The 1970’s – Disillusion and Recession
For many people the 70’s was a decade of disillusionment. Following the heady idealistic 60’s, the ugly face of terrorism became evident and hijacks and hostages became the news stories of the day. The US withdrew from Vietnam and this was quickly followed by the Watergate scandal which swept Nixon from the White House in the first ever US presidential resignation.
Meanwhile the economies of the Western World slid into recession. At home it was the 3 day week followed by the “winter of discontent” and countless strikes that almost brought the country to its knees. The decade finished with Margaret Thatcher becoming the first woman Prime Minister in the UK.
Port Vale mirrored the general despondency of the decade which started so brightly with promotion under Gordon Lee but ended with a return to the fourth tier once again.
Locally the long awaited Potteries ‘D-road’ was opened, although financial constraints meant that two of the intersections were built as roundabouts.
Port Vale 1973-74
Gordon Lee (centre) was the manager of Port Vale in the early seventies. He went on to manage Blackburn, Newcastle and Everton.
Centenary Match programme
Port Vale celebrated its Centenary in 1976 with a match against local rivals Stoke City.
Port Vale v Stoke City, April 1976
Peter Shilton and Alan Bloor of Stoke watch as a header from Colin Tartt of Port Vale goes narrowly wide in the Centenary game.
Vale Park in the 1970’s
Inspecting a waterlogged pitch.
“The ground in the 1970’s was a bit of a pigsty. The seating was poor and there were lots of open terraces, so when it rained you got wet. Now there are wonderful stands all around – its been a fantastic transformation.”
Crowd Trouble
Crowd trouble became an increasing problem during the 1970’s
Dog on the pitch
Derek Brownbill of Port Vale jumps for the ball with the Swindon Town goalkeeper as a stray dog runs onto the pitch.