1983–84 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1983–84 season was Port Vale's 72nd season of football in the English Football League, and first (15th overall) back in the Third Division following their promotion from the Fourth Division.[1] The club suffered a horrendous start, and John McGrath lost his job before Christmas; he was replaced by his assistant John Rudge. Rudge instigated an immense turnaround in results, but Vale still ended up relegated, six points shy of safety. Ireland international Eamonn O'Keefe was top-scorer and Player of the Year, and young Mark Bright showed his potential, though left at the end of the season.

Port Vale
1983–84 season
ChairmanJim Lloyd
ManagerJohn McGrath (until 5 December)
John Rudge (from 5 December)
StadiumVale Park
Football League Third Division23rd (43 Points)
FA CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Lincoln City)
League CupSecond Round
(knocked out by Manchester United)
League TrophySecond Round
(knocked out by Bristol Rovers)
Player of the YearEamonn O'Keefe
Top goalscorerLeague: Eamonn O'Keefe (10)
All: Eamonn O'Keefe (11)
Highest home attendance19,855 vs. Manchester United, 3 October 1983
Lowest home attendance2,299 vs. Millwall, 14 May 1984
Average home league attendance4,023
Biggest win5–1 vs. Wrexham, 13 September 1983
Biggest defeat0–7 vs. Burnley, 26 November 1983

Overview

Third Division

The pre-season saw John McGrath pay Wigan Athletic £10,000 for Ireland international Eamonn O'Keefe.[1] He also brought in three players on free transfers: Tommy Gore (Bury), Gary Pollard (Chesterfield), and Chris Pearce (Rochdale).[1] The club reported record season ticket sales, however several players refused to sign new contracts.[1] As a result, Barry Siddall, Russell Bromage, Geoff Hunter, and Terry Armstrong remained on weekly contracts.[1]

The season began with McGrath's new attacking tactics failing miserably, despite a 2–0 win over Bristol Rovers in the fourth game of the programme.[1] Fifteen league games without a win followed, keeping the club rooted at the foot of the table.[1] The Sentinel's Chris Harper commented that "Vale cannot go on being applauded off the park as entertaining losers."[1] Phil Sproson noted that the ongoing contract problems caused unrest in the camp.[1] Siddall handed in his notice, whilst Bob Newton and £8,000 were traded to Chesterfield for the services of Martin Henderson.[1] Bromage walked out on the club after they refused to give him a contract lasting beyond two years.[1] On 31 October, McGrath had to use 41-year-old coach Alan Oakes in a 1–0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle.[1] Chairman Jim Lloyd then blocked McGrath's attempt to sign defender Ken Fogarty, showing how little confidence the board had in their manager.[1] McGrath complained in the media, only to be 'gagged', instructed only to speak to the media on team affairs.[1] Supporters began organizing demonstrations against Lloyd, and in favour of McGrath.[1] In November Siddall and Bromage returned to sign new contracts.[1] Steve Fox was suspended by the club for a fortnight after he refused to play in defence, and on 26 November Burnley thrashed Vale 7–0 at Turf Moor in front of Granada TV cameras.[1] Starting December nine points adrift of safety, paying the third-highest wage bill in the division (£9,000 a week), and home gate receipts down to around £3,000, McGrath was suspended on full pay.[1] The club received a flood of letters in protest, 'some just abusive', but McGrath left permanently after being compensated financially.[1]

John Rudge was appointed caretaker-manager, and made his first signing by taking midfielder Kevin Young on loan from Burnley.[1] His side were defeated 4–0 at Deepdale by Preston North End, and finished the game with just nine men.[1] By now thirteen points short of safety, and seven points from their nearest competitors, The Sentinel's Chris Harper believed them to be 'the poorest side in the Third Division by quite a long chalk'.[1] The revival started the next day, with a 2–0 win over Sheffield United the first of four straight home wins that cut the gap to safety down to only four points.[1] O'Keefe and Henderson formed a potent striking partnership, whilst Young added balance to the midfield.[1] Jim Steel was sold off to Wrexham for £10,000.[1] Rudge said the battle to avoid relegation was as difficult a job as 'trying to climb Everest in a pair of pumps'.[1] Struggling again in February, their 4–2 win over Newport County lifted them off the bottom spot.[1] Following a 4–3 win over Brentford on 3 March, Rudge was appointed as manager until the end of the season.[1] He took Millwall's Andy Massey on loan, but failed to re-sign Bob Newton.[1] On 19 March, Vale defeated fellow strugglers Southend United 2–1 at Roots Hall, their first away game of the league campaign, it took them out of the relegation zone.[1] The job only got more difficult for Rudge however, as an injury crisis developed, and the team went nine games with just one victory.[1] Young striker Mark Bright scored five times in the final six games, yet relegation was all but confirmed despite a 1–0 win over promotion-chasing Hull City.[1] Just 2,299 turned up at Vale Park for a final day 1–0 victory over Millwall, yet a pitch invasion still ensued, with the invaders chanting "We'll be back".[1]

They finished in 23rd place, ahead only of Exeter City.[1] Only Exeter and Wigan Athletic scored fewer, and only Exeter conceded more goals.[1] Player of the Year Eamonn O'Keefe was top-scorer with eleven goals, yet it was Mark Bright who was a revelation.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, a £50,601 profit was recorded with donations from the Development Fund of £146,177 and an income of £73,023 from the open market rents.[1] Wages had been cut back to £310,542, whilst gate receipts rose to £180,504.[1] The club's shirt sponsors were PMT. Steve Fox left for Chester City and Gary Pollard joined Mansfield Town.[1] However Mark Bright signed with Leicester City against Rudge's wishes, and a tribunal handed Vale £33,333 and top-up clauses.[1] O'Keefe also requested a transfer, as he felt he would receive no further international caps playing in the fourth tier.[1] Mick Cullerton, then Vale's commercial manager, later claimed that vast wage disparities in the squad caused discontent and reduced club morale.[2]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale were eliminated at the First Round by Lincoln City.

In the League Cup, Vale 'ran riot' over Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground to go through to the Second Round 8–2 on aggregate.[1] Coming up against Ron Atkinson's Manchester United, they were defeated 1–0 at home despite 'a workmanlike performance', and beaten 2–0 at Old Trafford in a 'credible' game.[1] The home leg in Burslem saw a crowd of 19,855 – the highest crowd since the visit of West Ham United in 1973.[1] This raised £45,873 in gate receipts for the club.[1] However a fifty-strong gang of Manchester thugs caused chaos in Burslem town centre, stabbing a man from Brown Edge.[1]

In the League Trophy, Vale beat Fourth Division Hereford United 1–0 at Edgar Street. They were then beaten 2–0 at the Memorial Stadium by Bristol Rovers.

League table
Main article: 1983–84 Football League
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation
20 Brentford 46 11 16 19 69 79 −10 49
21 Scunthorpe United 46 9 19 18 54 73 −19 46 Relegated
22 Southend United 46 10 14 22 55 76 −21 44
23 Port Vale 46 11 10 25 51 83 −32 43
24 Exeter City 46 6 15 25 50 84 −34 33
Source:

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Third Division

Results by matchday
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHAAHAHHAAAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAAHAHHAAAHHAAHAHAHAH
ResultDLLWLLDLLLLLLDLLLLLWLWWDWLDLWLWDLWLLWDDDLLDWLW
Position13171816182119212324242424242424242424242424242424242424232322212120212222222223232323232323
Source: Statto[3]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
27 August 1983Scunthorpe UnitedH0–04,565
3 September 1983Rotherham UnitedA1–24,847O'Keefe
6 September 1983MillwallA2–34,061Steel (2)
10 September 1983Bristol RoversH2–04,308Sproson, Steel
17 September 1983WimbledonA2–42,690Newton (2)
24 September 1983Bradford CityH1–24,879Fox
26 September 1983Wigan AthleticH1–14,655Bromage
1 October 1983WalsallA0–23,757
14 October 1983OrientA0–33,207
18 October 1983BrentfordA1–33,903Henderson
22 October 1983Bolton WanderersH1–24,269Tartt
29 October 1983Newport CountyA1–23,829Ridley
31 October 1983Plymouth ArgyleH0–13,466
5 November 1983Exeter CityA1–13,301Armstrong
12 November 1983Oxford UnitedH1–33,927O'Keefe
26 November 1983BurnleyA0–76,385
3 December 1983GillinghamH0–13,086
17 December 1983Lincoln CityH0–12,861
26 December 1983Preston North EndA0–45,617
27 December 1983Sheffield UnitedH2–07,034O'Keefe, Young
31 December 1983Hull CityA0–18,736
2 January 1984BournemouthH2–14,008O'Keefe, Henderson
21 January 1984WimbledonH2–03,627O'Keefe, Bright
28 January 1984Bristol RoversA0–06,142
30 January 1984Southend UnitedH2–13,636Henderson, Ridley
4 February 1984WalsallH0–26,966
11 February 1984Bradford CityA2–25,435Henderson, Gore (pen)
14 February 1984Plymouth ArgyleA0–33,552
18 February 1984Newport CountyH4–23,437Henderson, Tartt, Young, Bright
25 February 1984Bolton WanderersA0–25,818
3 March 1984BrentfordH4–33,704O'Keefe (2), Gore (pen), Fox
5 March 1984Exeter CityH2–24,338Henderson, Young
10 March 1984Oxford UnitedA0–27,858
19 March 1984Southend UnitedA2–12,596Bright, O'Keefe
31 March 1984Wigan AthleticA0–33,163
2 April 1984Rotherham UnitedH2–33,705O'Keefe, Massey (pen)
9 April 1984OrientH2–03,169Henderson, Hunter
14 April 1984GillinghamA1–13,323Bright
17 April 1984Scunthorpe UnitedA1–12,952Sproson
21 April 1984Preston North EndH1–13,574O'Keefe (pen)
24 April 1984Sheffield UnitedA1–314,385Bright
28 April 1984BurnleyH2–33,061Bright, Young
5 May 1984BournemouthA1–13,305Bright
7 May 1984Hull CityH1–03,958Bright
12 May 1984Lincoln CityA2–31,372Bright, Armstrong
14 May 1984MillwallH1–02,299Fox

FA Cup
Main article: 1983–84 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R119 November 1983Lincoln CityH1–23,647Bright

League Cup
Main article: 1983–84 Football League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R1 1st Leg31 August 1983WrexhamH3–13,916Sproson (2), O'Keefe (pen)
R1 2nd Leg13 September 1983WrexhamA5–12,903Newton (2), Hunter, Gore, Steel
R2 1st Leg3 October 1983Manchester UnitedH0–119,855
R2 2nd Leg26 October 1983Manchester UnitedA0–223,589

League Trophy
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R122 February 1984Hereford UnitedA1–01,605Tartt
R213 March 1984Bristol RoversA0–22,597

Player statistics

Appearances
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup League Cup League Trophy Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Barry Siddall 390103020450
GK Chris Pearce 7000100080
DF Phil Sproson 382004220444
DF Wayne Cegielski 390030010430
DF Max Thompson 2000000020
DF Gary Pollard 180101020220
MF Russell Bromage 381003010421
MF Terry Armstrong 192101000212
MF Colin Tartt 222104021293
MF Geoff Hunter 421104120492
MF John Ridley 302102020352
MF Robbie Earle 120010000130
MF Steve Fox 403104020473
MF Winston White 1000000010
MF Kevin Young 284000020304
MF Andy Massey 4100000041
MF Alan Oakes 1000000010
MF Tommy Gore 362104120433
FW Andy Shankland 7000100080
FW Mark Bright 2691120203110
FW Jim Steel 153103100194
FW Bob Newton 7200220094
FW Eamonn O'Keefe 37101041104311
FW Martin Henderson 277100000287

Top scorers
Place Position Nation Name Fourth Division FA Cup League Cup League Trophy Total
1FW IrelandEamonn O'Keefe1001011
2FW EnglandMark Bright910010
3FW ScotlandMartin Henderson70007
4MF EnglandKevin Young40004
–DF EnglandPhil Sproson20204
–FW ScotlandJim Steel30104
–FW EnglandBob Newton20204
8MF EnglandSteve Fox30003
–MF EnglandTommy Gore20103
–MF EnglandColin Tartt20013
1MF EnglandJohn Ridley20002
–MF EnglandGeoff Hunter10102
–MF EnglandTerry Armstrong20002
14MF EnglandAndy Massey10001
–MF EnglandRussell Bromage10001
TOTALS 51 1 8 1 61

Transfers

Transfers in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
1983MFAlan OakesNorthwich VictoriaFree transfer[4]
June 1983GKChris PearceRochdaleFree transfer[4]
June 1983DFGary PollardChesterfieldFree transfer[4]
July 1983MFTommy GoreBuryFree transfer[4]
July 1983MFEamonn O'KeefeWigan Athletic£10,000[4]
October 1983FWMartin HendersonChesterfieldExchange[4]
October 1983MFWinston WhiteChesterfieldTrial[4]

Transfers out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
Summer 1983FWBob NewtonChesterfieldFree transfer[4]
October 1983MFWinston WhiteStockport CountyTrial ended[4]
December 1983MFAlan OakesSacked[4]
January 1984FWJim SteelWrexham£10,000[4]
1984MFSteve FoxChester CityFree transfer[4]
June 1984FWMark BrightLeicester City£33,333[4]
July 1984DFGary PollardMansfield TownFree transfer[4]
Summer 1984FWMartin HendersonSpalding UnitedSacked[4]

Loans in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
November 1983DFMax ThompsonBournemouthNovember 1983[4]
December 1983MFKevin YoungBurnleyEnd of season[4]
March 1984MFAndy MasseyMillwallApril 1984[4]

Loans out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref.
October 1983MFRussell BromageOldham AthleticOctober 1983[4]
October 1983GKBarry SiddallBlackpoolOctober 1983[4]
gollark: But I'm the only one who knows how Macron REALLY works.
gollark: Oh, the implicit B-tree belonging to all function scopes?
gollark: What? Macron doesn't have integers.
gollark: At present, there is a significant performance hit.
gollark: (Indices with imaginary parts make it imagine data instead)

References
Specific
  1. 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. Kent, Jeff (December 1991). Port Vale Tales: A Collection Of Stories, Anecdotes And Memories. Witan Books. p. 87. ISBN 0-9508981-6-3.
  3. Port Vale 1983–1984 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  4. 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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