Famous Players – The 1950’s

Albert Leake

Albert Leake was a legendary inside-forward who was a key part of the 1954 ‘Iron Curtain’ side. He joined the Vale from Stoke City in 1950 and became a first-team regular in 1952.

In the legendary “Iron Curtain” season he scored memorable FA Cup goals against Blackpool and in the semi-final against West Bromwich Albion. He finished that season with nineteen goals as the club won promotion to the second tier of the football league and also reached the semi-final stage of the FA Cup.

Albert was also an ever-present in the 1958-1959 promotion winning team although he failed to find the target during that campaign.

The inside-forward lost his first-team place in 1960 and was transferred to Macclesfield Town in 1961 where he later went on to become their manager for four years.

Albert was also an accomplished cricketer. He played for Staffordshire in the Minor Counties Championship between 1955 and 1960.