1981–82 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1981–82 season was Port Vale's 70th season of football in the English Football League, and their fourth-successive season (tenth overall) in the Fourth Division.^[1] manager John McGrath orchestrated a campaign of near-misses and notable performances.

Port Vale

1981–82 season
Chairman	Don Ratcliffe
Manager	John McGrath
Stadium	Vale Park
Football League Fourth Division	7th (70 Points)
FA Cup	Third Round (knocked out by Shrewsbury Town)
League Cup	Second Round (knocked out by Tranmere Rovers)
Player of the Year	Ernie Moss
Top goalscorer	League: Ernie Moss (13) All: Ernie Moss (17)
Highest home attendance	8,773 vs. Wigan Athletic, 8 February 1982
Lowest home attendance	1,924 vs. York City, 1 May 1982
Average home league attendance	3,639
Biggest win	4–1 and 5–2
Biggest defeat	0–2 (four games) and 1–3 (twice)
Home colours
← 1980–81 1982–83 →

The season began with four new signings — Ray Deakin, Geoff Hunter, Ernie Moss, and Jimmy Greenhoff — after an unsuccessful attempt to re-sign Brian Horton. Vale's pre-season got a major financial boost from a Motörhead concert at Vale Park that attracted 20,000 fans. The league campaign began with a club record six consecutive draws. After losing influential players to injury and adjusting formations, Vale briefly climbed to seventh after a run of four wins in five games — but then slumped following a televised 2–0 home loss to Sheffield United. They rebounded with a 15-match unbeaten league run (including six straight home draws from January to March). One remarkable game was a stunning 5–3 comeback win at Northampton Town after trailing 4–0 at half-time, with Greenhoff scoring the winner 11 minutes from time. Indeed, Mark Chamberlain scored a memorable goal there by stepping off the pitch to avoid being offside, then returning to tap the ball in — a moment that incensed the Mansfield Town manager.

Injuries continued to plague the squad — Johnny Miller retired, Mark Chamberlain played through a foot dislocation, and Terry Armstrong suffered mumps. A bizarre 50‑yard free‑kick concession by goalkeeper Mark Harrison, hit after several bounces, highlighted defensive fragility. On 1 May, Vale Park recorded its lowest-ever Football League attendance, 1,924 vs York City. They ended the season seventh in the Fourth Division with 70 points, 18 behind the final promotion place, following inconsistent form — "we blew it at Burslem", as McGrath put it. Ernie Moss was Player of the Year and finished top scorer with 17 league goals, while Mark Chamberlain, ever‑present throughout the 55‑game season, was named in the PFA Fourth Division Team of the Year and honored as The Star's best player of the division.

Financially, the campaign ended with a £65,000 loss despite substantial donations of £136,070, leaving the club with a £235,452 overdraft. In cup competitions, Vale progressed through a replayed FA Cup tie against Lincoln City and defeated Stockport County in the second replay, before losing narrowly to Shrewsbury Town in the Third Round. In the League Cup, they eliminated Hereford United on aggregate but were knocked out by Tranmere Rovers in the Second Round.

An eventful season of near-promotion, standout individual performances — especially from Moss and Chamberlain — financial strain, and a record attendance low capped off a campaign full of dramatic highs and frustrating lows.

Overview

Fourth Division

The pre-season saw John McGrath make four new signings: defender Ray Deakin (Everton); busy 22-year-old midfielder Geoff Hunter (from Crewe Alexandra for £12,000); and forwards Ernie Moss (from Chesterfield for £12,000) and Jimmy Greenhoff (Toronto Blizzard).^[1] Attempts to re-sign Brian Horton failed. On 1 August, a heavy metal concert was held at Vale Park, headlined by local lad Lemmy's Motörhead.^[1] Some twenty thousand metal fans paid £7.50 admission each to boost club coffers.^[1] However, Vale failed to win any of their pre-season friendlies, and were embarrassed to lose 6–1 at home to local rivals Stoke City.^[1]

The season opened with four draws, which was ironic considering that McGrath stated that 'forwards are much more important now' after the Football League changed a win from earning two points to three points.^[1] On 12 September, their club-record run of six consecutive draws concluded with a 0–0 draw with Mansfield Town. McGrath lost both Johnny Miller and Lee Harwood to knee injuries. Four victories in five games put Vale into seventh place, with McGrath abandoning the 5–3–2 formation away from home as he felt it did not put enough pressure on the opposition. Colin Tartt was signed from Chesterfield for £15,000.^[1] A 2–0 home defeat to sixth-placed Sheffield United in front of the television cameras was the first of a run of four defeats in five games and sent an injury and flu-ravaged Vale down into mid-table.^[1] In November, Lee Harwood was forced to retire with his knee injury.^[1]

On 28 November, Vale won 5–2 at home to Hartlepool United to go six games unbeaten and The Sentinel's Vale correspondent Chris Harper reported that Chamberlain had impressed the top-flight scouts in attendance and was "one of the most exciting 20 year olds in the league".^[2] Vale then went on a 15-match unbeaten run in the league, and between 20 January and 6 March, the team went on a club-record six consecutive home draws.^[1] Having drawn all four games in January, they went into a four-goal half-time lead at Northampton Town on 2 February, and though the hosts pulled three goals back it ended 5–3 as Greenhoff scored the final goal of the game eleven minutes from full=time^[3]

Stoke City offered £100,000 plus incentives for Mark Chamberlain, but Chairman Don Ratcliffe called the offer 'an insult' and rejected it out of hand.^[1] Instead, Tony Sealy arrived on loan, this time from Queens Park Rangers.^[1] On 2 February, Vale came from four goals down to win 5–3 at Northampton Town. Foru days later, Mark Chamberlain scored a memorable goal at Field Mill when he stood off the pitch to avoid being caught offside, then returned to tackle a startled Rod Arnold and tap the ball into an empty net.^[1] Mansfield Town manager Stuart Boam was so enraged that the goal stood that he raced onto the pitch to abuse the linesman verbally.^[1]

In March, Johnny Miller had to retire due to his knee injury.^[1] Mark Chamberlain played on despite dislocating a bone in his foot, whilst Terry Armstrong was out with mumps. On 20 March, Mark Harrison conceded 'a crazy goal' from Hull City left-back Dennis Booth at Boothferry Park, whose 50 yards (46 m) free kick hit the back of the net after several bounces.^[1] Injuries hit the Vale squad and the promotion campaign faded away.^[1] On 1 May, Vale Park witnessed its lowest-ever Football League attendance when a mere 1,924 turned up against York City.^[1]

They finished in seventh place with seventy points, 18 short of fourth-placed Bournemouth.^[1] With nine away victories and twelve home draws, McGrath stated that "we blew it at Burslem".^[1] Ernie Moss was the Player of the Year and top-scorer with 17 goals; however, it was Mark Chamberlain who was selected in the PFA Fourth Division team and received a cheque for £250 when he was chosen as The Star's best player of the division.^[1]

Finances

On the financial side, a loss of £65,000 was announced despite donations of £136,070.^[1] The overdraft stood at £235,452.^[1] Good news was that the club lottery had raised £750,000 in less than five years.^[1] McGrath released eight players and retained eleven.^[1] The club's shirt sponsors were NGR Copiers. Those departing included: Peter Farrell and Gerry Keenan (Rochdale); Paul Bowles (Stockport County); Trevor Brissett (Darlington); Andy Higgins (Hartlepool United); and Ray Deakin (Burnley).^[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale drew with Third Division Lincoln City at Sincil Bank and again in Burslem, and so had to play a second replay, which they won 2–0.^[1] Their clash with Stockport County was postponed seven times due to snow and fog, before the "Valiants" finally recorded a 4–1 victory on 2 January.^[1] Facing Second Division Shrewsbury Town in the third round, they lost by the odd goal at Gay Meadow, the "Shrews" scoring with the last kick of the match.^[1]

In the League Cup, a 1–1 draw at Edgar Street was followed by a 2–0 home win to knock Hereford United out 3–1 on aggregate.^[1] In the second round for the first time since 1972, they lost to Tranmere Rovers both at Prenton Park and Vale Park to exit the competition 4–1 on aggregate.^[1]

League table

Main article: 1981–82 Football League

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
5	Peterborough United	46	24	10	12	71	57	+14	82
6	Colchester United	46	20	12	14	82	57	+25	72
7	Port Vale	46	18	16	12	56	49	+7	70
8	Hull City	46	19	12	15	70	61	+9	69
9	Bury	46	17	17	12	80	59	+21	68

Source: ^{[citation needed]}

Results

Football League Fourth Division

Results by matchday

Round	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	39	40	41	42	43	44	45	46
Ground	H	A	H	A	A	H	H	A	H	A	H	H	A	A	A	H	H	A	A	H	A	H	H	A	A	H	H	A	A	A	H	A	H	H	A	H	A	A	H	H	A	H	H	A	A	H
Result	D	D	D	W	L	W	W	W	L	L	L	W	L	D	W	W	W	D	W	D	D	D	D	W	W	D	D	W	L	L	D	L	W	D	L	D	W	L	W	W	L	D	D	L	W	W
Position	14	14	13	12	14	10	6	7	9	10	10	12	11	10	10	10	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	9	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	7	8	7	8	8	8	7
Points	1	2	3	6	6	9	12	15	15	15	15	18	18	19	22	25	28	29	32	33	34	35	36	39	42	43	44	47	47	47	48	48	51	52	52	53	56	56	59	62	62	63	64	64	67	70

Source: Statto^[4]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

Port Vale v Halifax Town

29 August 1981 1	Port Vale	0–0	Halifax Town	Burslem
				Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,382

Darlington v Port Vale

5 September 1981 2	Darlington	1–1	Port Vale	Darlington
			Deakin pen'	Stadium: Feethams Attendance: 1,872

Port Vale v Mansfield Town

12 September 1981 3	Port Vale	0–0	Mansfield Town	Burslem
				Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,043

Rochdale v Port Vale

19 September 1981 4	Rochdale	1–2	Port Vale	Rochdale
			Keenan Deakin pen'	Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 1,824

Wigan Athletic v Port Vale

23 September 1981 5	Wigan Athletic	2–0	Port Vale	Wigan
				Stadium: Springfield Park Attendance: 4,525

Port Vale v Stockport County

26 September 1981 6	Port Vale	1–0	Stockport County	Burslem
	Moss			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,755

Port Vale v Colchester United

28 September 1981 7	Port Vale	2–1	Colchester United	Burslem
	Sproson Moss			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,351

Crewe Alexandra v Port Vale

2 October 1981 8	Crewe Alexandra	0–2	Port Vale	Crewe
			N.Chamberlain M.Chamberlain	Stadium: Gresty Road Attendance: 4,604

Port Vale v Sheffield United

10 October 1981 9	Port Vale	0–2	Sheffield United	Burslem
				Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 7,289

Bury v Port Vale

17 October 1981 10	Bury	3–2	Port Vale	Bury, Greater Manchester
			Bowles Greenhoff	Stadium: Gigg Lane Attendance: 3,565

Port Vale v Peterborough United

19 October 1981 11	Port Vale	1–3	Peterborough United	Burslem
	Deakin pen'			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,844

Port Vale v Hull City

31 October 1981 12	Port Vale	2–1	Hull City	Burslem
	Shankland M.Chamberlain			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,591

Bradford City v Port Vale

4 November 1981 13	Bradford City	1–0	Port Vale	Bradford
				Stadium: Valley Parade Attendance: 4,043

AFC Bournemouth v Port Vale

7 November 1981 14	AFC Bournemouth	1–1	Port Vale	Bournemouth
			Moss	Stadium: Dean Court Attendance: 5,798

Blackpool v Port Vale

11 November 1981 15	Blackpool	2–3	Port Vale	Blackpool
			Tartt N.Chamberlain	Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 4,785

Port Vale v Aldershot

14 November 1981 16	Port Vale	1–0	Aldershot	Burslem
	Greenhoff			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,811

Port Vale v Hartlepool United

28 November 1981 17	Port Vale	5–2	Hartlepool United	Burslem
	Moss M.Chamberlain N.Chamberlain Armstrong			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,477

Scunthorpe United v Port Vale

5 December 1981 18	Scunthorpe United	0–0	Port Vale	Scunthorpe
				Stadium: Old Show Ground Attendance: 2,021

Torquay United v Port Vale

19 December 1981 19	Torquay United	0–1	Port Vale	Torquay
			M.Chamberlain	Stadium: Plainmoor Attendance: 1,780

Port Vale v Darlington

20 January 1982 20	Port Vale	2–2	Darlington	Burslem
	Hunter Moss			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,529

Halifax Town v Port Vale

22 January 1982 21	Halifax Town	1–1	Port Vale	Halifax, West Yorkshire
			M.Chamberlain	Stadium: The Shay Attendance: 2,965

Port Vale v Tranmere Rovers

25 January 1982 22	Port Vale	0–0	Tranmere Rovers	Burslem
				Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,355

Port Vale v Rochdale

30 January 1982 23	Port Vale	1–1	Rochdale	Burslem
	Tartt			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,835

Northampton Town v Port Vale

2 February 1982 24	Northampton Town	3–5	Port Vale	Northampton
			Hunter Sproson M.Chamberlain Greenhoff	Stadium: County Cricket Ground Attendance: 1,644

Mansfield Town v Port Vale

6 February 1982 25	Mansfield Town	1–3	Port Vale	Mansfield
			M.Chamberlain Moss Sealy	Stadium: Field Mill Attendance: 2,690

Port Vale v Wigan Athletic

8 February 1982 26	Port Vale	1–1	Wigan Athletic	Burslem
	Sealy pen'			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 8,773

Port Vale v Crewe Alexandra

13 February 1982 27	Port Vale	0–0	Crewe Alexandra	Burslem
				Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 6,542

Stockport County v Port Vale

19 February 1982 28	Stockport County	1–2	Port Vale	Stockport
			Sealy pen' Moss	Stadium: Edgeley Park Attendance: 3,001

York City v Port Vale

22 February 1982 29	York City	2–0	Port Vale	York
				Stadium: Bootham Crescent Attendance: 1,938

Sheffield United v Port Vale

27 February 1982 30	Sheffield United	2–1	Port Vale	Sheffield
			Sealy pen'	Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 13,813

Port Vale v Bury

6 March 1982 31	Port Vale	0–0	Bury	Burslem
				Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,733

Peterborough United v Port Vale

10 March 1982 32	Peterborough United	1–0	Port Vale	Peterborough
				Stadium: London Road Stadium Attendance: 4,151

Port Vale v Blackpool

13 March 1982 33	Port Vale	2–0	Blackpool	Burslem
	N.Chamberlain Moss			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,440

Port Vale v Bradford City

15 March 1982 34	Port Vale	1–1	Bradford City	Burslem
	Tartt			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,325

Hull City v Port Vale

20 March 1982 35	Hull City	3–1	Port Vale	Kingston upon Hull
			Deakin	Stadium: Boothferry Park Attendance: 5,506

Port Vale v AFC Bournemouth

27 March 1982 36	Port Vale	1–1	AFC Bournemouth	Burslem
	Deakin pen'			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,004

Aldershot v Port Vale

3 April 1982 37	Aldershot	1–2	Port Vale	Aldershot
			o.g. Deakin	Stadium: Recreation Ground Attendance: 1,594

Hereford United v Port Vale

10 April 1982 38	Hereford United	1–0	Port Vale	Hereford
				Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 2,973

Port Vale v Northampton Town

12 April 1982 39	Port Vale	1–0	Northampton Town	Burslem
	Sproson			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,014

Port Vale v Scunthorpe United

17 April 1982 40	Port Vale	2–1	Scunthorpe United	Burslem
	Moss			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,507

Hartlepool United v Port Vale

24 April 1982 41	Hartlepool United	3–1	Port Vale	Hartlepool
			M.Chamberlain	Stadium: Victoria Park Attendance: 1,439

Port Vale v Hereford United

26 April 1982 42	Port Vale	1–1	Hereford United	Burslem
	Sproson			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,160

Port Vale v York City

1 May 1982 43	Port Vale	0–0	York City	Burslem
				Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 1,924

Colchester United v Port Vale

3 May 1982 44	Colchester United	1–0	Port Vale	Colchester
				Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 1,570

Tranmere Rovers v Port Vale

8 May 1982 45	Tranmere Rovers	1–2	Port Vale	Prenton
			Moss	Stadium: Prenton Park Attendance: 1,524

Port Vale v Torquay United

15 May 1982 46	Port Vale	2–0	Torquay United	Burslem
	Bowles Sproson			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,007

FA Cup

Main article: 1981–82 FA Cup

Lincoln City v Port Vale

21 November 1981 R1	Lincoln City	2–2	Port Vale	Lincoln
			N.Chamberlain M.Chamberlain	Stadium: Sincil Bank Attendance: 3,950

Port Vale v Lincoln City

30 November 1981 Replay	Port Vale	0–0	Lincoln City	Burslem
				Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,769

Port Vale v Lincoln City

2 December 1981 Replay	Port Vale	2–0	Lincoln City	Burslem
	Armstrong N.Chamberlain			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 5,373

Port Vale v Stockport County

2 January 1982 R2	Port Vale	4–1	Stockport County	Burslem
	Moss N.Chamberlain			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,478

Shrewsbury Town v Port Vale

5 January 1982 R3	Shrewsbury Town	1–0	Port Vale	Shrewsbury
				Stadium: Gay Meadow Attendance: 7,230

League Cup

Main article: 1981–82 Football League Cup

Hereford United v Port Vale

2 September 1981 R1 1st Leg	Hereford United	1–1	Port Vale	Hereford
			Moss 83'	Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 2,817

Port Vale v Hereford United

14 September 1981 R1 2nd Leg	Port Vale	2–0	Hereford United	Burslem
	Deakin 23' (pen.) Moss 63'			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,006

Tranmere Rovers v Port Vale

5 October 1981 R2 1st Leg	Tranmere Rovers	2–0	Port Vale	Prenton
				Stadium: Prenton Park Attendance: 2,791

Port Vale v Tranmere Rovers

28 October 1981 R2 2nd Leg	Port Vale	1–2	Tranmere Rovers	Burslem
	N.Chamberlain			Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,372

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	Mark Harrison	46	0	5	0	4	0	55	0
DF	Phil Sproson	42	5	5	0	4	0	51	5
DF	Gerry Keenan	21	1	0	0	3	0	24	1
DF	Paul Bowles	44	2	5	0	4	0	53	2
DF	Trevor Brissett	14	0	0	0	1	0	15	0
DF	Andy Higgins	4	0	2	0	2	0	8	0
DF	Ray Deakin	23	6	0	0	4	1	27	7
DF	Russell Bromage	45	0	5	0	4	0	54	0
MF	Mark Chamberlain	46	8	5	1	4	0	55	8
MF	Peter Farrell	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
MF	Terry Armstrong	34	1	5	1	3	0	42	2
MF	Paul Bennett	4	0	0	0	1	0	5	0
MF	Colin Tartt	38	4	5	0	0	0	43	4
MF	Geoff Hunter	41	3	5	0	3	0	49	3
FW	Neville Chamberlain	30	4	5	4	2	1	37	9
FW	Tony Sealy	6	4	0	0	0	0	6	4
FW	Andy Shankland	12	1	0	0	1	0	13	1
FW	Ernie Moss	44	13	4	2	3	2	51	17
FW	Jimmy Greenhoff	33	3	4	0	2	0	38	3
FW	Mark Bright	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0

Top scorers

Place	Position	Nation	Name	Fourth Division	FA Cup	League Cup	Total
1	FW	England	Ernie Moss	13	2	2	17
2	FW	England	Neville Chamberlain	4	4	1	9
–	MF	England	Mark Chamberlain	8	1	0	9
4	DF	England	Ray Deakin	6	0	1	7
5	DF	England	Phil Sproson	5	0	0	5
6	FW	England	Tony Sealy	4	0	0	4
–	MF	England	Colin Tartt	4	0	0	4
8	FW	England	Jimmy Greenhoff	3	0	0	3
–	MF	England	Geoff Hunter	3	0	0	3
10	DF	England	Paul Bowles	2	0	0	2
–	MF	England	Terry Armstrong	1	1	0	2
12	FW	England	Andy Shankland	1	0	0	1
–	DF	England	Gerry Keenan	1	0	0	1
–	–	–	Own goals	1	0	0	1
			TOTALS	56	8	4	68

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Fee	Ref.
1981	DF		Ray Deakin	Everton	Free transfer	[5]
June 1981	FW		Ernie Moss	Chesterfield	£12,000	[5]
August 1981	FW		Jimmy Greenhoff	Toronto Blizzard	Free transfer	[5]
August 1981	MF		Geoff Hunter	Crewe Alexandra	£15,000	[5]
October 1981	FW		Mark Bright	Leek Town	Free transfer	[5]
November 1981	MF		Colin Tartt	Chesterfield	£15,000	[5]

Transfers out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Fee	Ref.
November 1981	DF		Lee Harwood	Leatherhead	Retired	[5]
March 1982	MF		Johnny Miller	Oakham United	Retired	[5]
May 1982	MF		Paul Bennett	Northwich Victoria	Free transfer	[5]
May 1982	DF		Paul Bowles	Stockport County	Free transfer	[5]
May 1982	DF		Trevor Brissett	Darlington	Free transfer	[5]
May 1982	DF		Ray Deakin	Bolton Wanderers	Free transfer	[5]
May 1982	MF		Peter Farrell	Rochdale	Free transfer	[5]
May 1982	DF		Andy Higgins	Hartlepool United	Free transfer	[5]
May 1982	DF		Gerry Keenan	Rochdale	Free transfer	[5]
August 1982	MF		Mark Chamberlain	Stoke City	£180,000 (combined)	[5]
August 1982	GK		Mark Harrison	Stoke City	£180,000 (combined)	[5]

Loans in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Date to	Ref.
October 1981	MF		Colin Tartt	Chesterfield	November 1981	[5]
February 1982	FW		Tony Sealy	Queens Park Rangers	March 1982	[5]

Loans out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Date to	Ref.
Summer 1981	GK		Mark Harrison	Stoke City	Summer 1981	[5]
August 1981	MF		Peter Farrell	Doncaster Rovers	August 1981	[5]
October 1981	MF		Peter Farrell	Shrewsbury Town	October 1981	[5]