1987–88 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1987–88 season was Port Vale's 76th season of football in the English Football League, and second successive (17th overall) season in the Third Division.[1] John Rudge's side started the season well, but then suffered following the sale of star striker Andy Jones. Just as Rudge seemed to be struggling, the Vale earned a memorable 2–1 victory over top-flight Tottenham Hotspur at Vale Park in the FA Cup Fourth Round. They exited the competition at the next stage at the hands of Watford, following a replay. Vale's league form also improved, as they finished in eleventh place, helped by midfielders Ray Walker and Robbie Earle, defenders Phil Sproson and Bob Hazell, and goalkeeper Mark Grew. Darren Beckford and David Riley were joint-top-scorers with ten goals each. Vale exited the League Cup and the League Trophy at the First Round.

Port Vale
1987–88 season
ChairmanBill Bell
ManagerJohn Rudge
StadiumVale Park
Football League Third Division11th (65 Points)
FA CupFifth Round
(knocked out by Watford)
League CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Northampton Town)
League TrophyFirst Round
(knocked out by Torquay United)
Player of the YearRay Walker
Top goalscorerLeague: Darren Beckford (9)
All: Darren Beckford / David Riley (10)
Highest home attendance22,483 vs. Watford, 20 February 1988
Lowest home attendance2,176 vs. Exeter City, 26 October 1987
Average home league attendance3,847
Biggest win5–0 vs. Doncaster Rovers, 2 April 1988
Biggest defeat0–4 (twice)

Overview

Third Division

The pre-season saw Russell Bromage traded to Bristol City in exchange for Lawrie Pearson and £25,000.[1] Jon Bowden was also sold to Wrexham for £12,500.[1] The club also announced a new sponsorship deal with ABC Minolta, whilst the English Football League announced that midweek games would be played on Monday nights instead of Tuesday nights.[1] John Rudge bought Darren Beckford from Manchester City for £15,000.[1]

The season began with Andy Jones scoring all four goals in his 100th appearance for the club, to beat Aldershot 4–2.[1] With Pearson performing poorly, Darren Hughes was signed from Brighton & Hove Albion for a £10,000 fee.[1] Paul Smith was also offloaded to Lincoln City for £40,000.[1] Vale then won three consecutive games to go top of the table.[1] After goal machine Andy Jones was sold to First Division Charlton Athletic for £350,000 – a sale Rudge described as like 'cutting off my right arm'[1] – Vale slid down the table. Alex Williams was also forced to retire with a back injury, leading to the return of a fit again Mark Grew in goal.[1] More injuries came as Chris Banks had his nose broken after a reserve match at Barnsley when he was attacked by a gang of youths whilst waiting at a fish and chip shop.[1] Alan Webb then suffered second degree burns at Preston North End's plastic pitch at Deepdale.[1] The next month Rudge tried to replace Jones when he signed David Riley from Nottingham Forest for £20,000.[1] Despite a good start Riley soon entered a goal drought, as Vale went twelve league games without a win (including eight defeats).[1] Robbie Earle missed much of this period with a hernia injury.[1] In November Kevin Steggles was signed from West Bromwich Albion for 'a small fee' to replace the still-injured Webb.[1] More signings were made with former England international Peter Barnes arriving on loan from Manchester City, and 'hard-working' Simon Mills purchased from York City for £35,000.[1]

Rumours of a Rudge exit from Vale Park came after Alan Oakes quit in protest after being demoted to youth coach, and 'taskmaster' Mike Pejic was promoted in his place.[1] Nevertheless, he signed Gary Ford from Leicester City for £36,000, whilst Pearson had his contract cancelled by mutual consent. Michael Cole also arrived on loan from Ipswich Town.[1] Rudge switched from a formation of 4–4–2 to 4–3–3 and only one defeat followed in the next thirteen league games.[1] As Barnes returned to Manchester, Richard O'Kelly was transferred to Walsall.[1] Cole was replaced by another loanee Dean Holdsworth (from Watford), who found greater success with Vale.[1] However Gary Hamson was forced to retire through injury.[1] A 5–0 win over Doncaster Rovers on 2 April helped the Vale into tenth place, giving Vale a faint hope of reaching the play-offs.[1] Vale ended the season poorly however, winning just two of their final nine games.[1]

They finished in eleventh place with 65 points, ten points short of play-off contenders Bristol City.[1] Top-scorers Beckford and Riley had managed ten goals each, just four more than Jones had done in his eight games.[1] Ray Walker was honoured with the club's Player of the Year award and was selected for the PFA's Third Division team of the year.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, the cup run and sale of Jones had raised a record profit of £410,239.[1] Match receipts had increased by 67% to £380,387, whilst advertising and broadcast revenues had more than doubled to £157,861.[1] The club's shirt sponsors were ABC Minolta Copiers. The wage bill had also fallen to £367,836.[1] Three players were given free transfers at the season's end: Kevin Steggles (Bury Town), Chris Banks (Exeter City), and Paul Maguire (Northwich Victoria).[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale put in their 'worst away performance of the season' in a 2–2 draw at Prenton Park.[1] They managed to beat Tranmere Rovers 3–1 in the replay in Burslem. A 'splendid' performance then defeated Notts County 2–0.[1] They overcame non-league Macclesfield Town with a Kevin Finney goal to book a Fourth Round home tie with Tottenham Hotspur. Ground improvements increased Vale Park's capacity, though a watered down pitch persuaded "Spurs" boss Terry Venables to leave star man Osvaldo Ardiles on the bench.[2] Despite this, TV pundit Jimmy Greaves reckoned that "The only trouble Spurs will have at Port Vale, is finding the place."[3] As it happened 20,045 turned up to witness a 'famous' 2–1 victory.[1] [4] The "Valiants" were in 'another gear' as Ray Walker nailed a 'stunning' 25 yard strike and Phil Sproson scored the second vital goal.[1] The club received £80,000 for the game from the BBC, with the match also broadcast on radio in Australia.[1] The Fourth Round held Watford, and 22,483 turned up for the original goalless tie in Stoke-on-Trent (the highest Vale Park attendance since the visit of Liverpool in 1964).[1] A further £87,699 was taken from the game.[1] At the replay at Vicarage Road Vale were eliminated 2–0, though Vale were delighted with their £175,000 winning cup run.[1]

In the League Cup, 3,460 saw Vale's opening tie with Northampton Town fail 'to produce the passion of a schoolyard kickabout', though both sides had two players sent off in the 2–0 defeat.[1] Vale were then thumped 4–0 at Sixfields to exit the tournament 6–0 on aggregate.[1]

In the League Trophy, Fourth Division strugglers Newport County beat the Vale 2–0 at Somerton Park, though a 2–0 home win over Exeter City took the Vale through the group stage. They then were eliminated by Torquay United at Plainmoor with a 1–0 loss.

League table
Main article: 1987–88 Football League
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
9 Fulham 46 19 9 18 69 60 +9 66
10 Blackpool 46 17 14 15 71 62 +9 65
11 Port Vale 46 18 11 17 58 56 +2 65
12 Brentford 46 16 14 16 53 59 −6 62
13 Gillingham 46 14 17 15 77 61 +16 59
Source: [5]

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Results by matchday
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHHAHAHHAHAAHHAHAAHAHAHAAHAAAHHAAHHHHAHAAHAHHAH
ResultWDLWWWDLWLLWWLDLDDLLLDLLLWDWWWLWWDWWWDLLDLWLWD
Position21113139171121012949913131314151717191919181816161617151413131210101011111310121111
Source: Statto[6]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
15 August 1987AldershotH4–23,160Jones (4 [1 pen])
29 August 1987Rotherham UnitedH0–02,895
31 August 1987Bristol CityA0–18,716
5 September 1987York CityH2–12,711Jones, Harper
12 September 1987ChesterfieldA3–12,406Earle, Jones, O'Kelly
14 September 1987Southend UnitedH4–13,670Maguire (2), Walker, Harper
19 September 1987FulhamH1–13,894Maguire (pen)
26 September 1987Northampton TownA0–15,072
28 September 1987Brighton & Hove AlbionH2–03,789Beckford, Hughes
3 October 1987BrentfordA0–14,007
10 October 1987Preston North EndA2–36,375Walker (2)
17 October 1987BuryH1–03,235Beckford
19 October 1987Bristol RoversH2–13,598Maguire (pen), Riley
24 October 1987WalsallA1–26,083Riley
31 October 1987GillinghamH0–03,495
4 November 1987Chester CityA0–12,825
7 November 1987Doncaster RoversA1–11,365Sproson
22 November 1987BlackpoolH0–03,594
28 November 1987SunderlandA1–215,655Riley
12 December 1987Notts CountyH1–33,358Riley
20 December 1987Mansfield TownA0–43,173
26 December 1987Northampton TownH1–14,446Hamson (pen)
28 December 1987Grimsby TownA1–32,941Hamson
1 January 1988Rotherham UnitedA0–13,911
2 January 1988ChesterfieldH0–13,495
16 January 1988FulhamA2–13,792Mills, Riley
22 January 1988Southend UnitedA3–33,038Riley, Ford, Mills
6 February 1988York CityA3–22,420Cole, Sproson, Mills
13 February 1988Grimsby TownH2–03,417Earle (2)
27 February 1988BrentfordH1–03,876Beckford
2 March 1988Brighton & Hove AlbionA0–27,303
5 March 1988BuryA1–02,635Beckford
12 March 1988Preston North EndH3–24,647Sproson, Walker, o.g.
19 March 1988GillinghamA0–03,367
26 March 1988WalsallH2–16,347Holdsworth, Riley
2 April 1988Doncaster RoversH5–03,680Beckford (3 [1 pen]), Riley, Walker
4 April 1988BlackpoolA2–15,516Ford, Beckford
9 April 1988Chester CityH1–14,278Holdsworth
12 April 1988Wigan AthleticA0–24,438
15 April 1988AldershotA0–32,257
18 April 1988Bristol CityH1–12,671Mills
23 April 1988Bristol RoversA0–13,280
25 April 1988Wigan AthleticH2–13,044Ford, Walker
30 April 1988SunderlandH0–17,569
2 May 1988Notts CountyA2–17,702Beckford, Earle
7 May 1988Mansfield TownH1–13,617Mills

FA Cup
Main article: 1987–88 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R114 November 1987Tranmere RoversA2–24,035Maguire, o.g.
R1 Replay16 November 1987Tranmere RoversH3–14,097O'Kelly, Hamson, Riley
R25 December 1987Notts CountyH2–05,039Beckford, Sproson
R310 January 1988Macclesfield TownH1–010,808Finney
R430 January 1988Tottenham HotspurH2–120,045Walker, Sproson
R520 February 1988WatfordH0–022,483
R5 Replay23 February 1988WatfordA0–218,539

League Cup
Main article: 1987–88 Football League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R1 1st Leg17 August 1987Northampton TownH0–13,460
R1 2nd Leg2 September 1987Northampton TownA0–44,748

League Trophy
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
P13 October 1987Newport CountyA0–2569
P26 October 1987Exeter CityH2–02,176O'Kelly, Riley
R119 January 1988Torquay UnitedA0–12,624

Player statistics

Appearances
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup League Cup League Trophy Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Alex Williams 4000200060
GK Mark Grew 410600030500
GK Alan Simons 1010000020
DF Phil Sproson 443722010545
DF Alan Webb 260102000290
DF Chris Banks 140202030210
DF Bob Hazell 430601020520
DF Simon Mills 195000000195
DF Lawrie Pearson 3000201060
DF Kevin Steggles 200500010260
DF Darren Hughes 431700030531
MF Robbie Earle 254401000304
MF Paul Maguire 284512030385
MF Andy Porter 6010101090
MF Paul Smith 2000100030
MF Gary Hamson 112412010183
MF Ray Walker 426711030537
MF Steve Harper 212002020252
MF Kevin Finney 150410030221
MF Gary Ford 233400010283
MF Steve Davies 6000000060
FW Andy Jones 6600200086
FW Richard O'Kelly 161311021223
FW Darren Beckford 4096120205010
FW Brian Palgrave 0000001010
FW David Riley 3487100114210
FW Dean Holdsworth 6200000062
FW Michael Cole 4130001081
FW Peter Barnes 3000000030

Top scorers
Place Position Nation Name Third Division FA Cup League Cup League Trophy Total
1FW EnglandDarren Beckford910010
–FW EnglandDavid Riley810110
3MF EnglandRay Walker61007
4FW WalesAndy Jones60006
5DF EnglandSimon Mills50005
–MF ScotlandPaul Maguire41005
–DF EnglandPhil Sproson32005
8MF JamaicaRobbie Earle40004
9MF EnglandGary Ford30003
–MF EnglandGary Hamson21003
–FW EnglandRichard O'Kelly11013
12MF EnglandSteve Harper20002
–FW EnglandDean Holdsworth20002
14FW EnglandMichael Cole10001
–DF EnglandDarren Hughes10001
–MF EnglandKevin Finney01001
––Own goals11002
TOTALS 58 10 0 2 70

Transfers

Transfers in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
August 1987DFLawrie PearsonBristol CityExchange[7]
September 1987DFDarren HughesBrighton & Hove Albion£5,000[7]
October 1987FWBrian PalgraveWalsallTrial[7]
October 1987FWDavid RileyNottingham Forest£20,000[7]
November 1987DFKevin StegglesWest Bromwich Albion'small'[7]
December 1987MFSteve DaviesCongleton TownFree transfer[7]
December 1987MFGary FordLeicester City£25,000[7]
December 1987DFSimon MillsYork City£35,000[7]

Transfers out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
September 1987FWAndy JonesCharlton Athletic£175,000[7]
September 1987MFPaul SmithLincoln City£40,000[7]
September 1987GKAlex WilliamsRetired[7]
January 1988FWRichard O'KellyWalsallFree transfer[7]
January 1988FWBrian PalgraveNuneaton BoroughTrial ended[7]
January 1988DFLawrie PearsonWhitley BayMutual consent[7]
March 1988MFGary HamsonRetired[7]
March 1988GKAlan SimonsReleased[7]
May 1988MFPaul MaguireNorthwich VictoriaFree transfer[7]
May 1988DFKevin StegglesBury TownFree transfer[7]
June 1988DFChris BanksExeter CityFree transfer[7]

Loans in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
September 1987DFDarren HughesBrighton & Hove AlbionSeptember 1987[7]
1987MFPeter BarnesManchester City1988[7]
January 1988FWMichael ColeIpswich TownFebruary 1988[7]
March 1988FWDean HoldsworthWatfordEnd of season[7]

References
Specific
  1. Kent, Jeff (1990). "From Rags to Riches (1979–1990)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 258–290. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  2. "'All our players were fantastic that day'". The Sentinel. 30 January 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  3. "Spurs left grieving after being humbled by mighty Vale". The Sentinel. 30 January 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  4. "Port Vale 2-1 Spurs 1988". onevalefan.co.uk. 30 January 2012. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  5. Edward Ackers. "Season 1987-88". English Football League Tables. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  6. Port Vale 1987–1988 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  7. Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
General
  • Kent, Jeff (1993). The Port Vale Record 1879-1993. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9508981-9-8.
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