The season opened with a 4–2 win over Preston North End on a plastic pitch at Deepdale.[10]David Riley "discussed a transfer" but remained at the club despite being unhappy at starting the season from the bench.[11] A weak defensive performance then cost them at home to Chester City. However, Rudge was happy with the performance of Simon Mills, a midfielder who was learning a new position at right-back.[12] A disciplined performance was enough to win a point away at Bury, with goalkeeper Mark Grew in impressive form.[13] With Atkinson injured and Steve Harper out of form, Rudge tried unsuccessfully to bring in Liverpool's Steve Staunton and Bournemouth's Mark O'Connor on loan.[14] The campaign though kicked into gear with "a stunningly ruthless" 6–1 thrashing of "a by no means inadequate" Cardiff City.[14] They followed this up with a 5–0 mauling of a "dreadful" Chesterfield – Darren Beckford claiming a hat-trick – and moved to the top of the table.[15][16] They ended September with a 1–0 win over Bristol City, as the Vale defence proved its effectiveness.[17]
Vale opened October with a 3–3 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux; it was an exciting encounter, as Vale's short passing game proved the equal of the dangerous long ball game of "Wolves".[18] Two days later they claimed a 2–0 victory over Huddersfield Town, with Trevor Wood keeping a clean sheet on his debut after Grew was sidelined with a thighstrain.[19] A 2–0 win over injury-stricken Wigan Athletic at Springfield Park was the club's fifth clean sheet in six league games.[20] Rudge meanwhile agreed a £175,000 deal to bring Andy Jones back from Charlton Athletic, but the striker refused the deal.[2] Yet an injury-time goal from Ray Walker was enough to continue the team's fine run, as a solid Bolton Wanderers club were beaten 2–1; despite still suffering from injury, Grew made a series of impressive saves.[21][22] With goalkeeper Mark Grew out with a thigh strain, Mike Stowell was taken in on loan from Everton.[2] The month ended poorly, as a 3–2 loss to Blackpool at Bloomfield Road was followed by a 3–3 draw with Sheffield United in front of 13,246 fans (the biggest gate for a league game since 1973).[2] The two northern sides exploited Vale's unease at playing with a new goalkeeper, and forced errors from the Vale defence with high-pressure aerial bombardment.[23] On 29 October, Rudge kept the team in the dressing room for 45 minutes at Griffin Park after a poor performance left the distinctly average home side, Brentford, to secure all three points.[24]
Vale were 13 minutes from opening November with a 3–1 home win over Aldershot when the match had to be abandoned due to fog.[25] They instead found a much needed win away at Northampton Town. Rudge attempted to sign one of West Ham United's defensive pair Gary Strodder and Paul Hilton, but found that neither were willing to join the club.[26] Unaffected by this rejection, the "Valiants" beat third-place Swansea City 2–1, though were disappointed to lose Futcher as the striker was sent off for arguing with the linesman.[27] They then disposed of Fulham with a 3–0 win, despite having to play without Futcher.[28] Rudge was made Manager of the Month.[29]
December began with a 1–1 draw at Southend United. Vale battled to an away point despite playing most of the second half with ten men following Atkinson's dismissal.[30] With Atkinson injured, John Jeffers was taken on loan from Liverpool, though David Riley's form kept Jeffers on the bench.[2] On 17 December, Vale overcame Reading 3–0 to hit second in the table.[31][32] On Boxing day, Vale recorded a 1–0 win at Mansfield Town despite having Ray Walker sent off.[31] They then missed the chance to end the calendar year on top of the table after falling to a 1–0 loss at relegation fodder Gillingham.[33] Before the year was out, Paul Millar was signed from Irish club Portadown for £20,000, but severely damaged his knee ligaments in one of his early training sessions.[2]Gary Ford also picked up an Achilles injury, and Vale's form suffered.[2]
By January Wolves were clear at the top, and Vale were comfortably placed in second.[2] Vale narrowly beat Notts County and Chester City to give themselves some breathing space.[34][35] On 18 January, Rudge agreed to sign a new two-year contract.[36] However, Vale began to struggle, as Bury and Cardiff City inflicted two straight losses.[37] Yet a back injury forced Bob Hazell into retirement, whilst Ray Walker had trouble with his foot.[2] More bad news came when loyal servant Phil Sproson retired on medical advice after sustaining a bad knee injury.[2] Rudge responded by trying to bolster his defence but was unable to secure Steve Sims, Peter Swan, Simon Morgan, Chris Hemming, or Peter Skipper.[38] Rudge then decided to sign classy defender Dean Glover from Middlesbrough for £200,000 as a replacement for Sproson.[2] This more than quadrupled the club's previous transfer record. Andy Jones also agreed to join the club on loan to boost the club's promotion chances.[2]
On 4 February, a crowd of 16,362 witnessed a goalless home draw with leaders Wolves; débutante Dean Glover was impressive.[2] Rudge then spent £70,000 on Gillingham defender Gary West, as it became clear that Bob Hazell would be out injured for a long time.[39] On 11 February, Vale won their first-ever point in an away match at Huddersfield.[39] Two days later they battled against the elements to record a 3–0 victory over Aldershot in the re-arranged fixture.[40] Rudge tried to re-sign another former Vale favourite on loan, Mark Chamberlain, but was turned down.[41] The good results continued, though, as Vale rounded out the month with a win over Wigan Athletic and a draw with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.[42]
A Futcher penalty opened March with a win over Blackpool, though Vale also had two goals disallowed.[43] Preston then purchased young reserve team winger Steve Harper, who wanted to "prove himself", for £35,000.[2] Vale played a five-man defence against relegation candidates Aldershot, and came away from the Recreation Ground with a 2–2 draw as Rudge bemoaned "two points thrown away".[44] They returned to winning ways against Brentford, but could only manage a draw at home to Preston.[45] Rudge refused Reading's offer of £250,000 for Dean Glover, but placed Hazell on the transfer list.[45] He did though sign Jeffers permanently for £30,000 after giving up hope of Atkinson returning to fitness.[46] He also re-signed Ronnie Jepson from Nantwich Town, though attempts to loan in Jim Melrose from Shrewsbury Town were unsuccessful.[46] On 25 March, Beckford hit a hat-trick as Vale claimed a 4–1 victory at Notts County to go ten games unbeaten.[47] Two days later though, they fell to defeat at home to Mansfield.[48]
April began with a 3–0 defeat at Reading after the team put in a "woefully inadequate display".[49] They then claimed a draw at promotion rivals Bristol Rovers, though Rudge said that "we deserved to win".[50] They were then fortunate to hang on to second place after making tough work of what should have been a routine home win over Gillingham.[51] Gary Ford was ruled out for the rest of the season as injuries began to take their toll on the squad, though they still managed to return from Chesterfield with another three points.[52] However, they dropped down to third after losing at home to Bristol City.[53] Vale then returned from Bolton with only a point and were forced to contend with another injury as Riley suffered a broken leg.[54] More points were dropped after a goalless draw at home to Swansea, the lack of goals being blamed on poor service from the flanks.[55]
On 1 May, Vale lost at home to Northampton Town after wasting chances to score and making mistakes in defence.[56] A young Andy Porter helped to ensure three victories in the final three games, but it was too late to gain automatic promotion.[2] The regular season concluded with a 2–1 win at Fulham as they came from being a goal down to former loanee striker Michael Cole to win the game with a Kevin Finney strike and Gary West header.[57] Going into the play-offs Rudge said that "We have almost climbed Everest, but there is one small hill to go and the players must be in a positive mood."[58]
They finished in third place with 84 points, missing out on automatic promotion due to Sheffield United's superior goal difference.[2] The team were unfortunate not to win automatic promotion, as the old system of two points for a win would have seen them finish second, and their tally of 84 points would have won them promotion in the Second Division and would have been enough to clinch the Fourth Division title.[1] No team in the division conceded fewer than Vale's 48 goals, and Vale also had the best away record.[2] However, relegated Southend lost fewer home games than the Vale.[1] Ray Walker was selected for the PFA's Third DivisionTeam of the Year for the second season running.[2] However, it was goalkeeper Mark Grew who was voted Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year.
Facing Preston North End in the play-off semi-finals at Deepdale, there was a pitch invasion by fans after a fire erupted under the wooden slats of the stands.[2]Stoke-on-Trent North MP Joan Walley called for an enquiry at Parliament, but no enquiry was made.[2] Vale drew 1–1 at Preston but won 3–1 at home with a Beckford hat-trick in front of 13,416 supporters.[2] In the final, an equalizing goal by Robbie Earle earned Vale a 1–1 draw at Twerton Park, before Earle scored the only goal of the return leg at Vale Park in front of 17,353 fans.[2] Beckford was the season's top-scorer with 23 goals, whilst Futcher and Earle bagged nineteen goals.[2]
"In a divided city, Vale supporters are no longer second class citizens and, hopefully, what we have achieved may just be the start. I am very proud to be manager of Port Vale, but it was the players that did the stuff."
— John Rudge put the club on a par with Stoke City for the first time since 1956–57.[59]
Finances
On the financial side, a loss of £88,142 was made due to a £333,084 debt on player transfers.[2] Match receipts had risen by £258,000 thanks to an average home crowd of 6,731.[2] Home attendances had risen by 78%, and were the highest since 1969–70.[1] The open market rents raised £122,000 and the Developments Fund donations raised £92,000.[2] The wage bill had risen by 30% to £481,859 and the police bill had quadrupled to £55,202 – described by Bill Bell as an 'absolutely crippling' cost.[2] There was no bank overdraft, but debts had risen to £201,434.[2] The club's shirt sponsors were ABC Minolta Copiers.
In the League Cup, a 3–2 home win over Chesterfield and a 1–1 draw at Saltergate were enough to send Vale into the second round against Second DivisionIpswich Town. Progress came at a price, though, as new signing Paul Atkinson was sidelined after chipping a bone in his ankle.[13] Vale won the home leg against Ipswich 1–0, as they proved the equal of their Second Division opponents.[18] However, they were knocked out of the competition with a 3–0 defeat at Portman Road, Ipswich's speedy-attacking play proving too much for the Vale to handle in rainy conditions.[22]
