Port Vale 1892-96

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1892 was Burslem Port Vale’s first season of football in the English Football League. They were founding members of the Football League Second Division. The first few seasons were certainly a learning curve and struggle in what was becoming the second tier of the strongest league in the world.

The first season saw their biggest league defeat in the club’s history, a 0 – 10 home defeat by Sheffield United in December. This is still a Football League record for a home loss. However the following season saw the Vale win their opening seven league games, eight including the final game from the previous season. The winning streak is still a club record…

Bourne & Leigh was established in 1892 Orme Street at the former Albion Pottery (later Leighton Pottery) in Burslem now part of the current Steelite International site in Middleport. This now includes the former Dale Hall Pottery and Dale Hall Works. Bourne & Leigh produced earthenware in a variety of patterns and designs, some of which included: Ophir, Loraine, Mayflower Brown (& Blue), Blue Willow Scalloped (& Smooth), Florian, Etruria Blue and Solent.

They were in business for nearly fifty years until 1941 and did not reopen after the wartime concentration scheme. Production during this time for pottery firms was significantly reduced in order to save materials, energy and labour as these were needed elsewhere for the war effort. After the end of World War II, the company continued as Leighton Pottery Ltd until the mid 1950’s.