2005–06 Port Vale F.C. season

The 2005–06 season was Port Vale's 94th season of football in the English Football League, and second successive season in League One. They finished in mid-table, and exited the League Cup at the First Round and the League Trophy at the Second Round. In the FA Cup, Vale made it to the Fourth Round, where they were knocked out 3–1 by top-flight Aston Villa. Foyle's efforts to build a promotion-winning team were boosted when Vale gained striker Leon Constantine, but his efforts were hindered with the sales of both Sam Collins and Billy Paynter.

Manager Martin Foyle.
Top scorer Leon Constantine.
Winger Chris Birchall had another solid season.

Port Vale
2005–06 season
OwnerValiant 2001
ChairmanBill Bratt
ManagerMartin Foyle
StadiumVale Park
Football League One13th (60 Points)
FA CupFifth Round
(knocked out by Aston Villa)
League CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Rotherham United)
League TrophySecond Round
(knocked out by Hereford United)
Player of the YearGeorge Pilkington
Top goalscorerLeague: Leon Constantine / Micky Cummins (10)
All: Leon Constantine (12)
Highest home attendance6,793 vs. Nottingham Forest, 18 February 2006
Lowest home attendance3,452 vs. Milton Keynes Dons, 4 April 2006
Average home league attendance4,666
Biggest win3–0 vs. Huddersfield Town, 28 December 2005
Biggest defeat0–3 (twice)

Overview

League One

The pre-season saw Martin Foyle sign Mickey Bell and Hector Sam on free transfers from Bristol City and Wrexham respectively.[1][2] He also took in promising young striker Chris Cornes on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, who would impress in a Vale shirt.[3]

The season started with fourteen points from seven games to launch the club's promotion bid. After three defeats the Vale then entered a long period of inconsistent form. In September, Darrell Clarke joined on loan from Hartlepool United,[4] though he would play just the one game for the club. Gary Mulligan also arrived on loan from Sheffield United,[5] and would find greater success in Burslem.[6] The next month Foyle added to the squad by signing Michael Husbands from Walsall. In November, Sam Togwell joined on loan from Scunthorpe United, in an initial six week deal that was extended until the end of the season.[7] Another long-term loan deal was struck with Leyton Orient for big defender Clayton Fortune,[8] who would later turn down a permanent transfer to Vale Park after failing to agree on personal terms.[9] Foyle also made possibly the best signing of his spell in charge at Vale, bringing striker Leon Constantine in from Torquay United for a £20,000 fee.[10] However Foyle lost two big players, when key defender Sam Collins and promising striker Billy Paynter were sold to Hull City for £65,000 and £150,000 respectively, the pair leaving on loan deals until the January transfer window (when they would leave permanently). Four straight defeats followed this, emphasising the effect the sales had on the club's promotion bid. In January, Bell moved on to Cheltenham Town,[11] and Hector Sam joined Walsall. In came Jason Talbot on loan from Mansfield Town,[12] who joined the club permanently at the end of the season. Foyle also signed defender Mark McGregor from Blackpool,[13] and midfielder Sean Doherty from ADO Den Haag.[14] A sequence of two points in five games killed off the Vale's promotion hopes by April.

They finished in thirteenth place with sixty points, some distance from both promotion and relegation. Only the four relegated teams scored fewer goals than Vale, and Constantine was the club's top-scorer with twelve goals, closely followed by Cummins with eleven.

At the end of the season nine players departed the club: Lee Matthews (Crewe Alexandra);[15] Hector Sam (Walsall);[16] Steve Rowland (Southport);[17] Tony Dinning (Stockport County); Micky Cummins (Darlington);[18] Jonny Brain (Macclesfield Town);[19] Mark Innes (Hyde United); Sean Doherty (Accrington Stanley);[20] and Craig James (Darlington).[21] Andy Porter retired to concentrate on his coaching. With Dinning's departure, George Pilkington was appointed club captain.[22] World Cup international winger Chris Birchall was also sold to Coventry City for £325,000.[23]

Finances

On the financial side, Bill Bratt's cost-cutting measures had reduced the club's operating losses from £500,000 to £50,000.[24] Despite this, the club took out a £2.25 million loan from the local council, with monthly repayments of around £19,000.[25] Bratt continued to try and woo elderly North American millionaires, but Steve Stavro did not follow up his initial interest with any investment. In October 2005, the club turned down an investment group that wished to appoint Paul Gascoigne as manager.[26] Foyle said "We need a cup run, or an investor, to give us a kick-start because we aren't doing too badly".[27] He got his wish with an expected income of £250,000 from the Villa game.[28] In February, lifelong fan Robbie Williams bought £240,000 of the £250,000 worth of available shares in the club.[29] In April, the club announced a new record-breaking shirt sponsorship deal with BGC Gas.[30] The club also announced Bill Bratt would now be a paid chief executive.[31]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale advanced past Wrexham to reach a Second Round encounter with Bristol Rovers. A late equalizer from Constantine earned Vale a replay,[32] and a Chris Birchall strike gave the "Valiants" victory at the Memorial Stadium.[33] They then made it to the Fourth Round after a 2–1 win over Doncaster Rovers thanks to a brace from loanee Sam Togwell.[34] They faced a trip to Villa Park to face Premier League Aston Villa, where they were defeated 3–1 after a brace from Milan Baroš.[35]

In the League Cup, Vale were knocked out 3–1 by Rotherham United at the Don Valley Stadium, with Hector Sam breaking his leg during the game.

In the League Trophy, Vale received a bye in the First Round, but in the Second Round were embarrassed to lose 2–1 to Conference club Hereford United at Edgar Street, after a Tamika Mkandawire header in extra-time.[36]

League table
Main article: 2005–06 Football League
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
11 Bradford City 46 14 19 13 51 49 +2 61
12 Scunthorpe United 46 15 15 16 68 73 −5 60
13 Port Vale 46 16 12 18 49 54 −5 60
14 Gillingham 46 16 12 18 50 64 −14 60
15 Yeovil Town 46 15 11 20 54 62 −8 56
Source:
Rules for classification: In the Football League goals scored (GF) takes precedence over goal difference (GD).

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Results by matchday
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAAHAAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHA
ResultWDWLWDWLLLDWWLWLLDWLLLLWLDDWLWWDLWLDLDLWWDDLWD
Position642745378121055658121181114161714141616121413991111111214151515111413151313
Source: Statto[37]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
6 August 2005Southend UnitedA2–16,543Lowndes (2)
9 August 2005GillinghamH0–04,931
15 August 2005BrentfordH1–04,275Cummins
20 August 2005Bristol CityA2–411,120Lowndes, Bell
27 August 2005Doncaster RoversH2–04,993Lowndes, Dinning
29 August 2005Milton Keynes DonsA0–04,592
3 September 2005Rotherham UnitedH2–04,528Lowndes, Paynter
10 September 2005Scunthorpe UnitedA0–25,694
17 September 2005Colchester UnitedH0–15,166
24 September 2005Yeovil TownA0–15,901
28 September 2005Oldham AthleticH2–23,796Cornes (2)
1 October 2005WalsallH3–25,314Birchall, Mulligan, Cornes
8 October 2005Swindon TownA2–14,531Bell, Cornes
15 October 2005Bradford CityH0–14,892
22 October 2005BournemouthA2–16,320Cummins, Paynter
29 October 2005Hartlepool UnitedH1–24,550Cummins
12 November 2005ChesterfieldA0–24,714
19 November 2005Swindon TownH1–14,108Husbands
26 November 2005Southend UnitedH2–13,961Constantine, Husbands
6 December 2005Nottingham ForestA0–117,696
10 December 2005GillinghamA0–36,210
17 December 2005Bristol CityH0–14,214
26 December 2005BlackpoolH1–25,666Fortune
28 December 2005Huddersfield TownA3–010,824Constantine (2), Dinning (pen)
31 December 2005Tranmere RoversH0–24,489
2 January 2006Swansea CityA0–014,747
10 January 2006Rotherham UnitedA1–13,883Husbands
14 January 2006BarnsleyH3–24,468Sonner, Constantine, Togwell
21 January 2006Colchester UnitedA1–24,316Husbands (pen)
4 February 2006Oldham AthleticA1–05,555Constantine
11 February 2006Yeovil TownH1–04,732Constantine
14 February 2006BarnsleyA1–17,709Cummins
18 February 2006Nottingham ForestH0–26,793
25 February 2006BrentfordA1–07,542Smith
28 February 2006Scunthorpe UnitedH1–23,984Cummins
11 March 2006Doncaster RoversA1–15,511Constantine
18 March 2006BlackpoolA0–15,494
25 March 2006Huddersfield TownH1–15,664Cummins
31 March 2006Tranmere RoversA0–36,926
4 April 2006Milton Keynes DonsH3–13,452Constantine (2 [1 pen]), Cummins
8 April 2006Swansea CityH3–24,850Togwell, Cummins, Constantine
15 April 2006WalsallA1–14,876Fortune
17 April 2006BournemouthH0–04,006
22 April 2006Bradford CityA0–17,139
29 April 2006ChesterfieldH3–14,478Pilkington (2), Cummins
6 May 2006Hartlepool UnitedA1–16,895Cummins

FA Cup
Main article: 2005–06 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R14 November 2005WrexhamH2–15,046Husbands, Constantine
R22 December 2005Bristol RoversH1–14,483Constantine
R2 Replay13 December 2005Bristol RoversA1–05,623Birchall
R36 January 2006Doncaster RoversH2–14,923Togwell (2)
R428 January 2006Aston VillaA1–330,434Lowndes

League Cup
Main article: 2005–06 Football League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R123 August 2005Rotherham UnitedA1–32,809Cummins

League Trophy
Main article: 2005–06 Football League Trophy
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R222 November 2005Hereford UnitedA1–21,355Smith

Player statistics

Appearances
Pos. # Name Football League FA Cup League Cup League Trophy Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK1 Mark Goodlad 460501000520
DF2 George Pilkington 462501010532
DF3 Craig James 350501010420
MF4 Danny Sonner 291201010331
DF5 Michael Walsh 4000000040
DF6 Clayton Fortune 252400000292
FW7 Lee Matthews 3000000030
MF8 Micky Cummins 39102011004211
FW9 Nathan Lowndes 355411010416
MF10 Sean Doherty 6010000070
MF11 Jeff Smith 271200101302
MF12 Tony Dinning 352401010412
MF14 Robin Hulbert 1000000010
DF15 George Abbey 200101000220
DF16 Steve Rowland 180401010240
MF17 Chris Birchall 311311000352
DF18 Mark Innes 230500010290
DF20 Jason Talbot 5000000050
MF21 Joe Cardle 6000001070
MF22 Daniel Holmes 0000000000
FW23 Hector Sam 4000100050
GK24 Jonny Brain 0000001010
MF26 Andy Porter 2020000040
DF27 Mark McGregor 140000000140
DF28 Luke Prosser 0000000000
FW30 Michael Husbands 244510010305
FW33 Leon Constantine 30105200003512
DF34 Sam Togwell 272220010304
MF35 Louis Briscoe 4000000040
MF36 Christian Smith 0000000000
GK Joe Anyon 0000000000
Players that left the club mid-season:
DF6 Sam Collins 150001000160
FW10 Billy Paynter 162001000172
FW19 Gary Mulligan 101100010121
DF20 Mickey Bell 152201000182
FW27 Chris Cornes 104000010114
MF29 Darrell Clarke 1000000010

Top scorers
Place Position Nation Number Name League One FA Cup League Cup League Trophy Total
1FW England33Leon Constantine1020012
2MF Ireland8Micky Cummins1001011
3FW England9Nathan Lowndes51006
4FW Saint Lucia30Michael Husbands41005
5FW England27Chris Cornes40004
–DF England34Sam Togwell22004
7DF England2George Pilkington20002
–FW England10Billy Paynter20002
–MF England12Tony Dinning20002
–MF Trinidad and Tobago17Chris Birchall11002
–MF England11Jeff Smith10012
–DF England20Mickey Bell20002
–DF England6Clayton Fortune20002
14MF England4Danny Sonner10001
–FW Ireland19Gary Mulligan10001
TOTALS 49 7 1 1 58

Transfers

Transfers in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 2005MFTony DinningBristol CityFree transfer[38]
June 2005FWHector SamWrexhamFree transfer[38]
June 2005MFDanny SonnerPeterborough UnitedFree transfer[38]
July 2005DFMickey BellBristol CityFree transfer[38]
October 2005FWMichael HusbandsWalsallFree transfer[38]
January 2006FWLeon ConstantineTorquay United£20,000[38]
January 2006MFSean Doherty ADO Den HaagFree transfer[38]
January 2006DFMark McGregorBlackpoolFree transfer[38]

Transfers out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
January 2006DFMickey BellCheltenham TownMutual agreement[38]
January 2006DFSam CollinsHull City£65,000[38]
January 2006FWBilly PaynterHull City£150,000[38]
May 2006MFMicky CumminsDarlingtonFree transfer[38]
May 2006MFTony DinningStockport CountyFree transfer[38]
May 2006MFSean DohertyAccrington StanleyFree transfer[38]
May 2006DFMark InnesHyde UnitedFree transfer[38]
June 2006GKJonny BrainMacclesfield TownFree transfer[38]
July 2006FWHector SamWalsallFree transfer[38]
August 2006MFChris BirchallCoventry City£300,000[38]
August 2006DFCraig JamesDarlingtonFree transfer[38]
August 2006FWLee MatthewsCrewe AlexandraFree transfer[38]
August 2006DFSteve RowlandSouthportFree transfer[38]
Summer 2006MFAndy PorterAlsager TownRetired[38]

Loans in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
29 August 2005FWChris CornesWolverhampton Wanderers1 December 2005[38]
28 September 2005MFDarrell ClarkeHartlepool United28 October 2005[38]
22 September 2005FWGary MulliganSheffield United22 December 2005[38]
4 November 2005FWLeon ConstantineTorquay United1 January 2006[38]
9 November 2005DFClayton FortuneBristol CityEnd of season[38]
10 November 2005MFSam TogwellCrystal PalaceEnd of season[38]
31 January 2006DFJason TalbotMansfield TownEnd of season[38]

Loans out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref.
4 November 2005DFSam CollinsHull City2 January 2006[38]
17 November 2005FWBilly PaynterHull City1 January 2006[38]

References
Specific
  1. "BELL BECOMES A VALIANT". bcfc.co.uk. 18 July 2005. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  2. "Striker Sam makes switch to Vale". BBC Sport. 29 June 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  3. "MK Dons 0-0 Port Vale". Soccerbase. 29 August 2005. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
  4. "Vale sign Pools midfielder Clarke". BBC Sport. 27 September 2005. Retrieved 14 May 2009.
  5. "Vale nab Blades striker on loan". BBC Sport. 22 September 2005. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
  6. "Mulligan gets Vale loan extension". BBC Sport. 24 October 2005. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
  7. "Foyle extends Togwell loan deal". BBC Sport. 25 January 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  8. "Fortune joins Vale in loan switch". BBC Sport. 9 November 2005. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  9. "Fortune rejects Port Vale offer". BBC Sport. 26 April 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  10. "Constantine leaves Gulls for Vale". BBC Sport. 4 November 2005. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  11. Henderson, Jamie (20 January 2006). "Mickey Bell signs for Cheltenham". cheltenhamtown-mad.co.uk. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  12. "Port Vale recruit Stags full-back". BBC Sport. 31 January 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  13. "McGregor set for Port Vale switch". BBC Sport. 18 January 2006. Retrieved 30 May 2009.
  14. "Foyle happy with Doherty capture". BBC Sport. 7 January 2006. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
  15. "Striker Matthews signs for Crewe". BBC Sport. 31 August 2006. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  16. "Walsall sign ex-Vale striker Sam". BBC Sport. 21 July 2006. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  17. "Caersws swoop for ex-Port Vale defender". welsh-premier.com. 28 January 2010. Archived from the original on 30 August 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  18. "Quakers complete double signing". BBC Sport. 27 May 2006. Retrieved 2 March 2008.
  19. "Horton secures capture of Brain". BBC Sport. 14 June 2006. Retrieved 11 May 2009.
  20. "Accrington get Doherty on board". BBC Sport. 19 May 2006. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
  21. "Port Vale release defender James". BBC Sport. 10 May 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  22. "Pilkington is handed Vale armband". BBC Sport. 26 May 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  23. "Coventry bring in Vale's Birchall". BBC Sport. 5 August 2006. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  24. "Club's operating loss goes down". BBC News. 18 November 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  25. "Port Vale late with repayments of £2.25m council loan". BBC Sport. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  26. "Vale reject 'Gazza' takeover bid". BBC Sport. 19 October 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  27. Fletcher, Paul (11 October 2005). "Valiants cashing in on cutbacks". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  28. "Vale see cash bonus in Cup match". BBC Sport. 9 January 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  29. "Robbie buys into Vale", BBC Stoke & Staffordshire, 27 February 2006
  30. "Vale secure record sponsor deal". BBC Sport. 4 April 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  31. "Port Vale make Bratt appointment". BBC Sport. 24 May 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  32. "Port Vale 1-1 Bristol Rovers". BBC Sport. 2 December 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  33. "Bristol Rovers 0-1 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 13 December 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  34. "Port Vale 2-1 Doncaster". BBC Sport. 7 January 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  35. "Aston Villa 3-1 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 28 January 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  36. "Hereford 2-1 Port Vale (aet)". BBC Sport. 21 November 2005. Retrieved 20 January 2011.
  37. Port Vale 2005–2006 : Results & Fixtures. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  38. "Port Vale FC Club Details | Transfers | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
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