John Poole (footballer, born 1932)

John Poole was born in Stoke-on-Trent on 12 December 1932.[4] After playing for numerous youth teams, including Ashley, Penkhull Youth Club, and Stoke City's youth team, Poole graduated through the Port Vale juniors to sign professional forms in September 1953.[1] He did his national service with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and served in Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia.[5] Manager Freddie Steele handed him his debut on 28 April 1956, in a 3–2 win over Middlesbrough at Vale Park.[1] Remaining as understudy to Ray King, he featured in three Second Division games in the 1956–57 relegation campaign.[1] He played three Third Division South games in 1957–58, as new manager Norman Low recruited former Wales international Keith Jones as the "Valiants" new number one.[1]

Poole did not play in the 1958–59 Fourth Division winning campaign, but had a run of games in the 1959–60 season, including playing in front of a Vale Park record crowd of 49,768 in 2–1 defeat to Aston Villa in the FA Cup.[4][1] He managed to earn the first team goalkeeping spot off Ken Hancock in November 1959, but he lost this position after fracturing his nose in a 6–3 defeat at Mansfield Town on 25 April 1960 – the penultimate game of the season.[1] Manager Norman Low informed Poole's wife with a brief phone call: "Hello, Mrs Poole, Norman Low here. John's in the hospital with a broken nose. The good news is he hasn't fractured his skull. Goodnight!"[6] He played just three Third Division matches in 1960–61, as Hancock firmly established himself as the club's preferred goalkeeper.[1] Poole left on a free transfer in May 1961, and later played for Macclesfield Town and Werrington.[1] Poole retired from playing in 1963.[4]

Poole was a goalkeeper with great anticipation and bravery.[5] He played one game with a broken wrist.[5]

Upon his retirement he became a keen Port Vale fan; he co-founded the club's Ex-Players Association with former teammate Ken Hancock.[7] He worked as a motor mechanic.[5] He married Pat, who was named as Miss Port Vale 1954.[4] He had two sons: Greg and Duncan; and two grandchildren: Reece Poole and Katie Poole. His uncle, Tom Davis, also played for Port Vale in the 1920s.[8] Poole's death was announced by Port Vale on 19 November 2020.[4]

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