1983–84 Port Vale F.C. 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)
Associate Members' CupSecond 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

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] John McGrath began as manager before being replaced by John Rudge in December due to a dismal run of results.

The season opened disastrously, as Vale endured an 18‑game winless streak, culminating in a humiliating 7–0 defeat at Burnley under the glare of television cameras. Rudge's appointment sparked a gradual revival — reflecting his motto "we cannot change things overnight" — but the recovery proved insufficient, and Vale were relegated, finishing 23rd, six points adrift of safety. On the field, Eamonn O'Keefe, serving as both league and season top scorer, netted 11 goals, while impressing enough to be named Player of the Year, and the emerging Mark Bright displayed early promise before departing at season's close. In cup action, Vale bowed out early, suffering a First Round exit in the FA Cup (to v) and a Second Round defeat in the League Cup, while their run in the Associate Members' Cup also ended in the Second Round. Despite the on-pitch woes, the club maintained average home attendance around 4,023, highlighting continued local support even amid adversity.

A season defined by a calamitous start and management upheaval — Rudge's mid-season appointment steadied the ship, but Vale ultimately fell back to the Fourth Division amid a determined yet insufficient recovery.

Overview

Third Division

The pre-season saw John McGrath pay Wigan Athletic £10,000 for Ireland international forward Eamonn O'Keefe.[1] He also brought in three players on free transfers: midfielder Tommy Gore (Bury), defender Gary Pollard (Chesterfield), and goalkeeper 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] Steve Fox asked to be dropped, and Wayne Cegielski ended up on crutches with an Achilles tendon injury. Fifteen league games without a win followed, keeping the club rooted at the foot of the table.[1] Notable results in the sequence included a "rip-roaring" 4–2 defeat at Wimbledon, their "worst performance of the season" in a 2–0 loss at Walsall, and a "dismal 3–0 defeat at Orient. 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] A first away points was gained with a 1–1 draw at Exeter City on 5 November. 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]

On 12 November, Vale lost 3–1 at home to third-placed Oxford United. 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; Kevin Reeves scored a hat-trick as Burnley led by six goals at half-time.[1][2] 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 13 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 second-placed Sheffield United despite Sproson being absent through injury as John Ridley and Wayne Cegielski were excellent in central defence to keep Keith Edwards and Tony Philliskirk from scoring, whilst Geoff Hunter was man of the match in midfield.[3] It was the first of four straight home wins that cut the gap to safety down to only four points, including a 2–0 victory over promotion-chasing Wimbledon.[1][4][5] 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 following Rudge giving the team a stern talking to at half-time with the scores level; reporter Chris Harper likened Newport goalkeeper Mark Kendall to an octopus for the amount of saves he made during the match.[6] 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 team found themselves two goals up against on 2 April, only to lose 3–2 to Rotherham United. 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 replaced the injured Martin Henderson and 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. 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.[7]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale were eliminated in the first round by Lincoln City with a 2–1 home defeat.[1]

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 Associate Members' Cup, Vale beat Fourth Division side Hereford United 1–0 at Edgar Street. They were then beaten 2–0 at the Memorial Stadium by Bristol Rovers.[1]

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 (R) 46 9 19 18 54 73 −19 46 Relegation to the Fourth Division
22 Southend United (R) 46 10 14 22 55 76 −21 44
23 Port Vale (R) 46 11 10 25 51 83 −32 43
24 Exeter City (R) 46 6 15 25 50 84 −34 33
Source:
(R) Relegated

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Third Division

Results by matchday

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHAAHAHHAAAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAAHAHHAAAHHAAHAHAHAH
ResultDLLWLLDLLLLLLDLLLLLWLWWDWLDLWLWDLWLLWDDDLLDWLW
Position13171816182119212324242424242424242424242424242424242424232322212120212222222223232323232323
Points11144455555556666669912151619192020232326272730303033343536363637404043
Source: Statto[8]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorers
27 August 1983 Scunthorpe United H 0–0 4,565
3 September 1983 Rotherham United A 1–2 4,847 O'Keefe
6 September 1983 Millwall A 2–3 4,061 Steel (2)
10 September 1983 Bristol Rovers H 2–0 4,308 Sproson, Steel
17 September 1983 Wimbledon A 2–4 2,690 Newton (2)
24 September 1983 Bradford City H 1–2 4,879 Fox
26 September 1983 Wigan Athletic H 1–1 4,655 Bromage
1 October 1983 Walsall A 0–2 3,757
14 October 1983 Orient A 0–3 3,207
18 October 1983 Brentford A 1–3 3,903 Henderson
22 October 1983 Bolton Wanderers H 1–2 4,269 Tartt
29 October 1983 Newport County A 1–2 3,829 Ridley
31 October 1983 Plymouth Argyle H 0–1 3,466
5 November 1983 Exeter City A 1–1 3,301 Armstrong
12 November 1983 Oxford United H 1–3 3,927 O'Keefe
26 November 1983 Burnley A 0–7 6,385
3 December 1983 Gillingham H 0–1 3,086
17 December 1983 Lincoln City H 0–1 2,861
26 December 1983 Preston North End A 0–4 5,617
27 December 1983 Sheffield United H 2–0 7,034 O'Keefe, Young
31 December 1983 Hull City A 0–1 8,736
2 January 1984 Bournemouth H 2–1 4,008 O'Keefe, Henderson
21 January 1984 Wimbledon H 2–0 3,627 O'Keefe, Bright
28 January 1984 Bristol Rovers A 0–0 6,142
30 January 1984 Southend United H 2–1 3,636 Henderson, Ridley
4 February 1984 Walsall H 0–2 6,966
11 February 1984 Bradford City A 2–2 5,435 Henderson, Gore (pen)
14 February 1984 Plymouth Argyle A 0–3 3,552
18 February 1984 Newport County H 4–2 3,437 Henderson, Tartt, Young, Bright
25 February 1984 Bolton Wanderers A 0–2 5,818
3 March 1984 Brentford H 4–3 3,704 O'Keefe (2), Gore (pen), Fox
5 March 1984 Exeter City H 2–2 4,338 Henderson, Young
10 March 1984 Oxford United A 0–2 7,858
19 March 1984 Southend United A 2–1 2,596 Bright, O'Keefe
31 March 1984 Wigan Athletic A 0–3 3,163
2 April 1984 Rotherham United H 2–3 3,705 O'Keefe, Massey (pen)
9 April 1984 Orient H 2–0 3,169 Henderson, Hunter
14 April 1984 Gillingham A 1–1 3,323 Bright
17 April 1984 Scunthorpe United A 1–1 2,952 Sproson
21 April 1984 Preston North End H 1–1 3,574 O'Keefe (pen)
24 April 1984 Sheffield United A 1–3 14,385 Bright
28 April 1984 Burnley H 2–3 3,061 Bright, Young
5 May 1984 Bournemouth A 1–1 3,305 Bright
7 May 1984 Hull City H 1–0 3,958 Bright
12 May 1984 Lincoln City A 2–3 1,372 Bright, Armstrong
14 May 1984 Millwall H 1–0 2,299 Fox

FA Cup

Main article: 1983–84 FA Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 19 November 1983 Lincoln City H 1–2 3,647 Bright

League Cup

Main article: 1983–84 Football League Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 1st Leg 31 August 1983 Wrexham H 3–1 3,916 Sproson (2), O'Keefe (pen)
R1 2nd Leg 13 September 1983 Wrexham A 5–1 2,903 Newton (2), Hunter, Gore, Steel
R2 1st Leg 3 October 1983 Manchester United H 0–1 19,855
R2 2nd Leg 26 October 1983 Manchester United A 0–2 23,589

Associate Members' Cup

Main article: 1983–84 Associate Members' Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 22 February 1984 Hereford United A 1–0 1,605 Tartt
R2 13 March 1984 Bristol Rovers A 0–2 2,597

Player statistics

Appearances and goals

Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup League Cup Associate Members' Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK England Barry Siddall 39 0 1 0 3 0 2 0 45 0
GK Wales Chris Pearce 7 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 8 0
DF England Phil Sproson 38 2 0 0 4 2 2 0 44 4
DF Wales Wayne Cegielski 39 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 43 0
DF England Max Thompson 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
DF England Gary Pollard 18 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 22 0
DF England Russell Bromage 38 1 0 0 3 0 1 0 42 1
MF England Terry Armstrong 19 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 21 2
MF England Colin Tartt 22 2 1 0 4 0 2 1 29 3
MF England Geoff Hunter 42 1 1 0 4 1 2 0 49 2
MF England John Ridley 30 2 1 0 2 0 2 0 35 2
MF Jamaica Robbie Earle 12 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 13 0
MF England Steve Fox 40 3 1 0 4 0 2 0 47 3
MF England Winston White 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
MF England Kevin Young 28 4 0 0 0 0 2 0 30 4
MF England Andy Massey 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 1
MF England Alan Oakes 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
MF England Tommy Gore 36 2 1 0 4 1 2 0 43 3
FW England Andy Shankland 7 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 8 0
FW England Mark Bright 26 9 1 1 2 0 2 0 31 10
FW Scotland Jim Steel 15 3 1 0 3 1 0 0 19 4
FW England Bob Newton 7 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 9 4
FW Republic of Ireland Eamonn O'Keefe 37 10 1 0 4 1 1 0 43 11
FW Scotland Martin Henderson 27 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 28 7

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Name Fourth Division FA Cup League Cup Associate Members' Cup Total
1 FW  Ireland Eamonn O'Keefe 10 0 1 0 11
2 FW  England Mark Bright 9 1 0 0 10
3 FW  Scotland Martin Henderson 7 0 0 0 7
4 MF  England Kevin Young 4 0 0 0 4
– DF  England Phil Sproson 2 0 2 0 4
– FW  Scotland Jim Steel 3 0 1 0 4
– FW  England Bob Newton 2 0 2 0 4
8 MF  England Steve Fox 3 0 0 0 3
– MF  England Tommy Gore 2 0 1 0 3
– MF  England Colin Tartt 2 0 0 1 3
1 MF  England John Ridley 2 0 0 0 2
– MF  England Geoff Hunter 1 0 1 0 2
– MF  England Terry Armstrong 2 0 0 0 2
14 MF  England Andy Massey 1 0 0 0 1
– DF  England Russell Bromage 1 0 0 0 1
TOTALS 51 1 8 1 61

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
1983 MF England Alan Oakes Northwich Victoria Free transfer [9]
June 1983 GK Wales Chris Pearce Rochdale Free transfer [9]
June 1983 DF England Gary Pollard Chesterfield Free transfer [9]
July 1983 MF England Tommy Gore Bury Free transfer [9]
July 1983 MF Republic of Ireland Eamonn O'Keefe Wigan Athletic £10,000 [9]
October 1983 FW Scotland Martin Henderson Chesterfield Exchange [9]
October 1983 MF England Winston White Chesterfield Trial [9]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
Summer 1983 FW England Bob Newton Chesterfield Free transfer [9]
October 1983 MF England Winston White Stockport County Trial ended [9]
December 1983 MF England Alan Oakes Sacked [9]
January 1984 FW Scotland Jim Steel Wrexham £10,000 [9]
1984 MF England Steve Fox Chester City Free transfer [9]
June 1984 FW England Mark Bright Leicester City £33,333 [9]
July 1984 DF England Gary Pollard Mansfield Town Free transfer [9]
Summer 1984 FW Scotland Martin Henderson Spalding United Sacked [9]

Loans in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
November 1983 DF England Max Thompson Bournemouth November 1983 [9]
December 1983 MF England Kevin Young Burnley End of season [9]
March 1984 MF England Andy Massey Millwall April 1984 [9]

Loans out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref.
October 1983 DF England Russell Bromage Oldham Athletic October 1983 [9]
October 1983 GK England Barry Siddall Blackpool October 1983 [9]

References

Specific
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au 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, Mike (26 November 2023). "Groundhog Day as Vale's league woes continue at Shrewsbury". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  3. ^ Baggaley, Mike (14 August 2025). "Recruitment, Burton and more". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  4. ^ Baggaley, Mike (27 December 2023). "Fightback too late as Barnsley continue Vale's woeful home run". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  5. ^ Baggaley, Mike (21 January 2024). "Port Vale transfer window talking points". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  6. ^ Baggaley, Mike (18 February 2024). "Cheltenham defeat plunges Vale deeper into relegation trouble". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  7. ^ Kent, Jeff (December 1991). Port Vale Tales: A Collection Of Stories, Anecdotes And Memories. Witan Books. p. 87. ISBN 0-9508981-6-3.
  8. ^ Port Vale 1983–1984 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t 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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