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1997–98 Port Vale F.C. season

Port Vale
1997–98 season
ChairmanBill Bell
ManagerJohn Rudge
StadiumVale Park
Football League First Division19th (49 Points)
FA CupThird Round
(knocked out by Arsenal)
League CupFirst Round
(knocked out by York City)
Player of the YearGareth Ainsworth
Top goalscorerLeague: Lee Mills (14)
All: Lee Mills (16)
Highest home attendance14,964 vs. Arsenal, 14 January 1998
Lowest home attendance2,749 vs. York City, 12 August 1997
Average home league attendance8,263
Biggest win4–0 vs. Huddersfield Town, 3 May 1998
Biggest defeat1–5 vs. Ipswich Town, 18 April 1998

The 1997–98 season was Port Vale's 86th season of football in the English Football League, and fourth-successive season in the First Division. John Rudge managed to mastermind a final day escape from relegation, as rivals Stoke City instead lost their second-tier status, leaving Vale as the top club in the Potteries. In the FA Cup, Vale took Arsenal to a replay before leaving at the Third Round stage, having lost on penalties. In the League Cup, Vale again exited in the First Round. Something of an end of an era for the club, Lee Mills and Jon McCarthy left the club on big money moves, whilst Dean Glover, Andy Porter, and Andy Hill also left the club. The club made its record signing, however, by bringing Gareth Ainsworth in from Lincoln City for £500,000.

Overview

First Division

The pre-season saw the arrival of Swedish midfielder Jan Jansson from IFK Norrköping for a £200,000 fee. Dutch defender Mark Snijders also signed from AZ.

The Vale started the season in modest form, picking up fourteen points in the opening nine games. On 11 September, John Rudge made the club's record signing by paying Lincoln City £500,000 for the services of midfielder Gareth Ainsworth. To pay for this, Jon McCarthy was sold to Birmingham City for £1.5m.[1] Also heading away from Stoke-on-Trent was Arjan van Heusden, who joined Oxford United on loan. The next month, Gareth Griffiths left for a loan spell at Shrewsbury Town. Disappointment came on 12 October, with a 2–1 defeat to rivals Stoke City at the newly opened Britannia Stadium. Vale's indifferent form continued, one highlight being a 3–2 win over Manchester City at Maine Road on 4 November in which Andy Porter man-marked Georgi Kinkladze out of the game.[2] Later in the year Paul Beesley joined on loan from Man City, and played a handful of games. The club's indifferent form then turned to a terrible run of ten defeats in twelve games, which included a run of one goal scored in seven games. Their form picked up in February, though they were still inconsistent. On 1 March, Stoke, who were also in relegation danger, escaped from Vale Park with a goalless draw. On 7 March, Vale beat Reading 3–0 at Elm Park.[3] Later in month Rudge signed young Tottenham Hotspur forward Paul Mahorn on non-contract terms. On 14 March, a 2–1 win over Manchester City was to prove crucial – the club's first home win over Manchester City, though Vale were still in danger of the drop.[4] Going into their final game with Huddersfield Town at the Alfred McAlpine Stadium Vale had lost three straight games, and needed a win to ensure their safety in the league.[5] A brace from Jansson, and one each from Martin Foyle and Lee Mills earned Vale a 4–0 win.[6]Rudge said: "It all ended happily in the end but we must take that as a warning and not ignore it".[7]

They finished in nineteenth place, one point above Manchester City in the relegation zone.[8] Stoke City were also relegated, and had Stoke beat Vale in Burslem then Vale would have taken Stoke's place in the relegation zone.[5] Lee Mills was the club's top-scorer with sixteen goals, whilst Tony Naylor also hit double-figures.

At the end of the season, Lee Mills was signed by Premier League Bradford City, becoming Bradford's first million-pound player. Twelve-year club veteran Andy Porter signed for Wigan Athletic, as did Griffiths. Another major departure was nine-year club veteran defender Dean Glover, who joined non-League Kidderminster Harriers. Another older player, Andy Hill, retired outright. Other departures were Dave Barnett to Lincoln City, Dean Stokes to Third Division Rochdale, and Dutch keeper Arjan van Heusden also headed into the basement division with Cambridge United. Fellow Dutchman Jermaine Holwyn returned to the Netherlands to play for HFC Haarlem.

Finances

The club's shirt sponsors were Tunstall Assurance.

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale faced a trip to Highbury to face Arsenal. Rudge's "Valiants" battled to a goalless draw with the "Gunners" to take the Londoners back to Burslem; manager Arsène Wenger remarked that it was "amazing how teams who do not do especially well in their own league suddenly become monsters".[9] Again goalless, Dennis Bergkamp scored in the tenth minute of extra time, but Wayne Corden equalized eight minutes before the full-time whistle.[10] Lee Dixon missed the first penalty of the shoot-out, but Arsenal recovered to win the game 4–3 on penalties, and later went on to lift the cup.[11][12]

In the League Cup, Second Division York City eliminated the Vale with a 3–2 aggregate victory.

League table

Main article: 1997–98 Football League First Division

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
17 Bury 46 11 19 16 42 58 −16 52
18 Swindon Town 46 14 10 22 42 73 −31 52
19 Port Vale 46 13 10 23 56 66 −10 49
20 Portsmouth 46 13 10 23 51 63 −12 49
21 Queens Park Rangers 46 10 19 17 51 63 −12 49
Source: Statto.com
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
GroundHAHAHAAHHAAHHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAAHHAHAAHAHAHA
ResultLLWDWLWDWLLDWLDWWLDLLLLLLLWLLDDLWLDLWWDLWDLLLW
Position20221417111491188111481314107119111314171818201819212021212121242423192020181719202019
Source: Statto[13]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorers
9 August 1997 Nottingham Forest H 0–1 12,533
16 August 1997 Portsmouth A 1–3 10,605 Talbot
23 August 1997 Sunderland H 3–1 8,290 Naylor (2), Mills
3 September 1997 Wolverhampton Wanderers A 1–1 21,524 Foyle
9 September 1997 Stockport County H 2–1 6,615 Mills (2)
13 September 1997 Norwich City A 0–1 11,269
16 September 1997 Crewe Alexandra A 1–0 5,519 Mills
20 September 1997 Bury H 1–1 6,781 Ainsworth
27 September 1997 Queens Park Rangers H 2–0 7,197 Snijders, Naylor
4 October 1997 Swindon Town A 2–4 8,048 Glover, Foyle
12 October 1997 Stoke City A 1–2 20,125 Naylor
18 October 1997 Bradford City H 0–0 7,148
21 October 1997 Huddersfield Town H 4–1 5,244 Horne (og.), Talbot, Ainsworth, Naylor
25 October 1997 Middlesbrough A 1–2 30,096 Foyle
1 November 1997 Reading H 0–0 6,569
4 November 1997 Manchester City A 3–2 24,554 Snijders, Talbot, Naylor
8 November 1997 Tranmere Rovers A 2–1 7,063 Naylor (2)
15 November 1997 West Bromwich Albion H 1–2 11,124 Mills
22 November 1997 Sheffield United H 0–0 8,017
29 November 1997 Oxford United A 0–2 5,762
6 December 1997 Birmingham City H 0–1 7,509
13 December 1997 Charlton Athletic A 0–1 11,077
20 December 1997 Ipswich Town H 1–3 5,784 Foyle
26 December 1997 Stockport County A 0–3 10,003
28 December 1997 Wolverhampton Wanderers H 0–2 10,898
10 January 1998 Nottingham Forest A 0–2 17,639
17 January 1998 Portsmouth H 2–1 6,028 Talbot, Mills
24 January 1998 Crewe Alexandra H 2–3 6,683 Naylor, Porter (pen)
31 January 1998 Sunderland A 2–4 39,258 Talbot, Jansson
7 February 1998 Bury A 2–2 5,285 Mills, Bogie
14 February 1998 Norwich City H 2–2 6,664 Mills (2)
17 February 1998 Swindon Town H 0–1 5,925
21 February 1998 Queens Park Rangers A 1–0 14,198 Mills
24 February 1998 Bradford City A 1–2 13,293 Foyle
1 March 1998 Stoke City H 0–0 13,853
4 March 1998 Tranmere Rovers H 0–1 5,465
7 March 1998 Reading A 3–0 7,139 Mills, Talbot, Jansson
14 March 1998 Manchester City H 2–1 13,122 Foyle, Ainsworth
21 March 1998 West Bromwich Albion A 2–2 14,242 Jansson, Foyle
28 March 1998 Sheffield United A 1–2 15,860 Corden
4 April 1998 Oxford United H 3–0 6,524 Mills, Naylor, Ainsworth
11 April 1998 Birmingham City A 1–1 17,193 Ainsworth
13 April 1998 Charlton Athletic H 0–1 9,973
18 April 1998 Ipswich Town A 1–5 16,205 Barnett
24 April 1998 Middlesbrough H 0–1 12,096
3 May 1998 Huddersfield Town A 4–0 15,610 Jansson (2), Foyle, Mills

FA Cup

Main article: 1997–98 FA Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R3 3 January 1998 Arsenal A 0–0 37,471
R3 Replay 14 January 1998 Arsenal H (3)1–1(4) 14,964 Corden

League Cup

Main article: 1997–98 Football League Cup
Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R1 1st Leg 12 August 1997 York City H 1–1 2,749 Mills
R1 2nd Leg 26 August 1997 York City A 1–2 3,195 Mills

Player statistics

Appearances and goals

Pos. Name Football League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK England Matthew Boswell 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GK England Paul Musselwhite 40 0 2 0 2 0 44 0
GK Netherlands Arjan van Heusden 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
DF England Dean Glover 25 1 0 0 1 0 26 1
DF England Neil Aspin 25 0 2 0 2 0 29 0
DF England Allen Tankard 38 0 2 0 2 0 42 0
DF England Dean Stokes 8 0 0 0 1 0 9 0
DF Northern Ireland Jon McCarthy 4 0 0 0 2 0 6 0
DF England Andy Hill 27 0 2 0 2 0 31 0
DF England Matt Carragher 25 0 0 0 0 0 25 0
DF England Paul Beesley 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
DF England Dave Barnett 9 1 0 0 0 0 9 1
DF Northern Ireland Liam Burns 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
DF Netherlands Mark Snijders 23 2 0 2 0 0 25 2
DF England Gareth Griffiths 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
MF England Andy Porter 40 1 2 0 1 0 43 1
MF England Ian Bogie 38 1 2 0 1 0 41 1
MF England Wayne Corden 31 1 2 1 2 0 35 2
MF England Stewart Talbot 41 6 2 0 2 0 45 6
MF Netherlands Rogier Koordes 9 0 0 0 0 0 9 0
MF Sweden Jan Jansson 32 5 0 0 2 0 34 5
MF England Gareth Ainsworth 39 5 2 0 0 0 41 5
MF England Richard Eyre 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
MF Wales Scott Ruscoe 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FW England Dean Cunningham 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FW England Martin Foyle 38 8 2 0 2 0 42 8
FW England Lee Mills 42 14 1 0 2 2 45 16
FW England Justin O'Reilly 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FW England Tony Naylor 37 10 2 0 2 0 41 10
FW England Simon Armstrong 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FW England Steve Williams 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Name First Division FA Cup League Cup Total
1 FW  England Lee Mills 14 0 2 16
2 FW  England Tony Naylor 10 0 0 10
3 FW  England Martin Foyle 8 0 0 8
4 MF  England Stewart Talbot 6 0 0 6
5 MF  Sweden Jan Jansson 5 0 0 5
– MF  England Gareth Ainsworth 5 0 0 5
7 MF  England Wayne Corden 1 1 0 2
– DF  Netherlands Mark Snijders 2 0 0 2
9 DF  England Dean Glover 1 0 0 1
– DF  England Dave Barnett 1 0 0 1
– MF  England Ian Bogie 1 0 0 1
– MF  England Andy Porter 1 0 0 1
– – Own goals 1 0 0 1
TOTALS 56 1 2 59

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
1997 DF England Matt Carragher Wigan Athletic Free transfer [14]
Summer 1997 MF Sweden Jan Jansson Sweden IFK Norrköping £200,000 [14]
Summer 1997 DF Netherlands Mark Snijders Netherlands AZ Alkmaar Free transfer [14]
12 September 1997 MF England Gareth Ainsworth Lincoln City £500,000 [14]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
11 September 1997 MF Northern Ireland Jon McCarthy Birmingham City £1.5 million [14]
1998 DF Netherlands Jermaine Holwyn Netherlands HFC Haarlem Free transfer [14]
26 March 1998 FW England Justin O'Reilly Southport Free transfer [15]
July 1998 MF England Andy Porter Wigan Athletic Free transfer [14]
June 1998 DF England Gareth Griffiths Wigan Athletic Free transfer [14]
Summer 1998 DF England Dean Glover Kidderminster Harriers Free transfer [14]
Summer 1998 DF England Andy Hill Retired [14]
7 August 1998 FW England Lee Mills Bradford City £1,000,000 [14]
Summer 1998 DF England Dean Stokes Rochdale Free transfer [14]
August 1998 GK Netherlands Arjan van Heusden Cambridge United Free transfer [14]

Loans in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
24 December 1997 DF England Paul Beesley Manchester City December 1997 [14]
March 1998 DF England Dave Barnett Scotland Dunfermline Athletic May 1998 [14]

Loans out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref.
8 August 1997 GK England Matthew Boswell Witton Albion 199? [15]
26 September 1997 GK Netherlands Arjan van Heusden Oxford United October 1997 [14]
31 October 1997 DF England Gareth Griffiths Shrewsbury Town November 1997 [14]
23 December 1997 FW England Simon Armstrong Boston United End of season [15]
30 January 1998 FW England Steve Williams Witton Albion 1998 [15]
25 March 1998 GK England Matthew Boswell Barnet End of season [15]

References

Specific
  1. ^ Baggaley, Mike (12 November 2023). "Old failings return as Port Vale are held at Lincoln City". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  2. ^ Baggaley, Mike (9 November 2023). "Port Vale, huge game and responding to ticket concerns". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  3. ^ Baggaley, Mike (11 January 2024). "Port Vale transfer and injury update ahead of Reading". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  4. ^ Baggaley, Mike (14 March 2024). "Port Vale injury news and talking points ahead of Oxford". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  5. ^ a b Baggaley, Michael (3 May 2020). "Last day drama when Port Vale stayed up but Man City and Stoke City went down". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  6. ^ Baggaley, Mike (20 February 2016). "Were these Vale's five greatest games ever?". The Sentinel. Retrieved 20 February 2016.[permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ Baggaley, Mike (3 May 2024). "Questions answered about recruitment, budget and plans". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  8. ^ Baggaley, Mike (5 January 2017). "Huddersfield v Port Vale archives: When Vale stayed up in style". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
  9. ^ Baggaley, Mike (14 January 2024). "Sympathy and frustration as Port Vale are caught up in Reading chaos". Valiant's Substack. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  10. ^ Shaw, Phil (15 January 1998). "Football: Arsenal let off the hook by Tankard". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  11. ^ "Sports photographs from our archives". The Sentinel. 8 July 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  12. ^ Baggaley, Michael (14 January 2018). "When Port Vale gave Arsenal an almighty FA Cup scare". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  13. ^ Port Vale 1997–1998 : Results & Fixtures. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Port Vale FC Club Details | Transfers | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  15. ^ a b c d e Rothmans football yearbook 1998-99. London : Headline Book. 1998. ISBN 978-0-7472-7652-4. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
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