol bomb was thrown at the 3,000 strong Vale crowd, though it was extinguished by police without doing 'any real damage'.[1] On 6 November, Vale were losing 3–0 to Rochdale at Spotland and The Sentinel headlined their report with "Heavy defeat for Port Vale".[1] This proved to be an inaccurate headline, as substitute Jimmy Greenhoff inspired a Vale fightback, and the match finished 3–3.[1] In December, Colin Tartt was transfer listed following 'a bust-up with McGrath'.[1] Following only one win in a run of five games, Tranmere Rovers' players told the Vale players "see you next season" after picking up a 1–0 win at Vale Park.[1]

A win over Wimbledon started a run of ten wins in twelve games, despite having to sign Everton's Neville Southall on loan following a knee injury to Siddall.[1] Their run put them nine points clear at the top of the table.[1] At the end of February, Southall was recalled, and Stoke refused to loan back Harrison as cover.[1] Wolverhampton Wanderers' Andy Poole proved to be an inadequate replacement.[1] Vale then lost Greenhoff to Rochdale, who offered him the vacant management post.[1] Lol Hamlett's last match as trainer (he retired due to illness) was a 2–0 defeat to Blackpool at Bloomfield Road, as Vale were in danger of failing to win promotion.[1] McGrath decided to sign striker Jim Steel from Oldham Athletic for £10,000, and loaned Mark Lawrence from Hartlepool United.[1] Siddall returned and so did Vale's form, as they recorded five victories in seven games.[1] Ernie Moss left for Lincoln City for a £1,500 fee, McGrath saying 'age caught up with him'.[1] Wimbledon ran away with the championship, though Vale managed to secure promotion with a 2–0 win over Stockport County at Edgeley Park on 6 May.[1] The jubilant players seemed distracted in the final two games, and their two defeats allowed Hull City to take the runners-up spot.[1]

They finished in third place with 88 points, seven points clear of fifth placed Bury.[1] Conceding just 34 goals, theirs was the best defensive record in the top four divisions, along with Hull.[1] Bob Newton was top-scorer with twenty goals, whilst four players were chosen for the PFA Fourth Division team – Phil Sproson, Russell Bromage, Geoff Hunter, and Steve Fox.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, a record £100,888 profit was announced, their first profitable season since 1975–76.[1] The lottery brought in £142,324, the open market rents took in £51,462, whilst Vale's average home attendance was the second highest in the division.[1] Total liabilities stood at £236,850 and the bank overdraft was £128,123.[1] Two players departing at the end of the season were Les Lawrence (Aldershot) and Steve Waddington (Chesterfield), who had not established themselves in the first team.[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, they were knocked out by Third Division side Bradford City 1–0 in the First Round.

In the League Cup, Vale lost out 2–1 on aggregate to Rochdale, following a 2–0 defeat at Spotland.

Final league table

P WDLFAGDPts
1Wimbledon46291169645+5198
2Hull City46251567534+4190
3Port Vale462610106734+3388
4Scunthorpe United46231497142+2983
5Bury462312117446+2881
6Colchester United46249137555+2081
7York City462213118858+3079
8Swindon Town461911166154+768
9Peterborough United461713165852+664
10Mansfield Town461613176170-961
11Halifax Town461612185966-760
12Torquay United46177225665-958
13Chester461511205560-556
14Bristol City461317165970-1156
15Northampton Town461412206575-1054
16Stockport County461412206079-1954
17Darlington461313206171-1052
18Aldershot461215196182-2151
19Tranmere Rovers461311224971-2250
20Rochdale461116195573-1849
21Blackpool461312215574-1949
22Hartlepool United46139244676-3048
23Crewe Alexandra46118275371-1841
24Hereford United46118274279-3741

P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Legend

Win Draw Loss
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHHAHAAHHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAAHAHAAHH
Result L D D W W D W L W W W W W L D W D L W W W D W W W L W W W W D D L W L W D W W W L W D W L L
Position 20 20 17 12 5 13 7 9 7 4 3 2 3 5 5 3 5 6 5 5 4 3 3 2 2 3 2 2 2 1 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 2 2 2 3 3 3 2 2 3

Sourced from Statto.[2]

Football League Fourth Division

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
28 August 1982 Swindon TownA0–13,785
4 September 1982 BuryH0–02,888
6 September 1982 Colchester UnitedH0–02,887
11 September 1982 Mansfield TownA2–02,316Ridley, Bromage
18 September 1982 ChesterH2–13,303Sproson (2)
25 September 1982 DarlingtonA0–02,255
28 September 1982 AldershotA4–11,781Moss, Tartt, Earle, Newton
2 October 1982 Stockport CountyH2–33,474Newton, Armstrong
9 October 1982 Hereford UnitedH2–02,875Cegielski, Bright
15 October 1982 Halifax TownA2–02,009Moss, Cegielski
18 October 1982 Hartlepool UnitedH3–03,664Moss, Armstrong, Hunter
22 October 1982 Crewe AlexandraA2–14,713Cegielski, Newton (pen)
30 October 1982 BlackpoolH1–05,449Newton (pen)
2 November 1982 Scunthorpe UnitedA0–13,766
6 November 1982 RochdaleA3–32,220Hunter, Moss, Greenhoff
13 November 1982 Hull CityH1–05,298Sproson
27 November 1982 Peterborough UnitedA0–03,043
4 December 1982 Tranmere RoversH0–13,452
18 December 1982 WimbledonH1–02,761Newton
27 December 1982 Bristol CityA3–16,852Armstrong, Moss, Newton
28 December 1982 Torquay UnitedH1–04,760Moss
1 January 1983 Northampton TownA2–23,618Moss, Newton (pen)
3 January 1983 York CityH2–16,056Greenhoff, Moss
8 January 1983 BuryA1–04,748Hunter
15 January 1983 Swindon TownH3–06,397Newton (2), Moss
22 January 1983 ChesterA0–14,269
29 January 1983 Mansfield TownH4–14,102Armstrong (2), Fox, Newton
5 February 1983 DarlingtonH2–14,110Armstrong, Moss
19 February 1983 Hereford UnitedA2–03,075Newton, Ridley
26 February 1983 Halifax TownH2–15,163Sproson, Hunter
2 March 1983 Hartlepool UnitedA2–21,398Ridley, Newton
5 March 1983 Crewe AlexandraH1–18,241Tartt
12 March 1983 BlackpoolA0–24,519
19 March 1983 RochdaleH4–05,129Newton (3), Bromage
26 March 1983 Hull CityA0–114,410
2 April 1983 Torquay UnitedA1–02,408Steel
4 April 1983 Bristol CityH1–16,573Armstrong
8 April 1983 Tranmere RoversA2–03,252Newton, Fox
12 April 1983 Colchester UnitedA2–13,275Newton, Fox
16 April 1983 AldershotH2–15,624Cegielski, Newton (pen)
23 April 1983 WimbledonA0–14,061
29 April 1983 Peterborough UnitedH2–15,375Cegielski, Newton
2 May 1983 York CityA0–04,814
6 May 1983 Stockport CountyA2–05,516Steel (2)
9 May 1983 Scunthorpe UnitedH0–16,212
14 May 1983 Northampton TownH1–26,761Newton (pen)

FA Cup

Main article: 1982–83 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R120 November 1982 Bradford CityH0–16,151

League Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R1 1st Leg30 August 1982 RochdaleH1–02,565Moss
R1 2nd Leg14 September 1982 RochdaleA0–21,546

Player statistics

Appearances

Pos. Name Football League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GKEngland Barry Siddall 3301020360
GKEngland Neville Southall 90000090
GKScotland Neil McAdam 20000020
GKEngland Andy Poole 20000020
DFEngland Phil Sproson 4241020454
DFWales Wayne Cegielski 4551020485
MFEngland Russell Bromage 4621020492
MFEngland Terry Armstrong 4271020457
MFEngland Colin Tartt 4521020482
MFEngland Geoff Hunter 4641020494
MFEngland Steve Waddington 10001020
MFEngland John Ridley 4131020443
MFEngland Kevin Sheldon 50000050
MFEngland Mark Lawrence 1100000110
MFJamaica Robbie Earle 81001091
MFEngland Steve Fox 3431000353
FWEngland Neville Chamberlain 50001060
FWEngland Andy Shankland 40001050
FWEngland Ernie Moss 301010213311
FWEngland Jimmy Greenhoff 1521010172
FWEngland Mark Bright 11000011
FWScotland Jim Steel 1330000133
FWEngland Les Lawrence 80001090
FWEngland Bob Newton 412010004220

Scorers

All competitions

Scorer Goals
England Bob Newton 20
England Ernie Moss 11
England Terry Armstrong 7
Wales Wayne Cegielski 5
England Phil Sproson 4
England Geoff Hunter
England John Ridley 3
England Steve Fox
Scotland Jim Steel
England Russell Bromage 2
England Colin Tartt
England Jimmy Greenhoff
Jamaica Robbie Earle 1
England Mark Bright

League

Scorer Goals
England Bob Newton 20
England Ernie Moss 10
England Terry Armstrong 7
Wales Wayne Cegielski 5
England Phil Sproson 4
England Geoff Hunter
England John Ridley 3
England Steve Fox
Scotland Jim Steel
England Russell Bromage 2
England Colin Tartt
England Jimmy Greenhoff
Jamaica Robbie Earle 1
England Mark Bright

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
1982 MF Jamaica Robbie Earle Stoke City Free transfer [3]
July 1982 DF Wales Wayne Cegielski Wrexham Free transfer [3]
July 1982 FW England Les Lawrence Torquay United Free transfer [3]
July 1982 MF England John Ridley Chesterfield Free transfer [3]
July 1982 MF England Steve Waddington Walsall Free transfer [3]
August 1982 GK Scotland Neil McAdam Northwich Victoria Free transfer [3]
August 1982 GK England Barry Siddall Sunderland Free transfer [3]
September 1982 FW England Bob Newton Hartlepool United Free transfer [3]
March 1983 GK England Andy Poole Wolverhampton Wanderers Free transfer [3]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
September 1982 FW England Neville Chamberlain Stoke City £40,000 [3]
October 1982 MF England Steve Fox Wrexham Free transfer [3]
March 1983 FW England Jimmy Greenhoff Rochdale Free transfer [3]
March 1983 FW England Ernie Moss Lincoln City £1,500 [3]
March 1983 GK England Andy Poole Gillingham Free transfer [3]
March 1983 FW Scotland Jim Steel Oldham Athletic £10,000 [3]
May 1983 GK Scotland Neil McAdam Oswestry Town Free transfer [3]
July 1983 FW England Les Lawrence Aldershot Free transfer [3]
July 1983 MF England Steve Waddington Chesterfield Free transfer [3]

Loans in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
August 1982 MF England Kevin Sheldon Wigan Athletic September 1982 [3]
January 1983 GK Wales Neville Southall Everton February 1983 [3]
March 1983 MF England Mark Lawrence Hartlepool United May 1983 [3]

References

Specific
  1. 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 Kent, Jeff (1990). "From Rags to Riches (1979–1990)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 258–290. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. Port Vale 1982–1983 : Results & Fixtures. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
General
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