1979–80 Port Vale F.C. season

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Port Vale 1979–80 season

Port Vale's 1979–80 season in the Fourth Division was one of upheaval and poor results. The club started with six straight league defeats, and manager Dennis Butler was dismissed early on. Alan Bloor took over as caretaker manager on 30 August and then became the permanent boss by the end of September. In December, Bill Bentley served briefly as caretaker before John McGrath, with John Rudge as his assistant, took charge in December.

On the field, Vale finished 20th in the league with 36 points, their lowest league placing at the time. They failed to make a cup run, being knocked out in the First Round of the FA Cup by Doncaster Rovers and losing to Tranmere Rovers in the League Cup. Neville Chamberlain was the club’s top scorer with 11 goals in all competitions, while Kenny Beech earned the Player of the Year award after contributing four goals in 49 appearances.

Attendances were modest, averaging 3,462 at Vale Park. The highest gate was 6,756 for a match against Walsall on 8 March 1980, and the lowest was 2,338 for Doncaster Rovers on 3 May 1980. The season featured a notable 7–1 defeat at Huddersfield Town, one of Vale’s heaviest losses in that era, and a 5–0 win over Northampton Town as one of the few bright spots.

Off the pitch, the club suffered a heavy financial loss of £82,069, with chairman Arthur McPherson calling the season probably the worst in Vale’s history. There were also disciplinary problems and a trial of shirt sponsorship, becoming the first Fourth Division club to agree a sponsor (TI Creda) during the year. By season’s end, several players left, including Bernie Wright and Bill Bentley, with a number of new signings and loans sought to refresh the squad.

Vale finished just above Hereford United in the re-election zone, thanks to Hereford’s failure to win their final game. The season left the club facing a difficult financial and sporting outlook, marred by instability and a struggle to regain form.