Port Vale 1954 FA Cup semi-final: the Sentinel’s preview
Port Vale 1954 FA Cup semi-final: we look at the special Sentinel newspaper produced for the biggest game in Port Vale’s history – the FA Cup semi-final against West Bromwich Albion.
This publication was produced during the famed “Iron Curtain” season of 1953-54 (see the bottom of the article for more information) and celebrated the third division club reaching the FA Cup semi-final stage. The Valiants were on their way to promotion with a team of mainly locally born players and their feared defence had earned them the nickname of the “Iron Curtain”.
Please note: The Sentinel special was produced in the old, broadsheet style and thus is far bigger than the OVF scanner. As a result, several of these pieces have been scanned several times and “stitched” together in Photoshop. As a result there may be some overlapping and difference in light shades, text sharpness etc. There are also some rips and tears in the newspaper as shown in some images (e.g. the headline for “In the Board Room”)
Port Vale 1954 FA Cup semi-final: the Sentinel’s preview
About the 1953-54 Port Vale Iron Curtain side
Known as the “Iron Curtain” for their tremendous defensive qualities, the Port Vale FC side of 1953-54 set numerous club records and are regarded as probably the greatest Port Vale side of all-time.
Managed by Freddie Steele, the side were crowned Third Division North Champions and also reached the FA Cup semi-final where they unluckily lost to West Brom.
Their success was based on a squad of nineteen players, many of whom were locally born. Players included Ray King, Roy Sproson, Tommy Cheadle, Colin Askey, Dickie Cunliffe, Albert Leake and Basil Hayward.
The side set three Football League records including the least number of goals conceded in a season, a club record eleven successive home wins and they were undefeated at home all season.
We have a series of special features, press clippings, images and video about the 1954 Port Vale side