Harry Poole

Henry Poole (31 January 1935 – 25 September 2023) was an English professional footballer noted for his swerving free kicks. Primarily a half back, he had the third highest number of appearances for Port Vale. He made 499 league and cup appearances for the club in a 15-year association from 1953 to 1968. Whilst Poole was at the club, the "Valiants" won the Fourth Division title in 1958–59.

Born in Stoke-on-Trent, Poole attended Carmountside Secondary Modern alongside Terry Miles. Poole was slightly older, though the two would be teammates from their early teens into their 30s. After spending his youth with various clubs, Poole signed for Port Vale as an amateur in February 1953. He also appeared for Oxford City whilst on national service.

Poole signed professional forms with the Vale in April 1956, making his debut in a Second Division win against Middlesbrough on 28 April 1956. By 1956–57 he was a first-team regular, playing 32 games, scoring his first goal for the club at Huddersfield Town on 17 November. However, the club started poorly and were relegated under Freddie Steele, though Poole was described as 'one of the few rays of sunlight in an otherwise gloomy beginning'. He played 44 games in 1957–58, as the club finished 15th in the Third Division South, and so were invited to form the Fourth Division.

Under the stewardship of Norman Low, the "Valiants" won the Fourth Division in 1958–59, and Poole added 'flexibility and fluidity' in his 36 appearances. He also scored 16 of Vale's record 110 goals in the league. He posted 52 appearances in 1959–60, as Vale settled in well in the Third Division. The performances he gave in his 54 games of the 1960–61 season led The Sentinel's Jon Abberley to describe Poole as 'one of the best wing-halves ever produced in the Potteries'. He remained a key fixture throughout 1961–62, posting 45 appearances, and scored in a 3–1 win over Sunderland in an FA Cup fourth round replay. He played another 47 games in 1962–63, retaining his first-team place under returning manager Freddie Steele.

Poole was limited to 29 games in 1963–64, but returned to usual service with a 39-game season in 1964–65, as the club were relegated to the Fourth Division. He was a vital player for new manager Jackie Mudie in 1965–66, playing a total of 51 games. He then posted 34 appearances in 1966–67, before playing 35 games for Stanley Matthews in 1967–68. He was given a testimonial match, shared with Terry Miles, in August 1967. At the end of the campaign both he and Miles were given free transfers to local non-League club Sandbach Ramblers. In all, he made 499 professional appearances for Port Vale (behind only Phil Sproson and Roy Sproson in terms of most appearances for the club), scoring 79 goals. Ramblers finished third-from-bottom in their debut season in the Cheshire County League, and Poole retired at the end of the 1968–69 campaign to spend more time on his business.

Former teammate Roy Sproson said: "I always thought that as a wing-half he was a waste. He possessed two good feet, great ball control, always found space, was quick and could finish. He also used to specialise in bending the ball round the defensive wall from free-kicks long before they became fashion."

During his career Bolton Wanderers considered him as a replacement for Nat Lofthouse, and Tottenham Hotspur had a bid rejected by the Vale.

Poole was a season ticket holder at Vale Park for 50 years after retiring as a player. He married Gill and had children Matthew and Mandy and grandchildren Sam, William, Lily and Laura. Poole died on 25 September 2023.

Port Vale

• Football League Fourth Division: 1958–59

Individual

• Port Vale F.C. Hall of Fame: inducted 2026 (inaugural)