Many younger fans never saw the legendary 1953-54 Port Vale side. Geoff Ainsworth did. He watched from the sidelines and here’s his review of the squad from that incredible season.
Top image: The Port Vale supporters at the 1954 FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park
About Geoff
Geoff was first taken to see the Valiants by his father in 1946 as the game resumed after the war. His dad and his uncles had become regular fans in 1922. Geoff’s first match was a reserve game as his dad was worried he’d be scared of the crowds. He remembers sitting on the wooden advertising boards at the Old Recreation Ground with other youngsters. Coincidentally, he lived near to Port Vale striker Ronnie Allen’s mother and spent hours trying to catch a sight of the Vale star visiting but to no avail. As a sixteen year-old, Geoff watched the 1953-54 season and was present at the FA Cup semi-final tie pictured above.
About the legendary 1953-54 Iron Curtain side
Known as the “Iron Curtain” for their tremendous defensive qualities, the Port Vale 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 won promotion 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. 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. Read more about them in our dedicated section
Geoff’s player profiles
Ray King (goalkeeper) Ray King (pictured) was a big lad, six foot plus, but he was very good at getting down to shots. It was a pity he couldn’t play in the 1960 cup match at Burslem against Aston Villa due to injury. John Poole had to deputise and he wasn’t 6 foot although he was still a good keeper.
Stan Turner (right-back) Stan wasn’t that tall but he was quite quick for a full-back. His forte was his anticipation in cutting out the pass from the winger he was marking. Not only did he try to get to the ball first but he would try to connect and turn his foot square to the ball. He’d then hit it before it touched the ground and immediately sending it parallel with the touchline straight up to Colin Askey. In one moment, defence was turned into attack before the opposition realised what was happening.
Reg Potts (left-back) Reg was a big barrel chested bloke and very difficult to get round. He was quite safe at left-back.
Albert Mullard (wing-half) Brought from Stoke City, Mullard (pictured) came to us in his thirties in exchange for Alan Martin who they wanted. The price for Martin was too good for us to refuse. Mullard’s forte was his link-up play with Ken Griffiths (our playmaker) although he would do his fair share of defending and would also pop up with a goal or two at times.
Tom Cheadle (centre-half) The great Tom Cheadle, although not quite six foot tall, could quite easily keep all/most opposition centre-forwards bottled up.
Roy Sproson (centre-half) Roy Sproson was brilliant. There are just not enough superlatives to describe what a great player Roy was for the Vale. Lots of people described him as the best uncapped player in the land, whether he was playing alongside Tom Cheadle or as in his later years at left back. He was truly brilliant in everything he did. Many a time the opposition right winger would fancy his chances of beating Roy down the wing and would take him on. Roy would run along side him towards his own goal then suddenly Roy’s left foot would shoot out and he would come away with the ball: the winger would carry on running for a few yards without realising that he had been robbed.
Colin Askey (right winger) An extremely good winger in the Stanley Matthews’ mould. Colin would take on the opposition left backs and nearly always beating them or make enough room for himself to centre a cross to our six foot strikers. After the fifth round FA Cup match when Colin had mesmerised the Cardiff City defence and turned their left-back inside out (we won 2-0 of course) their management came with an blank cheque to the Vale Park with the full intention of taking Colin back to Cardiff. Vale rejected the offer and we had quite a few more good years out of him. A brilliant winger.
Albert Leake (inside right) The silent killer. As has been said many times, nobody knew he was on the pitch until they were picking the ball out of their net. He had the uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time and going about his work mainly unnoticed until it was too late but to do this he was greatly helped by Basil Hayward who I will describe now.
Basil Hayward (centre-forward) Basil (pictured) had come to the Vale as a centre-half but had been converted into a centre-forward by the manager Freddie Steele, himself a renowned forward. This move turned out to be successful because although Basil was not a natural goal scorer, he would cause that much panic and upset in the opposition penalty area with his all action play (arms and legs all over the place ) that one of our other forwards would have a chance to score. To explain further Basil was also a good cricketer playing as a fast bowler for Leek and Staffordshire in the summer and it seemed somehow he had to keep his arms and elbows moving all the time . Many a time the opposition centre-half would come off the pitch at half-time or full-time with his nose bleeding. I can’t think why. A friend who I would go to the matches with would often say “I wonder if Basil has sharpened his elbows up for todays match?”
Ken Griffiths (inside left) A link-up player, combining mainly with Albert Mullard to keep the forwards supplied. A quite intelligent player who would spot very quickly which of the Vale forwards was best placed to receive one of his defence-splitting passes. He would also pop up with one or two goals himself. One of the regrets of that season was that Ken got injured just before the 1954 FA Cup semi-final, so we were not at our best in that match.
Dickie Cunliffe (left winger) Dickie was an out and out straight-forward, dashing winger with a thunderous left foot. He would take the opposition right-back on and beat them for speed or look to see if any team mate was in a better position to receive his cross. Quite often when he did get past the opposition right-back he was cutting in with the sole intention of having a crack at goal.
Our dedicated “Legends of 1954” section
In our special section, we have press clippings, player profiles, interviews and videos of this special Port Vale season.
Before my time, a great read on what was a golden era for the Vale.
A very good article. I too had the privilege of seeing this side having been first taken to Vale Park in 1954 aged 6 years by my father, grandfather and an uncle–all ardent Vale supporters who attended home and away games (my grandfather even watched most reserve games too!) I always remember being gutted not to be able join them all at Villa Park for the semi-final! I too still have that famous programme safely stored for my 4 year old grandson for when he’s old enough to pick up the family Vale-supporting baton, joining my son, both my two brothers and 3 nephews who have all been ‘inculcated’ into keeping the faith!
When I read Geoff Seabridge’s comment I thought I must have written it myself as my experience was exactly the same. Same age, same family party, same programme etc etc. I knew Geoff at school without comparing notes on this with him. My first match was Stockport County who we beat 7-0 and I was hooked. I thought that would be how it ended every time. Good to hear you are still around Geoff and I’ll look for you when we are back…
I saw a good few of the Iron Curtain side’s matches in the 1953-54 season. That was a cracking side without a weak link and rightly viewed as the Club’s best ever season – I would confirm the analysis given at the top of the article. Sproson, Cheadle, Askey, Cunliffe and King were my favourite’s.
I was 9 years old and was able to attend the famous 2-0 victory over FA Cup holders in the 5th Round (early 1954) in front of 42,000. We queued for nearly four hours to get tickets I recall! It was absolutely freezing, but exciting to get them.
My first match was a 1-0 win over Shrewsbury Town in April 1952. Albert Leake was the scorer. Shrewsbury had only just come into the Football League I think.
Another memorable occasion for me, albeit a defeat by Aston Villa, was the FA Cup game(5th round again) in Feb 1960, in front of 49,000-odd. Sproson again, Steele and Poole were key men. The whole ground was rocking. Villa were very classy but the Vale were very close to getting a draw.
You never forget a match you’ve been at, despite them being over 60 years ago – they’re fabulous memories. It’s still the Vale for me – always will be – I hope they get on a good run now, and there’s no reason why Danny Pugh shouldn’t be instrumental.
David Gater