1997–98 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1997–98 season was Port Vale's 86th season of football in the English Football League, and fourth successive season in the First Division. John Rudge managed to mastermind a final day escape from relegation, as rivals Stoke City instead lost their second tier status, leaving Vale as the top club in the Potteries. In the FA Cup, Vale took Arsenal to a replay, before leaving at the Third Round stage having lost on penalties. In the League Cup Vale again exited at the First Round. Something of an end of an era for the club, Lee Mills and Jon McCarthy left the club on big money moves, whilst Dean Glover, Andy Porter, and Andy Hill also left the club. The club made its record signing however, in bringing Gareth Ainsworth in from Lincoln City for £500,000.

Port Vale
1997–98 season
ChairmanBill Bell
ManagerJohn Rudge
StadiumVale Park
Football League First Division19th (49 Points)
FA CupThird Round
(knocked out by Arsenal)
League CupFirst Round
(knocked out by York City)
Player of the YearGareth Ainsworth
Top goalscorerLeague: Lee Mills (14)
All: Lee Mills (16)
Highest home attendance14,964 vs. Arsenal, 14 January 1998
Lowest home attendance2,749 vs. York City, 12 August 1997
Average home league attendance8,263
Biggest win4–0 vs. Huddersfield Town, 3 May 1998
Biggest defeat1–5 vs. Ipswich Town, 18 April 1998

Overview

First Division

The pre-season saw the arrival of Swedish midfielder Jan Jansson from IFK Norrköping for a £200,000 fee. Dutch defender Mark Snijders also signed from AZ.

The Vale started the season in modest form, as they picked up fourteen points in the opening nine games. On 11 September, John Rudge made the club's record signing by paying Lincoln City £500,000 for the services of midfielder Gareth Ainsworth. To pay for this Jon McCarthy was sold to Birmingham City for £1.5m. Also heading away from Stoke-on-Trent was Arjan van Heusden, who joined Oxford United on loan. The next month Gareth Griffiths left for a loan spell at Shrewsbury Town. Disappointment came on 12 October, with a 2–1 defeat to rivals Stoke City at the newly opened Britannia Stadium. Vale's indifferent form continued, one highlight being a 3–2 win over Manchester City at Maine Road on 4 November. Later in the year Paul Beesley joined on loan from Man City, and played a handful of games. The club's indifferent form then turned to a terrible run of ten defeats in twelve games, which included a run of one goal scored in seven games. Their form picked up in February, though they were still inconsistent. On 1 March, Stoke, who were also in relegation danger, escaped from Vale Park with a goalless draw. Later in month Rudge signed young Tottenham Hotspur forward Paul Mahorn on non-contract terms. On 14 March, a 2–1 win over Manchester City was to prove crucial, though Vale were still in danger of the drop. Going into their final game with Huddersfield Town at the Alfred McAlpine Stadium Vale had lost three straight games, and were in need of a win to ensure their safety in the league.[1] A brace from Jansson, and one each from Martin Foyle and Lee Mills earned Vale a 4–0 win.[2]

They finished in nineteenth place, one point above Manchester City in the relegation zone.[3] Stoke City were also relegated, and had Stoke beat Vale in Burslem then Vale would have taken Stoke's place in the relegation zone.[1] Lee Mills was the club's top-scorer with sixteen goals, whilst Tony Naylor also hit double-figures.

At the end of the season, Lee Mills was signed by Premier League Bradford City, becoming Bradford's first million pound player. Twelve year club veteran Andy Porter signed for Wigan Athletic, as did Griffiths. Another major departure was nine-year club veteran defender Dean Glover, who joined non-league Kidderminster Harriers. Another older player, Andy Hill, retired outright. Other departures were Dave Barnett to Lincoln City, Dean Stokes to Third Division Rochdale, and Dutch keeper Arjan van Heusden also headed into the basement division with Cambridge United. Fellow Dutchman Jermaine Holwyn returned to the Netherlands to play for HFC Haarlem.

Finances

The club's shirt sponsors were Tunstall Assurance.

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale faced a trip to Highbury to face Arsenal. Rudge's "Valiants" battled to a goalless draw with Arsène Wenger's "Gunners", to take the Londoners back to Burslem. Again goalless, Dennis Bergkamp scored in the tenth minute of extra time, but Wayne Corden equalized eight minutes before the full-time whistle.[4] Lee Dixon missed the first penalty of the shoot-out, but Arsenal recovered to win the game 4–3 on penalties, and later went on to lift the cup.[5][6]

In the League Cup, Second Division York City eliminated the Vale with a 3–2 aggregate victory.

League table
Main article: 1997–98 Football League First Division
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
17 Bury 46 11 19 16 42 58 −16 52
18 Swindon Town 46 14 10 22 42 73 −31 52
19 Port Vale 46 13 10 23 56 66 −10 49
20 Portsmouth 46 13 10 23 51 63 −12 49
21 Queens Park Rangers 46 10 19 17 51 63 −12 49
Updated to match(es) played on 3 May 1998. Source: Statto.com
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) number of goal scored; 3) goal difference.

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League First Division

Results by matchday
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHAHAHAAHHAAHHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAAHHAHAAHAHAHA
ResultLLWDWLWDWLLDWLDWWLDLLLLLLLWLLDDLWLDLWWDLWDLLLW
Position20221417111491188111481314107119111314171818201819212021212121242423192020181719202019
Source: Statto[7]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
9 August 1997Nottingham ForestH0–112,533
16 August 1997PortsmouthA1–310,605Talbot
23 August 1997SunderlandH3–18,290Naylor (2), Mills
3 September 1997Wolverhampton WanderersA1–121,524Foyle
9 September 1997Stockport CountyH2–16,615Mills (2)
13 September 1997Norwich CityA0–111,269
16 September 1997Crewe AlexandraA1–05,519Mills
20 September 1997BuryH1–16,781Ainsworth
27 September 1997Queens Park RangersH2–07,197Snijders, Naylor
4 October 1997Swindon TownA2–48,048Glover, Foyle
12 October 1997Stoke CityA1–220,125Naylor
18 October 1997Bradford CityH0–07,148
21 October 1997Huddersfield TownH4–15,244Own goal, Talbot, Ainsworth, Naylor
25 October 1997MiddlesbroughA1–230,096Foyle
1 November 1997ReadingH0–06,569
4 November 1997Manchester CityA3–224,554Snijders, Talbot, Naylor
8 November 1997Tranmere RoversA2–17,063Naylor (2)
15 November 1997West Bromwich AlbionH1–211,124Mills
22 November 1997Sheffield UnitedH0–08,017
29 November 1997Oxford UnitedA0–25,762
6 December 1997Birmingham CityH0–17,509
13 December 1997Charlton AthleticA0–111,077
20 December 1997Ipswich TownH1–35,784Foyle
26 December 1997Stockport CountyA0–310,003
28 December 1997Wolverhampton WanderersH0–210,898
10 January 1998Nottingham ForestA0–217,639
17 January 1998PortsmouthH2–16,028Talbot, Mills
24 January 1998Crewe AlexandraH2–36,683Naylor, Porter (pen)
31 January 1998SunderlandA2–439,258Talbot, Jansson
7 February 1998BuryA2–25,285Mills, Bogie
14 February 1998Norwich CityH2–26,664Mills (2)
17 February 1998Swindon TownH0–15,925
21 February 1998Queens Park RangersA1–014,198Mills
24 February 1998Bradford CityA1–213,293Foyle
1 March 1998Stoke CityH0–013,853
4 March 1998Tranmere RoversH0–15,465
7 March 1998ReadingA3–07,139Mills, Talbot, Jansson
14 March 1998Manchester CityH2–113,122Foyle, Ainsworth
21 March 1998West Bromwich AlbionA2–214,242Jansson, Foyle
28 March 1998Sheffield UnitedA1–215,860Corden
4 April 1998Oxford UnitedH3–06,524Mills, Naylor, Ainsworth
11 April 1998Birmingham CityA1–117,193Ainsworth
13 April 1998Charlton AthleticH0–19,973
18 April 1998Ipswich TownA1–516,205Barnett
24 April 1998MiddlesbroughH0–112,096
3 May 1998Huddersfield TownA4–015,610Jansson (2), Foyle, Mills

FA Cup
Main article: 1997–98 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R33 January 1998ArsenalA0–037,471
R3 Replay14 January 1998ArsenalH(3)1–1(4)14,964Corden

League Cup
Main article: 1997–98 Football League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R1 1st Leg12 August 1997York CityH1–12,749Mills
R1 2nd Leg26 August 1997York CityA1–23,195Mills

Player statistics

Appearances
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Paul Musselwhite 4002020440
GK Arjan van Heusden 50000050
DF Dean Glover 2510010261
DF Neil Aspin 2502020290
DF Allen Tankard 3802020420
DF Dean Stokes 80001090
DF Jon McCarthy 40002060
DF Andy Hill 2702020310
DF Matt Carragher 2500000250
DF Paul Beesley 50000050
DF Dave Barnett 91000091
DF Liam Burns 10000010
DF Mark Snijders 2320200252
DF Gareth Griffiths 30000030
MF Andy Porter 4012010431
MF Ian Bogie 3812010411
MF Wayne Corden 3112120352
MF Stewart Talbot 4162020456
MF Rogier Koordes 90000090
MF Jan Jansson 3250020345
MF Gareth Ainsworth 3952000415
MF Richard Eyre 10000010
FW Martin Foyle 3882020428
FW Lee Mills 421410224516
FW Tony Naylor 371020204110

Top scorers
Place Position Nation Name First Division FA Cup League Cup Total
1FW EnglandLee Mills140216
2FW EnglandTony Naylor100010
3FW EnglandMartin Foyle8008
4MF EnglandStewart Talbot6006
5MF SwedenJan Jansson5005
–MF EnglandGareth Ainsworth5005
7MF EnglandWayne Corden1102
–DF NetherlandsMark Snijders2002
9DF EnglandDean Glover1001
–DF EnglandDave Barnett1001
–MF EnglandIan Bogie1001
–MF EnglandAndy Porter1001
––Own goals1001
TOTALS 56 1 2 59

Transfers

Transfers in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
1997DFMatt CarragherWigan AthleticFree transfer[8]
Summer 1997MFJan Jansson IFK Norrköping£200,000[8]
Summer 1997DFMark Snijders AZ AlkmaarFree transfer[8]
September 1997MFGareth AinsworthLincoln City£500,000[8]

Transfers out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
September 1997MFJon McCarthyBirmingham City£1.5 million[8]
1998DFJermaine Holwyn HFC HaarlemFree transfer[8]
July 1998MFAndy PorterWigan AthleticFree transfer[8]
June 1998DFGareth GriffithsWigan AthleticFree transfer[8]
Summer 1998DFDean GloverKidderminster HarriersFree transfer[8]
Summer 1998DFAndy HillRetired[8]
Summer 1998FWLee MillsBradford City£1,000,000[8]
Summer 1998DFDean StokesRochdaleFree transfer[8]
August 1998GKArjan van HeusdenCambridge UnitedFree transfer[8]

Loans in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
December 1997DFPaul BeesleyManchester CityDecember 1997[8]
March 1998DFDave Barnett Dunfermline AthleticMay 1998[8]

Loans out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref.
September 1997GKArjan van HeusdenOxford UnitedOctober 1997[8]
November 1997DFGareth GriffithsShrewsbury TownNovember 1997[8]

References
Specific
  1. Baggaley, Michael (3 May 2020). "Last day drama when Port Vale stayed up but Man City and Stoke City went down". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  2. Baggaley, Mike (20 February 2016). "Were these Vale's five greatest games ever?". The Sentinel. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  3. Baggaley, Mike (5 January 2017). "Huddersfield v Port Vale archives: When Vale stayed up in style". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  4. Shaw, Phil (15 January 1998). "Football: Arsenal let off the hook by Tankard". The Independent. London. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  5. "Sports photographs from our archives". The Sentinel. 8 July 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  6. Baggaley, Michael (14 January 2018). "When Port Vale gave Arsenal an almighty FA Cup scare". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  7. Port Vale 1997–1998 : Results & Fixtures. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  8. "Port Vale FC Club Details | Transfers | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
General
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