1901–02 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season

Overview

Second Division

Vale had an indifferent start to the campaign, gaining seven points from seven games. The players came under criticism for a perceived lack of fitness, whilst the forward play seemed disjointed. The team fell to a 4–0 defeat at struggling Barnsley, only to vanquish Leicester Fosse by three goals to nil the following week. The Leicester result was followed by seven games without a win, however, with the players drained from playing 12 cup games and six league matches between 3 October and 7 December. The next win in the league came on 28 December, when Glossop were defeated 1–0. This was followed by another four games without a win, leaving the club in the re-election places. They had, though, put up "a good show" at the Athletic Ground in a 3–2 defeat to league leaders West Bromwich Albion, with goalkeeper Harry Cotton being singled out for praise.

Two successive wins eased fears of a re-election finish, though they were followed by heavy defeats away at Burnley and Burton United. Vale then defeated bottom club Chesterfield by four goals to two, and followed this up with two further victories, including coming from two goals down to win 3–2 away at Gainsborough Trinity. A point at home to second-placed Middlesbrough on 22 March and at home to Gainsborough Trinity six days later made it five games unbeaten. The players sensed thereafter that there was little to play for and were criticised for their "holiday friendly" manner in a four-goal defeat at Bristol City the day after the Trinity draw. Two further losses to Blackpool and Stockport County raised concern as the Vale were left three points clear of danger with two games left to play. They battled to a 1–1 home draw with Newton Heath and ensured their League status with a final-day victory away at Glossop.

Port Vale finished in 12th place in a tight lower half of the table, where just two points separated 9th from 16th. A settled side saw Lucien Boullemier, Ernest Mullineux, George Price, and Adrian Capes ever-presents in the league. Capes was the leading scorer with 18 goals, with Danny Simpson's twelve-goal haul a major contribution to the campaign. At the end of the season, centre-half Jim Beech retired, having spent eight years with the club.

Finances

On the financial front, things were looking up for the club. A £368 profit was made, with most of this figure coming from the club's annual Easter bazaar at Burslem Town Hall. This upturn in finances caused the directors to loosen their unwritten rule on only recruiting local players.

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup the club decimated Combination League club Wellington Town 6–0, before beating Wrexham after two replays. The first encounter with Wrexham was called off due to fog; the rearranged tie resulted in a 2–1 defeat; however, a replay was scheduled when it was discovered that their opponents had fielded an ineligible player. Eventually vanquishing the Welsh side, the next round saw Midland League side Walsall knock the Vale out before the first round Proper. In the Birmingham Senior Cup the "Valeites" defeated local rivals 4–0 Stoke in a first round replay, after a 2–2 draw at Stoke. Vale lost in the semi-final in a replay with Wolverhampton Wanderers. In the Staffordshire Senior Cup Vale brushed aside Walsall 5–2, before Stoke took their revenge in the semi-final, with a 2–1 victory over Vale in Cobridge.

Results

Football League Second Division

Main article: 1901–02 Football League

League table

Results by matchday

Matches

FA Cup

Main article: 1901–02 FA Cup

Birmingham Senior Cup

Staffordshire Senior Cup

Player statistics

Appearances and goals

:Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; FB – Full back; HB – Half back; FW – Forward

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Top scorers

Transfers

Transfers in

Transfers out

References

;Specific

;General

References

1. Kent, Jeff. (1990). "The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale". Witan Books.
2. [http://www.statto.com/football/teams/port-vale/1901-1902/results Port Vale 1901–1902 : Results & Fixtures] {{Webarchive. link. (30 April 2010 . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.)
3. Kent, Jeff. (1996). "Port Vale Personalities". Witan Books.