The 1986–87 season was Port Vale's 75th season of football in the English Football League, and first (16th overall) season back in the Third Division following promotion from the Fourth Division.[1] Under the stewardship of manager John Rudge and chairman Jim Lloyd, the club secured a mid-table finish, ending the campaign in 12th place with 57 points.
Andy Jones, Rudge's signing, who also received the Player of the Year accolade, was the club's top scorer, netting 31 goals in the league and 37 in all competitions. Vale's cup runs were modest: they reached the Second Round of both the FA Cup (eliminated by Walsall) and the League Cup, and progressed to the Northern Quarter-final of the Associate Members' Cup, exiting against Gillingham. Vale Park witnessed its record lowest gate for a competitive match when only 994 supporters attended the Associate Members' Cup tie with Hereford United, while the season featured a club record largest away win of 6–0 against Fulham, and the heaviest defeat of 5–0 to Walsall. The season also saw significant squad developments, including the signing of Ray Walker and the debut of Andy Porter.
Stabilising in the third tier, Vale laid the groundwork for a promotion challenge that would materialise two years later.
The pre-season saw John Rudge bring 28-year-old goalkeeper Mark Grew to the club from Ipswich Town.[1] He also bought Aston Villa's Ray Walker for £12,000 following his successful loan spell the previous season; Sheffield United winger Paul Smith for £10,000; and Walsall's 'cultured' striker Richard O'Kelly for £6,000.[1] Rudge was connected with the vacant management position at Preston North End, but declared himself happy at Vale Park.[1] The season would see its midweek games played on a Tuesday, rather than the traditional Monday and the play-offs were also introduced.[1]
The season opened with a 2–2 draw at crisis club Middlesbrough, who were forced to play the fixture at Hartlepool, after finding themselves kicked out of Ayresome Park.[1] Vale also drew their opening home match the following week against Rotherham United, and Grew was forced off with a knee injury and Alan Webb split his shinbone.[1] Jim Arnold, now a full-tiem policeman, agreed to return to the club on non-contract terms to replace the injured Grew.[1] Playing a 'fluent, passing game', Vale defeated bogey-team Walsall, who had maintained a 21-game unbeaten league run against the "Valiants" since 1965.[1] Ageing Arnold failed to maintain his fitness and Vale struggled around the foot of the table following a 4–3 reverse to Swindon Town on 21 October.[1] Rudge signed 'giant' Alex Williams on loan from Manchester City.[1] Despite Andy Jones leading the scoring charts, Vale still suffered. Rudge's attempts to sign Steve Bull from West Bromwich Albion failed.[1] On 9 November, Vale Park hosted an American football match, in which Locomotive Derby beat the Stoke Spitfires 13–8.[1] By the end of the month, Vale were cut four points adrift at the bottom of the league.[1] The next month John Williams was sold to Bournemouth for £30,000, having been in poor form for Vale.[1] Rudge then splashed out £5,000 on Bristol City's Gary Hamson.[1] He also brought Bob Hazell in from Reading on a free transfer.[1] The team fell to a 3–2 defeat at Darlington on 19 December.[1]
Hazell successfully shored up the Vale defence, as in his first three games, the Vale kept three clean sheets.[1] O'Kelly required a knee operation in January, but good news came as Alex Williams was signed permanently for £10,000.[1] The team achieved a "handsome" 4–1 victory over Brentford on 24 January. Three days later, Robbie Earle made his 142nd consecutive appearance in a 1–1 draw with Rotherham United at Millmoor, picking up a groin injury that put him into the treatment room.[1] The next week, a 4–2 win over Doncaster Rovers was the last of a streak of six games unbeaten that took the Vale up to 14th in the table.[1] Rudge attempted to sign Don Goodman, who was transfer listed at Bradford City, but ended his interest after being quoted £100,000.[2] A bad February saw a 4–1 loss at Notts County and ended with a 6–1 capitulation at home to Blackpool, Vale's biggest home defeat since March of the disastrous 1956–57 season.[1] They responded positively, despite a number of players playing injured, with a 2–0 home win over Bury in front of a season-low crowd of 2,261 in freezing temperatures.[3] Vale picked up eleven of a possible 18 points in March, with Rudge also signing Darren Beckford on loan from Manchester City.[1] On 28 March, the club recorded their biggest ever away win by thumping Fulham 6–0 at Craven Cottage, with Jones bagging a hat-trick.[1]
On 1 April, Jones was selected for the Wales squad, and scored past Finland.[4] On 14 April, Jones was one of four goalscorers in a 4–1 victory at York City with what The Sentinel's Chris Harper reported was possibly their best performance of the season.[5] Vale lost five of their seven April games, including home losses to the bottom two clubs, Carlisle United and Darlington, and a 5–2 defeat at Walsall. They ensured their safety by ripping apart Newport County on 4 May, with Jones hitting five goals.[1] Scouts from Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea were present to witness him become the first player to score five in a Football League game that season.[6]
They finished in twelfth spot with 57 points, twelve points clear of Bolton Wanderers.[1] Andy Jones scored 37 goals in all competitions.[1]
On the financial side, a £53,373 loss was recorded.[1] Match receipts earned £228,422, whilst the market rents raised £100,614.[1] The bank overdraft stood at £216,453, whilst the club's total debts were £363,878.[1] The club's shirt sponsors were Browns Transport. Both Geoff Hunter and Wayne Ebanks left on free transfers, Hunter joining Wrexham.[1] Chairman Jim Lloyd also resigned due to his deteriorated relationship with the board.[1] He was replaced by garage owner Bill Bell, who was one of many men to have worked on building Vale Park in the 1940s.[1] Bell stated that he was unafraid to cut loose any deadwood.[1] Ticket prices were £2.50 for the terrace and £3.50 for the stand, with season tickets available for £45 terracing and £66 seats; matchday attendances dropped off significantly following a 50 pence price rise in February.[6]
In the FA Cup, the first round tie with non-League neighbours Stafford Rangers attracted a healthy crowd of 5,738, the second-highest attendance of the season, and Vale advanced with a 1–0 win despite Jones being sent off after 26 minutes. Travelling to Walsall for the second round, they were on the end of a 5–0 drubbing at the Bescot Stadium. Jim Lloyd called the 'tame surrender' a 'disgrace', and Rudge ordered extra training for the players.[1]
In the League Cup, Vale advanced past Notts County 7–1 on aggregate following wins both at home and at Meadow Lane. They then faced Ron Atkinson's First Division Manchester United in the second round, just as they had in 1983. United picked up a 3–0 victory at Old Trafford before eliminating the Vale with a 5–2 win in Stoke-on-Trent.[1]
In the Associate Members' Cup, the opening match against Fourth Division Hereford United set a club-record for the lowest-ever attendance for a competitive first-team game, as only 994 fans turned up at Vale Park on 22 December to witness Vale win through a Jones goal.[1] The missing fans only missed 'a long yawn in freezing conditions'.[1] A 2–1 defeat to Newport County at Somerton Park failed to prevent Vale from advancing to the first round. Vale then eliminated Exeter City with a 1–0 win at St James Park. However, Gillingham defeated Vale 4–3 on penalties after a 3–3 draw in Burslem.[1]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Mansfield Town | 46 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 52 | 55 | −3 | 61 |
| 11 | Brentford | 46 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 64 | 66 | −2 | 60 |
| 12 | Port Vale | 46 | 15 | 12 | 19 | 76 | 70 | +6 | 57 |
| 13 | Doncaster Rovers | 46 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 56 | 62 | −6 | 57 |
| 14 | Rotherham United | 46 | 15 | 12 | 19 | 48 | 57 | −9 | 57 |
| 23 August 1986 1 | Middlesbrough | 2–2 | Port Vale | Middlesbrough |
Stephens  |
Report | O'Kelly Maguire |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 3,690 |
| 30 August 1986 2 | Port Vale | 1–1 | Rotherham United | Burslem |
| O'Kelly |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,734 |
| 6 September 1986 3 | Brentford | 0–2 | Port Vale | Brentford, West London |
| Report | Maguire Smith |
Stadium: Griffin Park Attendance: 3,150 |
| 13 September 1986 4 | Port Vale | 2–3 | York City | Burslem |
| Jones pen' |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,893 |
| 16 September 1986 5 | Port Vale | 1–1 | Notts County | Burslem |
| Jones |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,725 |
| 20 September 1986 6 | Bolton Wanderers | 3–0 | Port Vale | Bolton |
| Report | Stadium: Burnden Park Attendance: 4,872 |
| 27 September 1986 7 | Port Vale | 4–1 | Walsall | Burslem |
| Jones pen' Bowden Earle |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,531 |
| 30 September 1986 8 | Blackpool | 2–0 | Port Vale | Blackpool |
| Report | Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 4,585 |
| 11 October 1986 10 | Chesterfield | 2–4 | Port Vale | Chesterfield, Derbyshire |
| Report | Jones Earle Maguire |
Stadium: Saltergate Attendance: 2,755 |
| 18 October 1986 11 | Bristol Rovers | 0–0 | Port Vale | Bath, Somerset |
| Report | Stadium: Twerton Park Attendance: 3,054 |
| 21 October 1986 12 | Port Vale | 3–4 | Swindon Town | Burslem |
| Earle Jones o.g. |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,420 |
| 25 October 1986 13 | Port Vale | 1–2 | Gillingham | Burslem |
| Jones |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,055 |
| 1 November 1986 14 | Bury | 2–2 | Port Vale | Bury, Greater Manchester |
| Report | Jones pen' Smith |
Stadium: Gigg Lane Attendance: 2,598 |
| 4 November 1986 15 | Carlisle United | 2–0 | Port Vale | Carlisle |
| Report | Stadium: Brunton Park Attendance: 2,748 |
| 8 November 1986 16 | Port Vale | 0–1 | Wigan Athletic | Burslem |
| Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,339 |
| 22 November 1986 17 | Doncaster Rovers | 2–1 | Port Vale | Doncaster |
| Report | O'Kelly |
Stadium: Belle Vue Attendance: 2,455 |
| 14 December 1986 18 | Port Vale | 2–1 | Chester City | Burslem |
| Earle Smith |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,397 |
| 19 December 1986 19 | Darlington | 3–2 | Port Vale | Darlington |
| Report | Jones |
Stadium: Feethams Attendance: 1,052 |
| 26 December 1986 20 | Port Vale | 0–0 | Bristol City | Burslem |
| Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 4,168 |
| 27 December 1986 21 | Newport County | 0–2 | Port Vale | Newport, Wales |
| Report | Jones pen' Smith |
Stadium: Somerton Park Attendance: 2,105 |
| 1 January 1987 22 | Mansfield Town | 0–1 | Port Vale | Mansfield |
| Report | Hazell |
Stadium: Field Mill Attendance: 3,053 |
| 24 January 1987 23 | Port Vale | 4–1 | Brentford | Burslem |
| Jones pen' Earle Smith |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,062 |
| 27 January 1987 24 | Rotherham United | 1–1 | Port Vale | Rotherham |
| Report | Walker |
Stadium: Millmoor Attendance: 2,397 |
| 3 February 1987 25 | Port Vale | 4–2 | Doncaster Rovers | Burslem |
| Jones pen' Hamson Maguire |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,835 |
| 7 February 1987 26 | Notts County | 4–1 | Port Vale | Nottingham |
| Report | Bowden |
Stadium: Meadow Lane Attendance: 5,277 |
| 14 February 1987 27 | Port Vale | 1–1 | Bolton Wanderers | Burslem |
| Bowden |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,678 |
| 17 February 1987 28 | Port Vale | 0–0 | Middlesbrough | Burslem |
| Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,263 |
| 28 February 1987 29 | Port Vale | 1–6 | Blackpool | Burslem |
| Sproson |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,765 |
| 7 March 1987 31 | Gillingham | 0–0 | Port Vale | Gillingham, Kent |
| Report | Stadium: Priestfield Stadium Attendance: 3,929 |
| 14 March 1987 32 | Port Vale | 4–1 | Bristol Rovers | Burslem |
| Jones pen' Walker Maguire |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,758 |
| 17 March 1987 33 | Swindon Town | 1–0 | Port Vale | Swindon |
| Report | Stadium: County Ground Attendance: 7,347 |
| 21 March 1987 34 | Port Vale | 2–2 | Chesterfield | Burslem |
| Bowden Sproson |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,903 |
| 28 March 1987 35 | Fulham | 0–6 | Port Vale | Fulham, West London |
| Report | Jones Smith Walker Maguire |
Stadium: Craven Cottage Attendance: 3,798 |
| 31 March 1987 36 | Port Vale | 1–2 | AFC Bournemouth | Burslem |
| Walker |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,228 |
| 4 April 1987 37 | Wigan Athletic | 2–1 | Port Vale | Wigan |
| Report | Jones |
Stadium: Springfield Park Attendance: 3,567 |
| 11 April 1987 38 | Port Vale | 0–1 | Carlisle United | Burslem |
| Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,449 |
| 14 April 1987 39 | York City | 1–4 | Port Vale | York |
| Report | Webb Jones Sproson Maguire |
Stadium: Bootham Crescent Attendance: 2,804 |
| 18 April 1987 40 | Port Vale | 3–2 | Mansfield Town | Burslem |
| Beckford Jones Maguire |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,625 |
| 20 April 1987 41 | Bristol City | 1–0 | Port Vale | Ashton Gate, Bristol |
| Report | Stadium: Ashton Gate Attendance: 8,669 |
| 25 April 1987 42 | Port Vale | 1–2 | Darlington | Burslem |
| Jones |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,492 |
| 28 April 1987 43 | Walsall | 5–2 | Port Vale | Walsall |
| Report | Beckford Bromage |
Stadium: Fellows Park Attendance: 5,696 |
| 2 May 1987 44 | AFC Bournemouth | 0–0 | Port Vale | Bournemouth |
| Report | Stadium: Dean Court Attendance: 9,559 |
| 4 May 1987 45 | Port Vale | 6–1 | Newport County | Burslem |
| Jones pen' pen' Sproson |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,733 |
| 9 May 1987 46 | Chester City | 1–2 | Port Vale | Chester |
| Report | Earle Beckford |
Stadium: Sealand Road Attendance: 3,021 |
| 15 November 1986 R1 | Port Vale | 1–0 | Stafford Rangers | Burslem |
| Earle |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 5,738 |
| 6 December 1986 R2 | Walsall | 5–0 | Port Vale | Walsall |
| Report | Stadium: Fellows Park Attendance: 7,033 |
| 26 August 1986 R1 1st Leg | Notts County | 1–3 | Port Vale | Nottingham |
| Report | Jones pen' O'Kelly |
Stadium: Meadow Lane Attendance: 2,167 |
| 3 September 1986 R1 2nd Leg | Port Vale | 4–1 | Notts County | Burslem |
| Jones O'Kelly Walker Smith |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 3,486 |
| 24 September 1986 R2 1st Leg | Manchester United | 3–0 | Port Vale | Old Trafford |
| Stapleton Whiteside |
Report | Stadium: Old Trafford Attendance: 18,906 |
| 7 October 1986 R2 2nd Leg | Port Vale | 2–5 | Manchester United | Burslem |
| Jones pen' o.g. |
Report | Barnes Moses Stapleton Davenport stadium = Vale Park |
Attendance: 10,568 |
| 22 December 1986 Preliminary | Port Vale | 1–0 | Hereford United | Burslem |
| Jones |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 994 |
| 6 January 1987 Preliminary | Newport County | 2–1 | Port Vale | Newport, Wales |
| Report | o.g. |
Stadium: Somerton Park Attendance: 826 |
| 20 January 1987 R1 | Exeter City | 0–1 | Port Vale | Exeter |
| Report | Maguire |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 1,365 |
| 10 February 1987 Southern Section Quarter-final | Port Vale | 3–3 | Gillingham | Burslem |
| Jones Smith Hazell |
Report | Stadium: Vale Park Attendance: 2,768 | ||
| Note: Gillingham won 5–4 on penalties | ||||
| Pos. | Name | Football League | FA Cup | League Cup | Associate Members' Cup | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| GK |  Jim Arnold
|
12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| GK | Alex Williams
|
31 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 37 | 0 |
| GK | Mark Grew
|
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| DF | Phil Sproson
|
44 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 52 | 4 |
| DF | Alan Webb
|
21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 24 | 1 |
| DF | Wayne Ebanks
|
16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 0 |
| DF | Chris Banks
|
25 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 34 | 0 |
| DF | John Williams
|
14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| DF | Alan Dodd
|
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| DF | Bob Hazell
|
21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 24 | 2 |
| DF | Craig Hawtin
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | Russell Bromage
|
41 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 51 | 1 |
| MF | Geoff Hunter
|
5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| MF |  Robbie Earle
|
35 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 45 | 7 |
| MF |  Paul Maguire
|
42 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 52 | 9 |
| MF | Jon Bowden
|
34 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 42 | 4 |
| MF | Andy Porter
|
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| MF | Paul Smith
|
42 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 51 | 9 |
| MF | Gary Hamson
|
27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 1 |
| MF | Ray Walker
|
45 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 54 | 5 |
| FW |  Andy Jones
|
43 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 52 | 37 |
| FW | Richard O'Kelly
|
12 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 5 |
| FW | Darren Beckford
|
11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 4 |
| Place | Position | Nation | Name | Third Division | FA Cup | League Cup | Associate Members' Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FW | Wales |
Andy Jones | 31 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 37 |
| 2 | MF | Scotland |
Paul Maguire | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| – | MF | England |
Paul Smith | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| 4 | MF | Jamaica |
Robbie Earle | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| 5 | MF | England |
Ray Walker | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| – | FW | England |
Richard O'Kelly | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 7 | FW | England |
Jon Bowden | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| – | FW | England |
Darren Beckford | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| – | DF | England |
Phil Sproson | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 10 | DF | England |
Bob Hazell | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 11 | DF | England |
Alan Webb | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | MF | England |
Gary Hamson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | DF | England |
Russell Bromage | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | – | Own goals | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |
| TOTALS | 76 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 92 | |||
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 1986 | GK | |
Mark Grew | Ipswich Town | Free transfer | [9] |
| July 1986 | FW | |
Richard O'Kelly | Walsall | £6,000 | [9] |
| July 1986 | MF | |
Paul Smith | Sheffield United | £10,000 | [9] |
| July 1986 | MF | |
Ray Walker | Aston Villa | £12,000 | [9] |
| December 1986 | MF | |
Gary Hamson | Bristol City | £5,000 | [9] |
| December 1986 | DF | |
Bob Hazell | Reading | Free transfer | [9] |
| January 1987 | GK | |
Alex Williams | Manchester City | £10,000 | [9] |
| March 1987 | FW | |
Darren Beckford | Manchester City | £15,000 | [9] |
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 1986 | GK | |
Jim Arnold | Kidderminster Harriers | Retired | [9] |
| December 1986 | DF | |
John Williams | Bournemouth | £30,000 | [9] |
| May 1987 | DF | |
Wayne Ebanks | Cambridge United | Free transfer | [9] |
| May 1987 | MF | |
Geoff Hunter | Wrexham | Free transfer | [9] |
| 6 August 1987 | MF | |
Jon Bowden | Wrexham | £12,500 | [9] |
| 13 August 1987 | DF | |
Russell Bromage | Bristol City | £25,000 | [9] |
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Date to | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 1986 | GK | |
Alex Williams | Manchester City | January 1987 | [9] |
| December 1986 | DF | |
Alan Dodd |  IF Elfsborg |
December 1986 | [9] |
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Date to | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | MF | |
Andy Porter |  Hutt Valley United |
1987 | [9] |
