Photo Essay: Port Vale’s 1914 team line-up

The background…

This was taken midway through Port Vale’s 1913-14 Central League season. The side would eventually finish in fourth place with Chris Young (top right) top scoring with with a whopping 37 goals. It included seven in one game against Burton Rovers. Young would score 40 times the next season but never played for Vale in the Football League. He would, however, make four appearances for Tottenham Hotspur in the First Division.

Another notable face is Jock Cameron (centre-left) a former Scottish International signed from Chelsea. He would briefly manage the Valiants in 1918. It’s also worth mentioning Joe Brough (bottom centre). He scored 43 times in 1909-10 (a club record) and was a true multi-sports star also competing in cycling and athletics events.

However, probably the most poignant picture is that of Jack Shelton, pictured top left. An ever-present in the 1911-12 season and a regular pick, he was sadly killed in the trenches in 1918 aged just 34. He left behind a wife and two children.