[1] Signed and given his debut by Gordon Hodgson, the manager's early death meant that Leake had to win a regular first-team place under new boss Freddie Steele.
[1] He played eight Third Division South games in 1951–52, scoring his first senior goal on 1 September, in a 1–1 draw with Watford at Vale Park.
[1] He hit 20 goals in 48 appearances in 1953–54, as Vale won the Third Division North title and reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
[1] He was the scorer of the FA Cup semi-final goal against West Bromwich Albion in Vale's 2–1 defeat and also had an equaliser disallowed for offside.
[1] He had previously scored five of Vale's six goals from the Third Round onwards that were enough to defeat Queens Park Rangers, Cardiff City, Blackpool, and Leyton Orient.