1998–99 Port Vale F.C. season


The 1998–99 season was Port Vale's 87th season of football in the English Football League, and fifth successive season in the First Division. It was the end of an era for the club, as manager of sixteen years John Rudge was sacked in January, and was replaced by Brian Horton. As a testament to the upheaval at the club, a club record 43 players turned out for the Vale in the league over the course of the season. The Vale just avoided relegation on goals scored, despite suffering a final day defeat to Bury, who were relegated having scored ten fewer goals. Liverpool knocked them out of the FA Cup at the Third Round, and Vale were also knocked out of the League Cup by fourth tier Chester City in the First Round. The sacking of Rudge spoiled what was supposed to be a happy season for Vale fans, as Vale competed in a division above rivals Stoke City for only the fourth time.

Overview

First Division

The pre-season saw John Rudge splash out £300,000 on Bristol Rovers forward Peter Beadle and £100,000 on Scunthorpe United defender Michael Walsh. He also signed Dave Barnett ; Brian McGlinchey and Paul Beesley ; and John McQuade on free transfers. Stéphane Pounewatchy also became the first French player to play for the club when he was signed on a monthly contract from Dundee. Scott Mean was loaned to the club by West Ham United, though he went on to sustain a knee injury during his spell that would damage his career. Also Andy Clarke was signed on loan from Wimbledon.
The season started poorly with three defeats, Lee Hughes scoring a hat-trick for West Bromwich Albion to finish this run off. Two wins opened the month of September, though the month ended with former-Valiant Lee Mills scoring a brace for Bradford City in a 4–0 win over Vale at Valley Parade. In October, Derek McGill signed from Queens Park Rangers, though he would move on to Hamilton Academical later in the year. On 29 October, Gareth Ainsworth became Vale's biggest ever transfer as he was sold to Wimbledon for £2 million. In November, Robin Berntsen became the first Norwegian to play for the Vale when he arrived on loan from Tromsø IL. In addition to this French forward Christophe Horlaville joined on loan from Le Havre, and Des Lyttle also arrived on loan from Nottingham Forest. After winning the first four games in October, Vale then went on a streak of twelve defeats in fifteen games, though the sole victory of this run, a 1–0 win over Bury on 19 December, would prove to be crucial at the end of the season. The win was not enough for Rudge, who would get the sack in January after he made his final two signings: Trinidadian midfielder Tony Rougier from Hibernian for £175,000, and young striker Marcus Bent from Crystal Palace for a £375,000 fee. After Rudge was sacked by Chairman Bill Bell, highly distressed fans formed a "flat cap protest" against the decision. Offered the role of Director of Football at the club, he instead took up the same position at rivals Stoke City. To replace him, Bell appointed experienced manager and former Vale player Brian Horton.
In February, Peter Beadle was sold on to Notts County for £250,000, representing a £50,000 loss. The month of March saw Horton make his first signings as manager, bringing in five new faces: Dave Brammer ; Tony Butler ; Carl Griffiths ; Alex Smith ; and Chris Allen. This cost the club a total of £590,000. He also took in striker Alan Lee on loan from Aston Villa, and Craig Russell on loan from Manchester City. His changes finally paid off in April, as Vale went on a five-game unbeaten run. Their penultimate game was a 2–0 victory over QPR, meaning that a final day 1–0 defeat at fellow relegation candidates Bury was inconsequential.
They finished in 21st position with 47 points, ahead of Bury on goals scored, but behind both Portsmouth and Queens Park Rangers on goals scored. Had the goals difference rule been in effect then Vale would have been relegated instead of Bury. Crewe Alexandra finished three places and one position higher than the Vale. Vale suffered 25 defeats, more than any other club in the league, and only Grimsby and Bury had scored fewer goals. Player of the Year Martin Foyle was the club's top-scorer with nine goals, representing the lowest total tally for the club's top-scorer since 1964–65. Only Paul Musselwhite and Allen Tankard managed to hit forty appearances, as a club record 43 players managed to turn out for the club throughout the season.
At the end of the season there was a complete clear-out, with ten players leaving: ten-year club veteran Neil Aspin ; Dave Barnett ; Brian McGlinchey ; John McQuade ; Chris Allen ; Rogier Koordes ; Jan Jansson ; Paul Mahorn ; Stéphane Pounewatchy ; and Paul Beesley.

Finances

The club's shirt sponsors were Tunstall Assurance.

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale hosted Premier League side Liverpool. The "Reds" left Burslem with a 3–0 victory, the goals scored by Michael Owen, Paul Ince, and Robbie Fowler.
In the League Cup, Third Division Chester City dispatched the Vale 2–1 at Vale Park, and held on to a 2–2 draw at the Deva Stadium to embarrass Vale fans with a minor giant-killing act.

League table

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League First Division

Results by matchday

Matches

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
8 August 1998Birmingham CityH0–210,465
15 August 1998Huddersfield TownA1–210,030Ainsworth
22 August 1998West Bromwich AlbionH0–38,146
29 August 1998Swindon TownA1–17,800Ainsworth
31 August 1998Ipswich TownH0–35,485
8 September 1998Wolverhampton WanderersH2–18,087Beadle, Naylor
12 September 1998Crystal PalaceA1–015,983Beadle
19 September 1998PortsmouthH0–25,992
26 September 1998Grimsby TownA2–25,747Naylor, Beesley
29 September 1998Bradford CityA0–413,245
3 October 1998Norwich CityH1–05,580Ainsworth
11 October 1998BarnsleyA2–016,195Foyle, Beadle
17 October 1998Bristol CityH3–26,691Ainsworth, Beesley
20 October 1998Crewe AlexandraH1–08,205Beesley
24 October 1998WatfordA2–28,750Foyle, Tankard
31 October 1998Sheffield UnitedH2–36,737Foyle, Beadle
4 November 1998Bolton WanderersA1–313,324Beadle
8 November 1998Stockport CountyA2–47,612Beadle, Own goal
14 November 1998SunderlandH0–28,839
21 November 1998Oxford UnitedA1–25,964McGlinchey
28 November 1998Tranmere RoversH2–25,216Foyle
5 December 1998Queens Park RangersA2–310,498Foyle, Barker
12 December 1998SunderlandA0–237,583
19 December 1998BuryH1–06,425Barker
26 December 1998West Bromwich AlbionA2–314,929Naylor
28 December 1998Bolton WanderersH0–28,201
9 January 1999Birmingham CityA0–118,632
16 January 1999Swindon TownH0–15,405
30 January 1999Ipswich TownA0–116,328
6 February 1999Huddersfield TownH2–06,499Foyle
13 February 1999Wolverhampton WanderersA1–320,952Bogie
20 February 1999Crystal PalaceH1–06,051Tankard
27 February 1999PortsmouthA0–412,838
9 March 1999Norwich CityA4–312,960Tankard, Russell, Walsh, Bogie
13 March 1999Stockport CountyH1–16,456Allen
20 March 1999Sheffield UnitedA0–315,515
23 March 1999Grimsby TownH0–14,980
3 April 1999Bristol CityA0–211,039
5 April 1999BarnsleyH1–05,968Foyle
10 April 1999Crewe AlexandraA0–05,606
13 April 1999Bradford CityH1–16,998Lee
17 April 1999Oxford UnitedH1–07,393Tankard
24 April 1999Tranmere RoversA1–17,770Lee
27 April 1999WatfordH1–27,126Widdrington
1 May 1999Queens Park RangersH2–09,851Gardner, Griffiths
9 May 1999BuryA0–17,567

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R33 January 1999LiverpoolH0–316,557

League Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R1 1st Leg11 August 1998Chester CityH1–23,478Ainsworth
R1 2nd Leg18 August 1998Chester CityA2–22,461Naylor

Player statistics

Appearances

Top scorers

Transfers

Transfers in

Transfers out

Loans in