to take up the vacant management position at Swindon Town, leaving his replacement Dennis Butler to take over the reins at Vale. Forward Bernie Wright came in from Bradford City for £9,000. In August the club broke their transfer record for Wolves midfielder Ken Todd, paying £37,000 for a youngster with just five league appearances to his name. John Frogatt was sold for £8,000, Terry Bailey for £2,000 and Mick Moore for £2,000. Ken Beamish also was sold to Bury for £35,000, whereas Vale bought his teammate Gerry Keenan for £15,000. £8,000 was also spent on Irishman Felix Healy. In late October the club received a record £55,000 from Leicester City for John Ridley. Another club record was set when £40,000 was spent on Bury's Peter Farrell. The new signings did not bed down well, the fans were restless and Butler retaliated by calling them 'a bunch of yobbos'. The club recorded a loss of £52,000 in the hectic season, wages being doubled from £113,000 to £259,000 and the club's liabilities were now at £187,000. The club chairman stood down and was replaced by Arthur McPherson. The 1979–80 season started with six straight defeats, including an early exit from the League Cup. Poor discipline also resulted in a £500 fine from the FA. Dennis Butler's short reign came to an end and Alan Bloor was made caretaker manager. In an attempt to shake things up he dropped Bernie Wright in favour of young Neville Chamberlain. A satisfactory upturn in fortunes saw Bloor handed the management position on a permanent basis. In December, the club became the first in their division to strike a shirt sponsorship deal– with T.I.Creda. However Bloor resigned, saying he 'did not have what it takes', reserve coach Gordon Banks was also dismissed. John McGrath was given the top job, and appointed Torquay United coach John Rudge as his number two. To battle against indiscipline in the squad McGrath issued two fines in his first fortnight. In February he transfer listed fifteen players. At the end of the season the club narrowly avoided facing re-election and a loss of £82,069 was reported. Their 20th-place finish in the Fourth Division (88th overall) was the club's worst ever finish. However local rivals Crewe Alex were three places below them, giving the supporters some small comfort. Despite a massive clear-out, only two new signings were made in preparation for 1980–81;