1984–85 Port Vale F.C. season

Port Vale
1984–85 season
Chairman England Jim Lloyd
Manager England John Rudge
Stadium Vale Park
Football League Fourth Division 12th (60 Points)
FA Cup Third Round
League Cup Second Round
League Trophy Second Round
Player of the Year England 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
Home colours

The 1984–85 season was Port Vale's 73rd season of football in the Football League, and first (12th overall) back in the Fourth Division following their relegation from the Third Division.[1] John Rudge's first full season in charge, the Vale finished in mid-table following a season of rebuilding the squad. Veteran striker Ally Brown was top-scorer with 21 goals, whilst midfield dynamo Robbie Earle hit 19 goals. Defender Alan Webb was elected Player of the Year, whilst a young Ray Walker also spent a short period on loan at the club. Vale progressed to the Third Round of the FA Cup, and the Second Rounds of the League Cup and League Trophy.

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, as 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] 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 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 sixteen-game unbeaten run, in which the team equalled a club-record six straight away draws between 19 January and 29 March.

On 2 February, Robbie 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] 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]

They finished in twelfth place with sixty points, winning and losing fourteen games.[1] Between them Brown and Earle racked up a combined total of forty 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]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale beat Northern Premier League side Macclesfield Town 2–1 at Moss Rose.[1] This game was overshadowed by a fence collapse that left thirteen 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 conquer Scunthorpe United with a 4–1 home victory.[1] In the Third Round they travelled to West Ham United's Upton Park, where the First Division club beat the "Valiants" 4–1.

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.

In the League Trophy, 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.

Final league table

PWDLFAGDPts
1Chesterfield46261376435+2991
2Blackpool46241487339+3486
3Darlington46241396649+1785
4Bury462412107650+2684
5Hereford United462211136547+1877
6Tranmere Rovers46243198366+1775
7Colchester United462014128765+2274
8Swindon Town46219166258+472
9Scunthorpe United461914138362+2171
10Crewe Alexandra461812166569-466
11Peterborough United461614165453+162
12Port Vale461418146159+260
13Aldershot46178215663-759
14Mansfield Town461318154138+357
15Wrexham46159226770-354
16Chester City46159226072-1254
17Rochdale461314195569-1453
18Exeter City461314195779-2253
19Hartlepool United461410225467-1352
20Southend United461311225883-2550
21Halifax Town46155264269-2750
22Stockport County46138255879-2147
23Northampton Town46145275374-2147
24Torquay United46914233863-2541

P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHAHAAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHHAAHAHHHAAHAHAHAAHAHAAHHAHA
ResultLDDWDWLLWWWDWLWLDLLDLLWDDWWDDWDWDDDLDLLLLDWDWD
Position18181913139101211866711698911121414131313111312121212121212121212121212131313121212

Source: Statto[2]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Football League Fourth Division

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
25 August 1984Mansfield TownH0–13,552
1 September 1984WrexhamA1–11,849Brazil
8 September 1984Hartlepool UnitedH1–13,232Sproson
15 September 1984Torquay UnitedA3–11,692Walker, Earle, Brown
18 September 1984BlackpoolA1–14,902Brazil
22 September 1984Tranmere RoversH2–13,301Brazil, Earle
29 September 1984Hereford UnitedA0–14,093
1 October 1984Northampton TownH0–33,235
6 October 1984Crewe AlexandraH2–04,145Brown, P.Griffiths
13 October 1984RochdaleA2–11,722O'Keefe, Brown
20 October 1984Swindon TownA1–03,056O'Keefe
22 October 1984ChesterfieldH0–04,988
27 October 1984Peterborough UnitedH3–13,943Brown (2), O'Keefe
3 November 1984Stockport CountyA1–32,698O'Keefe
5 November 1984Southend UnitedH4–12,989O'Keefe (3), Earle
10 November 1984AldershotA0–12,188
23 November 1984Chester CityH0–03,391
30 November 1984Halifax TownA1–21,689Hunter
15 December 1984DarlingtonH0–13,645
22 December 1984Scunthorpe UnitedH1–12,521P.Griffiths
26 December 1984BuryA0–44,664
28 December 1984Colchester UnitedA2–32,014Brown, Smith
1 January 1985Exeter CityH5–13,306Kellock (2 [1 pen]), Brown (2), Earle
19 January 1985Hartlepool UnitedA2–22,285Brown, Williams
26 January 1985Torquay UnitedH2–22,839Hunter, Earle
2 February 1985Hereford UnitedH3–13,453Earle (3)
23 February 1985Stockport CountyH3–23,154Brown (2), Bromage
2 March 1985Peterborough UnitedA0–02,817
5 March 1985ChesterfieldA0–03,480
9 March 1985Swindon TownH2–03,300Sproson, Brown
13 March 1985Mansfield TownH1–12,161Sproson
16 March 1985RochdaleH3–12,788P.Griffiths, Kellock (pen), Brown
22 March 1985Crewe AlexandraA0–04,763
25 March 1985WrexhamH0–02,964
29 March 1985Southend UnitedA1–12,407Earle
1 April 1985Tranmere RoversA1–41,450Earle
6 April 1985BuryH0–03,544
8 April 1985Exeter CityA1–22,427Earle
13 April 1985AldershotH1–22,562Earle
17 April 1985Northampton TownA0–11,311
20 April 1985Chester CityA0–21,575
22 April 1985BlackpoolH1–13,725Brown
27 April 1985Halifax TownH3–12,029Brown, Earle, Williams
4 May 1985DarlingtonA1–13,565Earle
6 May 1985Colchester UnitedH3–22,526Brown, Kellock, Earle (pen)
10 May 1985Scunthorpe UnitedA3–31,867Brown, Tartt, Williams

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R119 November 1984Macclesfield TownA2–14,672Brown, Earle
R27 December 1984Scunthorpe UnitedH4–14,268Brown, O'Keefe (pen), Bromage, I.Griffiths
R35 January 1985West Ham UnitedA1–411,452P.Griffiths

League Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R1 1st Leg28 August 1984BuryH1–02,498Earle
R1 2nd Leg4 September 1984BuryA1–22,257Tartt
R2 1st Leg24 September 1984Wolverhampton WanderersH1–26,949Brown
R2 2nd Leg9 October 1984Wolverhampton WanderersA0–05,964

League Trophy

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R129 January 1985Northampton TownH1–11,386Williams
R1 Replay5 February 1985Northampton TownA2–11,405Earle (2)
R218 March 1985Bristol CityA1–23,635Brown

Player statistics

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
1984MFEnglandOshor WilliamsStockport CountyFree transfer[3]
July 1984FWScotlandAlistair BrownWalsallFree transfer[3]
July 1984MFEnglandPeter GriffithsStoke CityFree transfer[3]
July 1984FWEnglandDerek MonaghanWest Bromwich AlbionFree transfer[3]
July 1984DFEnglandAlan WebbWest Bromwich AlbionFree transfer[3]
August 1984MFEnglandMartyn SmithLeek TownFree transfer[3]
October 1984MFEnglandIan GriffithsRochdaleFree transfer[3]
December 1984MFScotlandBilly KellockSouthend UnitedFree transfer[3]
February 1985GKEnglandKarl AustinStafford RangersNon-contract[3]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
October 1984MFEnglandTommy GoreRetired[3]
March 1985DFWalesWayne CegielskiBlackpoolFree transfer[3]
March 1985MFRepublic of IrelandEamonn O'KeefeBlackpool£17,500[3]
March 1985GKEnglandBarry SiddallStoke CityFree transfer[3]
May 1985MFEnglandTerry ArmstrongNuneaton BoroughFree transfer[3]
May 1985FWEnglandDerek MonaghanRedditch UnitedFree transfer[3]
May 1985MFEnglandAdrian Reeves-JonesLeek TownFree transfer[3]
May 1985MFEnglandMartyn SmithMacclesfield TownFree transfer[3]
May 1985MFEnglandColin TarttShepshed CharterhouseFree transfer[3]
June 1985MFScotlandBilly KellockHalifax TownFree transfer[3]
Summer 1985GKEnglandKarl AustinGresley RoversFree transfer[3]
Summer 1985MFEnglandIan GriffithsWigan AthleticFree transfer[3]
Summer 1985MFEnglandJohn RidleyStafford Rangers£700[3]

Loans in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
August 1984FWEnglandGary BrazilAston VillaAugust 1984[3]
August 1984MFEnglandRay WalkerAston VillaEnd of season[3]
November 1984MFEnglandPaul LodgeBolton WanderersJanuary 1985[3]
March 1985DFEnglandWayne EbanksWest Bromwich AlbionEnd of season[3]
March 1985MFEnglandWayne KerrinsFulhamEnd of season[3]

Loans out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref.
January 1985GKEnglandBarry SiddallStoke CityMarch 1985[3]

References

Specific
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 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. ↑ Port Vale 1984–1985 : Results & Fixtures. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 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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