1995–96 Port Vale F.C. season

Port Vale
1995–96 season
ChairmanBill Bell
ManagerJohn Rudge
StadiumVale Park
Football League First Division12th (60 Points)
FA CupFifth Round
(knocked out by Leeds United)
League CupFirst round
(knocked out by Huddersfield Town)
Anglo-Italian CupRunners-up
(knocked out by Genoa)
Player of the YearJon McCarthy
Top goalscorerLeague: Tony Naylor (11)
All: Tony Naylor (12)
Highest home attendance19,197 vs. Everton, 14 February 1996
Lowest home attendance4,380 vs. Huddersfield Town, 22 August 1995
Average home league attendance8,217
Biggest win3–0 vs. Barnsley, 30 March 1996
Biggest defeat1–5 vs. Ipswich Town, 1 January 1996

The 1995–96 season was Port Vale's 84th season of football in the English Football League, and second successive season in the First Division. Under manager John Rudge, the side endured a rocky start — claiming just one win in their opening ten matches — but rallied spectacularly to finish a respectable 12th in the table, ending 11 points shy of the play-offs and clear of relegation fears.

The campaign featured memorable moments, including two critical Potteries derby victories over Stoke City, both by 1–0 margins courtesy of Ian Bogie, a feat that would likely have handed Stoke automatic promotion had the results gone the other way. Vale also delivered a classic FA Cup giant‑killing, eliminating holders Everton 2–1 in a Fourth Round replay, earning them the Football Association's "Giantkillers" award. In cup competition, Vale advanced to the final of the Anglo-Italian Cup, ultimately finishing as runners-up after a 5–2 loss to Genoa in the final.

On the transfer front, Rudge reshaped the squad with key moves: Lee Mills arrived from Derby County (in a swap that sent Robin van der Laan the other way plus a fee of £475,000), Jon McCarthy joined from York City for a club record £500,000 and Andy Hill came from Manchester City for £200,000. Tony Naylor finished the season as top scorer with 12 goals in all competitions, closely followed by Martin Foyle, Andy Porter, and Jon McCarthy.

After a shaky start, Vale's resilience — anchored by transfer reinvestment, derby dominance, and memorable cup exploits — propelled them to a solid mid‑table finish, underlined by Europe‑flavoured flair.

Overview

First Division

The pre-season saw John Rudge make three key signings. He bought Lee Mills from Derby County with Robin van der Laan going in the opposite direction, with Vale receiving an additional £475,000; as well as Jon McCarthy from York City for a, still club record, £500,000; and defender Andy Hill from Manchester City for £200,000. He also signed Dutch defender Jermaine Holwyn from AFC Ajax for a £5,000 fee.

The season started terribly, as Vale won just one of their opening ten league games, failing to find the net in half of these fixtures. However, the one win during this time was against the most important of opponents, rivals Stoke City at the Victoria Ground. The derby took place on 27 August, and a crowd of 14,283 witnessed Ian Bogie score the game's only goal.[1] Their win over Huddersfield Town at the Alfred McAlpine Stadium at the start of the October was also followed by a sequence of eight games without a win, leaving the club staring relegation in the face. In November, Canadian international defender Randy Samuel signed after impressing on trial but soon was sidelined with a serious knee injury. Meanwhile, John Jeffers left the club for Stockport County. On 9 December, Vale won 3–2 at home to Reading, their second win in a row, to move themselves off the foot of the league table.[2]

The Vale turned a corner in December and would remain one of the division's form sides until April, losing just two league games in 19 games, picking up eleven wins. A six-game winning run concluded with a 3–0 win over Barnsley on 30 March, with captain Neil Aspin saying the team was the best he'd known during his seven years at the club.[3] The Valiants achieved their first league double over Stoke in 71 years by winning the return fixture under the floodlights on 12 March, with Bogie again the only name on the scoresheet, this time scoring within just 12 seconds of the kick-off; BBC Radio Stoke commentator George Andrews excitedly reported that "Bogie's done the business! Five seconds into the game, the Bogie Boogie has set it alight here, and the Stokies are stunned".[1] To Stoke, Bogie lived up to his name, as he scored his second league goal of the campaign in front of a Vale Park crowd of 16,737. Vale were facing the prospect of a promotion battle to reach the top-flight of English football, the Premier League, for the first time in their history. On 2 April, Vale came back from a two goal half-time deficit at Selhurst Park to record a 2–2 draw with Crystal Palace.[4] However, just two wins came in the final ten games, leaving Vale to settle for a top-half finish.

They finished in twelfth place with sixty points, eleven points shy of Charlton Athletic in the play-off zone, and eight points clear of Millwall in the relegation zone. Tony Naylor was the top-scorer with twelve goals in all competitions, closely followed by Martin Foyle, Andy Porter, and Jon McCarthy.

At the end of the season, Kevin Kent retired and took up a coaching role at the club. Young winger Craig Lawton had not established himself at Vale, and so was transferred to non-League Colwyn Bay. Randy Samuel was also permitted to leave for Norwegian club Harstad IL. Bradley Sandeman was another departing player, as he was given a free transfer to Rotherham United, whilst Lee Glover also joined the "Millers" for a £150,000 fee.

Finances

The club's shirt sponsors were Tunstall Assurance. Season ticket sales hit the 5,000 mark for the first time in the club's history.[5]

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale faced a difficult tie against Crystal Palace. After a goalless draw at Selhurst Park, the Vale advanced with a 4–3 win thanks to a brace from Ray Walker. They then faced the cup holders Everton at Goodison Park.[6] Foyle equalized after the "Toffees" scored the opener, and Ian Bogie saved the day with a deflected goal in injury time after Everton had again taken the lead through Duncan Ferguson.[7] This goal saved the blushes of Foyle, who missed a sitter from 6 yards (5.5 m) earlier in the game, and Paul Musselwhite, who gifted Ferguson his goal when he spilt Anders Limpar's cross.[7] Back at Vale Park, the "Valiants" added another scalp to their collection with goals from Bogie and McCarthy to win the match 2–1.[8] The club also took in their highest ever gate receipt total, as the game saw Vale bank £170,349. They then faced another top side away in the fifth round, Leeds United at Elland Road. A goalless draw raised hopes of another cup upset, and hopes turned to expectations as Naylor put Vale ahead in the replay. However, two goals from Gary McAllister saved United's blushes, dumping Vale out of the cup. For their efforts, John Rudge's side were handed the FA's Giantkillers award for the season.

In the League Cup, Vale faced league rivals Huddersfield Town. Despite a 2–1 victory at the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, the "Terriers" escaped from Burslem with a 3–1 victory to knock Vale out of the competition.

In the Anglo-Italian Cup, Vale drew 2–2 with Cesena, beat Ancona 2–0, and drew 0–0 with Genoa, before beating Perugia 5–3. The draw with nine-time Serie A champions and former UEFA Cup semi-finalists Genoa was seen as particularly creditable, with Musselwhite praised for some excellent close-range saves to earn his clean sheet.[9] This took Vale through the group stage, along with Birmingham City, as they finished ahead of both Oldham Athletic and Luton Town. Facing Ipswich Town in the English semi-final, they progressed with a 4–2 win. To reach the final, they still had to beat West Bromwich Albion in a two-legged affair. They beat the "Baggies" 3–1 to become the last English team in the competition and face Genoa again, this time to decide the tournament's winner. Despite a brace from Foyle, the Serie B side were the 5–2 victors, former Italian international Gennaro Ruotolo scoring a hat-trick.

League table

Main article: 1995–96 Football League

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
10 Barnsley 46 14 18 14 60 66 −6 60
11 West Bromwich Albion 46 16 12 18 60 68 −8 60
12 Port Vale 46 15 15 16 59 66 −7 60
13 Tranmere Rovers 46 14 17 15 64 60 +4 59
14 Southend United 46 15 14 17 52 61 −9 59
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goals scored; 3) Goal difference

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League First Division

Results by matchday

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHHAAHHAAHAAHAAAHHHHAHAAHAHHHHAA
ResultDLWDLLLLDDWLDLDLDLDWWWLWLWDDDDWWWWWWDLLLWDWLLD
Position1422181820222424232423232224232424242424202121181918192112232319171714121112161710129101112
Points1145555567101011111212131314172023232626293031323336394245485152525252555659595960
Source: Statto[10]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorers
13 August 1995 Derby County A 0–0 10,869
19 August 1995 Millwall H 0–1 8,202
27 August 1995 Stoke City A 1–0 14,283 Bogie
30 August 1995 Sunderland H 1–1 7,693 Porter
2 September 1995 Norwich City A 1–2 13,908 Mills
9 September 1995 Portsmouth H 0–2 7,374
12 September 1995 Leicester City H 0–2 8,814
16 September 1995 Grimsby Town A 0–1 4,066
23 September 1995 Reading A 2–2 7,819 Lee Glover, Lee Mills
30 September 1995 Wolverhampton Wanderers H 2–2 11,550 Porter, Richards (og)
7 October 1995 Huddersfield Town A 2–0 11,335 Guppy, McCarthy
15 October 1995 Crystal Palace H 1–2 6,935 L.Glover
21 October 1995 Barnsley A 1–1 7,332 Guppy
29 October 1995 Birmingham City H 1–2 8,875 Porter
5 November 1995 Oldham Athletic A 2–2 5,138 Mills (2)
11 November 1995 Sheffield United H 2–3 7,284 Mills, Naylor
18 November 1995 Watford H 1–1 6,265 Samuel
22 November 1995 Tranmere Rovers A 1–2 6,681 Naylor
25 November 1995 Charlton Athletic A 2–2 10,174 Griffiths, Porter
2 December 1995 Huddersfield Town H 1–0 7,701 Foyle
9 December 1995 Reading H 3–2 6,376 Foyle, Guppy, Porter
16 December 1995 Wolverhampton Wanderers A 1–0 23,329 Porter
20 December 1995 Southend United A 1–2 4,506 Naylor
26 December 1995 West Bromwich Albion H 3–1 10,807 Foyle, Guppy, Naylor
1 January 1996 Ipswich Town A 1–5 9,926 Naylor
13 January 1996 Millwall A 2–1 14,220 Foyle, Naylor
20 January 1996 Derby County H 1–1 11,947 Naylor
10 February 1996 Sunderland A 0–0 15,954
17 February 1996 Leicester City A 1–1 13,758 McCarthy
2 March 1996 West Bromwich Albion A 1–1 13,707 McCarthy
9 March 1996 Southend United H 2–1 6,222 L.Glover, McCarthy
12 March 1996 Stoke City H 1–0 16,737 Bogie
20 March 1996 Norwich City H 1–0 6,085 Foyle
23 March 1996 Ipswich Town H 2–1 7,277 Bogie, McCarthy
27 March 1996 Portsmouth A 2–1 6,335 Griffiths, Naylor
30 March 1996 Barnsley H 3–0 7,358 Foyle, Naylor, Porter
2 April 1996 Crystal Palace A 2–2 14,180 Foyle, McCarthy
6 April 1996 Birmingham City A 1–3 17,469 Porter
8 April 1996 Oldham Athletic H 1–3 7,796 Mills
13 April 1996 Watford A 2–5 9,066 Foyle, Porter
16 April 1996 Grimsby Town H 1–0 5,796 Aspin
20 April 1996 Tranmere Rovers H 1–1 7,419 Naylor
23 April 1996 Luton Town H 1–0 6,054 Mills
27 April 1996 Charlton Athletic H 1–3 8,428 McCarthy
30 April 1996 Luton Town A 2–3 5,443 Mills, Porter
4 May 1996 Sheffield United A 1–1 18,741 Naylor

FA Cup

Main article: 1995–96 FA Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R3 6 January 1996 Crystal Palace A 0–0 10,456
R3 Replay 16 January 1996 Crystal Palace H 4–3 6,754 Walker (2), Foyle, Porter
R4 27 January 1996 Everton A 2–2 33,168 Bogie, Foyle
R4 Replay 14 February 1996 Everton H 2–1 19,197 Bogie, McCarthy
R5 21 February 1996 Leeds United A 0–0 18,607
R5 Replay 27 February 1996 Leeds United H 1–2 14,023 Naylor

League Cup

Main article: 1995–96 Football League Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 1st leg 15 August 1995 Huddersfield Town A 2–1 5,363 Sedgley (og)
R1 2nd leg 22 August 1995 Huddersfield Town H 1–3 4,380 L.Glover

Player statistics

Appearances and goals

Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup League Cup / Anglo-Italian Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK England Paul Musselwhite 39 0 6 0 8 0 53 0
GK Netherlands Arjan van Heusden 7 0 0 0 2 0 9 0
DF England Dean Glover 29 0 2 0 4 0 35 0
DF England Neil Aspin 22 1 4 0 4 0 30 1
DF England Bradley Sandeman 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
DF England Gareth Griffiths 41 2 4 0 8 0 53 2
DF England Dean Stokes 18 0 0 0 8 0 26 0
DF England Allen Tankard 29 0 6 0 8 0 45 0
DF England Andy Hill 35 0 6 0 6 0 47 0
DF Canada Randy Samuel 9 1 0 0 1 0 10 1
MF England Andy Porter 45 10 6 1 10 1 61 12
MF England Ray Walker 35 0 5 2 6 0 46 2
MF England Kevin Kent 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
MF England Ian Bogie 32 3 6 2 10 0 48 5
MF England Wayne Corden 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
MF England Steve Guppy 44 4 6 0 10 1 60 5
MF Wales Craig Lawton 2 0 0 0 2 0 4 0
MF England Stewart Talbot 20 0 3 0 5 0 28 0
MF Northern Ireland Jon McCarthy 45 7 6 1 10 2 61 10
FW England Martin Foyle 25 8 4 2 5 4 34 14
FW Scotland Lee Glover 24 3 0 0 8 3 32 6
FW England Tony Naylor 39 11 6 1 6 3 51 15
FW England Lee Mills 32 8 2 0 8 5 42 13

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Name First Division FA Cup League Cup Anglo-Italian Cup Total
1 FW  England Tony Naylor 11 1 0 3 15
2 FW  England Martin Foyle 8 2 0 4 14
3 FW  Northern Ireland Jon McCarthy 7 1 0 2 11
– MF  England Andy Porter 10 1 0 1 11
– FW  England Lee Mills 8 0 0 5 11
6 MF  England Ian Bogie 3 2 0 0 5
– FW  Scotland Lee Glover 3 0 1 2 6
– MF  England Steve Guppy 4 0 0 1 5
9 DF  England Gareth Griffiths 2 0 0 0 2
– MF  England Ray Walker 0 2 0 0 2
11 DF  England Neil Aspin 1 0 0 0 1
– DF  Canada Randy Samuel 1 0 0 0 1
– – Own goals 1 0 1 0 2
TOTALS 59 9 2 18 88

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
May 1995 DF Netherlands Jermaine Holwyn Netherlands AFC Ajax £5,000 [11]
July 1995 FW England Lee Mills Derby County Exchange [11]
August 1995 DF England Andy Hill Manchester City £150,000 [11]
August 1995 MF Northern Ireland Jon McCarthy York City £450,000 [11]
November 1995 DF Canada Randy Samuel Netherlands Fortuna Sittard Free transfer [11]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
November 1995 MF England John Jeffers Stockport County Free transfer [11]
May 1996 MF Wales Craig Lawton Colwyn Bay Free transfer [11]
May 1996 DF Canada Randy Samuel Norway Harstad IL Released [11]
May 1996 DF England Bradley Sandeman Rotherham United Free transfer [11]
15 August 1996 FW England Lee Glover Rotherham United £150,000 [11]
Summer 1996 MF England Kevin Kent Retired [11]

References

Specific
  1. ^ a b Bullock, Liam (2023). El Ceramico: The Story of the Potteries Derby. Pitch. ISBN 978-1-80150-393-8.
  2. ^ Baggaley, Mike (9 December 2024). "Searching for the winning formula". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  3. ^ Baggaley, Mike (28 October 2024). "Heady days for the Vale". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  4. ^ Baggaley, Mike (2 April 2025). "Vale beat curse and promotion rivals". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 2 April 2025.
  5. ^ Baggaley, Mike (2 June 2025). "Meeting expectations at Vale Park". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  6. ^ Abberley, John (22 August 2009). "How Port Vale proved to be Everton's FA Cup Bogie team". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  7. ^ a b The Valiants: official Matchday Magazine. 7 February 1996. p. 4.
  8. ^ Owen, Gareth (31 January 2012). "My Favourite Game". port-vale.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  9. ^ Baggaley, Mike (16 November 2023). "Embracing the challenge as Port Vale compete on all fronts". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  10. ^ Port Vale 1995–1996 : Results & Fixtures Archived 23 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Port Vale FC Club Details | Transfers | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
General
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