The 1903–04 season was Burslem Port Vale's sixth consecutive season (tenth overall) of football in the English Football League.[1] The club went the whole season without recording an away win, part of a club record 29 away games without victory. With the new rule of the direct free kick introduced, Arthur Rowley also wrote himself into the history books by becoming the first player to score from a free kick.[1]
The first team was firmly established, and the players had been together for years. The financial crisis that loomed over the club was held at bay by an FA Cup run and by selling a promising young winger.
Bert Eardley, in his fifth season with the club, was a key first-team member.Ageing Winger Billy Heames was still a key threat.George Price was at the heart of the Vale team, as he remained throughout his career.Top scorer, and Valeite legend, Adrian Capes.Right-back Ernest Mullineux played 40 games for the club in all competitions.Half-back Harry Croxton become crucial to the spine of the team.
Overview
Second Division
A rather quiet pre-season saw no major signings or departures, and hopes were built of an improvement on last season's ninth-place finish.[1]
The first game of the season was on 7 September 1903 against Bolton Wanderers, where Arthur Rowley wrote himself into the history books by becoming the first player to score from a direct free kick.[1] Five days later, the Vale beat Manchester United 1–0, and their season got going – albeit very slowly.[1] Four games later, they found their second victory – against new boys Bradford City; however, by October, they had racked up just five points from their opening eight games.[1] A seven-game unbeaten run saw them surge up the table towards the end of 1903. This run ended at Gainsborough Trinity but could be justified because they had played three games in four days.[1] They went on to muster just one point from seven games to find themselves in the danger zone as players looked towards their promising cup run rather than the league itself.[1] An inconsistent end to the season followed, though picking up points from eight of their last twelve games was enough to ensure safety.[1] On the final game of the season 20,000 Woolwich Arsenal fans turned up to watch their team claim the championship, however, the "Valeites" hung on for a draw, with Harry Cotton in remarkable form. A goalless draw was enough to hand the league title to Preston North End.[1] Port Vale were one of only two teams to take a point home from London that season. This was even more surprising, considering that Vale went the whole season without recording an away win and had to rely entirely on their home form to stay in the league. They finished two points ahead of the re-election zones and were twenty points shy of promotion.
Again, attendances were disappointing, and to improve the financial outlook, players were sold as early as October, when a highly promising Tom Coxon signed to nearby Stoke for £200.[1] Their FA Cup clash at Southampton saw them rake in a £491 share of gate receipts.[1] A loss of £39 was recorded on the season, and rising wages and falling gate receipts were offset only by the income from transfers and cup runs.[1] Recognizing this, the directors insisted that a controversial policy of selling on players had to be adopted.[1]
Cup competitions
In September, three-goal margins eliminated the club in both county cup competitions by Stoke.[1] The "Valeites" found rather more success in the FA Cup, though had to win four matches to reach the First Round, at which point they were eliminated by Southampton of the Southern Football League. On the way, they racked up a 6–0 home win over Stockport County in the fourth qualification round replay.
^ abcdefghijklmnopKent, Jeff (1990). "The Hopeless Struggle (1898-1907)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 50–70. ISBN0-9508981-4-7.
