| 1969–70 season | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Arthur McPherson (until 3 March) Mark Singer (from 3 March) | |
| Manager | Gordon Lee | |
| Stadium | Vale Park | |
| Football League Fourth Division | 4th (59 Points) | |
| FA Cup | Second Round (knocked out byTranmere Rovers) | |
| League Cup | First Round (knocked out by Tranmere Rovers) | |
| Player of the Year | John Green | |
| Top goalscorer | League:John James (14) All: John James (17) | |
| Highest home attendance | 12,538 vs.Crewe Alexandra, 15 September 1969 | |
| Lowest home attendance | 3,955 vs.York City, 7 February 1970 | |
| Average home league attendance | 6,894 | |
| Biggest win | 4–0 vs.Darlington, 21 March 1970 | |
| Biggest defeat | 0–2 (twice) and 1–3 | |
The1969–70 season wasPort Vale's 58th season of football in theEnglish Football League and their fifth-successive season (sixth overall) in theFourth Division.[1] Under managerGordon Lee, and with Arthur McPherson serving as chairman until March before Mark Singer took over, Vale mounted a sustained promotion challenge — finishing 4th with 59 points and earning promotion back to theThird Division.
The season opened with aclub record unbeaten run of 18 league matches, and after a brief mid‑season dip, Vale regrouped to end with a nine‑game unbeaten run to seal promotion. Lee credited the rise to the fitness, cohesion, and consistency of a remarkably settled squad — ten players made at least 35 league appearances during the campaign. In cup competitions, Vale reached the Second Round of theFA Cup, only to be eliminated byTranmere Rovers after a replay, and exited theLeague Cup in the First Round, also at the hands of Tranmere.
John James led the scoring charts with 14 league goals and 17 in all competitions, whileJohn Green was votedPlayer of the Year for his commanding defensive displays. Attendance figures were encouraging: the highest attendance was 12,538 for the home fixture againstCrewe Alexandra on 15 September 1969, the lowest was 3,955 versusYork City on 7 February 1970, and the average league gate stood at 6,894 fans per match.
Overall, the 1969–70 season represented a major turnaround — transforming Vale from a struggling Fourth Division outfit into promotion winners, powered by strong leadership under Gordon Lee, squad stability, and on-field consistency.
In the pre-season, there were talks of bringingspeedway toVale Park, introducing a new team to theBritish League Division Two.[1] However, many were opposed to the idea, and a 2,600 strongpetition was given to local MPJohn Forrester.[1] The idea was killed when the council failed to grantplanning permission, despite a 3,000 strong petition in favour of the proposal.[1] The club had hoped to profit from the venture; however, many locals were concerned about noise pollution.[1]Gordon Lee meanwhile had little in the way of funds when it came to signing new players, and so he was only able to bring in three new attackers onfree transfers: 22-year-old centre-forwardKen Wookey (Newport County); outside-rightStuart Shaw (Southport); and lively frontrunnerEric Magee (Oldham Athletic).[1]
They continued from their unbeaten result at the end of the previous season to make aclub-record unbeaten sequence of ten away games and 19 games home and away (5 May to 8 November). Five of these results were goalless draws, as the defence proved stronger than the attack following the departure of top-scorerRoy Chapman at the end of the previous season.[1] The season began with a 0–0 draw at home withPeterborough United, during which Posh had a man sent off on the 31st-minute. Nevertheless, the run put them at the top of the table. Lee credited his team's hard work and fitness.[1]John James played on despite an injured ankle,Mick Morris found himself a permanent fixture as an energetic utility man, whilstTommy McLaren also worked his way into thefirst XI.[1] The defence conceded just six goals in the opening 15 league games. The run included a 1–0 win overChesterfield atSaltergate, a 2–0 win over nearbyCrewe Alexandra in front of a season-bestBurslem crowd of 12,538, and a 'war of attrition' in a 1–1 draw 'full of ugly incidents' withWrexham at theRacecourse Ground in front of a crowd of 19,946.[1] YoungTommy McLaren established himself in thefirst XI, replacing Eric Magee. On 11 October, Vale ended fourth-placedYork City's 100% home record by beating them by a goal to nil. A 0–0 draw withSwansea City was played out a week later, withJohn King featuring despite a bout ofchickenpox.[1]
Some 5,000 Vale supporters had travelled to Wrexham on aBritish Rail 'Soccer Special' to witness the top-of-the-table clash, and saw twored cards as Wrexham'sSteve Ingle and Vale's John James were bothsent off.[2] Their 22 November fixture at theOld Showground withScunthorpe United could have seen the Vale equal their best start to an English League season in the 20th century.[1] After a Wookey goal put them ahead they lost after a disputedpenalty and a bizarreown goal fromRoy Sproson.[1] Meanwhile, Vale could not afford the £500 registration fee forIan Buxton following the player's departure fromNotts County. So the club could only sign him for an initial three-month period.[1] They returned to the summit with a 1–1 draw atChester on 20 December.[1]
Injuries and suspensions helped to dent the Vale's form, as they lost their status as league leaders.[1] On 17 January, Sproson made his 800th senior appearance in a 2–0 victory overExeter City.[1] Only 3,955 turned up at Vale Park to witness a 1–1 draw withYork City on 7 February. In an attempt to lift the club, Lee signed wing-halfTony Lacey onloan fromStoke City, and also boughtBill Summerscales fromLeek Town for £400.[1] Heading into a six-game unbeaten run, Lee signed Buxton permanently despite the player's decision to retire at the end of the season.[1] On 21 February, Vale defeatedBradford (Park Avenue) in "wretched conditions" by four goals to one, with James scoring a hat-trick.[3] On 28 February, Vale held promotion rivals Swansea City to a goalless draw atVetch Field.
In March, Chairman Arthur McPherson pleaded guilty to receiving stolen goods and was sentenced to an 18-month suspended sentence and fined £1,500.[1] Resigning his position at the club, he was replaced by Mark Singer.[1] On 9 March, the match againstHartlepool had to be suspended for five minutes after Vale fans continually pelted the opposition keeper with snowballs.[1] On 21 March, Lee named an unchanged side for the eighth successive game as Vale recorded a 4–0 home victory overDarlington, with all four goals coming in the last half hour.[4] Signing Lacey permanently for £2,500, andSammy Morgan on a free fromGorleston, Vale were in a close battle forpromotion.[1] A 4–0 win overDarlington came on 21 March despite Vale Park attendants giving slow claps with the game goalless after an hour. The unbeaten home record fell two days later with a 2–0 defeat toScunthorpe United.[1]
On 1 April, Vale returned to form with a 1–0 win over fourth-placed Wrexham, though a supporter was knocked unconscious after confronting goalkeeperDavid Gaskell. On 8 April, Vale came away fromNotts County with a 2–1 victory after coming from a goal down, as Buxton concluded his time with the club with the winning goal three minutes from time.[5] Unbeaten in their final nine games, they secured promotion with whatThe Sentinel's Peter Hewitt called a 'blockade formula' – they conceded just four goals in this run.[1]
They finished in fourth place with 59 points, three points clear of fifth place. His side promoted, Lee said that 'no team could have deserved reward as much for their hard work and strength of character'.[1] With 33 goals conceded, only Chesterfield conceded fewer.[1] Only 17 players were used all season, whilst eight barely missed a game between them.[1] On 31 May, they played aPotteries derbyfriendly withFirst Division Stoke and won 3–2 at the Victoria Ground.[1] Roy Sproson was named Gillette Sportsman of the Year.[1]
On the financial side, a loss of £3,003 was made despite fundraising donations of £17,925.[1] Gate receipts were up by over £13,000 as home attendances were encouraging. However, expenditure had increased, and there was a transfer deficit of £2,900.[1] Six players were let go at the season's end, including Ken Wookey (Workington); Stuart Shaw (Morecambe); Eric Magee (Linfield);Stuart Chapman (Stafford Rangers); andGordon Logan (Kettering Town).[1]
In theFA Cup, they had to overcomeNorthern Premier League sideWigan Athletic on a very heavySpringfield Park pitch, but could only manage a 1–1 draw.[1] After a 2–2 draw back inStoke-on-Trent, the secondreplay was held atOld Trafford,Manchester.[1] James scored two minutes from the end ofextra time to finally kill off the non-Leaguers.[1] After a 3–1 defeat atPrenton Park toTranmere Rovers in a replay, the Vale were out of the competition with a profit of £5,000 from their five games.[1]
In theLeague Cup, a first-round exit came courtesy ofThird Division Tranmere Rovers at Vale Park.[1]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GAv | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Wrexham(P) | 46 | 26 | 9 | 11 | 84 | 49 | 1.714 | 61 | Promotion to theThird Division |
| 3 | Swansea City(P) | 46 | 21 | 18 | 7 | 66 | 45 | 1.467 | 60 | |
| 4 | Port Vale(P) | 46 | 20 | 19 | 7 | 61 | 33 | 1.848 | 59 | |
| 5 | Brentford | 46 | 20 | 16 | 10 | 58 | 39 | 1.487 | 56 | |
| 6 | Aldershot | 46 | 20 | 13 | 13 | 78 | 65 | 1.200 | 53 | Qualified for theWatney Cup[a] |
| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | H | A | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | H | A | A | A | H | A | A | H | H | H | A | A | H | A | H | H | H | A | A | H | H | A | A | H | A | H |
| Result | D | W | W | D | D | W | W | W | W | W | D | D | D | W | D | D | W | W | L | W | W | D | L | L | W | L | L | D | W | W | D | D | W | L | D | W | L | W | D | W | D | W | D | D | D | D |
| Position | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Points | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 44 | 44 | 45 | 47 | 47 | 49 | 50 | 52 | 53 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 |
| 9 August 19691 | Port Vale | 0–0 | Peterborough United | Burslem |
| Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 5,453 Referee: W. Hall |
| 16 August 19692 | Chesterfield | 0–1 | Port Vale | Chesterfield, Derbyshire |
| Report | Sproson | Stadium:Saltergate Attendance: 5,062 |
| 23 August 19693 | Port Vale | 4–1 | Northampton Town | Burslem |
| 15:00BST | Green Wookey Gough Magee | Report | Felton | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 4,809 |
| 27 August 19694 | Lincoln City | 0–0 | Port Vale | Lincoln |
| Report | Stadium:Sincil Bank Attendance: 6,865 |
| 30 August 19695 | Colchester United | 0–0 | Port Vale | Colchester |
| Report | Stadium:Layer Road Attendance: 6,323 Referee: J Quinn |
| 6 September 19696 | Port Vale | 3–0 | Chester | Burslem |
| James Wookey Green | Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 6,874 |
| 13 September 19697 | Oldham Athletic | 2–3 | Port Vale | Oldham |
| Report | Gough Logan James | Stadium:Boundary Park Attendance: 5,777 |
| 15 September 19698 | Port Vale | 2–0 | Crewe Alexandra | Burslem |
| James Morris | Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 12,538 |
| 20 September 19699 | Port Vale | 1–0 | Grimsby Town | Burslem |
| James (pen.) | Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 8,787 |
| 27 September 196910 | Exeter City | 1–2 | Port Vale | Exeter |
| Report | Green McLaren | Stadium:St James Park Attendance: 5,503 Referee: K.W.Sutcliffe Assistant referees: J.R.Davies, G.D.Helier |
| 29 September 196911 | Southend United | 1–1 | Port Vale | Southend-on-Sea |
| Report | James | Stadium:Roots Hall Attendance: 7,704 |
| 4 October 196912 | Port Vale | 0–0 | Aldershot | Burslem |
| Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 8,858 |
| 6 October 196913 | Port Vale | 1–1 | Chesterfield | Burslem |
| Wookey | Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 9,506 |
| 11 October 196914 | York City | 0–1 | Port Vale | York |
| Report | Gough | Stadium:Bootham Crescent Attendance: 7,195 |
| 18 October 196915 | Port Vale | 0–0 | Swansea City | Burslem |
| Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 7,195 |
| 25 October 196916 | Wrexham | 1–1 | Port Vale | Wrexham |
| 15:15BST | Smith 55' | Report | McLaren 38' | Stadium:Racecourse Ground Attendance: 19,946 Referee: P.R. Walters Assistant referees: W.A. Rainex, F. Warburton |
| 1 November 196917 | Port Vale | 3–1 | Newport County | Burslem |
| Sproson Boulton | Report | Smith | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 7,477 |
| 8 November 196918 | Bradford (Park Avenue) | 1–2 | Port Vale | Bradford |
| Report | (og.) Boulton | Stadium:Park Avenue Attendance: 3,498 |
| 22 November 196919 | Scunthorpe United | 2–1 | Port Vale | Scunthorpe |
| Report | Wookey | Stadium:Old Show Ground Attendance: 5,750 |
| 29 November 196920 | Port Vale | 3–1 | Workington | Burslem |
| James Sproson | Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 4,891 |
| 13 December 196921 | Port Vale | 1–0 | Oldham Athletic | Burslem |
| Buxton | Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 5,387 |
| 20 December 196922 | Chester | 1–1 | Port Vale | Chester |
| Provan | Report | McLaren | Stadium:Sealand Road Attendance: 5,235 |
| 26 December 196923 | Northampton Town | 2–0 | Port Vale | Northampton |
| 15:00BST | F.Rankmore | Report | Stadium:County Cricket Ground Attendance: 7,522 |
| 10 January 197024 | Grimsby Town | 2–0 | Port Vale | Cleethorpes |
| Report | Stadium:Blundell Park Attendance: 4,654 |
| 17 January 197025 | Port Vale | 2–0 | Exeter City | Burslem |
| (og.) James | Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 4,633 Referee: L.R.Sinkins |
| 24 January 197026 | Brentford | 1–0 | Port Vale | Brentford,West London |
| Boulton (og.) | Report | Stadium:Griffin Park Attendance: 8,661 |
| 31 January 197027 | Aldershot | 2–0 | Port Vale | Aldershot |
| Report | Stadium:Recreation Ground Attendance: 6,858 |
| 7 February 197028 | Port Vale | 1–1 | York City | Burslem |
| Gough | Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 3,955 |
| 21 February 197029 | Port Vale | 4–1 | Bradford (Park Avenue) | Burslem |
| James Boulton | Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 4,416 |
| 23 February 197030 | Port Vale | 3–0 | Southend United | Burslem |
| Gough James | Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 6,333 |
| 28 February 197031 | Swansea City | 0–0 | Port Vale | Swansea |
| Report | Stadium:Vetch Field Attendance: 6,576 |
| 2 March 197032 | Darlington | 2–2 | Port Vale | Darlington |
| Report | Boulton James | Stadium:Feethams Attendance: 2,152 |
| 9 March 197033 | Port Vale | 3–0 | Hartlepool | Burslem |
| Boulton 47',50' Lacey 81' | Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 5,456 Referee: D Laing |
| 14 March 197034 | Workington | 3–2 | Port Vale | Workington |
| Report | Buxton Gough | Stadium:Borough Park Attendance: 2,047 |
| 16 March 197035 | Port Vale | 0–0 | Brentford | Burslem |
| Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 7,944 |
| 21 March 197036 | Port Vale | 4–0 | Darlington | Burslem |
| Buxton Green Gough | Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 4,717 |
| 23 March 197037 | Port Vale | 1–2 | Scunthorpe United | Burslem |
| Gough | Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 6,394 |
| 28 March 197038 | Hartlepool | 0–2 | Port Vale | Hartlepool |
| Report | Morris 4' Buxton 65' | Stadium:Victoria Park Attendance: 2,227 Referee: HW Ellis |
| 30 March 197039 | Newport County | 1–1 | Port Vale | Newport, Wales |
| Wood | Report | Morgan | Stadium:Somerton Park Attendance: 2,218 |
| 1 April 197040 | Port Vale | 1–0 | Wrexham | Burslem |
| 19:30BST | James 37' (pen.) | Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 10,954 Referee: K.H. Burns Assistant referees: D.L. Stanton, P. Totney |
| 4 April 197041 | Port Vale | 0–0 | Lincoln City | Burslem |
| Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 7,414 |
| 8 April 197042 | Notts County | 1–2 | Port Vale | Nottingham |
| Report | Sproson Buxton | Stadium:Meadow Lane Attendance: 5,010 |
| 15 April 197043 | Crewe Alexandra | 0–0 | Port Vale | Crewe |
| Report | Stadium:Gresty Road Attendance: 7,155 |
| 18 April 197044 | Port Vale | 1–1 | Notts County | Burslem |
| Morris | Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 8,042 |
| 22 April 197045 | Peterborough United | 0–0 | Port Vale | Peterborough |
| Report | Stadium:London Road Stadium Attendance: 3,844 Referee: D. Lyden |
| 25 April 197046 | Port Vale | 1–1 | Colchester United | Burslem |
| McLaren 38' | Report | Dyson 75' | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 5,626 Referee: W Wallace |
| 15 November 1969R1 | Wigan Athletic | 1–1 | Port Vale | Wigan |
| Sutherland | Report | James | Stadium:Springfield Park Attendance: 12,622 |
| 18 November 1969Replay | Port Vale | 2–2 (a.e.t.) | Wigan Athletic | Burslem |
| McLaren Sproson | Report | Fleming Fielding | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 9,703 |
| 24 November 1969Replay | Port Vale | 1–0 (a.e.t.) | Wigan Athletic | Manchester |
| James | Report | Stadium:Old Trafford Attendance: 16,453 |
| 6 December 1969R2 | Port Vale | 2–2 | Tranmere Rovers | Burslem |
| James Green | Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 6,883 |
| 8 December 1969Replay | Tranmere Rovers | 3–1 | Port Vale | Prenton |
| Report | Magee | Stadium:Prenton Park Attendance: 7,156 |
| 13 August 1969R1 | Port Vale | 0–1 | Tranmere Rovers | Burslem |
| Report | Stadium:Vale Park Attendance: 4,955 |
| Pos. | Name | Football League | FA Cup | League Cup | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| GK |  Keith Ball | 46 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 0 |
| DF | Roy Sproson | 46 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 6 |
| DF | Clint Boulton | 46 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 6 |
| DF |  Ron Wilson | 46 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 0 |
| DF | Gordon Logan | 9 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 |
| DF | Bill Summerscales | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| MF | Stuart Chapman | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| MF | Tommy McLaren | 35 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 5 |
| MF | John Green | 46 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 52 | 5 |
| MF | John King | 35 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 0 |
| MF | Tony Lacey | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 1 |
| MF | Stuart Shaw | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| MF | Howard Moore | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FW | John James | 43 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 48 | 17 |
| FW | Mick Morris | 45 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 3 |
| FW | Bobby Gough | 45 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 48 | 9 |
| FW | Ian Buxton | 18 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 6 |
| FW |  Ken Wookey | 24 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 29 | 4 |
| FW |  Sammy Morgan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| FW | Eric Magee | 18 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 2 |
| Place | Position | Nation | Name | Fourth Division | FA Cup | League Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FW | England | John James | 14 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
| 2 | FW | England | Bobby Gough | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| 3 | FW | England | Ian Buxton | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| – | DF | England | Clint Boulton | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| – | DF | England | Roy Sproson | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| 6 | MF | England | John Green | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| – | MF | Scotland | Tommy McLaren | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 8 | FW | Wales | Ken Wookey | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 9 | FW | England | Mick Morris | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 10 | FW | Northern Ireland | Eric Magee | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 11 | FW | Northern Ireland | Sammy Morgan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | MF | England | Tony Lacey | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | DF | Scotland | Gordon Logan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | – | – | Own goals | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| TOTALS | 61 | 7 | 0 | 68 | |||
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 1969 | MF | | Stuart Shaw | Southport | Free transfer | [7] |
| July 1969 | FW | | Eric Magee | Oldham Athletic | Free transfer | [7] |
| July 1969 | FW | | Ken Wookey | Newport County | Free transfer | [7] |
| December 1969 | FW | | Ian Buxton | Notts County | £500 | [7] |
| January 1970 | FW | | Sammy Morgan | Gorleston | Free transfer | [7] |
| February 1970 | DF | | Bill Summerscales | Leek Town | £400 | [7] |
| April 1970 | MF | | Tony Lacey | Stoke City | £2,500 | [7] |
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1970 | MF | | Malcolm Bailey | Northwich Victoria | Free transfer | [7] |
| May 1970 | DF | | Gordon Logan | Kettering Town | Free transfer | [7] |
| May 1970 | FW | | Eric Magee | Linfield | Free transfer | [7] |
| May 1970 | MF | | Stuart Shaw | Morecambe | Free transfer | [7] |
| May 1970 | FW | | Ken Wookey | Workington | Free transfer | [7] |
| Summer 1970 | FW | | Ian Buxton | Ilkeston Town | Retired | [7] |
| Summer 1970 | MF | | Stuart Chapman | Stafford Rangers | Free transfer | [7] |
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Date to | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 1970 | MF | | Tony Lacey | Stoke City | April 1970 | [7] |
