Maddock Jack Image 1 Port Vale 1926

Description

Audley, Staffordshire born right back Jack Maddock played for local teams Bignall End in 1914 and Audley Town in 1918, before being spotted by Stoke. He played for them during the First World War years, playing three games in 1916-17, 23 games in 1917-18, and 14 games in 1918-19. He then established himself in the right-back role as the Second Division continued after the War, making his Football League debut against Barnsley in a Second Division match in August 1919. He scored three goals, all penalties at the Victoria Ground, in 15 games in the 1919-20 campaign. After making eight appearances in the 1920-21 season, a serious knee injury seemingly ended his career after 4 goals in 23 appearances. Unable to continue working in his former role as a carpenter in his father’s factory, let alone play professional football he spent 75 guineas of his money to pay for surgery to remove his damaged cartilage; the operation was a success, and allowed him to make occasional appearances for Macclesfield Town from 1921 onwards.

Spotted in August 1923 playing cricket by Joe Schofield, former Stoke secretary now secretary of Second Division Port Vale, Maddock was given a trial with the club. He soon established himself both as a first team regular and as the club’s principal penalty taker, although he lost his touch from the penalty spot as he accomplished the dubious feat of missing two penalties in one game against Nottingham Foreston 18th December 1926, as Vale lost 2-0 at The Old Recreation Ground. Described as “a strong, steady defender, Maddock has a powerful kick and places the ball to good advantage”, he had by this stage become club captain of The Valiants, however he lost his place in the side by April 1929, and featured just four times as they won the Third Division (North) title 1929-30. After just three appearances in the 1930-31 season, he was transferred to Crewe Alexandra in July 1931 having scored 12 times in 182 appearances for Vale.  He helped The Railwaymen to finish sixth and tenth in the Third Division (North) in 1931-32 and 1932-33, and scored six goals in 43 appearances at Gresty Road. He later played for Nantwich in 1933 and Audley United in 1934.