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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.

Under manager Norman Low, the side started brightly, winning four of their first six fixtures and notably doing the league double over Southampton — including a 4–0 victory at Vale Park. The attacking policy soon paid off as Stan Steele, Jack Wilkinson, and Harry Poole all reached double figures in goals by mid-season. Despite this promising form, a poor run after Christmas — highlighted by eight defeats in their final 12 matches — dragged them to a 15th‑place finish, and they were placed in the newly formed Fourth Division for the 1958–59 campaign.

In the FA Cup, Vale progressed past Shrewsbury Town in the first round courtesy of Wilkinson's brace, but exited in the Second Round, losing 4–3 away to Hull City in the replay. Financially, average attendance dipped to 10,457, resulting in reduced gate receipts (~£33,800), though tight budgeting and transfer sales allowed the club to register a modest profit of £145. Highlights off the pitch included the arrival of key signings such as goalkeeper Keith Jones and forward Jack Wilkinson, although a mid‑season acquisition of Noel Kinsey failed to arrest the late slump. Steele ended the campaign as Vale's top scorer with 22 goals — his efforts emblematic of a squad in transition and a season of high hopes ultimately unfulfilled.

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 17 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. On 2 November, Vale recorded a 4–0 home win over Crystal Palace. Despite their attacking nature, Vale had by this time conceded fewer goals than any other side in the Football League. 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 to put the club into fourth position.

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 during a blizzard 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. They laboured to a 2–1 win over Torquay United on 5 April, which was their only victory in the final ten games. Two points from their final six games doomed them to the fourth tier. On 12 April, Keith Jones allowed a free-kick to go into the net after he mistakenly thought it was an indirect free kick, and Norwich City went on to win the game by three goals. Vale lost 3–2 at home to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic the following week after Kinsey missed a penalty. A 4–1 defeat at Brentford confirmed Vale's lower-half finish with a game to spare.

They finished in 15th 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 were a respectable total, as was their 67 goals scored. Stan Steele, Jack Wilkinson, and Harry Poole all proved themselves consistent goal scorers, 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'.

FA Cup 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.

Results

Football League Third Division South

League table

Results by matchday

Matches

FA Cup

Squad statistics Appearances and goals Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; FB – Full back; HB – Half back; FW – Forward

|colspan="14"|Players who featured but departed the club during the season:

Top scorers PlacePositionNationNameThird Division SouthFA CupTotal1FWStan Steele211222FWJack Wilkinson172193FWHarry Poole142164FWColin Askey6175FW John Cunliffe4046HBRoy Sproson112–FWNoel Kinsey2028FB Selwyn Whalley101–FW Basil Hayward101–––Own goals000TOTALS67774

Transfers

Transfers in Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref. June 1957 FW Jack Wilkinson Sheffield United Free transfer July 1957 HB Bert Carberry Gillingham Free transfer July 1957 GK Keith Jones Aston Villa £3,500 July 1957 HB Alan Martin Bangor City Non-contract November 1957 HB 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 Nationality Name To Fee Ref. September 1957 FW 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 FW Brian Hopkins Burton Albion Free transfer May 1958 FW Basil Hayward Portsmouth 'fair' May 1958 FW Fred Hough Released July 1958 FW Colin Askey Walsall 'fairly substantial' July 1958 HB Bill Cleary Boston United Free transfer August 1957 HB Bert Carberry Exeter City Free transfer

References Specific

General