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List of Port Vale F.C. records and statistics

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List of Port Vale F.C. records and statistics

Summary

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Port Vale F.C. is an English professional association football club based in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, who play in , as of the season. The club was formed in the 1870s; in 1884, they took the name Burslem Port Vale F.C., dropping the 'Burslem' in 1907. They played their home matches at the Old Recreation Ground between 1912 and 1950 and at Vale Park from 1950 to the present day. The club joined the English Football League in 1892 as founder members of the Football League Second Division, resigning in 1907, only to return in 1919. Vale's highest league finish was fifth in the Second Division in 1930–31, whilst they were FA Cup semi-finalists in 1953–54. On one occasion, they competed in Europe in the Anglo-Italian Cup. They would go on to reach the final, losing 5–2 to Italian club Genoa on 17 March 1996.

Port Vale have won four promotions out of the third tier, going up as champions in 1929–30 and 1953–54, and have won five promotions out of the fourth tier, being crowned champions in 1958–59. They have lifted the Football League Trophy twice, in 1993 and 2001. Two club records are also Football League records: most clean sheets in a season (30 in 46 Third Division North matches in the 1953–54 season) and biggest league defeat (0–10 against Sheffield United on 10 December 1892). Roy Sproson made 842 appearances (760 in the league) for Vale between 1950 and 1972, later becoming manager from January 1974 to October 1977. Wilf Kirkham is the club's record goalscorer with 164 goals in all competitions over two spells between 1923 and 1933, and set the record for most Football League goals in a single season with 38 in the 1926–27 campaign. Gareth Ainsworth is the player Vale have both received and spent the highest sum on in the transfer market: £500,000 was given to Lincoln City in September 1997 and £2 million received from Wimbledon as he departed in October 1998. All top five transfers, either in or out, were made in the 1990s, before the Bosman ruling and the departure of highly successful manager John Rudge. Chris Birchall is the club record international cap holder with three goals in 27 appearances playing for Trinidad and Tobago between 2001 and 2006, including three appearances in the 2006 World Cup.

Honours and achievements

Football League

Football League Third Division / Third Division North / League One (3rd tier)

Football League Fourth Division / Third Division / League Two (4th tier)

Football League Trophy

Others

North Staffordshire & District League

  • Champions: 1909–10

The Central League

  • Runners–up: 1911–12

Anglo-Italian Cup

  • Runners–up: 1996

Debenhams Cup

  • Runners–up: 1977

Staffordshire Senior Cup

  • Winners: 1898, 1912, 1920, 1947, 1949, 1953, 2001
  • Runners–up: 1900, 1928, 1930, 1948, 1973, 2010, 2014

Birmingham Senior Cup

  • Winners: 1913
  • Runners–up: 1899, 1900, 1914

Staffordshire Junior Cup

  • Winners: 1910

North Staffordshire Charity Challenge Cup

  • Winners: 1883, 1885, 1891
  • Runners–up: 1886

Staffordshire Senior Charity Cup

  • Winners: 1892, 1897

North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup

  • Winners: 1915, 1920, 1922
  • Runners–up: 1921, 1923, 1924, 1927, 1930, 1932

Burslem Challenge Cup

  • Winners: 1885

Hanley Cup

  • Runners–up: 1910

Coronation Cup

  • Runners–up: 1953

Supporters' Clubs' Trophy

  • Winners: 1961
  • Runners–up: 1960

Bass Charity Vase

  • Runners–up: 2024 ;Notes

Player records

Club record goalscorer Wilf Kirkham.
  • Youngest first-team player: Jack Shorrock, 15 years 145 days (against Shrewsbury Town, 20 September 2022).
  • Oldest first-team player: Tom Holford, 46 years 68 days, (against Derby County, 5 April 1924).
  • Youngest first-team goalscorer: Jack Shorrock, 16 years 242 days (against Barnsley, 26 December 2023).
  • Tallest first-team player: Tomáš Holý, .
  • Most goals in a season: Joe Brough, 43 goals in the 1909–10 season.
  • Most Football League goals in a season: Wilf Kirkham, 38 goals in Second Division in the 1926–27 season.
  • Most club top-scoring seasons: Wilf Kirkham, 6 (1924–25, 1925–26, 1926–27, 1927–28, 1928–29, 1932–33)
  • Most goals in a Football League match: 6, Stewart Littlewood (against Chesterfield, 24 September 1932).
  • Most goals in any match: 7, Chris Young (against Burton Rangers, Birmingham Senior Cup first round, 21 September 1914).
  • Longest consecutive scoring run: 8, John Rowland (1 September to 4 October 1965) & Basil Hayward (28 November 1953 to 26 January 1954).
  • Most competitive hat-tricks: Wilf Kirkham, 13.
  • Quickest competitive goal: 5 seconds, Ian Bogie (against Stoke City), 12 March 1996.
  • Quickest competitive hat-trick: 3 minutes, Fred Mitcheson (against Plymouth Argyle), 21 April 1934.
  • Most successful penalty-taker: Andy Jones, 20 from 23.
  • Most penalties in a season: Andy Jones, 12 from 15 in the 1986–87 season.
  • Most red cards: Jason Talbot, 5.
  • Most clean sheets in a season: 29, Ray King, 1953–54.
  • Most international caps while a Port Vale player: Chris Birchall, 27 for Trinidad and Tobago
  • Most international goals while a Port Vale player: Chris Birchall, 3 for Trinidad and Tobago
  • First Port Vale player to appear in the World Cup finals: Chris Birchall, for Trinidad and Tobago against Sweden on 10 June 2006
  • Most appearances by a Port Vale player in the World Cup finals: Chris Birchall, three appearances for Trinidad and Tobago at the 2006 World Cup.
  • Most consecutive appearances: John Nicholson, 208 (2 September 1961 – 8 September 1965).
  • Most goals at Vale Park: Tom Pope, 64.
  • Most Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year awards: Tom Pope, 3 (2013, 2014 & 2018).
  • Longest time between appearances: Will Atkinson, 11 years and 11 months (6 November 2007 – 5 October 2019).

Appearances

Most appearances

#NameYearsLeagueFA CupOtherTotal
1EnglandDefender1949–1972
2EnglandDefender1977–1989
3EnglandHalf-back1953–1968
4EnglandMidfielder1984–1985
1986–1997
5EnglandMidfielder1986–1998
2004–2006
6EnglandDefender1989–1998
7EnglandDefender2016–2025
8EnglandDefender1989–1999
9EnglandDefender1977–1987
10EnglandMidfielder1955–1968

Goalscorers

#NameYearsLeagueFA CupOtherTotal
1EnglandForward1923–1929
1932–1933
2EnglandForward2011–2015
2017–2021
3EnglandForward1991–2000
4EnglandInside forward1955–1961
1968
5EnglandForward1931–1935
1936–1940
6JamaicaMidfielder1982–1991
7EnglandForward1994–2001
2005
8EnglandForward1903–1905
1908–1911
9EnglandForward1987–1991
10EnglandForward1953–1968

Transfer fees

transfer]].

;Paid:

#FeePaid toForDateAdjusted for InflationNotes
1£500,000Lincoln CityEnglandGareth AinsworthWingerSeptember 1997
2£450,000York CityNorthern IrelandJon McCarthyWingerAugust 1995
3£375,000Oxford UnitedEnglandMartin FoyleForwardJune 1991
4£350,000WrexhamEnglandDave BrammerMidfielderMarch 1999
5£300,000Bristol RoversEnglandPeter BeadleForwardAugust 1998
£300,000Crystal PalaceEnglandMarcus BentForwardJanuary 1999

;Record progression:

DateFeePaid toForAdjusted for InflationNotes
March 1931£1,550Oldham AthleticEnglandStewart LittlewoodForward
October 1946UndisclosedBlackpoolNorthern IrelandJimmy ToddHalf-back
July 1948£10,000LiverpoolEngland
EnglandMick Hulligan
Stan PalkWinger
Inside forward
January 1956£7,000Tottenham HotspurEnglandEddie BailyInside forward
July 1963£15,000Leicester CityEnglandAlbert CheesebroughForward
August 1963£15,000EvertonNorthern IrelandBilly BinghamOutside-right
August 1978£37,000Wolverhampton WanderersEnglandKen ToddMidfielder
November 1978£40,000BuryEnglandPeter FarrellMidfielder
February 1989£200,000MiddlesbroughEnglandDean GloverDefender
June 1991£375,000Oxford UnitedEnglandMartin FoyleForward
August 1995£450,000York CityNorthern IrelandJon McCarthyWinger
September 1997£500,000Lincoln CityEnglandGareth AinsworthWinger

;Received:

#FeeReceived fromForDateAdjusted for InflationNotes
1£2.0mWimbledonEnglandGareth AinsworthWingerOctober 1998
2£1.9mPreston North EndEnglandJordan HugillForwardJune 2014
3£1.5mBirmingham CityNorthern IrelandJon McCarthyWingerSeptember 1997
4£1.2mPlymouth ArgyleSwitzerlandLorent TolajForwardAugust 2025
5£1.0mSheffield WednesdayEnglandIan TaylorMidfielderAugust 1994

;Record progression:

DateFeeReceived fromForAdjusted for InflationNotes
February 1921£4,750West Bromwich AlbionEnglandBobby BloodForward
January 1949UndisclosedQueens Park RangersEnglandBill PointonForward
August 1967£30,000BlackpoolEnglandTerry AlcockDefender
October 1978£55,000Leicester CityEnglandJohn RidleyMidfielder
September 1987£350,000Charlton AthleticWalesAndy JonesForward
June 1991£925,000Norwich CityEnglandDarren BeckfordForward
August 1994£1.0mSheffield WednesdayEnglandIan TaylorMidfielder
September 1997£1.5mBirmingham CityNorthern IrelandJon McCarthyWinger
October 1998£2.0mWimbledonEnglandGareth AinsworthWinger

Team of the Year

The following players have been included in the PFA Team of the Year or EFL Team of the Season whilst playing at the club:

  • 1981–82: England Mark Chamberlain (Fourth Division)
  • 1982–83: England Phil Sproson, England Russell Bromage, England Steve Fox (Fourth Division)
  • 1984–85: England Russell Bromage (Fourth Division)
  • 1985–86: England Phil Sproson (Fourth Division)
  • 1987–88: England Ray Walker (Third Division)
  • 1988–89: England Ray Walker (Third Division)
  • 1992–93: England Peter Swan, England Ray Walker, England Ian Taylor (Second Division)
  • 1993–94: England Neil Aspin, England Dean Glover, England Ian Taylor (Second Division)
  • 2012–13: England Jennison Myrie-Williams, England Tom Pope (League Two)
  • 2020–21: England David Worrall (League Two)
  • 2024–25: England Connor Hall (League Two)

International caps

The following players have won full senior international whilst playing at the club:

NamePositionCountryCapsGoalsYearsNotes
MidfielderTrinidad Trinidad and Tobago2732001–2013Club record international caps and goals; first and only representative at a FIFA World Cup.
MidfielderTrinidad Trinidad and Tobago2011999–2000Played four games in the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
ForwardNorthern Ireland Northern Ireland721972–1973Scored on his debut against Spain.
DefenderNigeria Nigeria602004–2007First Port Vale player to be caped by an African nation.
GoalkeeperWales Wales401922–1923First player to be capped whilst at Port Vale.
ForwardRepublic of Ireland Republic of Ireland411984–1985Scored against China in Kirin Cup semi-final.
WingerNorthern Ireland Northern Ireland401996–1997
ForwardWales Wales311987Scored on his debut against Finland.
Outside-rightNorthern Ireland Northern Ireland301963Would later also manage his country.
MidfielderMontserrat Montserrat202011Also captained his country.
DefenderNorthern Ireland Northern Ireland202014
GoalkeeperAustralia Australia102025At the club on loan from Aston Villa.
ForwardNorthern Ireland Northern Ireland102011At the club on loan from Rangers.
GoalkeeperWales Wales101983At the club on loan from Everton.
ForwardNorthern Ireland Northern Ireland102009Also capped for the Northern Ireland B team.
ForwardNorthern Ireland Northern Ireland102014At the club on loan from Manchester United.

Club records

Derby County]] at the age of 46.
Trinidad and Tobago]] whilst at Port Vale.
[[Roy Sproson]] made 842 first-team appearances for Port Vale.
  • Most Football League goals scored in a season: 110 in 46 matches, Fourth Division, 1958–59.
  • Fewest Football League goals scored in a season: 30 in 22 matches, Second Division, 1892–93.
  • Fewest Football League goals conceded in a season: 21 in 46 matches, Third Division North, 1953–54.
  • Most Football League goals conceded in a season: 106 in 42 matches, Second Division, 1935–36.
  • Fewest Football League goals conceded at home in a season: 5 in 23 matches, Third Division North, 1953–54.
  • Most points in a Football League season: 89 in 46 matches, Second Division 1992–93.
  • Fewest points in a Football League season: 15 in 22 matches, Second Division, 1892–93.
  • Fewest adjusted points in a Football League season:* 21 in 22 matches, Second Division, 1892–93.
  • Lowest adjusted points per game in a Football League season:* 0.71 (30* in 42 matches), matches, Second Division, 1956–57.
  • Most wins in a Football League season: 30 in 42 matches, Third Division North, 1929–30.
  • Fewest wins in a Football League season: 6 in 22 matches, Second Division, 1892–93.
  • Fewest defeats in a Football League season: 3 in 46 matches, Third Division North, 1953–54.
  • Most defeats in a Football League season: 28 in 42 matches, Second Division, 1956–57.
  • Most draws in a Football League season: 20 in 46 matches, 1977–78
  • Fewest draws in a Football League season: 3 in 22 matches, 1892–93
  • Most red cards in a season: 7 in 46 games, 1974–75 & 2001–02
  • Most clean sheets in a season: 30 in 46 matches, Third Division North, 1953–54
  • Most players used in a season: 43 in 1998–99
  • Most competitive fixtures in a season: 62, 1995–96 *pre 1981, a win was awarded with 2 points

Streaks

  • League wins: 8, 8 April 1893 to 30 September 1893
  • Draws: 6, 26 April 1981 to 12 September 1981
  • Losses: 9, 9 March 1957 to 20 April 1957
  • Clean sheets: 7, 11 February 1922 to 18 March 1922
  • Without a win: 17, 7 December 1991 to 21 March 1992
  • Without a draw: 20, 10 September 1906 to 19 January 1907 & 30 October 2004 to 5 March 2005
  • Without a loss: 19, 5 May 1969 to 8 November 1969
  • Without a clean sheet: 22, 22 September 1956 to 23 February 1957
  • Without failing to score: 22, 12 September 1992 to 13 February 1993
  • Without scoring a goal: 6, 19 August 2017 to 12 September 2017

;Home

  • Wins: 12, 9 February 1952 to 8 September 1952
  • Draws: 6, 10 October 1977 to 27 December 1977 & 20 January 1982 to 6 March 1982
  • Losses: 6, 1 January 1992 to 14 March 1992 & 26 December 2018 to 19 February 2019
  • Clean sheets: 11, 7 September 1953 to 13 February 1954
  • Failing to score: 5, 13 April 1998 to 31 August 1998
  • Without a win: 12, 28 March 1978 to 21 October 1978
  • Without a draw: 19, 25 August 1928 to 6 April 1929
  • Without a loss: 42, 8 November 1952 to 18 September 1954
  • Without a clean sheet: 13, 26 September 1964 to 15 March 1965
  • Without failing to score: 33, 19 October 1946 to 13 March 1948

;Away

  • Wins: 5, 20 March 1993 to 24 April 1993
  • Draws: 6, 20 March 1954 to 26 April 1954 & 19 January 1985 to 29 March 1985
  • Losses: 14, 21 September 1895 to 18 April 1896
  • Clean sheets: 5, 20 March 1993 to 24 April 1993
  • Failing to score: 6, 8 January 1966 to 9 March 1966
  • Without a win: 29, 17 January 1903 to 8 October 1904
  • Without a draw: 27, 26 January 1895 to 3 December 1898
  • Without a loss: 10, 5 May 1969 to 8 November 1969
  • Without a clean sheet: 42, 18 December 1976 to 30 September 1978
  • Without failing to score: 15, 10 January 1998 to 26 September 1998

Matches

Aston Villa]] on 20 February 1960
  • Record win: 16–0 against Middlewich in a friendly, 2 February 1884.
  • Record away win: 9–0 at Smallthorne in North Staffs & District League, 26 February 1910.
  • Record Football League win: 9–1 against Chesterfield in Second Division, 24 September 1932.
  • Record defeat: 0–12 at Aston Villa in Staffordshire Senior Cup, 26 January 1891.
  • Record Football League defeat: 0–10 against Sheffield United in Second Division, 10 December 1892.
  • Record aggregate score: 12 (3–9) at Tottenham Hotspur, 21 November 1931.
  • Record aggregate cup score: 9 (2–7) at Aston Villa, 10 January 1925.
  • Highest home attendance: 49,768 against Aston Villa, FA Cup fifth round, 20 February 1960.
  • Highest Football League attendance: 40,066 against Stoke City, Second Division, 25 April 1955.
  • Highest home gate receipts: £170,349: against Everton, FA Cup fourth round, 14 February 1996.
  • Highest average home attendance: 20,708 in 1954–55
  • Lowest (competitive first-team) attendance at Vale Park: 554 against Middlesbrough U21, EFL Trophy Group Stage, 16 October 2018.
  • Lowest Football League attendance at Vale Park: 1,924 against York City, 1 May 1982. ;Notes

European statistics

Record by season

SeasonCompetitionQualification methodRoundDateCountryClubVenueResult1995–96
Anglo-Italian CupInvitationGroup A5 September 1995ItalyCesenaAway2–2
11 October 1995ItalyAnconaHome2–0
8 November 1995ItalyGenoaHome0–0
13 December 1995ItalyPerugiaAway3–5
English semi-final23 January 1996EnglandIpswich TownAway2–4
English final24 February 1996EnglandWest Bromwich AlbionAway0–0
5 March 1996EnglandWest Bromwich AlbionHome1–3
Tournament final17 March 1996ItalyGenoaNeutral5–2

Record by opposition nationality

CompetitionPlayedWonDrawnLostGoals
forGoals
againstAnglo-Italian CupTotal84311813
England321073
Italy52211110

References

General

Specific

References

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  4. (26 May 2022). "League Two play-off final: Port Vale thrash Mansfield to win promotion". BBC Sport.
  5. Slaven, Bernie. (2007). "Legend? The Autobiography". Linthorpe.
  6. (22 April 2011). "Ten Years Ago Today". port-vale.co.uk.
  7. (27 July 2024). "Match Report - Pre Season: Burton Albion 2-0 Port Vale". Burton Albion FC.
  8. (21 September 2022). "Jack Shorrock becomes the youngest first-team player in Port Vale history". Port Vale F.C..
  9. (27 December 2023). "Fightback too late as Barnsley continue Vale's woeful home run". Valiant's Substack.
  10. {{soccerway. toma-holy/135426
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  12. (27 November 2015}}{{Dead link). "How Ajay Leitch-Smith compares to Vale goal heroes". [[The Sentinel (Staffordshire).
  13. (13 March 1996). "Bogie's lightning strike catches Stoke cold". The Independent.
  14. (2 December 2019). "Andy Jones, Tony Naylor and Tom Pope in Port Vale's 10 fastest-ever hat-tricks". Stoke Sentinel.
  15. "Famous Players 80s Andy Jones".
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  17. {{harvnb. Kent. 1996
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  19. (28 April 2018). "Tom Pope makes history at Port Vale player of the year awards". Stoke Sentinel.
  20. (5 October 2019). "Will Atkinson makes Port Vale history by playing in Morecambe game". Stoke Sentinel.
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  23. "Profile".
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  47. {{harvnb. Kent. 1990
  48. "Football League Records". football–league.co.uk.
  49. (26 January 2017). "Port Vale talking points: Scouts, signings and likely game change". Stoke Sentinel.
  50. (16 November 2023). "Embracing the challenge as Port Vale compete on all fronts". Valiant's Substack.
  51. "Port Vale scoring and sequence records - Statto.com".
  52. (13 September 2017). "Talking points as rock bottom Port Vale make unwanted history". Stoke Sentinel.
  53. (21 February 2019). "Cheltenham v Port Vale: Defenders should take inspiration from ex-Crewe star". Stoke Sentinel.
  54. {{harvnb. Kent. 1993
  55. {{harvnb. Kent. 1993
  56. (16 October 2018). "Port Vale 2, Middlesbrough u-21s 0 report: Vale through as fans snub Checkatrade". StokeSentinel.
  57. "Anglo-Italian Cup 1995/96". [[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation]].
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