Famous Players – The 1960’s

Ken Hancock

Locally born goalkeeper Ken Hancock joined the Vale as an amateur in November 1958 after being approached by coach Lol Hamlett. He signed a professional contract shortly afterwards, making his debut for the Vale in December that year. He then played in the remaining 24 games of the 1958/59 season as Vale won the inaugural Division Four title.

Ken lost his first-team place in 1959 due to injury and this meant that he missed the FA Cup tie against Aston Villa in front of the Vale Park record crowd of over 49,000.

Ken went on to keep goal 47 times in the 1960/61 campaign and was an ever-present during the 1962/63 season, as Vale finished one place and four points shy of the promotion places. He then played 50 games in the 1963/64 campaign including the FA Cup games against Liverpool, keeping a clean sheet at Anfield before the Vale lost the replay at home 2-1. He was sold to Ipswich Town for a £10,000 fee in December 1964.

Ken also played for Tottenham, Bury and non-league clubs Nantwich Town and Stafford Rangers prior to retirement in 1975. He later co-founded Port Vale’s Ex-Players Association with former teammate John Poole.

Ken died in April 2025 aged 87.