1989–90 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1989–90 season was Port Vale's 78th season of football in the English Football League, and first (33rd overall) season back in the Second Division following their promotion from the Third Division.[1] They were playing in the second tier, and at the same level as rivals Stoke City, for the first time since 1956–57. John Rudge led his side to a comfortable mid-table finish, whilst Stoke suffered relegation in bottom place despite the two derby matches finishing in draws. After beating top-flight Derby County, Vale exited the FA Cup at the Fourth Round with their biggest ever loss in the competition, losing 6–0 to Aston Villa at Villa Park. They left both the League Cup and the Full Members Cup at the Second Round.

Port Vale
1989–90 season
ChairmanBill Bell
ManagerJohn Rudge
StadiumVale Park
Football League Second Division11th (61 Points)
FA CupFourth Round
(knocked out by Aston Villa)
League CupSecond Round
(knocked out by Wimbledon)
Full Members CupSecond Round
(knocked out by Middlesbrough)
Player of the YearNeil Aspin
Top goalscorerLeague: Darren Beckford (17)
All: Darren Beckford (21)
Highest home attendance22,075 vs. Stoke City, 3 February 1990
Lowest home attendance4,441 vs. Walsall, 28 August 1989
Average home league attendance8,978
Biggest win5–0 vs. Ipswich Town, 1 January 1990
Biggest defeat0–6 vs. Aston Villa, 27 January 1990

Overview

Second Division

The pre-season saw John Rudge sign solid young defender Neil Aspin from Leeds United for £150,000; 28-year-old forward Nicky Cross from Leicester City for £125,000; and veteran winger Ian Miller on a free transfer from Blackburn Rovers (as cover for an injured Gary Ford).[1] The Burslem club had never previously spent anything close to the £275,000 spent in summer 1989, yet other clubs in the division far outspent the Vale.[1] Vale Park was also upgraded at a cost of £250,000, though grants helped to halve the cost for the club itself.[1] Despite this effort, inspectors closed the Bycars End down due to safety issues, and reduced the stadium's capacity to 12,000 after cutting the capacity of the Railway Paddock by two-thirds.[1] Season ticket sales more than doubled to 2,231.[1] Phil Sproson attempted to return to the game and so the club accepted a £50,000 transfer payment from Birmingham City.[1] Meanwhile the Vale were the bookmakers favourites for relegation, having started the season with six players out injured, including Ray Walker.[1]

The season opened with a 2–2 draw with Bradford City at Valley Parade, and a 2–1 home win over West Bromwich Albion the following week.[1] The club soon scrapped their all-ticket rule after poor attendances in the first games.[1] Vale went seven games without a win in the league, though on 23 September managed a 1–1 draw with Stoke at the Victoria Ground, some 27,004 fans in attendance.[1] The police bills for Vale games reached as much as £1.50 a head for some games, though the police went some way to justify this cost by arresting 85 people on the day of the Potteries derby.[1] Rudge switched from a 4–4–2 formation to 4–3–3 so as to include Miller, and a mini-revival followed, ending with a 3–0 win over Barnsley at Oakwell.[1] Six games without a win followed, and Alan Webb broke his leg during a 2–2 draw with Newcastle United at St James' Park.[1] In November, Vale Park opened a new 48 seat disabled stand at a cost of £100,000.[1] Ron Futcher was then sold to Fourth Division Burnley for £60,000, though an injury crisis in defence exposed the club's lack of squad depth.[1] With Gary West out with damaged ligaments, big defender Tim Parkin was bought from Swindon Town for £60,000.[1] The next month the Hamil End was reopened after £175,000 worth of renewal work.[1] Rudge switched back to 4–4–2, utilizing Andy Porter in midfield.[1]

Vale went six games unbeaten over the new year, beating Ipswich Town 5–0 (their biggest win in the division since 1932) and fighting to a goalless home draw with Stoke in the process.[1] The Stoke game was a disappointment as City were adrift at the foot of the table, and the pitch was 'as lumpy as porridge'.[1] The Bycars End reopened after a £90,000 investment, 22,075 fans turned up for the game – the biggest gate for a league game since the visit of Grimsby Town in 1960.[1] This moved Vale to within three points of the play-offs.[1] A poor March dragged them down the table though, as the stadium's capacity was again reduced and the police bill spiralled.[1] In April, Rudge sold David Riley to Peterborough United for £40,000, whilst £20,000 was spent bringing in Gary McKinstry from Portadown.[1] The club's play-off dreams were killed off by a 2–1 defeat from Newcastle United, after which only two points were won from the final four games.[1] Despite this the supporters held popular player Neil Aspin aloft following the team's final home game (a 2–1 defeat to Sunderland).[1] The final game was a goalless draw with Oxford United at the Manor Ground, which was enough to ensure a top-half finish.[1]

They finished in eleventh place with 61 points, their highest finish since 1933–34.[1] Darren Beckford was top-scorer with 21 goals in all competitions, with Nicky Cross and Robbie Earle bagged 15 and 12 goals respectively.[1] The average home attendance of 8,978 was the highest since 1963–64.[1] The players were taken on a holiday to Spain as a reward for their efforts.[1] Rudge retained the entire playing staff at the end of the season.[1]

Finances

The club's shirt sponsors were ABC Minolta Copiers.

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale were drawn against top-flight Derby County in the Third Round, and progressed 3–2 in the replay at The Baseball Ground having 'gave as good as they received' as they drew the original tie 1–1.[1] The win was 'another famous cup victory' for the club, as three goals were put past Peter Shilton.[1] Another difficult fixture awaited in the Fourth Round. On 27 January, Aston Villa inflicted Vale's biggest ever cup defeat with a 6–0 win in front of 36,532 fans at Villa Park. Nevertheless the cup run raised £150,000.[1]

In the League Cup, Vale overcame Third Division Walsall 3–1 on aggregate, having won 1–0 at home and 2–1 at Fellows Park. They then came unstuck against First Division Wimbledon, losing 2–1 at home before getting beat 3–0 at Plough Lane.

In the short-lived Full Members Cup, Vale made it past the First Round with a 2–1 win over Sunderland at Roker Park, Walker and Cross getting the goals. They were then eliminated by Middlesbrough at the next stage, after losing 3–1 at Ayresome Park despite a Jeffers goal.

League table
Main article: 1989–90 Football League
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
9 Ipswich Town 46 19 12 15 67 66 +1 69
10 Wolverhampton Wanderers 46 18 13 15 67 60 +7 67
11 Port Vale 46 15 16 15 62 57 +5 61
12 Portsmouth 46 15 16 15 62 65 −3 61
13 Leicester City 46 15 14 17 67 79 −12 59
Source: statto.com[2]

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Second Division

Results by matchday
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHAHHAAAHHAAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHHHAHAAHAHHAHAAHAHHA
ResultDWLDDLDLDWWLDDDLLWWWLDLDWWWDWLWLDDLWWDLWLWLDLD
Position107131712191820202013151615151516151413131415161412910910991011111111111111111111111111
Source: Statto[3]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
19 August 1989Bradford CityA2–210,242Glover (pen), Beckford
26 August 1989West Bromwich AlbionH2–17,695Glover (pen), Futcher
2 September 1989Brighton & Hove AlbionA0–27,218
9 September 1989Blackburn RoversH0–07,601
12 September 1989Hull CityH1–16,168Earle
16 September 1989WatfordA0–18,445
23 September 1989Stoke CityA1–127,004Earle
26 September 1989BournemouthA0–16,511
30 September 1989Leeds UnitedH0–011,156
7 October 1989Leicester CityH2–17,268Beckford, Cross
14 October 1989BarnsleyA3–06,475Cross (2), Earle
17 October 1989Wolverhampton WanderersA0–218,123
21 October 1989West Ham UnitedH2–28,899o.g., Futcher
28 October 1989Newcastle UnitedA2–217,824Earle, Futcher
30 October 1989MiddlesbroughH1–17,708Glover (pen)
4 November 1989Oxford UnitedH1–26,994Jeffers
11 November 1989PortsmouthA0–27,708
18 November 1989Swindon TownH2–07,393Beckford, Cross
25 November 1989Plymouth ArgyleA2–17,034Cross (2)
2 December 1989Bradford CityH3–26,762Earle (2), Beckford
9 December 1989Hull CityA1–24,207Earle
16 December 1989Sheffield UnitedH1–19,813Cross
26 December 1989Oldham AthleticA1–211,274Parkin
30 December 1989SunderlandA2–221,377o.g., Millar
1 January 1990Ipswich TownH5–08,617Beckford (2), Earle, Cross, Miller
13 January 1990West Bromwich AlbionA3–213,575Cross, Beckford, Porter
20 January 1990Brighton & Hove AlbionH2–18,666Cross (2)
3 February 1990Stoke CityH0–022,075
10 February 1990WatfordH1–07,064Earle
17 February 1990Blackburn RoversA0–19,257
24 February 1990Plymouth ArgyleH3–07,254Hughes, Beckford, Mills
3 March 1990Swindon TownA0–38,314
7 March 1990Leeds UnitedA0–029,550
10 March 1990BournemouthH1–17,131Millar
17 March 1990Leicester CityA0–210,076
19 March 1990BarnsleyH2–17,036o.g., Beckford
24 March 1990Wolverhampton WanderersH3–112,506Millar, Beckford, Earle
31 March 1990West Ham UnitedA2–220,507Beckford, Cross
7 April 1990Newcastle UnitedH1–210,290Earle
11 April 1990MiddlesbroughA3–214,973Beckford (2), Glover (pen)
14 April 1990Ipswich TownA2–310,652Earle, Cross (pen)
16 April 1990Oldham AthleticH2–011,451Beckford (2)
21 April 1990Sheffield UnitedA1–216,809Beckford
28 April 1990PortsmouthH1–17,492Beckford
1 May 1990SunderlandH1–29,447Millar
5 May 1990Oxford UnitedA0–04,708

FA Cup
Main article: 1989–90 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R37 January 1990Derby CountyH1–117,478Beckford
R3 Replay10 January 1990Derby CountyA3–221,389o.g., Walker, Cross
R427 January 1990Aston VillaA0–636,532

League Cup
Main article: 1989–90 Football League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R1 1st Leg22 August 1989WalsallA2–14,774Beckford (2)
R1 2nd Leg28 August 1989WalsallH1–04,441Beckford
R2 1st Leg18 September 1989WimbledonH1–25,827Futcher
R2 2nd Leg4 October 1989WimbledonA0–32,851

Full Members Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R114 November 1989SunderlandA2–17,031Walker, Cross
R229 November 1989MiddlesbroughA1–36,691Jeffers

Player statistics

Appearances
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup League Cup Full Members Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Mark Grew 430304010510
GK Trevor Wood 3000001040
DF Alan Webb 140004000180
DF Simon Mills 451304020541
DF Darren Hughes 381304010461
DF Gary West 3000000030
DF Dean Glover 444304010524
DF Tim Parkin 121000000121
DF Neil Aspin 420304020510
MF Robbie Earle 43123040205212
MF Andy Porter 361303020441
MF Ray Walker 400312021471
MF Kevin Finney 8000100090
MF John Jeffers 401202021462
MF Paul Millar 234020010264
MF Ian Miller 211002010241
FW Darren Beckford 42173143205121
FW David Riley 2010002050
FW Ronnie Jepson 8000000080
FW Ron Futcher 113004100154
FW Nicky Cross 42133130215015

Top scorers
Place Position Nation Name Second Division FA Cup League Cup Full Members Cup Total
1FW EnglandDarren Beckford1713021
2FW EnglandNicky Cross1310115
3MF JamaicaRobbie Earle1200012
4MF Northern IrelandPaul Millar40004
–DF EnglandDean Glover40004
–FW EnglandRon Futcher30104
7MF EnglandJohn Jeffers10012
–MF EnglandRay Walker01012
9MF EnglandIan Miller10001
–MF EnglandAndy Porter10001
–DF EnglandSimon Mills10001
–DF EnglandTim Parkin10001
–FW EnglandDarren Hughes10001
––Own goals31004
TOTALS 62 4 4 3 73

Transfers

Transfers in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
June 1989FWNicky CrossLeicester City£125,000[4]
June 1989MFIan MillerBlackburn RoversFree transfer[4]
July 1989DFNeil AspinLeeds United£150,000[4]
December 1989DFTim ParkinSwindon Town£60,000[4]

Transfers out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
November 1989FWRon FutcherBurnley£60,000[4]
April 1990FWDavid RileyPeterborough United£40,000[4]
August 1990MFIan MillerScunthorpe UnitedFree transfer[4]

Loans out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref.
January 1990FWRonnie JepsonPeterborough UnitedMarch 1990[4]
March 1990MFPaul AtkinsonHartlepool UnitedEnd of season[4]
March 1990MFGary FordWalsallEnd of season[4]
March 1990FWDavid RileyPeterborough UnitedApril 1990[4]
gollark: I STARTED HICCUPING
gollark: ÅAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAÆÆÆÆÆÆÆÆÆÆÆÆÆÆÆÆÆÆ
gollark: OH NO I HAVE HICCUP DISEASE
gollark: Probably.
gollark: excellent.

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. "English Division Two (old) 1989-1990 : Table". Statto Organisation Limited. Archived from the original on 30 September 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  3. Port Vale 1989–1990 : 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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