1984–85 Port Vale F.C. season
Port Vale 1984–85 football season
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The 1984–85 season was Port Vale's 73rd season of football in the English Football League, and first (12th overall) back in the Fourth Division following their relegation from the Third Division.[1] John Rudge led his first full campaign as manager, overseeing a period of rebuilding that resulted in a mid-table 12th‑place finish
| 1984–85 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Jim Lloyd | ||
| Manager | John Rudge | ||
| Stadium | Vale Park | ||
| Football League Fourth Division | 12th (60 Points) | ||
| FA Cup | Third Round (knocked out by West Ham United) | ||
| League Cup | Second Round (knocked out by Wolverhampton Wanderers) | ||
| Associate Members' Cup | Second Round (knocked out by Bristol City) | ||
| Player of the Year | Alan Webb | ||
| Top goalscorer | League: Ally Brown (17) All: Ally Brown (21) | ||
| Highest home attendance | 6,949 vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers, 24 September 1984 | ||
| Lowest home attendance | 1,386 vs. Northampton Town, 29 January 1985 | ||
| Average home league attendance | 3,267 | ||
| Biggest win | 5–1 vs. Exeter City, 1 January 1985 | ||
| Biggest defeat | 0–4 vs. Bury, 26 December 1984 | ||
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Veteran striker Ally Brown emerged as both league and season top‑scorer with 17 and 21 goals respectively, while young midfield dynamo Robbie Earle added 19 goals, signalling the club's attacking promise for the future. Defender Alan Webb, solid and consistent at the back, was voted the club's Player of the Year. In cup competitions, Vale reached the Third Round of the FA Cup, were eliminated in the Second Round of the Associate Members' Cup, and made it to the Second Round of the League Cup. Off the pitch, the club recorded its largest league win of 5–1 against Exeter City on New Year's Day, suffered a heaviest defeat of 4–0 at Bury on Boxing Day, and averaged an attendance of 3,267 at Vale Park.
A transitional yet promising season under John Rudge — quietly steady, powered by key performers Brown, Earle, and Webb — laid the groundwork for future progress despite a return to the lower tier.
Overview
Fourth Division
The pre-season saw four new arrivals: veteran striker Ally Brown (Walsall); winger Peter Griffiths (Stoke City); and both forward Derek Monaghan and reliable defender Alan Webb (West Bromwich Albion).[1] This came after John Rudge stated that "Vale's reputation has been built on grit and determination and I will be looking to bring in the player who is willing to die for the cause".[1] Attempts to re-sign Brian Horton failed once again, whilst Martin Henderson had his contract cancelled after failing to report for pre-season training – he later signed with Spalding United.[1] Just before the season began Gary Brazil was signed on loan from Sheffield United.[1]
The season opened with a 1–0 defeat to Mansfield Town.[1] Tommy Gore soon announced his retirement due to a neck injury.[1] The Vale then went five games unbeaten, starting with a 1–1 draw at Wrexham on 1 September. The club announced a new five-year shirt sponsorship deal with Trentham firm Eagle Delivery Service.[1] Young winger Ray Walker also arrived on loan from Aston Villa.[1] On 22 September, Vale defeated Tranmere Rovers 2–1, due in part to a superb performance from Robbie Earle.[2] However, the fans chanted 'what a load of rubbish' on 1 October, as Vale lost 3–0 at home to struggling side Northampton Town.[1] Rudge stated that 'In truth we were rubbish' and promptly cancelled the player's day off.[1] Another five-game unbeaten run followed, as Brown showed his 'class' and Walker impressed.[1] On 20 October, Vale won 1–0 away at Swindon Town, who were coached by player-manager Lou Macari.[3]
On 5 November, Eamonn O'Keefe scored a 'brilliant' hat-trick past Southend United in a 4–1 win.[1] Rudge then signed Stockport County's outside-right Oshor Williams for £7,000.[1] Vale's form then suffered after Walker returned to Villa Park.[1] To remedy this Rudge signed Southend United midfielder Billy Kellock, who made 'a stunning impact' in his debut, playing a key part in the 5–1 victory over Exeter City on New Year's Day.[1] This was the first of a 16-game unbeaten run, in which the team equalled a club-record six straight away draws between 19 January and 29 March.[1]
On 2 February, Earle scored a hat-trick past Hereford United.[1] Striker partner Ally Brown claimed "He is my brains and I am his legs".[1] John Rudge received the Manager of the Month award for February.[1] The next month Barry Siddall joined Stoke City on a free transfer, after Chris Pearce had established himself as the Vale's #1.[1] Wayne Cegielski also signed with Blackpool and Eamonn O'Keefe followed him to Bloomfield Road for a £10,000 fee.[1] On 16 March, Vale celebrated Rudge's Manager of the Month award for February with a 3–1 home win over Rochdale.[4] Five victories in the opening six games of April took Vale sliding down the league, as Brown was out with a knee injury.[1] Vale rallied to go through the final five games unbeaten.[1] The season concluded with a 3–3 draw at Scunthorpe United after a two-goal lead was lost and only a late Williams strike salvaged a draw.[5]
They finished in twelfth place with sixty points, winning and losing 14 games.[1] Between them, Brown and Earle racked up a combined total of 40 goals in all competitions.[1] Yet it was Russell Bromage who was selected for the PFA Fourth Division team.[1]
Finances
On the financial side, a loss was made of £7,793 due to a 20% drop in attendance figures.[1] The wage bill stood at £389,341, whilst gate receipts took in £128,954 and the lottery raised £191,000.[1] The club's shirt sponsors were EDS. Five players left on free transfers, most significant were the departures of: Terry Armstrong and Derek Monaghan (retired); Colin Tartt (Shepshed Charterhouse); and Ian Griffiths (Wigan Athletic).[1] Billy Kellock also refused terms, and so joined Halifax Town, whilst John Ridley joined Stafford Rangers as a player-coach.[1] Vale received £700 following a tribunal claim, becoming the first Football League club to take a non-League club to a tribunal.[1] The Sentinel's Vale reporter Chris Harper wrote that "Mr Rudge has shown himself to be a diligent, responsible type of manager and the Board could rest assured that he is not likely to pour money down the drain."[5]
Cup competitions
In the FA Cup, Vale beat Northern Premier League leaders Macclesfield Town by two goals to one at Moss Rose.[1] This game was overshadowed by a fence collapse that left 13 injured and led to 21 arrests.[1] Town Chairman Alan Brocklehurst blamed 'the hooligan element of the Vale support'; however, Vale Chairman Jim Lloyd laid the blame at the feet of the police.[1] The next round saw Vale come from a goal down to claim a 4–1 home victory over Scunthorpe United in a Friday night game, with Brown's equalising goal changing the pattern of the game just before half-time.[1][6] In the third round they travelled to West Ham United's Upton Park, where the First Division club beat the "Valiants" 4–1.[1]
In the League Cup, Vale went past Bury on away goals, having scored one of their two goals at Gigg Lane.[1] In the second round they lost 2–1 at home to Second Division Wolverhampton Wanderers, though they did earn a goalless draw at Molineux.[1]
In the Associate Members' Cup, Vale eliminated Northampton Town in a 2–1 replay victory at Sixfields. The original match saw an attendance of just 1,386 at Vale Park.[1] At the replay, Ian Griffiths required a skin graft after getting his hand trapped in a toilet door.[1] Vale were knocked out in the next round by Bristol City, losing 2–1 to the Third Division side at Ashton Gate.[1]
Results
Football League Fourth Division
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Crewe Alexandra | 46 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 65 | 69 | −4 | 66 |
| 11 | Peterborough United | 46 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 54 | 53 | +1 | 62 |
| 12 | Port Vale | 46 | 14 | 18 | 14 | 61 | 59 | +2 | 60 |
| 13 | Aldershot | 46 | 17 | 8 | 21 | 56 | 63 | −7 | 59 |
| 14 | Mansfield Town | 46 | 13 | 18 | 15 | 41 | 38 | +3 | 57 |
Results by matchday
Matches
| 25 August 1984 1 | Port Vale | 0–1 | Mansfield Town | Burslem |
| Report | Caldwell  |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,552 |
| 1 September 1984 2 | Wrexham | 1–1 | Port Vale | Wrexham |
| 15:00 BST | Rogers 38' |
Report | Brazil 63' |
Stadium: Racecourse Ground Attendance: 1,849 Referee: K Walmsley Assistant referees: N J Ellis, J E Tong |
| 8 September 1984 3 | Port Vale | 1–1 | Hartlepool United | Burslem |
| Sproson 60' |
Report | Linighan 13' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,232 Referee: Ray Guy |
| 15 September 1984 4 | Torquay United | 1–3 | Port Vale | Torquay |
| Report | Walker Earle Brown |
Stadium: Plainmoor Attendance: 1,692 |
| 18 September 1984 5 | Blackpool | 1–1 | Port Vale | Blackpool |
| Report | Brazil |
Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 4,902 |
| 22 September 1984 6 | Port Vale | 2–1 | Tranmere Rovers | Burslem |
| Brazil Earle |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,301 |
| 29 September 1984 7 | Hereford United | 1–0 | Port Vale | Hereford |
| Kearns 39' |
Report | Stadium: Edgar Street Attendance: 4,093 |
| 1 October 1984 8 | Port Vale | 0–3 | Northampton Town | Burslem |
| Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,235 |
| 6 October 1984 9 | Port Vale | 2–0 | Crewe Alexandra | Burslem |
| Brown P.Griffiths |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,145 |
| 13 October 1984 10 | Rochdale | 1–2 | Port Vale | Rochdale |
| Cooke 37' |
Report | O'Keefe 22' Brown 33' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 1,722 Referee: A Saunders |
| 20 October 1984 11 | Swindon Town | 0–1 | Port Vale | Swindon |
| Report | O'Keefe 58' |
Stadium: County Ground Attendance: 3,056 Referee: A. Buksh |
| 22 October 1984 12 | Port Vale | 0–0 | Chesterfield | Burslem |
| Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,988 |
| 27 October 1984 13 | Port Vale | 3–1 | Peterborough United | Burslem |
| Brown O'Keefe |
Report | Cassidy |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,943 Referee: T. Simpson |
| 3 November 1984 14 | Stockport County | 3–1 | Port Vale | Stockport |
| 15:00 GMT | Hendrie 11' Coyle 24' Taylor 51' |
Report | O'Keefe 60' |
Stadium: Edgeley Park Attendance: 2,698 Referee: David Richardson |
| 5 November 1984 15 | Port Vale | 4–1 | Southend United | Burslem |
| O'Keefe Earle |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,989 |
| 10 November 1984 16 | Aldershot | 1–0 | Port Vale | Aldershot |
| Report | Stadium: Recreation Ground Attendance: 2,188 |
| 23 November 1984 17 | Port Vale | 0–0 | Chester City | Burslem |
| Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,391 |
| 30 November 1984 18 | Halifax Town | 2–1 | Port Vale | Halifax, West Yorkshire |
| Report | Hunter |
Stadium: The Shay Attendance: 1,689 |
| 15 December 1984 19 | Port Vale | 0–1 | Darlington | Burslem |
| Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,645 |
| 22 December 1984 20 | Port Vale | 1–1 | Scunthorpe United | Burslem |
| P.Griffiths |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,521 |
| 26 December 1984 21 | Bury | 4–0 | Port Vale | Bury, Greater Manchester |
| Report | Stadium: Gigg Lane Attendance: 4,664 |
| 28 December 1984 22 | Colchester United | 3–2 | Port Vale | Colchester |
| 19:30 GMT | Groves 4' Bowen 32' (pen.), 56' (pen.) |
Report | Brown 50' Smith 66' |
Stadium: Layer Road Attendance: 2,014 Referee: E Scales |
| 1 January 1985 23 | Port Vale | 5–1 | Exeter City | Burslem |
| 15:00 BST | Kellock (pen.) Brown Earle |
Report | Belfon Cavener Hayes |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,306 Referee: Allan Banks |
| 19 January 1985 24 | Hartlepool United | 2–2 | Port Vale | Hartlepool |
| Dixon 2', 65' |
Report | Brown 50' Williams 87' |
Stadium: Victoria Park Attendance: 2,285 Referee: David Scott |
| 26 January 1985 25 | Port Vale | 2–2 | Torquay United | Burslem |
| Hunter Earle |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,839 |
| 2 February 1985 26 | Port Vale | 3–1 | Hereford United | Burslem |
| Earle 9', 18', 31' |
Report | Phillips 32' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,453 |
| 23 February 1985 27 | Port Vale | 3–2 | Stockport County | Burslem |
| 15:00 GMT | Bromage 6' Brown 10', 61' |
Report | Power 46' Crawford 83' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,154 Referee: John Ball |
| 2 March 1985 28 | Peterborough United | 0–0 | Port Vale | Peterborough |
| Report | Stadium: London Road Stadium Attendance: 2,817 Referee: K. Miller |
| 5 March 1985 29 | Chesterfield | 0–0 | Port Vale | Chesterfield, Derbyshire |
| Report | Stadium: Saltergate Attendance: 3,480 |
| 9 March 1985 30 | Port Vale | 2–0 | Swindon Town | Burslem |
| Sproson 53' Brown |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,300 Referee: K.S. Hackett |
| 13 March 1985 31 | Port Vale | 1–1 | Mansfield Town | Burslem |
| Sproson |
Report | Whatmore |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,161 |
| 16 March 1985 32 | Port Vale | 3–1 | Rochdale | Burslem |
| Griffiths 46' Kellock 70' (pen.)Brown 89' |
Report | Gamble 80' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,788 Referee: HW King |
| 22 March 1985 33 | Crewe Alexandra | 0–0 | Port Vale | Crewe |
| Report | Stadium: Gresty Road Attendance: 4,763 |
| 25 March 1985 34 | Port Vale | 0–0 | Wrexham | Burslem |
| 19:30 GMT | Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,964 Referee: L R Dilkes Assistant referees: P S Danson, D B Scrimshaw |
| 29 March 1985 35 | Southend United | 1–1 | Port Vale | Southend-on-Sea |
| Report | Earle |
Stadium: Roots Hall Attendance: 2,407 |
| 1 April 1985 36 | Tranmere Rovers | 4–1 | Port Vale | Prenton |
| Report | Earle |
Stadium: Prenton Park Attendance: 1,450 |
| 8 April 1985 38 | Exeter City | 2–1 | Port Vale | Exeter |
| Report | Earle |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 2,427 |
| 17 April 1985 40 | Northampton Town | 1–0 | Port Vale | Northampton |
| 19:30 BST | Gage |
Report | Stadium: County Cricket Ground Attendance: 1,311 |
| 20 April 1985 41 | Chester City | 2–0 | Port Vale | Chester |
| Walker |
Report | Stadium: Sealand Road Attendance: 1,575 |
| 27 April 1985 43 | Port Vale | 3–1 | Halifax Town | Burslem |
| Brown Earle Williams |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,029 |
| 4 May 1985 44 | Darlington | 1–1 | Port Vale | Darlington |
| Report | Earle |
Stadium: Feethams Attendance: 3,565 |
| 6 May 1985 45 | Port Vale | 3–2 | Colchester United | Burslem |
| Brown 40' Kellock 65'Earle 71' (pen.) |
Report | Shinners 85' Groves 89' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,526 Referee: G Aplin |
| 10 May 1985 46 | Scunthorpe United | 3–3 | Port Vale | Scunthorpe |
| Report | Brown Tartt Williams |
Stadium: Old Show Ground Attendance: 1,867 |
FA Cup
| 19 November 1984 R1 | Macclesfield Town | 1–2 | Port Vale | Macclesfield |
| White |
Report | Brown Earle |
Stadium: Moss Rose Attendance: 4,672 |
| 7 December 1984 R2 | Port Vale | 4–1 | Scunthorpe United | Burslem |
| Brown O'Keefe (pen.) Bromage I.Griffiths |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,268 |
| 5 January 1985 R3 | West Ham United | 4–1 | Port Vale | Upton Park, London |
| Goddard Dickens |
Report | P.Griffiths |
Stadium: Boleyn Ground Attendance: 11,452 |
League Cup
| 28 August 1984 R1 1st Leg | Port Vale | 1–0 | Bury | Burslem |
| Earle |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,498 |
| 4 September 1984 R1 2nd Leg | Bury | 2–1 (a.e.t.) (2a–2 agg.) | Port Vale | Bury, Greater Manchester |
| Report | Tartt |
Stadium: Gigg Lane Attendance: 2,257 |
| 24 September 1984 R2 1st Leg | Port Vale | 1–2 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Burslem |
| Brown 30' |
Report | Evans 49' Dodd 83' |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 6,949 Referee: J Worrall |
| 9 October 1984 R2 2nd Leg | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0–0 (2–1 agg.) | Port Vale | Wolverhampton |
| Report | Stadium: Molineux Stadium Attendance: 5,964 Referee: H King |
Associate Members' Cup
| 29 January 1985 R1 | Port Vale | 1–1 | Northampton Town | Burslem |
| 19:30 GMT | Williams |
Report | Benjamin |
Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 1,386 |
| 5 February 1985 Replay | Northampton Town | 1–2 | Port Vale | Northampton |
| 19:30 GMT | Belfon |
Report | Earle |
Stadium: County Cricket Ground Attendance: 1,405 |
| 18 March 1985 R2 | Bristol City | 2–1 | Port Vale | Ashton Gate, Bristol |
| Report | Brown |
Stadium: Ashton Gate Attendance: 3,635 |
Player statistics
Appearances and goals
- Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward
Top scorers
| Place | Position | Nation | Name | Fourth Division | FA Cup | League Cup | Associate Members' Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FW |  Scotland | Ally Brown | 17 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 21 |
| 2 | MF |  Jamaica | Robbie Earle | 15 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 19 |
| 3 | FW |  Ireland | Eamonn O'Keefe | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 4 | MF | Scotland | Billy Kellock | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| – | FW |  England | Oshor Williams | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| – | MF | England | Peter Griffiths | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 7 | FW | England | Gary Brazil | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| – | DF | England | Phil Sproson | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 9 | MF | England | Geoff Hunter | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| – | MF | England | Colin Tartt | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| – | DF | England | Russell Bromage | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 12 | MF | England | Ray Walker | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | MF | England | Martyn Smith | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | FW | England | Ian Griffiths | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| TOTALS | 61 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 75 | |||
Transfers
Transfers in
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Transfers out
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Loans in
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Loans out
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