2007–08 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2007–08 season was Port Vale's 96th season of football in the English Football League, and fourth successive season in League One. Vale finished second-from-bottom, and were relegated, some twelve points from safety. Manager Martin Foyle left the club in September, and Lee Sinnott failed to improve results despite making several loan signings. Vale were also knocked out of the FA Cup at the Second Round by Southern Football League side Chasetown, a club five divisions below the Vale. Vale also had no luck in either the League Cup or the League Trophy, exiting both competitions at the first stage after a penalty shoot-out. Throughout the season the club saw a large turnover of players, as Sinnott attempted to build a squad of players of his own choosing to prepare for a promotion push the following season.
2007–08 season | |||
---|---|---|---|
Owner | Valiant 2001 | ||
Chairman | Bill Bratt | ||
Manager | Martin Foyle (until 26 September) Dean Glover (caretaker 26 September – 5 November) Lee Sinnott (from 5 November) | ||
Stadium | Vale Park | ||
Football League One | 23rd (38 Points) | ||
FA Cup | Second Round (knocked out by Chasetown) | ||
League Cup | First Round (knocked out by Wrexham) | ||
League Trophy | Preliminary Round (knocked out by Morecambe) | ||
Player of the Year | Paul Harsley | ||
Top goalscorer | League: Luke Rodgers (9) All: Luke Rodgers (12) | ||
Highest home attendance | 7,908 vs. Leeds United, 15 March 2008 | ||
Lowest home attendance | 2,730 vs. Morecambe, 10 November 2007 | ||
Average home league attendance | 4,417 | ||
Biggest win | 3–0 vs. Cheltenham Town, 2 October 2007 | ||
Biggest defeat | 0–6 vs. Swindon Town, 19 April 2008 | ||
| |||
Overview
League One
The pre-season saw Martin Foyle sign Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Keith Lowe on a season long loan,[1] and both Paul Edwards and Craig Rocastle from Oldham Athletic.[2] He also signed Marc Richards from Barnsley,[3] as well as Shane Tudor and Justin Miller from Leyton Orient. Calum Willock also joined on a short-term deal,[4] as did Southampton loanee David McGoldrick,[5] and Chester City's veteran defender Ashley Westwood.[6] However an audacious attempt to land Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler failed.[7]
The season started with just five points in the opening six games, with just one goal scored from open play. A few games into the season Akpo Sodje was sold to Sheffield Wednesday for an undisclosed fee.[8] With only two disappointing mid-table finishes to his name, and with Vale lying 23rd in the league, Foyle left the club by mutual consent on 26 September.[9] Caretaker-manager Dean Glover was disappointed with the players, comparing them to a pub team.[10] In October, Glover signed teenage midfielder Will Atkinson joined on loan from Hull City and left-back Adam Eckersley on loan from Manchester United.[11] On 5 November, Farsley Celtic manager Lee Sinnott was appointed as the new Vale boss.[12] This decision caused Dean Glover to consider his position at the club,[13] though he eventually chose to remain as Sinnott's assistant.[14] Sinnott warned of big changes at the club.[15] Young defender Charlie O'Loughlin was then loaned out to Nantwich Town, and Shane Tudor was sent out on loan to Shrewsbury Town.[16] Arriving at the club were midfielders Mark Salmon (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and Marc Laird (Manchester City) on short loan deals.[17][18]
In January, goalkeeper Mark Goodlad was forced to retire due to injury,[19] and young Joe Anyon faced criticism from the fans for his performances.[20] Adam Eckersley then returned to the club after his release from Manchester United, as Sinnott's first non-loan signing.[21] Sinnott then signed Dave Mulligan from Scunthorpe United on a short-term contract. Midfielder David Howland also arrived on loan from Birmingham City,[22] and would join the club permanently at the end of the season.[23] Fellow Birmingham player Krystian Pearce also signed on loan,[24] though would impress enough to win a longer stay with Birmingham. Sinnott then raided another Birmingham club, this time Aston Villa, to bring Australian teenager Chris Herd on a one-month loan,[25] as well as Swedish youngster Tobias Mikaelsson.[26] He also allowed Rocastle to join Gillingham on a two-week loan.[27] Sinnott also completed the signings of Chasetown pair Chris Slater and Kyle Perry, who left their jobs to become full-time professional footballers.[28] In February, O'Loughlin was loaned out to Hinckley United. After the club lost a 2–0 lead at Victoria Park to lose 3–2 against Hartlepool United, club legend Jon McCarthy questioned the team's mental strength.[29] In April, Craig Rocastle's contract was terminated by mutual consent, and he moved to play for Greek club Thrasyvoulos.[30] Teenage goalkeeper Chris Martin made his debut on 19 April, as Vale were on the end of a 6–0 defeat by Swindon Town at The County Ground.[31] Despite just two defeats in the final ten games of the season, Vale had long been relegated.
They finished in 23rd place with 38 points, above Luton Town only because the "Hatters" were hit with a ten-point deduction. Vale were twelve points behind Crewe Alexandra, who finished one place above the relegation zone. Luke Rodgers was the club's top scorer with twelve goals in all competitions. There was a distinct lack of goals in the side, though their goals conceded tally of 81 was the highest in the league.
At the end of the season there was an exodus of players: Robin Hulbert (Darlington);[32] Colin Miles (Woking);[33] Jason Talbot (Livingston);[34] Mark McGregor (Altrincham);[35] Joe Cardle (Airdrie United);[36] Adam Eckersley (Horsens);[37] Dave Mulligan (Wellington Phoenix);[38] Justin Miller (Chelmsford City);[39] Charlie O'Loughlin (Nantwich Town);[40] as well as club captain George Pilkington (Luton Town).[41] Sinnott claimed this cull was necessary to turn the club around.[42] Danny Whitaker rejected Vale's contract offer,[43] and their revised offer,[44][45] to move off to Oldham Athletic.[46] Player of the Year Paul Harsley also turned down a new deal, and instead signed with Chesterfield.[47] Marc Richards discussed a £100,000 move to Cheltenham Town,[48] though chose to stay in Burslem.
Finances
The club had to make monthly repayments of around £19,000 for a £2.25 million loan taken out from the local council in 2005.[49] The club's shirt sponsorship came from Sennheiser.
Cup competitions
In the FA Cup, Sinnott's first cup game in charge saw Vale take revenge on Morecambe with a 2–0 win at Vale Park,[50] to give the "Valiants" what seemed to be an easy Second Round tie with Southern League side Chasetown (an eighth tier team 101 league places below them).[51] Vale sacrificed a one-goal lead over the amateurs to limp to a 1–1 draw at Vale Park, after conceding from a 40-yard free kick taken by trainee accountant Mark Branch.[52][53] Chasetown then made a giant-killing with a late goal on their home ground, after Luke Rodgers missed two penalties.[54]
In the League Cup, Vale exited at the First Round after losing to League Two side Wrexham 5–3 on penalties, following a 1–1 home draw.[55]
In the League Trophy, Vale were beaten on penalties by a League Two side for the second time in the season, this time after a 2–2 draw with Morecambe at Christie Park. Caretaker-manager Dean Glover likened his side to a "pub team".[56]
League table
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20 | Crewe Alexandra | 46 | 12 | 14 | 20 | 47 | 65 | −18 | 50 | |
21 | Bournemouth (R) | 46 | 17 | 7 | 22 | 62 | 72 | −10 | 48[lower-alpha 1] | Relegation to League Two |
22 | Gillingham (R) | 46 | 11 | 13 | 22 | 44 | 73 | −29 | 46 | |
23 | Port Vale (R) | 46 | 9 | 11 | 26 | 47 | 81 | −34 | 38 | |
24 | Luton Town (R) | 46 | 11 | 10 | 25 | 43 | 63 | −20 | 33[lower-alpha 1] |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(R) Relegated.
Notes:
- Luton and Bournemouth deducted 10 points each for entering administration.
Results
Port Vale's score comes first
Results by matchday
Matches
Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
11 August 2007 | Bristol Rovers | H | 1–1 | 6,808 | Rodgers (pen) |
18 August 2007 | Yeovil Town | A | 0–1 | 5,071 | |
25 August 2007 | Hartlepool United | H | 0–2 | 3,978 | |
1 September 2007 | Bournemouth | A | 1–0 | 5,444 | Rodgers |
8 September 2007 | Walsall | A | 0–0 | 4,967 | |
15 September 2007 | Nottingham Forest | H | 0–2 | 6,521 | |
22 September 2007 | Luton Town | A | 1–2 | 6,084 | Rodgers |
29 September 2007 | Southend United | H | 1–2 | 3,969 | Rodgers (pen) |
2 October 2007 | Cheltenham Town | H | 3–0 | 3,102 | McGoldrick, Edwards, Rocastle |
6 October 2007 | Northampton Town | A | 1–2 | 4,755 | McGoldrick |
13 October 2007 | Brighton and Hove Albion | H | 0–1 | 3,490 | |
20 October 2007 | Leyton Orient | A | 1–3 | 4,555 | Rodgers |
27 October 2007 | Swindon Town | H | 2–1 | 4,013 | Rodgers (pen), Whitaker |
3 November 2007 | Huddersfield Town | A | 1–3 | 8,555 | Rodgers |
6 November 2007 | Crewe Alexandra | H | 0–1 | 5,329 | |
17 November 2007 | Oldham Athletic | A | 1–1 | 5,097 | Willock |
24 November 2007 | Doncaster Rovers | H | 1–3 | 4,581 | Pilkington |
4 December 2007 | Leeds United | A | 0–3 | 20,301 | |
8 December 2007 | Gillingham | A | 2–1 | 7,001 | Willock, King (og) |
15 December 2007 | Tranmere Rovers | H | 0–0 | 3,604 | |
22 December 2007 | Nottingham Forest | A | 0–2 | 21,407 | |
26 December 2007 | Walsall | H | 1–1 | 6,029 | Laird |
29 December 2007 | Luton Town | H | 1–2 | 4,224 | Willock |
2 January 2008 | Cheltenham Town | A | 0–1 | 3,221 | |
5 January 2008 | Carlisle United | A | 2–3 | 6,313 | Harsley, Willock |
12 January 2008 | Millwall | H | 3–1 | 3,724 | Lowe (2), Whitaker |
19 January 2008 | Swansea City | A | 0–2 | 12,310 | |
26 January 2008 | Bournemouth | H | 1–3 | 4,047 | Pilkington |
29 January 2008 | Yeovil Town | H | 2–2 | 2,869 | Eckersley, Edwards |
2 February 2008 | Bristol Rovers | A | 2–3 | 6,927 | Harsley (pen), Lowe |
9 February 2008 | Carlisle United | H | 1–1 | 4,221 | Harsley (pen) |
12 February 2008 | Hartlepool United | A | 2–3 | 3,630 | Herd (2) |
16 February 2008 | Swansea City | H | 0–2 | 4,347 | |
23 February 2008 | Millwall | A | 0–3 | 7,775 | |
1 March 2008 | Oldham Athletic | H | 0–3 | 3,715 | |
8 March 2008 | Doncaster Rovers | A | 1–2 | 8,040 | Whitaker |
11 March 2008 | Crewe Alexandra | A | 2–0 | 5,229 | Harsley (pen), Rodgers |
15 March 2008 | Leeds United | H | 3–3 | 7,908 | Harsley (pen), Whitaker, Rodgers |
20 March 2008 | Tranmere Rovers | A | 0–2 | 6,484 | |
24 March 2008 | Gillingham | H | 2–1 | 3,157 | Richards, Whitaker |
29 March 2008 | Leyton Orient | H | 2–1 | 3,252 | Richards, Howland |
5 April 2008 | Brighton and Hove Albion | A | 3–2 | 7,741 | Richards (2), Whitaker |
12 April 2008 | Huddersfield Town | H | 0–0 | 4,150 | |
19 April 2008 | Swindon Town | A | 0–6 | 7,361 | |
26 April 2008 | Northampton Town | H | 2–2 | 4,556 | Richards, Glover |
3 May 2008 | Southend United | A | 1–1 | 9,292 | Mulligan |
FA Cup
Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
R1 | 10 November 2007 | Morecambe | A | 2–0 | 2,730 | Pilkington, Willock |
R2 | 2 December 2007 | Chasetown | H | 1–1 | 5,875 | Rodgers |
R2 Replay | 12 December 2007 | Chasetown | A | 0–1 | 1,986 |
Player statistics
Appearances
Pos. | # | Name | Football League | FA Cup | League Cup | League Trophy | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
DF | 2 | George Pilkington | 45 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50 | 3 | |
DF | 3 | Jason Talbot | 25 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 0 | |
MF | 4 | Robin Hulbert | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 0 | |
DF | 5 | Keith Lowe | 28 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 3 | |
MF | 7 | Shane Tudor | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 0 | |
MF | 8 | Paul Harsley | 41 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 5 | |
FW | 9 | Marc Richards | 29 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 32 | 5 | |
FW | 10 | Luke Rodgers | 36 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 41 | 12 | |
MF | 11 | Paul Edwards | 25 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 29 | 2 | |
GK | 12 | Joe Anyon | 44 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 49 | 0 | |
MF | 14 | Danny Whitaker | 41 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 7 | |
FW | 15 | Justin Miller | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 1 | |
MF | 16 | Ross Davidson | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
MF | 17 | Craig Rocastle | 23 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 1 | |
DF | 18 | Colin Miles | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
MF | 19 | Joe Cardle | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
DF | 20 | Adam Eckersley | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 1 | |
FW | 21 | Danny Glover | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 1 | |
DF | 22 | Luke Prosser | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
DF | 23 | Charlie O'Loughlin | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
FW | 24 | Kyle Perry | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | |
DF | 25 | Danny Edwards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
GK | 26 | Chris Martin | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
FW | 27 | James Lawrie | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
MF | 28 | Dave Mulligan | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 | |
DF | 29 | Chris Slater | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
MF | 32 | Simon Richman | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
MF | 34 | David Howland | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 | |
MF | Luke Chapman | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
DF | Mitchell Hanson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Players that left the club mid-season: | |||||||||||||
GK | 1 | Mark Goodlad | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
DF | 6 | Richard Walker | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
DF | 16 | Mark McGregor | 20 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | |
FW | 20 | Akpo Sodje | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
DF | 20 | Ashley Westwood | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 0 | |
FW | 24 | Calum Willock | 15 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 4 | |
FW | 25 | David McGoldrick | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 2 | |
MF | 25 | Chris Herd | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | |
MF | 27 | Will Atkinson | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
MF | 28 | Mark Salmon | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
MF | 29 | Marc Laird | 7 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | |
FW | 33 | Tobias Mikaelsson | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
DF | 35 | Krystian Pearce | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |
Top scorers
Place | Position | Nation | Number | Name | EFL League One | FA Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Trophy | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | FW | England | 10 | Luke Rodgers | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
2 | MF | England | 14 | Danny Whitaker | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
3 | MF | England | 8 | Paul Harsley | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
– | FW | England | 9 | Marc Richards | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
5 | FW | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 24 | Calum Willock | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
6 | DF | England | 5 | Keith Lowe | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
– | DF | England | 2 | George Pilkington | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
8 | MF | Australia | 25 | Chris Herd | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
– | FW | Ireland | 25 | David McGoldrick | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
– | MF | England | 11 | Paul Edwards | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
11 | DF | England | 20 | Adam Eckersley | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
– | MF | Grenada | 17 | Craig Rocastle | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
– | MF | New Zealand | 28 | Dave Mulligan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
– | MF | Scotland | 29 | Marc Laird | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
– | MF | Northern Ireland | 34 | David Howland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
– | FW | South Africa | 15 | Justin Miller | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
– | FW | England | 21 | Danny Glover | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
– | – | – | – | Own goals | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
TOTALS | 47 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 53 |
Transfers
Transfers in
Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Fee | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May 2007 | DF | Justin Miller | Leyton Orient | Free transfer | [58] | |
May 2007 | MF | Shane Tudor | Leyton Orient | Free transfer | [58] | |
June 2007 | DF | Paul Edwards | Oldham Athletic | Free transfer | [58] | |
June 2007 | FW | Marc Richards | Barnsley | Free transfer | [58] | |
June 2007 | FW | Craig Rocastle | Oldham Athletic | Free transfer | [58] | |
August 2007 | FW | Calum Willock | Brentford | Free transfer | [58] | |
January 2008 | DF | Adam Eckersley | Manchester United | Free transfer | [58] | |
January 2008 | FW | Dave Mulligan | Scunthorpe United | Free transfer | [58] | |
January 2008 | FW | Kyle Perry | Chasetown | 'nominal' | [58] | |
January 2008 | DF | Chris Slater | Chasetown | 'nominal' | [58] |
Transfers out
Loans in
Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Date to | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20 July 2007 | DF | Keith Lowe | Wolverhampton Wanderers | End of season | [58] | |
30 August 2007 | DF | Ashley Westwood | Chester City | 5 December 2007 | [58] | |
31 August 2007 | FW | David McGoldrick | Southampton | 1 January 2008 | [58] | |
12 October 2007 | DF | Adam Eckersley | Manchester United | 12 November 2007 | [58] | |
31 August 2007 | MF | Chris Herd | Aston Villa | 12 March 2008 | [58] | |
12 October 2007 | MF | Will Atkinson | Hull City | 12 November 2007 | [58] | |
8 November 2007 | MF | Marc Laird | Manchester City | 1 January 2008 | [58] | |
22 November 2007 | MF | Mark Salmon | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 6 January 2008 | [58] | |
17 January 2008 | MF | Tobias Mikaelsson | Aston Villa | 17 February 2008 | [58] | |
23 January 2008 | MF | David Howland | Birmingham City | 23 April 2008 | [58] | |
31 January 2008 | DF | Krystian Pearce | Birmingham City | 18 April 2008 | [24] | |
27 March 2008 | DF | Mitchell Hanson | Derby County | 29 April 2008 | [58] |
Loans out
Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Date to | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
19 November 2007 | MF | Shane Tudor | Shrewsbury Town | 19 December 2007 | [58] | |
November 2007 | DF | Charlie O'Loughlin | Nantwich Town | November 2007 | [58] | |
2008 | DF | Luke Prosser | Leigh RMI | 2008 | [58] | |
25 November 2007 | FW | Luke Rodgers | Yeovil Town | 9 January 2008 | [58] | |
10 January 2008 | FW | Craig Rocastle | Gillingham | 27 January 2008 | [58] | |
February 2008 | DF | Charlie O'Loughlin | Hinckley United | 2008 | [58] |
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- Specific
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- General