1922–23 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1922–23 season was Port Vale's fourth consecutive season of football (17th overall) in the English Football League.^[1] They finished 17th in the Second Division with 37 points from 14 wins, 9 draws, and 19 losses. Under the management of Joe Schofield and chairmanship of Sampson Walker, the team played their home matches at the Old Recreation Ground. Despite finishing just above the relegation zone for the third successive season, the club continued to struggle with finding a consistent goalscorer following the sale of Bobby Blood.

In cup competitions, Vale exited the FA Cup in the Fifth Qualifying Round, suffering a 5–1 defeat to Wrexham. In the North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup, the final against Stoke ended in a 0–0 draw, leading to the trophy being shared between the two clubs. The season also saw the club's finances come under strain, with a reported loss of £4,641, attributed to declining gate receipts and increased wage bills following the raising of the maximum wage limit. Forward Tom Butler was the team's top scorer, netting 9 goals in all competitions. The season concluded with the club narrowly avoiding relegation, setting the stage for future rebuilding efforts

The releasing of numerous experienced players in pre-season necessitated the signing of numerous new attacking players, namely Millwall winger Patrick Donoghue; 'robust' inside-right Jack Gordon from Queen's Park; James Smith from Plymouth Argyle; and Tom Reid from Ayr United.^[1]

The season opened with two defeats in August, and though things soon turned around, it became clear that goals were at a premium.^[1] To solve this problem experienced winger Billy Harrison was signed from Manchester United.^[1] He made his debut at the Old Recreation Ground in a 1–0 loss to Coventry City on 16 September, during which there was "persistent barracking" from a section of the crowd. James Smith badly twisted his knee the following week in a goalless draw at Clapton Orient. Three successive wins followed, however, which included a double over promotion-chasing Manchester United with a 2–1 win at Old Trafford and a 1–0 win at home thanks to a Harrison strike.^[1] Harrison suffered a broken ankle in November, though, and the team's form suffered.^[1] The following month, the club spent £100 to bring Tom Butler from Darlaston.^[1] By the end of the calendar year the club were at the top end of the table, however, a loss of form in January despite the return to fitness of Harrison caused them to slip back down the table.^[1]

In February, young Arthur Prince was promoted from the reserves and helped the club go four games unbeaten.^[1] Particularly impressive was the 2–1 win at Derby County on 10 February, which ended the host's run of just over two months without conceding a goal at home. The Valiants remained in erratic form, losing the reverse fixture amid a thunderstorm before suffering a 2–1 defeat at home to relegation-threatened Bradford City. The weather was also held responsible for a 3–1 defeat at Southampton, with the hosts said to be more used to the sea air. The run of losses ended wth a 2–0 victory at league leaders Blackpool on 17 March. The Vale finished out the season on hot and cold spells and ended up narrowly avoiding relegation, securing their safety with a 1–0 win at Barnsley with three games left to play.^[1]

At the end of the season, Vale had made slight progress, having finished on 37 points, improving their tally of the previous two seasons by a single point. Their shocking home record was better only than bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers. Top scorer Tom Butler bagged nine goals in his 26 games, but no other player managed more than four goals. Six players were rarely out of the first XI: goalkeeper Teddy Peers; defenders Peter Pursell and Len Birks; midfielders Ernest Collinge and Jack Hampson; and forward Billy Briscoe. At the end of the season, Billy Harrison joined Welsh club Wrexham, Jack Gordon went back to Scotland to sign with Greenock Morton, Teddy Peers retired, and Billy Briscoe refused a pay-cut and instead signed with nearby Congleton Town.^[1]

Finances were poor as attendances were disappointing, with The Sentinel's "Spectator" commenting that "Port Vale is respected everywhere, except in its own district".^[1] The ongoing Shilling Fund was useful for raising revenue, whilst £1,100 was written off by creditors in a remarkably charitable fashion.^[1] Yet in June 1923, the club was in trouble when former trainer Billy Barr reported Port Vale to the English Football League, accusing the club of having made illegal payments to its players throughout the season.^[1] The club was found guilty and was fined £100, with manager Joe Schofield also picking up a £25 fine.^[1] Three other officials were fined £150 in total, whilst 17 players were each fined £1 each.^[1] This helped the club to report a loss of £2,400 on the season despite their tight spending.^[1] Gate receipts stood at just over £10,000, down almost 50% on 1920–21.^[1]

Vale left the FA Cup at the fifth round of Qualifying after a disappointing 2–0 defeat by Third Division North Wrexham at the Old Recreation Ground.^[1] The end of season North Staffordshire Infirmary Cup Potteries derby bragging rights went to Stoke, which was scant consolation for a club who had just suffered relegation from the First Division.^[1] The match raised £250 for the local hospital.^[2]

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

Specific

General

• Kent, Jeff (1993). The Port Vale Record 1879-1993. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9508981-9-8.