Famous Players – The 1950’s

Stan Turner

 A tough tackling full back, locally born Stan made his debut for the Vale in 1949 and soon established himself in the team managed by Freddie Steele.

He was part of the record breaking “iron curtain defence” along with keeper Ray King, Tommy Cheadle, Reg Potts and a young Roy Sproson that only conceded 21 goals in 46 league games in the 1953-54 season and was narrowly defeated by WBA in the FA Cup semi-final that same season.

Commenting on Turner, Roy Sproson said “Stan was an immaculate reader of the game with a tremendous volley but Stan was also neat around his feet and constructive although, by his very nature, he could frighten a winger to death.”

It was also known that Stan and his fellow full back Reg Potts refused to speak to each other off the pitch even though they were team mates for nearly 8 years during a period of great success for the Vale.