1985–86 Port Vale F.C. season

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)
Associate Members' CupNorthern 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

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 managed a Vale to a club record low of only one home league defeat all season, contributing to a fourth-place finish with 79 points and a return to the Third Division via promotion.

Building the team shrewdly, Rudge leaned on rookie striker Andy Jones — signed for just a few thousand pounds — to lead the scoring charts with 18 goals, while Robbie Earle added 15 strikes in the league, and Jim Arnold marshalled a resolute defence that earned him Player of the Year honors. In cup competitions, the team reached the Second Round in both the FA Cup and League Cup, and progressed to the Northern Section Semi-finals of the Associate Members' Cup.

A season of calculated recruitment, defensive consistency, and rising young stars such as Andy Jones and Robbie Earle culminated in a well-earned return to the Third Division — the first taste of Rudge’s managerial success.

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 35-year-old goalkeeper Jim Arnold (Everton); midfielder Paul Maguire (Tacoma Stars); hard-working midfielder Jeff Johnson (Gillingham); and Wayne Ebanks (who had played on loan from West Bromwich Albion the previous season).[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 on 17 August.[1] They did, though, manage to win 2–1 at Burnley on 26 August, avenging the 7–0 defeat they had suffered at Turf Moor two seasons prior.[2] Bowden made his debut in a 4–1 home win over Cambridge United on 14 September, though had his elbow dislocated in a sending off incident from opposition defender Geoff Scott. Vale continued in indifferent form, and three days later they 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] Williams picked up his injury on 26 October as Vale won 3–0 at home to Lou Macari's Swindon Town.[3]

On 2 November, Vale went to the top of the table with a 1–0 victory at Preston North End after being gifted a dubious penalty.[1] Their form suffered, though they did pick up a 3–0 home win over Crewe Alexandra on Boxing Day, with Ally Brown scoring a "spectacular overhead kick".[1] Vale fell to a 4–1 defeat at second-placed Chester City on New Year's Day. They were also beaten on a snow-covered Vale Park pitch by one goal to nil by Preston North End three days later.

From 11 January to 26 April, the "Valiants" hit a run of 18 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] A 1–1 draw at fourth-placed Hartlepool United in a "drab, lifeless" match was crucial. 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] Vale broke into the top four for the first time with a 3–1 win over Aldershot on what was described as "a paddy-field of a pitch".[4] They demonstrated their steel by securing a 0–0 at league leaders Swindon Town in the next match. On 31 March, Vale won 1–0 away at Crewe despite Brown being sent off on 53 minutes, ending the hosts' club record-equalling run of seven consecutive victories and start a sequence of five successive Vale victories.[5]

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.[6] Promotion was celebrated with a dinner dance at Keele University.[7] 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 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 two days previously.[8] 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.[1]

In the League Cup, Vale advanced past Third Division side Wigan Athletic 3–2 on aggregate following at 2–0 win at Springfield Park. They were then knocked out by First Division club 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.[1]

In the Associate Members' Cup, 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 they still earned £1,250 in prize money.[1]

League table

Main article: 1985–86 Football League

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation
2 Chester City (P) 46 23 15 8 83 50 +33 84 Promotion to the Third Division
3 Mansfield Town (P) 46 23 12 11 74 47 +27 81
4 Port Vale (P) 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:
(P) Promoted

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Fourth Division

Results by matchday

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAHAAHAHAHAHAHHHHAAHHAHAHAHAAHA
ResultLDWDLWDWLWWWWDWWDDLDWLWLLDDWWWDDDWDWDDWWWWWLDL
Position1618101217131411118654331135846455565555665544444333334
Points0145589121215182124252831323333343737404040414245485152535457586162636669727578787979
Source: Statto[9]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorers
17 August 1985 Exeter City A 0–1 2,868
24 August 1985 Mansfield Town H 0–0 2,930
26 August 1985 Burnley A 2–1 3,995 Sproson, Griffiths
31 August 1985 Rochdale H 1–1 3,043 Jones
7 September 1985 Orient A 0–1 2,455
14 September 1985 Cambridge United H 4–1 2,674 Maguire (2 [2 pens]), Earle, Brown
17 September 1985 Aldershot A 0–0 1,027
21 September 1985 Halifax Town H 3–2 2,754 Hunter (2), Maguire
27 September 1985 Colchester United A 0–1 3,110
30 September 1985 Hartlepool United H 4–0 3,015 O.Williams, J.Williams, Jones, Maguire
5 October 1985 Wrexham H 4–0 3,351 Maguire (2 [1 pen]), Johnson, o.g.
12 October 1985 Tranmere Rovers A 2–1 2,338 Earle, Maguire
19 October 1985 Southend United H 4–0 4,736 Jones (2), Webb, Earle
22 October 1985 Scunthorpe United A 0–0 1,888
26 October 1985 Swindon Town H 3–0 5,073 O.Williams, Earle, Brown
2 November 1985 Preston North End A 1–0 4,536 Maguire (pen)
6 November 1985 Hereford United A 1–1 3,308 Sproson
9 November 1985 Stockport County H 1–1 5,248 Bowden
23 November 1985 Peterborough United A 0–1 2,852
14 December 1985 Northampton Town A 2–2 3,259 Sproson, Earle
17 December 1985 Torquay United H 1–0 3,421 Hunter
22 December 1985 Mansfield Town A 1–2 3,730 O.Williams
26 December 1985 Crewe Alexandra H 3–0 5,976 Maguire, Brown, Earle
1 January 1986 Chester City A 1–4 5,323 Earle
4 January 1986 Preston North End H 0–1 3,592
11 January 1986 Rochdale A 3–3 2,445 Jones (2), Brown
17 January 1986 Exeter City H 0–0 3,385
25 January 1986 Cambridge United A 3–1 2,437 J.Williams, Hunter, Earle
1 February 1986 Orient H 2–0 3,074 Earle (2)
3 February 1986 Scunthorpe United H 3–1 2,977 J.Williams, Jones (pen), Bromage
24 February 1986 Burnley H 1–1 3,030 Banks
1 March 1986 Colchester United H 1–1 2,726 Jones
5 March 1986 Hartlepool United A 1–1 2,550 Bowden
8 March 1986 Wrexham A 3–1 2,614 Shankland, Earle, Jones (pen)
15 March 1986 Tranmere Rovers H 0–0 3,527
18 March 1986 Aldershot H 3–1 2,461 Bowden, Hunter, Earle
23 March 1986 Swindon Town A 0–0 10,147
29 March 1986 Chester City H 1–1 4,490 Sproson
31 March 1986 Crewe Alexandra A 1–0 4,986 Earle
5 April 1986 Hereford United H 1–0 3,344 Jones (pen)
11 April 1986 Stockport County A 2–1 4,691 Maguire, Brown
19 April 1986 Peterborough United H 2–0 3,765 Jones (2 [1 pen])
26 April 1986 Torquay United A 1–0 1,898 Earle
29 April 1986 Halifax Town A 0–2 1,389
3 May 1986 Northampton Town H 0–0 3,873
5 May 1986 Southend United A 1–2 1,687 Earle

FA Cup

Main article: 1985–86 FA Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 16 November 1985 Mansfield Town A 1–1 5,207 Earle
R1 Replay 18 November 1985 Mansfield Town H 1–0 6,749 Maguire (pen)
R2 8 December 1985 Walsall H 0–0 11,736
R2 Replay 10 December 1985 Walsall A 1–2 5,671 Brown

League Cup

Main article: 1985–86 Football League Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 1st Leg 20 August 1985 Wigan Athletic H 1–2 2,620 Sproson
R1 2nd Leg 2 September 1985 Wigan Athletic A 2–0 2,772 Jones, Earle
R2 1st Leg 24 September 1985 West Bromwich Albion A 0–1 6,218
R2 2nd Leg 7 October 1985 West Bromwich Albion H 2–2 7,985 Jones, Maguire

Associate Members' Cup

Main article: 1985–86 Associate Members' Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 21 January 1986 Wrexham A 1–1 992 Jones (pen)
R1 10 February 1986 Blackpool H 3–1 1,584 Maguire, Hunter, Jones
NSQF 10 March 1986 Scunthorpe United A 1–1 (4-3 pens) 1,415 Jones (pen)
NSSF 26 March 1986 Wigan Athletic H 1–2 4,832 Jones (pen)

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 Wales Chris Pearce 5 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 6 0
GK England Jim Arnold 41 0 4 0 4 0 3 0 52 0
DF England Phil Sproson 44 4 4 0 3 1 3 0 54 5
DF England Alan Webb 39 1 4 0 4 0 1 0 48 1
DF England Wayne Ebanks 12 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 15 0
DF England Chris Banks 19 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 22 1
DF England John Williams 36 3 0 0 4 0 4 0 44 3
DF England Russell Bromage 40 1 4 0 4 0 3 0 51 1
MF England Geoff Hunter 45 5 4 0 4 0 4 1 57 6
MF Jamaica Robbie Earle 46 15 4 1 4 1 4 0 58 17
MF England Peter Griffiths 5 1 0 0 1 0 3 0 9 1
MF Scotland Paul Maguire 45 10 4 1 4 1 4 1 57 13
MF Wales Jeff Johnson 10 1 0 0 4 0 2 0 16 1
MF England Oshor Williams 32 3 4 0 3 0 1 0 40 3
MF England Jon Bowden 36 3 4 0 1 0 3 0 44 3
MF England Eric Mountford 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FW Scotland Ally Brown 27 5 4 1 2 0 0 0 33 6
FW England Mick Perry 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
FW England Andy Shankland 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 1
FW Wales Andy Jones 41 12 3 0 4 2 4 4 52 18
FW England Steve Cammack 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
FW England Steve Biggins 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Name Fourth Division FA Cup League Cup Associate Members' Cup Total
1 FW  England Andy Jones 12 0 2 4 18
2 MF  Jamaica Robbie Earle 15 1 1 0 17
3 MF  Scotland Paul Maguire 10 0 1 1 13
4 FW  Scotland Ally Brown 5 1 0 0 6
– MF  England Geoff Hunter 5 0 0 1 6
6 DF  England Phil Sproson 4 0 1 0 5
7 MF  England Jon Bowden 3 0 0 0 3
– DF  England John Williams 3 0 0 0 3
– MF  England Oshor Williams 3 0 0 0 3
10 DF  England Alan Webb 1 0 0 0 1
– DF  England Chris Banks 1 0 0 0 1
– MF  England Peter Griffiths 1 0 0 0 1
– MF  Wales Jeff Johnson 1 0 0 0 1
– FW  England Andy Shankland 1 0 0 0 1
– DF  England Russell Bromage 1 0 0 0 1
– – Own goals 1 0 0 0 1
TOTALS 67 3 5 6 81

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 1985 FW Wales Andy Jones Wales Rhyl £3,000 [10]
June 1985 DF England Wayne Ebanks West Bromwich Albion Free transfer [10]
June 1985 MF Wales Jeff Johnson Gillingham Free transfer [10]
June 1985 MF Scotland Paul Maguire United States Tacoma Stars Free transfer [10]
July 1985 DF England John Williams Tranmere Rovers £12,000 [10]
August 1985 GK England Jim Arnold Everton Free transfer [10]
September 1985 MF England Jon Bowden Oldham Athletic £5,000 [10]
October 1985 FW England Mick Perry Torquay United Trial [10]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
February 1986 FW England Mick Perry Stafford Rangers Trial ended [10]
May 1986 FW Scotland Alistair Brown Retired [10]
May 1986 MF England Peter Griffiths Australia Salisbury United Free transfer [10]
May 1986 MF Wales Jeff Johnson Barrow Free transfer [10]
May 1986 GK Wales Chris Pearce Wrexham Free transfer [10]
May 1986 FW England Andy Shankland Released [10]
Summer 1986 MF England Oshor Williams Preston North End £2,000 [10]

Loans in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
December 1985 FW England Steve Cammack Scunthorpe United January 1986 [10]
1986 FW England Steve Biggins Derby County 1986 [10]

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 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 August 2024). "Learning lessons on and off the pitch". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  3. ^ Baggaley, Mike (27 October 2024). "Vale hold on to make history". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 27 October 2024.
  4. ^ Baggaley, Mike (18 March 2024). "Analysing the Vale as odds mount against great escape". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  5. ^ Baggaley, Mike (27 March 2025). "Bouncing back for a promotion clash". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
  6. ^ Baggaley, Michael (26 April 2020). "Victory at Torquay clinches John Rudge's first promotion as Port Vale manager". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  7. ^ Baggaley, Mike (25 February 2024). "Vale slide closer to relegation with Lincoln loss". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
  8. ^ Baggaley, Mike (18 November 2024). "Tough choices and finding a way". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
  9. ^ Port Vale 1985–1986 : Results & Fixtures Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q 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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