1991–92 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1991–92 season was Port Vale's 80th season of football in the English Football League, and third successive (35th overall) season in the Second Division. For only the third time in their history they competed in a division above rivals Stoke City. However it was not a happy campaign, John Rudge was forced to deal with star players Darren Beckford and Robbie Earle being sold for combined fees of £1.7 million. He spent just £375,000 to bring future-legend Martin Foyle to the club, whilst reliable goalkeeper Mark Grew was handed the club's Player of the Year award. Vale were relegated in bottom place, just five points short of safety. They exited the League Cup at the Third Round, despite a credible 2–2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield. Leaving the FA Cup at the Third Round, they were knocked out at the Second Round stage of the Full Members Cup.

Port Vale
1991–92 season
ChairmanBill Bell
ManagerJohn Rudge
StadiumVale Park
Football League Second Division24th (45 Points)
FA CupThird Round
(knocked out by Sunderland)
League CupThird Round
(knocked out by Liverpool)
Full Members CupSecond Round
(knocked out by Leicester City)
Player of the YearMark Grew
Top goalscorerLeague: Martin Foyle (11)
All: Martin Foyle (16)
Highest home attendance18,725 vs. Liverpool, 20 November 1991
Lowest home attendance4,722 vs. Notts County, 24 September 1991
Average home league attendance7,382
Biggest win2–0 (twice)
Biggest defeat0–4 vs. Leicester City, 23 October 1991

Overview

Second Division

The pre-season saw John Rudge sign aged striker Keith Houchen from Hibernian for £100,000. He also spent £300,000 on Hull City defender Peter Swan. This money was raised through the sale of top-scorer Darren Beckford to Norwich City for £925,000 after a Football League tribunal (Vale had wanted £1.5 million). As well as losing his star striker, Rudge had to deal with the departure of his midfield dynamo, Robbie Earle having been sold to Wimbledon for £775,000. To replace Beckford, Rudge signed Martin Foyle from Oxford United for a fee of £375,000. The transfers of both Beckford and Foyle were club-records.

The season started positively, with new man Foyle getting both goals in a 2–1 win over his former employers Oxford. In September, Houchen suffered a tear in his hamstring, and struggled to regain his place upon his recovery. To replace him, Jason Beckford, younger brother of Darren, was brought in on loan from Manchester City. He proved somewhat less prolific than his sibling. The Vale only picked up one victory in nine league games, Houchen bagging a brace in a 2–0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux. Heading into December they had lost just three games in a sequence of ten league matches. Yet from 7 December to 21 March they went on a club-record seventeen games without a win (recording ten defeats). During this spell Andy Williams played a handful of games after arriving on a loan deal from Leeds United. Colin West then joined the club on loan from West Bromwich Albion. In February, Rudge took forward Joe Allon on loan from Chelsea. The next month, winger David Lowe arrived on loan from Ipswich Town. Out went Ryan Kidd, signing for Preston North End on a free transfer. At the end of March, victories over Plymouth Argyle and Blackburn Rovers raised hopes of a last minute escape. Picking up five points in the first four games of April, their fate rested in their hands. They failed to escape the drop however, losing both to Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium and to Grimsby Town at Vale Park.

They finished bottom of the table with 45 points, five points short of the safety of Oxford United. With 42 goals scored Vale had the lowest tally in the division, along with Plymouth, though their 59 goals conceded was a respectable total. Foyle was top-scorer with eleven league goals and sixteen in all competitions. At the end of the season young right-back Paul West was permitted to join Bradford City on a free transfer.

Finances

The club's shirt sponsors were Kalamazoo.

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale were easily dispatched by Sunderland, who recorded a 3–0 victory at Roker Park.

In the League Cup, Vale advanced past Notts County on away goals with a 2–1 win at Vale Park and a 3–2 defeat at Meadow Lane. Facing First Division Liverpool in the Third Round, the "Valiants" achieved a 2–2 draw at Anfield against a first eleven of eight internationals.[1] Robin van der Laan put the Vale ahead on seven minutes after heading past Bruce Grobbelaar from a Simon Mills corner.[1] Steve McManaman equalized three minutes later from a Mark Walters assist, and Liverpool took the lead on 65 minutes after Ian Rush headed in a McManaman flick on. Vale earned a replay on 73 minutes, when Martin Foyle hit the net from a Peter Swan header.[1] Yet they were knocked out of the competition as the "Reds" recorded a 4–1 win in Burslem in front of an 18,725 strong crowd.[1]

In the short-lived Full Members Cup, Vale progress past Blackburn Rovers with a 1–0 win through a Foyle goal. They were then eliminated in the next round with a 4–0 defeat to Leicester City at Filbert Street.

League table
Main article: 1991–92 Football League
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation
20 Newcastle United 46 13 13 20 66 84 −18 52
21 Oxford United 46 13 11 22 66 73 −7 50
22 Plymouth Argyle 46 13 9 24 42 64 −22 48 Relegated
23 Brighton & Hove Albion 46 12 11 23 56 77 −21 47
24 Port Vale 46 10 15 21 42 59 −17 45
Source:

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Results by matchday
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHAAHHAHAAHAHAHAAHHAAHAHHAAHHAAHHAHAAHAHHAHAHAH
ResultWLLDDWDLLDLWWDLDWLLWWDDDDLLLDDLLDLLLLLWWLWDDLL
Position41014131057131618191710141417141515141211111211141717191820201921212424242424242222232324
Source: Statto[2]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
17 August 1991Oxford UnitedH2–16,984Foyle (2)
20 August 1991Ipswich TownA1–28,646Walker (pen)
24 August 1991PortsmouthA0–18,033
27 August 1991BarnsleyH0–06,299
31 August 1991Bristol CityH1–17,057S.Mills
3 September 1991Wolverhampton WanderersA2–016,115Houchen (2)
7 September 1991Swindon TownH2–27,168Foyle (2)
14 September 1991Blackburn RoversA0–110,225
18 September 1991Brighton & Hove AlbionA1–35,790Houchen
21 September 1991Southend UnitedH0–05,988
28 September 1991Charlton AthleticA0–24,049
5 October 1991Cambridge UnitedH1–05,991Porter
12 October 1991Grimsby TownA2–18,218S.Mills, Beckford
19 October 1991SunderlandH3–37,525Swan, Foyle, van der Laan
26 October 1991MiddlesbroughA0–111,403
2 November 1991Bristol RoversA3–33,547Foyle (2), van der Laan
6 November 1991Derby CountyH1–08,589Jalink
9 November 1991MillwallH0–28,944
16 November 1991Plymouth ArgyleA0–14,363
23 November 1991Leicester CityA1–011,450Jeffers
30 November 1991WatfordH2–15,777Foyle, van der Laan
7 December 1991Newcastle UnitedA2–218,386Hughes, Glover (pen)
13 December 1991Tranmere RoversH1–16,426West
21 December 1991Wolverhampton WanderersH1–18,480van der Laan
26 December 1991BarnsleyA0–08,843
28 December 1991Bristol CityA0–39,235
1 January 1992Ipswich TownH1–28,075Hughes
11 January 1992PortsmouthH0–25,925
18 January 1992Oxford UnitedA2–24,199Houchen, Swan
1 February 1992SunderlandA1–119,505Foyle
8 February 1992MiddlesbroughH1–27,019o.g.
15 February 1992Leicester CityH1–28,084Foyle
22 February 1992WatfordA0–06,602
29 February 1992Newcastle UnitedH0–110,321
6 March 1992Tranmere RoversA1–28,477Jeffers
11 March 1992Derby CountyA1–315,345Jeffers
14 March 1992Bristol RoversH0–15,861
21 March 1992MillwallA0–16,148
28 March 1992Plymouth ArgyleH1–05,310Walker (pen)
31 March 1992Blackburn RoversH2–010,384van der Laan, Foyle
4 April 1992Swindon TownA0–18,567
11 April 1992Brighton & Hove AlbionH2–16,441Swan, Lowe
15 April 1992Southend UnitedA0–04,462
21 April 1992Charlton AthleticH1–18,461B.Mills
25 April 1992Cambridge UnitedA2–47,599B.Mills, Lowe
2 May 1992Grimsby TownH0–18,678

FA Cup
Main article: 1991–92 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R34 January 1992SunderlandA0–3Byrne (3)

League Cup
Main article: 1991–92 Football League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R2 1st Leg24 September 1991Notts CountyH2–14,722Foyle, B.Mills
R2 2nd Leg9 October 1991Notts CountyA2–34,419Foyle, Houchen
R3 1st Leg20 October 1991LiverpoolA2–221,553van der Laan, Foyle
R3 2nd Leg20 November 1991LiverpoolH1–418,725Foyle

Full Members Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R11 October 1991Blackburn RoversH1–02,355Foyle
R223 October 1991Leicester CityA0–44,858

Player statistics

Appearances
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup League Cup Full Members Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK Mark Grew 460104020530
DF Alan Webb 3010001050
DF Simon Mills 332104020402
DF Darren Hughes 422104020492
DF Dean Glover 461104020531
DF Tim Parkin 7000001080
DF Neil Aspin 420102020460
DF Peter Swan 333004020393
DF Ryan Kidd 1000201040
DF Paul West 0000000000
MF Andy Porter 321104020391
MF Ray Walker 262001000272
MF John Jeffers 333103010383
MF Robin van der Laan 435104110496
MF Kevin Kent 220002010250
MF Andy Williams 5000000050
MF David Lowe 9200000092
MF Nico Jalink 281102010321
MF Dave Rushton 0000001010
FW Jason Beckford 5100000051
FW Nicky Cross 8000000080
FW Brian Mills 212103120273
FW Martin Foyle 43111044205016
FW Joe Allon 6000000060
FW Keith Houchen 214102100245
FW Colin West 5100000051

Top scorers
Place Position Nation Name Second Division FA Cup League Cup Full Members Cup Total
1FW EnglandMartin Foyle1104116
2MF NetherlandsRobin van der Laan50106
3FW EnglandKeith Houchen40105
4DF EnglandPeter Swan30003
–MF EnglandJohn Jeffers30003
–DF EnglandDarren Hughes20003
–FW EnglandBrian Mills20103
8DF EnglandSimon Mills20002
9MF EnglandRay Walker20002
–MF EnglandDavid Lowe20002
11FW NetherlandsNico Jalink10001
–FW EnglandJason Beckford10001
–FW EnglandColin West10001
–DF EnglandDean Glover10001
–MF EnglandAndy Porter10001
––Own goals10001
TOTALS 42 0 7 1 50

Transfers

Transfers in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
25 June 1991FWMartin FoyleOxford United£375,000[3]
June 1991MFNico Jalink RKC WaalwijkFree transfer[3]
August 1991FWKeith Houchen Hibernian£100,000[3]
August 1991DFPeter SwanHull City£300,000[3]

Transfers out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
March 1992MFNico Jalink RKC WaalwijkReleased[3]
May 1992GKMark GrewCardiff CityFree transfer[3]
May 1992DFRyan KiddPreston North EndFree transfer[3]
May 1992DFTim ParkinDarlingtonFree transfer[3]
May 1992MFDave RushtonReleased[3]
May 1992DFPaul WestBradford City£80,000[3]
June 1992DFAlan WebbRetired[3]

Loans in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
November 1991FWColin WestWest Bromwich AlbionNovember 1991[3]
December 1991MFAndy WilliamsLeeds UnitedFebruary 1992[3]
February 1992FWJoe AllonChelseaEnd of season[3]
March 1992MFDavid LoweIpswich TownEnd of season[3]

References
Specific
  1. Sherwin, Phil (29 October 2011). "Glory of Anfield draw will never be forgotten". The Sentinel: The Way We Were.
  2. Port Vale 1991–1992 : Results & Fixtures Archived 5 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  3. 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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