Five of the best – Port Vale defenders of the 1920s
We’ve cheated a little (and you’ll see why) but here are the six names of Port Vale’s outstanding defenders from the 1920s?
Jack Maddock
A locally born defender, Maddock’s determination to make the grade means he deserves his place on this list. Maddock had suffered an injury which doctors insisted meant he could never play the game again. Undaunted, Maddock paid 75 guineas of his own money for an operation which thankfully was a success. After a successful trial with Port Vale in 1923 he then went on to play for the club for the next eight years making 182 appearances. He was also a member of the 1929-30 Port Vale promotion side.
Appearances: 182 games
Len Birks
A regular for the Valiants in the early part of the decade, Birks went on to have a lengthy career in the top-flight. Born in Fenton, he first played for Vale in 1920 and was a near ever-present until he was sold to Sheffield United for ‘a substantial sum’ in October 1924. At the time, United was arguably the top club in the country but Birks unfortunately missed out on an FA Cup winner’s medal as he didn’t make the starting eleven for the final. Nevertheless, Birks went on to make over 200 top-flight appearances and finished his playing career with almost 400 senior appearances.
Appearances: 102 games
Jimmy Oakes
Jimmy Oakes earned a reputation during his career as one of England’s finest uncapped defenders. Born in Hartshill, he joined the Valiants in 1923. He rapidly became one of the first names on the team sheet and even scored an amazing goal from within his own half in one match. His form was attracting other club’s attention and in an interesting twist, after Vale’s game with Charlton Athletic was abandoned, he was signed by the opponents and appeared in their side for the rearranged fixure. Oakes was renowned for his fair play and was picked in a Football League XI which played a friendly against the then England side in 1929.
Appearances: 306 games
Tom Cooper
Tom Cooper could have been a footballing superstar but sadly his story is a tragic tale. Born locally, the defender was snapped up for a bargain £20 in 1924. He was an immediate success and just two years later he was sold to top-fligt Derby County for £2,500 – a remarkable profit for the Valiants. Three years after his Vale debut, he was capped by England and then secured a £7,500 move to Liverpool in 1934. He was sadly affected by injuries which restricted his England tally to just fifteen caps. When World War Two started, Cooper signed up as a despatch rider but tragically he lost his life in 1940 following a motorcycle accident. He was just 36 years of age.
Appearances: 33 games
Peter and Bob Pursell
So, we’ve cheated a little at the top of our list but there is a reason. We think it’s reasonable to put brothers Peter and Bob Pursell together in our list. The pair joined the Valiants when it was fashionable for Scottish players to move south in search of a club. Former Scottish International Peter (pictured) was first to join, arriving in 1919 and a year later he persuaded his brother Bob to arrive too. The pair were in tandem during the 1920-21 season and again the following season when the pair hit their peak. Their form was such that the side recorded a club record seven consecutive clean sheets. The brothers were so good, it was reported that Vale keeper Teddy Peers spent much of the game chatting to the supporters. Peers certainly benefitted from the pair’s form as he was called up by Wales to become the club’s first International player. The run came to an end when Bob suffered a serious injury and was forced to retire to April 1922. However, Peter continued to play for the club until 1924.
Appearances: 167 games (Peter) / 68 games (Bob)
Top image: Tom Cooper