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Season 1933-34 saw an epic Scottish Qualifying Cup Qualifying
Round tie with Gala Fairydean, which stretched to three dramatic
matches watched by some four and a half thousand people. A
special train ran supporters to Galashiels for the match,
which ended in a 3-3 draw after Vale had been 3-1 down. The
replay saw another specially laid on train come from Galashiels
and with 10 minutes of the match remaining Gala were 2-0 in
the lead, but in a grandstand finish, Vale netted a last minute
equaliser. This was before penalty shoot-outs decided games,
so the game went to a second replay with Vale winning the
toss for the right to host it. This time after 30 minutes
Vale held a 4-1 lead, but Gala striker Sherlaw completed a
hat trick in the second half for a nailbiting finish to the
match, but Vale held out for a 4-3 win.
In the Scottish Cup Vale were drawn against the Qualifying
Cup winners Rosyth Dockyard Recreation at home and won 3-0.
In the next round they were drawn against Scottish Division
One team St Johnstone, again at home. Half time saw the game
poised at 1-1, but by late in the second half the superior
fitness of the League side saw them scoring twice to win 3-1.
In 1934 Honourary Secretary Mr. Alex Crabbe intimated at
the Annual General Meeting that he wished to give up the position,
but was prepared to carry on for another year provided an
assistant was found and proposed Mr. Edward B. Sanderson should
be made Assistant Secretary. This was accepted and at the
1935 AGM Mr. Crabbe, who had held the position of Honourary
Secretary for 42 years, retired and was replaced by Mr. Sanderson.
Season 1937-38 saw what proved to be the only trophy to be
won by Vale during the 1930's - the King Cup, after a fine
4-1 victory over Chirnside United in a final played at Galashiels.
In 1938 Vale traveled to Edinburgh for a Scottish Cup tie
with St Bernards. After a fine performance, Vale unluckily
lost 0-1 and St Bernards then went on a run to the semi-final
losing to the eventual winners East Fife. However St Bernards
had been so impressed with the play of Vale left-back J Miller
they signed him a few weeks after the tie. Other Vale players
left to play League football; J Dodds & W Rathie joined
Peebles Rovers before both signing for Hearts and Donald Murray
who had originally come from Peebles Rovers, rejoined them
before moving on to Ayr United and then St Bernards.
Also in 1938 it became known that Miss Hay of The Ley had
a shooting lodge that she wished to have removed. Vale expressed
an interest through the joiner Bob Scott and the result was
that Vale could have the building provided they removed it.
The structure was transported to Victoria Park, where it was
re-erected at the east end of the ground. Miss Hay was so
pleased with the tidy state of the site where the lodge had
stood, she sent a cheque for two guineas, which was quite
a nice donation in those days!
World War broke out again on the 3rd of September 1939. Once
again organised football was curtailed and Vale players were
called up.
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