Thanks to OVF reader Paul Rafferty, we have an image of Vale’s crucial FA Cup goal against Leyton Orient – the strike that secured Port Vale’s place in the semi-finals.
This took place during the 1953-54 Iron Curtain season and you can find out more about that at the end of the feature…
About the game…
The Valiants were basking in the glory of their fifth round win over Stanley Matthews’ Blackpool side – but as far as their imperious League form was going, it had suffered a minor blip with two losses from their last four games. Nevertheless, the Vale travelled to London full of hope and expectation. On the 13th March 1954, 8,000 Vale fans travelled down to the South East. The sixth round match was played in front of a crowd of 31,000. The away fans were thrilled to see Albert Leake score the winning goal. The media reported that the team were ‘delightedly mobbed’ by supporters after the finish.
Newspaper clippings
The following clippings were taken from the Sentinel newspaper…
We were also presented with a ticket from the game during our Vale Vaults exhibition. On it is scribbled “lucky old Vale” by the home supporter who used it:
About Port Vale's 1953-54 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. Click the button below for more…
As an 11 year old O’s supporter I was there with my dad and left broken hearted!