1985–86 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1985–86 season was Port Vale's 74th season of football in the English Football League, and second successive (13th overall) season in the Fourth Division.[1] John Rudge achieved his first success as manager, leading Vale to promotion into the Third Division with a fourth-place finish. The club also reached the Second Round in both the FA Cup and League Cup, as well as the Northern Section Semi-Finals of the League Trophy. Rudge signing Andy Jones excelled to become the club's top-scorer, whilst Robbie Earle had another impressive season. However the promotion campaign was built on the strength of the Vale defence, and goalkeeper Jim Arnold was made Player of the Year.

Port Vale
1985–86 season
ChairmanJim Lloyd
ManagerJohn Rudge
StadiumVale Park
Football League Fourth Division4th (79 Points)
FA CupSecond Round
(knocked out by Walsall)
League CupSecond Round
(knocked out by West Bromwich Albion)
League TrophyNorthern Section Semi-Finalists
(knocked out by Wigan Athletic)
Player of the YearJim Arnold
Top goalscorerLeague: Robbie Earle (15)
All: Andy Jones (18)
Highest home attendance11,736 vs. Walsall, 8 December 1985
Lowest home attendance1,584 vs. Blackpool, 10 February 1986
Average home league attendance3,581
Biggest win4–0 (three games)
Biggest defeat1–4 vs. Chester City, 1 January 1986

Overview

Fourth Division

The pre-season saw John Rudge sign big defender John Williams from Tranmere Rovers for £12,000, and powerful Welsh striker Andy Jones from Northern Premier League side Rhyl for £3,000.[1] He also signed goalkeeper Jim Arnold (Everton); Paul Maguire (Tacoma Stars); Jeff Johnson (Gillingham); and Wayne Ebanks (West Bromwich Albion).[1] Meanwhile, new safety regulations reduced Vale Park's capacity down to 16,800, and later again to 16,300.[1] The club set a £10 bonus for clean sheets and also set bonuses for promotion. Another late addition was Jon Bowden from Oldham Athletic for £5,000.[1]

The season opened with a 1–0 defeat to Exeter City at St James Park.[1] Vale continued on indifferent form, and on 17 September played out a goalless draw with Aldershot at the Recreation Ground's lowest recorded Football League attendance of 1,027.[1] At the end of the month Vale went nine league games without a loss to fire the club into the promotion race, their run including three 4–0 wins in Burslem as they went clear at the top of the table.[1] With John Williams sidelined with an ankle injury, Vale's form suffered with just two wins in the following eleven games, and Vale fell to fifth place.[1] From 11 January to 26 April the "Valiants" hit a run of eighteen league games unbeaten (eight draws and ten wins), thus ensuring promotion.[1] This run was built on the striking partnership of Robbie Earle and Andy Jones, as well as a solid defence and consistent displays from keeper Arnold.[1] During this spell Rudge failed to re-sign Bob Newton from Chesterfield, though was cheered by completing the double over Dario Gradi's Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road.[1] One low point was an attack by a Stockport gang on Russell Bromage following a 2–1 win over Stockport County at Edgeley Park.[1] Promotion was ensured with a comfortable 1–0 win over bottom club Torquay United at Plainmoor, in which the majority of the crowd were Vale fans.[2] However, with two defeats and a draw in their final three games, Rudge accused his players of lacking professionalism as they lost the chance to head into the Third Division as runners-up.[1]

They finished in fourth place with 79 points, seven points clear of Orient.[1] Preston North End were the only team to beat Vale on their own ground in the league all season.[1] Their 37 goals conceded was the lowest total in the division and a record excelled only by Manchester United in the First Division.[1] Their 67 goals scored tally was not particularly impressive, though Earle and Jones' partnership provided almost half of these goals.[1] Phil Sproson was selected for the PFA Fourth Division Team of the Year.[1]

Finances

On the financial side, the season lost a disastrous sum of £79,474.[1] The promotion bonuses meant the wage bill totalled at £413,471.[1] Vale's average home attendance of 3,581 was the third-highest in the division.[1] The club's shirt sponsors were ECI. Three players transferred at the end of the season were Peter Griffiths (Salisbury United), Chris Pearce (Wrexham), and Jeff Johnson (Barrow).[1] Player of the Year Jim Arnold and Ally Brown retired, whilst Oshor Williams was sold to Preston North End for 'a small fee'.[1]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale beat Mansfield Town 1–0 in a replay following a 1–1 draw at Field Mill. Vale Park saw a crowd of 11,736 for the Second Round goalless tie with Walsall, and were then eliminated following a 2–1 defeat at the Bescot Stadium.

In the League Cup, Vale advanced past Third Division Wigan Athletic 3–2 on aggregate following at 2–0 win at Springfield Park. They were then knocked out by First Division West Bromwich Albion, losing 1–0 at The Hawthorns, before giving an excellent account of themselves by battling back from 2–0 down at Vale Park to draw 2–2.

In the League Trophy, Vale advanced through the group stage with a 1–1 draw with Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground and a 2–0 home win over Blackpool. The next stage saw Vale triumph over Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park with a 4–3 win on penalties following a 1–1 draw. In the Area Semi-Finals they were then defeated by holders Wigan Athletic, though still earned £1,250 in prize money.

League table
Main article: 1985–86 Football League
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation
2 Chester City 46 23 15 8 83 50 +33 84 Promoted
3 Mansfield Town 46 23 12 11 74 47 +27 81
4 Port Vale 46 21 16 9 67 37 +30 79
5 Orient 46 20 12 14 79 64 +15 72
6 Colchester United 46 19 13 14 88 63 +25 70
Source:

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Fourth Division

Results by matchday
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAHAAHAHAHAHAHHHHAAHHAHAHAHAAHA
ResultLDWDLWDWLWWWWDWWDDLDWLWLLDDWWWDDDWDWDDWWWWWLDL
Position1618101217131411118654331135846455565555665544444333334
Source: Statto[3]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
17 August 1985Exeter CityA0–12,868
24 August 1985Mansfield TownH0–02,930
26 August 1985BurnleyA2–13,995Sproson, Griffiths
31 August 1985RochdaleH1–13,043Jones
7 September 1985OrientA0–12,455
14 September 1985Cambridge UnitedH4–12,674Maguire (2 [2 pens]), Earle, Brown
17 September 1985AldershotA0–01,027
21 September 1985Halifax TownH3–22,754Hunter (2), Maguire
27 September 1985Colchester UnitedA0–13,110
30 September 1985Hartlepool UnitedH4–03,015O.Williams, J.Williams, Jones, Maguire
5 October 1985WrexhamH4–03,351Maguire (2 [1 pen]), Johnson, o.g.
12 October 1985Tranmere RoversA2–12,338Earle, Maguire
19 October 1985Southend UnitedH4–04,736Jones (2), Webb, Earle
22 October 1985Scunthorpe UnitedA0–01,888
26 October 1985Swindon TownH3–05,073O.Williams, Earle, Brown
2 November 1985Preston North EndA1–04,536Maguire (pen)
6 November 1985Hereford UnitedA1–13,308Sproson
9 November 1985Stockport CountyH1–15,248Bowden
23 November 1985Peterborough UnitedA0–12,852
14 December 1985Northampton TownA2–23,259Sproson, Earle
17 December 1985Torquay UnitedH1–03,421Hunter
22 December 1985Mansfield TownA1–23,730O.Williams
26 December 1985Crewe AlexandraH3–05,976Maguire, Brown, Earle
1 January 1986Chester CityA1–45,323Earle
4 January 1986Preston North EndH0–13,592
11 January 1986RochdaleA3–32,445Jones (2), Brown
17 January 1986Exeter CityH0–03,385
25 January 1986Cambridge UnitedA3–12,437J.Williams, Hunter, Earle
1 February 1986OrientH2–03,074Earle (2)
3 February 1986Scunthorpe UnitedH3–12,977J.Williams, Jones (pen), Bromage
24 February 1986BurnleyH1–13,030Banks
1 March 1986Colchester UnitedH1–12,726Jones
5 March 1986Hartlepool UnitedA1–12,550Bowden
8 March 1986WrexhamA3–12,614Shankland, Earle, Jones (pen)
15 March 1986Tranmere RoversH0–03,527
18 March 1986AldershotH3–12,461Bowden, Hunter, Earle
23 March 1986Swindon TownA0–010,147
29 March 1986Chester CityH1–14,490Sproson
31 March 1986Crewe AlexandraA1–04,986Earle
5 April 1986Hereford UnitedH1–03,344Jones (pen)
11 April 1986Stockport CountyA2–14,691Maguire, Brown
19 April 1986Peterborough UnitedH2–03,765Jones (2 [1 pen])
26 April 1986Torquay UnitedA1–01,898Earle
29 April 1986Halifax TownA0–21,389
3 May 1986Northampton TownH0–03,873
5 May 1986Southend UnitedA1–21,687Earle

FA Cup
Main article: 1985–86 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R116 November 1985Mansfield TownA1–15,207Earle
R1 Replay18 November 1985Mansfield TownH1–06,749Maguire (pen)
R28 December 1985WalsallH0–011,736
R2 Replay10 December 1985WalsallA1–25,671Brown

League Cup
Main article: 1985–86 Football League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R1 1st Leg20 August 1985Wigan AthleticH1–22,620Sproson
R1 2nd Leg2 September 1985Wigan AthleticA2–02,772Jones, Earle
R2 1st Leg24 September 1985West Bromwich AlbionA0–16,218
R2 2nd Leg7 October 1985West Bromwich AlbionH2–27,985Jones, Maguire

League Trophy
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R121 January 1986WrexhamA1–1992Jones (pen)
R110 February 1986BlackpoolH3–11,584Maguire, Hunter, Jones
NSQF10 March 1986Scunthorpe UnitedA1–1 (4-3 pens)1,415Jones (pen)
NSSF26 March 1986Wigan AthleticH1–24,832Jones (pen)

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 Chris Pearce 5000001060
GK Jim Arnold 410404030520
DF Phil Sproson 444403130545
DF Alan Webb 391404010481
DF Wayne Ebanks 120200010150
DF Chris Banks 191000030221
DF John Williams 363004040443
MF Russell Bromage 401404030511
MF Geoff Hunter 455404041576
MF Robbie Earle 46154141405817
MF Peter Griffiths 5100103091
MF Paul Maguire 45104141415713
MF Jeff Johnson 101004020161
MF Oshor Williams 323403010403
MF Jon Bowden 363401030443
MF Eric Mountford 0000000000
FW Ally Brown 275412000336
FW Mick Perry 0000001010
FW Andy Shankland 2100001031
FW Andy Jones 41123042445218
FW Steve Cammack 3000000030
FW Steve Biggins 4000000040

Top scorers
Place Position Nation Name Fourth Division FA Cup League Cup League Trophy Total
1FW EnglandAndy Jones1202418
2MF JamaicaRobbie Earle1511017
3MF ScotlandPaul Maguire1001113
4FW ScotlandAlly Brown51006
–MF EnglandGeoff Hunter50016
6DF EnglandPhil Sproson40105
7MF EnglandJon Bowden30003
–DF EnglandJohn Williams30003
–MF EnglandOshor Williams30003
10DF EnglandAlan Webb10001
–DF EnglandChris Banks10001
–MF EnglandPeter Griffiths10001
–MF WalesJeff Johnson10001
–FW EnglandAndy Shankland10001
–MF EnglandRussell Bromage10001
––Own goals10001
TOTALS 67 3 5 6 81

Transfers

Transfers in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 1985FWAndy Jones Rhyl£3,000[4]
June 1985DFWayne EbanksWest Bromwich AlbionFree transfer[4]
June 1985MFJeff JohnsonGillinghamFree transfer[4]
June 1985MFPaul Maguire Tacoma StarsFree transfer[4]
July 1985DFJohn WilliamsTranmere Rovers£12,000[4]
August 1985GKJim ArnoldEvertonFree transfer[4]
September 1985MFJon BowdenOldham Athletic£5,000[4]
October 1985FWMick PerryTorquay UnitedTrial[4]

Transfers out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
February 1986FWMick PerryStafford RangersTrial ended[4]
May 1986FWAlistair BrownRetired[4]
May 1986MFPeter Griffiths Salisbury UnitedFree transfer[4]
May 1986MFJeff JohnsonBarrowFree transfer[4]
May 1986GKChris PearceWrexhamFree transfer[4]
May 1986FWAndy ShanklandReleased[4]
Summer 1986MFOshor WilliamsPreston North End£2,000[4]

Loans in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
December 1985FWSteve CammackScunthorpe UnitedJanuary 1986[4]
1986FWSteve BigginsDerby County1986[4]
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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. Baggaley, Michael (26 April 2020). "Victory at Torquay clinches John Rudge's first promotion as Port Vale manager". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  3. Port Vale 1985–1986 : 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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