Famous Players – The 1960’s

Harry Poole

Harry Poole was a locally born player who became the second-highest appearance maker for the Vale. He signed as a professional and made his debut in 1956 and scored his first goal for the club in November that year.

He soon became a key player for the club at right wing-half (midfield) and was a member of the 1958-1959 promotion winning side. The performances he gave in his 54 games of the 1960-61 season led The Sentinel’s Jon Abberley to describe Poole as “one of the best wing-halves ever produced in the Potteries”.

Poole was famed for his swerving free-kicks with Roy Sproson commenting that Poole “specialised in bending the ball round the defensive wall from free-kicks long before this became fashion.”

During his career, the Vale rejected bids from Bolton and Spurs for Poole’s services. He eventually left in 1968 after 15 years service, although he demonstrated loyalty to the club by continuing to support them at home games until he was well into his 80’s.