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.

Port Vale
1998–99 season
ChairmanBill Bell
ManagerJohn Rudge
(until 18 January)
Brian Horton
(from 22 January)
StadiumVale Park
Football League First Division21st (47 Points)
FA CupThird Round
(knocked out by Liverpool)
League CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Chester City)
Player of the YearMartin Foyle
Top goalscorerLeague: Martin Foyle (9)
All: Martin Foyle (9)
Highest home attendance16,557 vs. Liverpool, 3 January 1999
Lowest home attendance3,478 vs. Chester City, 11 August 1998
Average home league attendance6,991
Biggest win2–0 (three games)
Biggest defeat0–4 (twice)

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 (Dunfermline Athletic); Brian McGlinchey and Paul Beesley (Manchester City); and John McQuade (Hamilton Academical) 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" (Rudge's headwear of choice) 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, paying Brighton & Hove Albion £80,000 in compensation.[1]

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 (£300,000 from Wrexham); Tony Butler (£115,000 from Blackpool); Carl Griffiths (£100,000 from Leyton Orient); Alex Smith (£75,000 from Chester City); and Chris Allen (free from Nottingham Forest). 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.[2]

At the end of the season there was a complete clear-out, with ten players leaving: ten-year club veteran Neil Aspin (Darlington); Dave Barnett (Lincoln City); Brian McGlinchey (Gillingham); John McQuade (Raith Rovers); Chris Allen (Stockport County); Rogier Koordes (TOP Oss); Jan Jansson (IFK Norrköping); Paul Mahorn (Stevenage Borough); Stéphane Pounewatchy (Colchester United); and Paul Beesley (Blackpool).

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
Main article: 1998–99 Football League

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Sunderland (C, P) 46 31 12 3 91 28 +63 105 Promotion to the Premier League
2 Bradford City (P) 46 26 9 11 82 47 +35 87
3 Ipswich Town 46 26 8 12 69 32 +37 86 Qualification for the First Division play-offs
4 Birmingham City 46 23 12 11 66 37 +29 81
5 Watford (O, P) 46 21 14 11 65 56 +9 77
6 Bolton Wanderers 46 20 16 10 78 59 +19 76
7 Wolverhampton Wanderers 46 19 16 11 64 43 +21 73
8 Sheffield United 46 18 13 15 71 66 +5 67
9 Norwich City 46 15 17 14 62 61 +1 62
10 Huddersfield Town 46 15 16 15 62 71 −9 61
11 Grimsby Town 46 17 10 19 40 52 −12 61
12 West Bromwich Albion 46 16 11 19 69 76 −7 59
13 Barnsley 46 14 17 15 59 56 +3 59
14 Crystal Palace 46 14 16 16 58 71 −13 58
15 Tranmere Rovers 46 12 20 14 63 61 +2 56
16 Stockport County 46 12 17 17 49 60 −11 53
17 Swindon Town 46 13 11 22 59 81 −22 50
18 Crewe Alexandra 46 12 12 22 54 78 −24 48
19 Portsmouth 46 11 14 21 57 73 −16 47
20 Queens Park Rangers 46 12 11 23 52 61 −9 47
21 Port Vale 46 13 8 25 45 75 −30 47
22 Bury (R) 46 10 17 19 35 60 −25 47 Relegation to the Second Division
23 Oxford United (R) 46 10 14 22 48 71 −23 44
24 Bristol City (R) 46 9 15 22 57 80 −23 42
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goals scored; 3) Goal difference
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Fulham (C, P) 46 31 8 7 79 32 +47 101 Promotion to the First Division
2 Walsall (P) 46 26 9 11 63 47 +16 87
3 Manchester City (O, P) 46 22 16 8 69 33 +36 82 Qualification for the Second Division play-offs
4 Gillingham 46 22 14 10 75 44 +31 80
5 Preston North End 46 22 13 11 78 50 +28 79
6 Wigan Athletic 46 22 10 14 75 48 +27 76
7 Bournemouth 46 21 13 12 63 41 +22 76
8 Stoke City 46 21 6 19 59 63 −4 69
9 Chesterfield 46 17 13 16 46 44 +2 64
10 Millwall 46 17 11 18 52 59 −7 62
11 Reading 46 16 13 17 54 63 −9 61
12 Luton Town 46 16 10 20 51 60 −9 58
13 Bristol Rovers 46 13 17 16 65 56 +9 56
14 Blackpool 46 14 14 18 44 54 −10 56
15 Burnley 46 13 16 17 54 73 −19 55
16 Notts County 46 14 12 20 52 61 −9 54
17 Wrexham 46 13 14 19 43 62 −19 53
18 Colchester United 46 12 16 18 52 70 −18 52
19 Wycombe Wanderers 46 13 12 21 52 58 −6 51
20 Oldham Athletic 46 14 9 23 48 66 −18 51
21 York City (R) 46 13 11 22 56 80 −24 50 Relegation to the Third Division
22 Northampton Town (R) 46 10 18 18 43 57 −14 48
23 Lincoln City (R) 46 13 7 26 42 74 −32 46
24 Macclesfield Town (R) 46 11 10 25 43 63 −20 43
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goals scored; 3) Goal difference
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Results by matchday
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHAHAHHAHAAHAHHAHAAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHHA
ResultLLLDLWWLDLWWWWDLLLLLDLLWLLLLLWLWLWDLLLWDDWDLWL
Position23242424242219192123201815121313131516201922222020212223232222212120202121222122212020212021
Source: Statto[3]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

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 (2), 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, Flynn (o.g.)
14 November 1998SunderlandH0–28,839
21 November 1998Oxford UnitedA1–25,964McGlinchey
28 November 1998Tranmere RoversH2–25,216Foyle (2)
5 December 1998Queens Park RangersA2–310,498Foyle, Barker
12 December 1998SunderlandA0–237,583
19 December 1998BuryH1–06,425Barker (pen)
26 December 1998West Bromwich AlbionA2–314,929Naylor (2)
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 (2)
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
Main article: 1998–99 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R33 January 1999LiverpoolH0–316,557

League Cup
Main article: 1998–99 Football League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R1 1st Leg11 August 1998Chester CityH1–23,478Ainsworth
R1 2nd Leg18 August 1998Chester CityA2–22,461Naylor (2)

Player statistics

Appearances
Pos. Name Football League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GKEngland Matthew Boswell 00000000
GKEngland Paul Musselwhite 3800020400
GKEngland Kevin Pilkington 80100090
DFEngland Neil Aspin 3001010320
DFEngland Allen Tankard 3741020404
DFEngland Matt Carragher 1000020120
DFEngland Paul Beesley 3531000363
DFEngland Dave Barnett 2701000280
DFNorthern Ireland Liam Burns 40000040
DFNetherlands Mark Snijders 1000020120
DFEngland Michael Walsh 1911020221
DFEngland Tony Butler 40000040
DFEngland Anthony Gardner 1510000151
DFEngland Des Lyttle 70000070
DFNorthern Ireland Brian McGlinchey 1511010171
DFFrance Stéphane Pounewatchy 20000020
DFEngland Alex Smith 80000080
MFEngland Ian Bogie 3421020372
MFEngland Wayne Corden 1401010160
MFEngland Stewart Talbot 3300020350
MFNetherlands Rogier Koordes 1700010180
MFSweden Jan Jansson 70001080
MFEngland Gareth Ainsworth 1550021176
MFNorway Robin Berntsen 10000010
MFEngland Richard Eyre 1100000110
MFEngland Tommy Widdrington 91000091
MFEngland Chris Allen 51000051
MFEngland Simon Barker 2520000252
MFEngland Dave Brammer 90000090
MFEngland Neil Brisco 10100020
MFScotland John McQuade 30000030
MFEngland Scott Mean 10000010
MFRepublic of Ireland George O'Callaghan 40100050
MFTrinidad and Tobago Tony Rougier 1200000120
MFEngland Simon Armstrong 00000000
MFNorthern Ireland Tony McShane 00000000
FWEngland Martin Foyle 3590020379
FWEngland Tony Naylor 2241022256
FWEngland Peter Beadle 2361020266
FWEngland Marcus Bent 1500000150
FWEngland Andy Clarke 60000060
FWEngland Carl Griffiths 31000031
FWFrance Christophe Horlaville 20100030
FWRepublic of Ireland Alan Lee 1120000112
FWScotland Derek McGill 30000030
FWEngland Craig Russell 81000081
FWEngland Justin O'Reilly 00000000
FWEngland Steve Williams 00000000

Top scorers
Place Position Nation Name First Division FA Cup League Cup Total
1FW EnglandMartin Foyle9009
2MF EnglandGareth Ainsworth5016
–FW EnglandPeter Beadle6006
–FW EnglandTony Naylor4026
5DF EnglandAllen Tankard4004
6DF EnglandPaul Beesley3003
7FW IrelandAlan Lee2002
–MF EnglandSimon Barker2002
–MF EnglandIan Bogie2002
10FW EnglandCraig Russell1001
–FW EnglandMichael Walsh1001
–FW EnglandAnthony Gardner1001
–FW Northern IrelandBrian McGlinchey1001
–MF EnglandTommy Widdrington1001
–MF EnglandChris Allen1001
–FW EnglandCarl Griffiths1001
––Own goals1001
TOTALS 45 0 3 48

Transfers

Transfers in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
June 1998DFNorthern IrelandBrian McGlincheyManchester CityFree transfer[4]
June 1998MFScotlandJohn McQuadeScotland Hamilton AcademicalFree transfer[4]
June 1998GKEnglandKevin PilkingtonManchester UnitedFree transfer[4]
30 July 1998DFEnglandMichael WalshScunthorpe United£100,000[4]
July 1998DFEnglandDave BarnettScotland Dunfermline AthleticFree transfer[4]
6 August 1998FWEnglandPeter BeadleBristol Rovers£300,000[4]
28 August 1998DFEnglandPaul BeesleyManchester CityFree transfer[4]
August 1998MFEnglandNeil BriscoManchester CityFree transfer[4]
September 1998MFEnglandSimon BarkerQueens Park RangersFree transfer[4]
September 1998DFFranceStéphane PounewatchyScotland DundeeFree transfer[4]
October 1998FWScotlandDerek McGillScotland Queen's ParkFree transfer[4]
4 January 1999MFTrinidad and TobagoTony RougierScotland Hibernian£175,000[4]
15 January 1999FWEnglandMarcus BentCrystal Palace£300,000[4]
March 1999MFEnglandChris AllenNottingham ForestFree transfer[4]
24 March 1999MFEnglandDave BrammerWrexham£350,000[4]
25 March 1999DFEnglandTony ButlerBlackpool£115,000[4]
25 March 1999FWWalesCarl GriffithsLeyton Orient£100,000[4]
25 March 1999MFEnglandAlex SmithChester City£75,000[4]

Transfers out
Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
September 1998DFFranceStéphane PounewatchyColchester UnitedFree transfer[4]
3 November 1998MFEnglandGareth AinsworthWimbledon£2 million[4]
December 1998FWScotlandDerek McGillScotland Hamilton AcademicalFree transfer[4]
18 February 1999FWEnglandPeter BeadleNotts County£250,000[4]
February 1999MFSwedenJan JanssonIFK NorrköpingReleased[4]
February 1999MFNetherlandsRogier KoordesNetherlands FC OssFree transfer[4]
April 1999MFScotlandJohn McQuadeScotland Raith RoversFree transfer[4]
May 1999DFEnglandPaul BeesleyStockport CountyFree transfer[4]
July 1999DFEnglandDave BarnettLincoln CityFree transfer[4]
July 1999DFEnglandPaul BeesleyBlackpoolFree transfer[4]
August 1999DFNorthern IrelandBrian McGlincheyGillinghamReleased[4]
Summer 1999DFEnglandNeil AspinDarlingtonFree transfer[4]

Loans in
Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
21 August 1998MFEnglandScott MeanWest Ham United23 August 1998[4]
28 August 1998FWEnglandAndy ClarkeWimbledon1 October 1998[4]
October 1998MFFranceChristophe HorlavilleFrance Le HavreJanuary 1999[4]
November 1998MFNorwayRobin BerntsenNorway Tromsø ILNovember 1998[4]
19 November 1998DFEnglandDes LyttleNottingham Forest28 December 1998[4]
29 January 1999FWEnglandCraig RussellManchester CityEnd of season[4]
2 March 1999FWRepublic of IrelandAlan LeeAston VillaEnd of season[4]
24 March 1999MFEnglandTommy WiddringtonGrimsby TownMay 1999[4]

References
Specific
  1. Brian, Horton; Rich, Tim (2020). Two Thousand Games: A Life in Football. Worthing: Pitch. p. 188. ISBN 978-1-78531-668-5.
  2. Baggaley, Mike (26 January 2017). "Port Vale talking points: Scouts, signings and likely game change". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
  3. Port Vale 1998–1999 : Results & Fixtures. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  4. "Port Vale FC Club Details | Transfers | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
General
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