2006–07 Port Vale F.C. season

The 2006–07 season was Port Vale's 95th season of football in the English Football League, and third successive season in League One. Martin Foyle's side again finished in mid-table, whilst exiting the FA Cup and the League Trophy at the Second Round. Vale, notoriously poor performers in the League Cup, managed to reach the Fourth Round for the first time, at which point they were beaten by top-flight Tottenham Hotspur. Strike partners Leon Constantine and Akpo Sodje put in a 42-goal partnership, with Sodje picking up the club's Player of the Year award. At the end of the season top-scorer Constantine left the club, as did senior midfielder Danny Sonner, scuppering Foyle's long-term plans.

Manager Martin Foyle.
Player of the Year Akpo Sodje.
Top-scorer Leon Constantine.

Port Vale
2006–07 season
OwnerValiant 2001
ChairmanBill Bratt
ManagerMartin Foyle
StadiumVale Park
Football League One12th (60 Points)
FA CupSecond Round
(knocked out by Hereford United)
League CupFourth Round
(knocked out by Tottenham Hotspur)
Football League TrophySecond Round
(knocked out by Crewe Alexandra)
Player of the YearAkpo Sodje
Top goalscorerLeague: Leon Constantine (22)
All: Leon Constantine (26)
Highest home attendance7,388 vs. Nottingham Forest, 26 September 2006
Lowest home attendance3,077 vs. Gillingham, 5 December 2006
Average home league attendance4,726
Biggest win4–0 and 5–1
Biggest defeat0–4 vs. Hereford United, 2 December 2006

Overview

League One

The pre-season saw Martin Foyle make a number of signings, including: Danny Sonner (Peterborough United);[1] Jason Talbot (Mansfield Town);[2] Paul Harsley (Macclesfield Town);[3] Richard Walker (Crewe Alexandra);[2] Danny Whitaker (Macclesfield Town); Colin Miles (Yeovil Town);[4] and Akpo Sodje (Darlington).[2] He also took Stefan Moore on loan from Queens Park Rangers,[5] and utility player Ritchie Humphreys from Hartlepool United.[6] Youth team player Danny Glover, son of assistant manager Dean Glover, was also given a squad number.

The season started with Vale in fine form, winning their first four games. His four goals meant Constantine was named the division's Player of the Month for August.[7] This run came to a halt with four defeats in the next five games, Vale scoring just three goals. In November, Ross Gardner was signed on loan from Nottingham Forest, and would join permanently in the January transfer window.[8] Foyle also signed defender Clayton Fortune on a season long loan for a second time, this time from Leyton Orient.[9] Heading into December with just three wins in fifteen league games, they won their first four games, with Constantine hitting five of Vale's nine goals. In January, Foyle splashed out £30,000 on Crewe Alexandra striker Luke Rodgers. He also signed former teammate Paul Musselwhite as an emergency back-up goalkeeper following an injury to Mark Goodlad,[10] as well as Cardiff City midfielder Malvin Kamara.[11] He also turned down an offer from Barnsley of £200,000 (plus Marc Richards) for Constantine,[12] who claimed to be happy at Vale Park.[13] However he did sell skilful winger Jeff Smith to Carlisle United for £60,000.[14] Also leaving Burslem was Louis Briscoe, who was allowed to join Leek Town.[15] Vale's form had left them once again, as they failed to pick up a win in a sequence of seven games. In February, defender Rhys Weston joined on a short-term contract, having left Norwegian club Viking FK.[16] On 10 March, Vale travelled to the Don Valley Stadium, and Sodje managed to hit four goals past the Rotherham United defence to give Vale a 5–1 win.[17] This gave Vale fans a sliver of hope of reaching the play-offs, but Vale failed to string two wins together in their final nine games, despite a 3–0 win over nearby Crewe Alexandra.

They finished in twelfth place with sixty points, a clear distance from both the play-off and the relegation zones. They again had the lowest numbers of draws in the division, recording just six stalemates. Constantine was the second-highest scorer in the division after Billy Sharp of Scunthorpe United. Player of the Year Sodje also hit sixteen goals. Captain George Pilkington and midfielder Danny Whitaker missed just two games between them all season.

At the end of the season a number of players were released: Nathan Lowndes (Chester City); George Abbey (Crewe Alexandra); Rhys Weston (Walsall); Michael Husbands (Macclesfield Town);[18] Christian Smith (Clyde); Ross Gardner (Ilkeston Town);[19] Malvin Kamara (Huddersfield Town);[20] Michael Walsh and Mark Soboljew. Leon Constantine also decided against signing a new contract at Vale, and instead joined Leeds United.[21] Danny Sonner also rejected his contract offer, and moved on to Walsall,[22] but not before making a parting shot at the club's leadership.[23]

Finances

The club had to make monthly repayments of around £19,000 for a £2.25 million loan taken out from the local council in 2005.[24] The club's shirt sponsorship came from local company BGC Gas.

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale advanced past League Two side Lincoln City with a 2–1 victory at Sincil Bank.[25] However they then were on the end of a 4–0 hiding from Hereford United at Edgar Street in the Second Round.

In the League Cup, Vale faced Preston North End, who they defeated with goals from Sodje and Constantine.[26] The "Valiants" then vanquished Queens Park Rangers 3–2 in the Second Round.[27] This left them facing Norwich City, the third Championship club of the season to travel to Burslem in the League Cup. Vale against upset the odds by winning the penalty shoot-out 3–2 following a goalless draw against a strong "Canary" side.[28] Premier League Tottenham Hotspur awaited in the Fourth Round, who at White Hart Lane proved to be too much of a challenge for the Vale. Constantine put Vale into the lead, but a Tom Huddlestone goal took the game into extra-time, before both Huddlestone and Jermain Defoe scored to give "Spurs" a 3–1 win, thus saving Martin Jol's blushes.[29] This represented the club's greatest achievement in the competition, as Vale had never reached the Fourth Round before.

In the League Trophy, Vale advanced past Scunthorpe United after winning on penalties at Glanford Park.[30] They then had a home tie with local rivals Crewe Alexandra. The "Railwaymen" won the game 3–2 despite a brace from Constantine.

League table
Main article: 2006–07 Football League
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
10 Millwall 46 19 9 18 59 62 −3 66
11 Doncaster Rovers 46 16 15 15 52 47 +5 63
12 Port Vale 46 18 6 22 64 65 −1 60
13 Crewe Alexandra 46 17 9 20 66 72 −6 60
14 Northampton Town 46 15 14 17 48 51 −3 59
Source:
Rules for classification: In the Football League goals scored (GF) takes precedence over goal difference (GD).

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League One

Results by matchday
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHAAHAHHAAHHAHAHAAHAHAHHAAHHAAAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAAH
ResultWWWWLLWLLLDWLWLDLLLWWWWLLDLLDLWLWLWDWLWDLLWLLW
Position1111233347981079101314171512991011111111131512161415131312121112121412141512
Source: Statto[31]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
5 August 2006Leyton OrientH3–05,631Constantine (2), Sodje
8 August 2006Oldham AthleticA1–04,975Sodje
12 August 2006Cheltenham TownA1–04,309Constantine
19 August 2006ChesterfieldH3–25,622Constantine (2), Pilkington
26 August 2006Yeovil TownA0–14,827
3 September 2006Doncaster RoversH1–24,862Whitaker
9 September 2006BlackpoolH2–15,171Constantine, Sodje
12 September 2006Scunthorpe UnitedA0–33,473
16 September 2006Bradford CityA0–27,829
23 September 2006Bristol CityH0–25,295
26 September 2006Nottingham ForestH1–17,388Husbands
30 September 2006Northampton TownA2–05,316Pilkington, Moore
8 October 2006Rotherham UnitedH1–34,810Constantine (pen)
13 October 2006Tranmere RoversA2–17,866Smith, Constantine
21 October 2006Huddersfield TownH1–25,225Constantine
28 October 2006MillwallA1–110,189Sodje
4 November 2006Crewe AlexandraA1–27,632Abbey
18 November 2006Swansea CityH0–24,615
25 November 2006Carlisle UnitedA2–37,543Harsley, Smith
5 December 2006GillinghamH2–03,077Gardner, Constantine
9 December 2006BournemouthA4–04,538Constantine (2), Pilkington, Sodje
16 December 2006BrentfordH1–04,166Pilkington
23 December 2006Brighton and Hove AlbionH2–14,349Constantine (2 [1 pen])
26 December 2006Nottingham ForestA0–322,999
30 December 2006Bristol CityA1–212,776Smith
1 January 2007Scunthorpe UnitedH0–04,869
6 January 2007Bradford CityH0–14,146
13 January 2007BlackpoolA1–26,661Sodje (pen)
27 January 2007Brighton and Hove AlbionA0–05,177
3 February 2007Leyton OrientA1–24,295Gardner
6 February 2007Northampton TownH1–03,353Whitaker
17 February 2007ChesterfieldA0–33,752
20 February 2007Oldham AthleticH3–04,061Whitaker, Pilkington, Constantine (pen)
24 February 2007Doncaster RoversA0–17,848
3 March 2007Yeovil TownH4–24,202Constantine (2), Whitaker, Rose (og)
6 March 2007Cheltenham TownH1–03,340Kamara
10 March 2007Rotherham UnitedA5–13,854Sodje (4), Pilkington
17 March 2007Tranmere RoversH2–34,809Sonner, Constantine
24 March 2007MillwallH2–03,973Whitaker, Sodje
31 March 2007Huddersfield TownA2–210,313Sodje (2)
7 April 2007Carlisle UnitedH0–24,882
9 April 2007Swansea CityA0–312,465
14 April 2007Crewe AlexandraH3–05,740Hulbert, Constantine, Rodgers
21 April 2007GillinghamA2–35,928Whitaker, Constantine (pen)
28 April 2007BrentfordA3–45,125Constantine (2), Rodgers
5 May 2007BournemouthH2–15,080Sodje, Rodgers

FA Cup
Main article: 2006–07 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R111 November 2006Lincoln CityA2–13,884Whitaker, Sodje
R22 December 2006Hereford UnitedA0–44,076

League Cup
Main article: 2006–07 Football League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R123 August 2006Preston North EndH2–13,522Sodje, Constantine
R219 September 2006Queens Park RangersH3–23,550Smith, Whitaker, Walker
R324 October 2006Norwich CityH(3)0–0(2)4,518
R48 November 2006Tottenham HotspurA1–334,560Constantine

League Trophy
Main article: 2006–07 Football League Trophy
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R130 October 2006Scunthorpe UnitedA(5)0–0(3)3,421
R229 November 2006Crewe AlexandraH2–34,694Constantine (2)

Player statistics

Appearances
Pos. # Name Football League FA Cup League Cup League Trophy Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK1 Mark Goodlad 250204010320
DF2 George Pilkington 466104020536
DF3 Jason Talbot 220003010260
MF4 Danny Sonner 331204010401
DF5 Michael Walsh 180001010200
DF6 Richard Walker 160104110221
FW7 Luke Rodgers 8300000083
MF8 Paul Harsley 321204020401
FW9 Nathan Lowndes 120000000120
FW10 Leon Constantine 42222042225026
GK12 Joe Anyon 220000010230
MF14 Danny Whitaker 456214120538
DF15 George Abbey 241203020311
DF16 Mark McGregor 320102000350
FW17 Michael Husbands 231003010271
DF18 Colin Miles 290201010330
MF19 Joe Cardle 70101010100
FW20 Akpo Sodje 43141141205016
MF21 Robin Hulbert 201000000201
MF22 Mark Soboljew 0000000000
DF23 Luke Prosser 0000000000
DF24 Rhys Weston 150000000150
MF25 Christian Smith 1000000010
GK26 Chris Martin 0000000000
MF27 Ross Gardner 162201010202
FW28 Danny Glover 0000000000
DF29 Clayton Fortune 130100010150
MF32 Malvin Kamara 181000000181
GK40 Paul Musselwhite 0000000000
Players that left the club mid-season:
FW7 Stefan Moore 121101010151
MF11 Jeff Smith 273204110344
MF24 Louis Briscoe 0010000010
DF27 Ritchie Humphreys 7000000070

Top scorers
Place Position Nation Number Name EFL League One FA Cup EFL Cup EFL Trophy Total
1FW England10Leon Constantine2202226
2FW England20Akpo Sodje1411016
3MF England14Danny Whitaker61108
4DF England2George Pilkington60006
5MF England11Jeff Smith30104
6FW England7Luke Rodgers30003
7MF England27Ross Gardner20002
8MF Northern Ireland4Danny Sonner10001
–FW England7Stefan Moore10001
–FW Saint Lucia17Michael Husbands10001
–DF England6Richard Walker00101
–DF Nigeria15George Abbey10001
–MF England8Paul Harsley10001
–MF Sierra Leone32Malvin Kamara10001
–MF England21Robin Hulbert10001
––––Own goals10001
TOTALS 64 2 6 2 74

Transfers

Transfers in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 2006MFPaul HarsleyMacclesfield TownFree transfer[32]
May 2006DFJason TalbotMansfield TownFree transfer[32]
June 2006DFColin MilesYeovil TownFree transfer[32]
June 2006DFRichard WalkerCrewe AlexandraFree transfer[32]
June 2006MFDanny WhitakerMacclesfield TownFree transfer[32]
August 2006FWAkpo SodjeDarlingtonFree transfer[32]
January 2007MFRoss GardnerNottingham ForestFree transfer[32]
January 2007FWMalvin KamaraCardiff City'nominal'[32]
January 2007GKPaul MusselwhiteKettering TownFree transfer[32]
January 2007FWLuke RodgersCrewe Alexandra£30,000[32]
February 2007DFRhys Weston VikingFree transfer[32]

Transfers out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
January 2007FWLouis BriscoeLeek TownReleased[32]
January 2007MFJeff SmithCarlisle United£60,000[32]
May 2007DFGeorge AbbeyCrewe AlexandraReleased[32]
May 2007MFRoss GardnerIlkeston TownReleased[32]
May 2007MFDanny SonnerWalsallRejected contract[32]
May 2007DFMichael WalshRetired[32]
June 2007FWMalvin KamaraHuddersfield TownFree transfer[32]
June 2007FWNathan LowndesChester CityReleased[32]
June 2007GKPaul MusselwhiteHarrogate TownFree transfer[32]
June 2007MFChristian Smith ClydeFree transfer[32]
July 2007FWMichael HusbandsMacclesfield TownReleased[32]
July 2007DFRhys WestonWalsallReleased[32]
August 2007FWLeon ConstantineLeeds UnitedBosman transfer[32]

Loans in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
29 August 2006FWStefan MooreQueens Park Rangers29 December 2006[32]
8 September 2006MFRitchie HumphreysHartlepool United9 October 2006[32]
7 November 2006MFRoss GardnerNottingham Forest8 January 2007[32]
22 November 2006DFClayton FortuneLeyton Orient6 May 2007[32]

Loans out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref.
25 January 2007MFChristian SmithCambridge United20 March 2007[32]
22 March 2007MFChristian SmithNorthwich VictoriaEnd of season[32]
22 March 2007DFRichard WalkerWrexham8 April 2007[32]
March 2007GKChris MartinKidsgrove AthleticEnd of season[32]
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References
Specific
  1. "Vale sign Posh midfielder Sonner". BBC Sport. 28 May 2005. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  2. "Boss adds trio to Port Vale squad". BBC Sport. 19 May 2006. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
  3. "Harsley decides on Vale Park move". BBC Sport. 30 May 2006. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  4. "Vale snap up Miles and Whitaker". BBC Sport. 28 June 2006. Retrieved 16 July 2009.
  5. "Vale capture QPR striker on loan". BBC Sport. 29 August 2006. Retrieved 2 August 2009.
  6. "Humphreys leaves Pools". The Northern Echo. 8 September 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2007.
  7. Coca-cola Manager of the Month 2006-07 Archived 14 October 2006 at the Wayback Machine Football League.co.uk. Retrieved on 24 March 2007
  8. "Port Vale sign Forest's Gardner". BBC Sport. 8 November 2006. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
  9. "Fortune signs Port Vale loan deal". BBC Sport. 22 November 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  10. "Port Vale sign keeper Musselwhite". BBC Sport. 3 January 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  11. "Port Vale capture winger Kamara". BBC Sport. 16 January 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2009.
  12. "Constantine's Tykes move is off". BBC Sport. 18 January 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
  13. "Constantine content at Port Vale". BBC Sport. 14 February 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  14. "Carlisle snap up Vale midfielder". BBC Sport. 25 January 2004. Retrieved 25 January 2007.
  15. "Port Vale release striker Briscoe". BBC Sport. 23 January 2007. Retrieved 12 May 2009.
  16. "Port Vale wrap up Weston transfer". BBC Sport. 12 February 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2009.
  17. "Rotherham 1-5 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 10 March 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  18. "Husbands makes Macclesfield move". BBC Sport. 11 July 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  19. "Vale boss Foyle clears the decks". BBC Sport. 9 May 2007. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
  20. "Huddersfield sign winger Kamara". BBC Sport. 18 June 2007. Retrieved 8 June 2009.
  21. "Leeds complete triple acquisition". BBC Sport. 7 August 2007. Retrieved 7 August 2007.
  22. "Veteran Sonner rejects Vale offer". BBC Sport. 17 May 2007. Retrieved 28 June 2009.
  23. "Chairman responds to Sonner blast". BBC Sport. 24 May 2007. Retrieved 28 June 2009.
  24. "Port Vale late with repayments of £2.25m council loan". BBC Sport. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  25. "Port Vale 2-1 Lincoln". BBC Sport. 11 November 2006. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  26. "Port Vale 2-1 Preston". BBC Sport. 24 August 2006. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  27. "Port Vale 3-2 QPR". BBC Sport. 19 September 2006. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  28. "Port Vale 0-0 Norwich (AET)". BBC Sport. 24 October 2006. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  29. "Tottenham 3-1 Port Vale (aet)". BBC Sport. 8 November 2006. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  30. "Port Vale beat Iron on penalties". BBC Sport. 30 October 2006. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  31. Port Vale 2006–2007 : Results & Fixtures. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  32. "Port Vale FC Club Details | Transfers | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
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