Port Vale 1921-22

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Other than older cricket tops, the first evidence there is of a club crest being worn on the players’ football shirts was in 1921. A black Staffordshire knot with the initials PVFC was embroidered on the classic white top.

The Vale struggled this campaign due to prolific goalscorer Bobby Blood moving to Midland’s rivals West Bromich Albion in Division 1 the previous season. Tom Page was top scorer throughout the season scoring 10 goals in 39 games. He was the first player to score in a Potteries Derby against Stoke City in a 2-1 victory at The Old Recreation Ground in the 1920-21season.

Goalkeeper Teddy Peers turned out for Wales and became the first player to earn an international cap whilst on the books of Port Vale.

In 1921 Harry F. Wood succeeded his father, Thomas F. Wood, as the chairman of Wood & Sons Ltd. First established in 1865 by Absalom Wood and his son Thomas, under Harry’s leadership the company became a prolific and successful pottery manufacturer across the Mother Town.

They produced earthenware at the Trent, New Wharf and Stanley Potteries, Burslem for the middle market. Associated companies included H. J. Wood Ltd (at the Alexandra Pottery, Burslem), Bursley Ltd (later renamed Susie Cooper Pottery Co. Ltd, at the Crown Pottery, Burslem) and the Ellgreave Pottery Co. Ltd (Ellgreave St, Burslem). Trade names included ‘Wood’s Ware’, ‘Bursley Ware’, ‘Woods Ivory Ware’ and ‘Ivorine China’. Ivorine China was the name of Wood’s fine, thinly potted earthenware.

The business went into receivership in December 1981 and was sold to members of the Yorke family (some of whom were Board members of the failed company). Under its new owners the business traded as Wood & Sons (1982) Ltd until its closure in 1995.