he had two spells as manager of port vale, the first as player-manager from 1914 to 1918 when he was player-manager. his second appointment came in june 1932, with the club in the second division. he signed wingers bob morton and jimmy mcgrath, and led the vale to a club record 9–1 victory over chesterfield on 24 september. after top scorer stewart littlewood picked up an injury, he signed ex-england international louis page as a replacement; and also boosted the club's defence by signing len armitage. in january 1933, he sold left-back jimmy oakes to charlton athletic for £3,000. his team finished four points above relegation in 1932–33, and he released billy easton, louis page, stewart littlewood, tom tippett, jock leckie, and ben davies, whilst wilf kirkham retired.