Port Vale 1900-02

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Burslem Port Vale were a typical mid-table side during the first seasons of the new century. There were similar disappointments in the cup competitions as they were knocked out by Stoke in both the Birmingham Senior Cup and a quarter final tie in the Staffordshire Senior Cup during 1900-01 season.

Attendances were also an issue during these seasons with as little as 300 spectators watching the team against Burton Swifts in March 1901 and 100 fans against Blackpool in April 1902. The following season they were knocked out of the local cup competitions at the Semi-final stage by Wolverhampton Wanderers and again Stoke.

By the end of the 1902 campaign things were looking positive as the club managed to turn a profit without the sale of any major players. This upturn in finances caused the directors to loosen their unwritten rule on only recruiting local players.

Around March 1900 the business of Grimwade Bros was incorporated as Grimwades Ltd. It was an Earthenware manufacturer, originally at the Winton Pottery, based on the border of Hanley and Stoke. The partners were Leonard Lumsden Grimwade (the founder) and his brothers Sydney and Edward.

By the end of the decade the business expanded and took over a number of local potteries including: the Stoke Pottery of James Plant, the Upper Hanley Pottery at the Brownfield Works, the Rubian Art Pottery; Heron Cross Pottery and Atlas China Co.

King George V and Queen Mary visited in 1913 and he subsequently granted Grimwade the title ‘Royal’ and they issued a commemorative catalog to celebrate. The brand is particularly associated with Chintzware, chinaware and pottery covered with a dense, all-over pattern of flowers or, less often, other objects.