and Roy Sproson was key to the "Valiants" success, missing just ten games between them. Their league record of 21 goals conceded in 46 games is a Football League record that stands today. Just five of these were conceded at Vale Park. Champions of the Southern Division Ipswich Town had the next best defensive record in the Football League with a total of thirty more goals conceded than Vale. The 'no buy, no sell' policy was unsurprisingly continued into 1954–55. They fared poorly, though were some way off relegation. Their weakness in front of goal continued, top scorer Cyril Done managed just thirteen goals, having joined in December 1954 from Tranmere Rovers. The average home attendance of 20,708 is a club record that still stands today. However, having spent almost £7,000 in transfer fees the club barely broke even. The club's youth policy continued into 1955–56. However, in January 1956, the club broke their own transfer record to secure the services of "Spurs" striker and former England international Eddie Baily, at a cost of £7,000. The club finished twelfth, just three points off third place Liverpool. The 1956–57 campaign was a disaster, the club relegated with 22 points in 22nd place. Norman Low replaced Freddie Steele in February 1957, but the team showed little improvement. Cyril Done was the top scorer with a mere nine goals, while the team scored just four goals away from home. The 1957–58 season was unique, as the bottom twelve in both Third Divisions would be relegated to a newly created Fourth Division. Low made many changes of personal, making the team barely recognisable to that of the glory days just a few years earlier. New man Stan Steele rifled in a total of 22 goals, but it was not enough to prevent a 15th-place finish, and therefore a ticket to the new fourth tier. Their first season in this new division was extremely successful, as the club took the title with a club record 110 goals. Normal Low picked out three star players: 'the supreme goalscorer' Graham Barnett, 'the find of the season' Ken Hancock and that 'model of consistency' Stan Steele. With five forwards hitting double figures, a profit being made and the gate receipts increasing, optimism was high in Burslem, especially with the Bycars End terrace work being completed leading to an overall capacity of 50,000. 1959–1969: The Sixties On 9 January