Tommy Cheadle - Vale defender from 1946 - 1957

Tommy Cheadle was that ever more rare commodity in football - the local man who plays for his local team. Tommy was born in James Street, Bucknall in 1919, and played some of his first games for Mossfield Colliery. At the age of 20, he was called up for National Service, and World War Two interrupted his football.

During active service, Tommy was injured by shrapnel, and was sent to a rehabilitation centre - and this was to prove an important departure in his life - because it was at the centre that he met a Physical Training Instructor - Ken Fish ( Port Vale's Assistant then Senior Trainer from 1939 to 1958) who spotted Tommy's gift for football, and advised him to report to Port Vale FC when the War finished. Tommy was also coached by a Physical Training Instructor in Forces matches - one Matt Busby, whose belief in Tommy's ability extended to his securing a trial for Tommy for Liverpool (in a game, coincidentally, against Stoke City!)

After the War, Tommy acted upon the advice of Ken Fish, and was soon 'on parade' at the Old Recreation Ground, in Hanley where he signed up for Port Vale in March 1946, on a basic wage of £8 per week. Tommy's debut for Vale came during the 1945-46 season in a home game against Ipswich where the new centre half  helped Vale to a  4-1 victory. His first goal for Port Vale was in a 2-1 win at home against Southend United, in which Alf Bellis also scored.

Tommy found himself moved to various on - field positions during the following season 1946-47, from centre half, to centre forward (2 games), and a spell at right back(4 games). He managed to score on 3 occasions - one of which was as a centre forward at home vs Norwich (a game which Vale lost 1-3).

During the 1947-48 season, Tommy began at right back for five games, then didn't play first team football until December 20th, when he was back up front for Vale, beginning a spell of 16 consecutive games as a centre forward, scoring 7 goals over a stretch of  7 games.

Tommy was one of the team who played the very first game at Vale Park on August 24th 1950, and after being ever-present in the 1949-50 season, was an established regular in the first season at the new ground.

Tommy made his reputation as a tough tackler, and a difficult, tenacious opponent. He'd been injured during the War, so when he picked up an injury in an away game against Millwall in October 1950, he played on to the end. It later emerged that the back of  a head had hit Tommy in the mouth, and upon arrival back in Burslem, he had to have four teeth extracted. A tough man indeed.

Tommy went on to be a major force in the 'Iron Curtain' defence which, in 1953-54 saw Vale romp home, winning the Division 3 (North) title by 11 points. This, remember, in the days of only two points for a win! Tommy's captaincy was crucial in the Vale conceding only 21 goals in 46 league games. This was the side who swept aside opponents to get to the F.A.Cup semi-final at Villa Park that year. Previous rounds had seen Cup holders Blackpool despatched 2-0 at Vale Park, with the great Stanley Matthews barely getting a kick that day!
It was at Villa Park, though, that what should have been Tommy's crowning glory turned to the bitter taste of defeat. Vale lost 2-1 to West Bromwich Albion, in the most controversial of circumstances. Former Vale star Ronnie Allen scored the winner for Albion from a penalty kick - the penalty having been judged by the referee to have been conceded by Tommy. The referee had been deaf to pleas that the incident had happened outside the box, despite a large divot which was clear on the field some three feet upfield of the penalty box line.

The great Iron Curtain side managed to keep their place in Division Two, but with 17/22 and 12/22 placings the following two seasons, the writing was on the wall. The team grew older, and, as was said by former team members, there was not enough change. Tommy played his final game (his 332nd) for Vale on March 25th 1957. The game was a dreadful debacle, Vale losing 0-6 to Sheffield United, and Tommy scoring a spectacular own goal. Vale were relegated that year, finishing bottom of Division Two. It was a sad end to a great career at Vale for Tommy, spanning a total of 358 league and Cup games.

Tommy moved to Crewe Alexandra in the off-season of 1957, taking up a position as player-coach, but left league football forever two years later.

Tommy didn't seek a managerial job in football, describing it as 'too dodgy an occupation' but moved to Porthill, spending his remaining working years as a postman. He passed away in 1995.

Tommy Cheadle
League Apps: 332Total Apps: 358Goals: 12

Kindly written by supporter Chris Maitland