Port Vale F.C. Player of the Year

The Port Vale Player of the Year award is voted for annually by Port Vale's supporters in recognition of the best overall performance by an individual player throughout the football season. Towards the end of each season, fans are invited to cast their votes for this award.

The inaugural award was made to Roy Sproson in 1967 and became an annual event from Ron Wilson's victory in 1969. David Harris (1974 and 1977), Ray Walker (1988 and 1991), Mark Grew (1989 and 1992), Neil Aspin (1990 and 1994), Martin Foyle (1995 and 1999), Nathan Smith (2017 and 2023) and Ben Garrity (2022 and 2024) have all won two awards during their time at Vale Park. Aspin and Foyle also went on to manage the club, whilst Grew spent three spells as caretaker manager. Tom Pope is the only player to win the award thrice, winning in 2013, 2014 and 2018. Eamonn O'Keefe and Anthony Griffith represented Ireland and Montserrat respectively at international level, though both players were born in England. After receiving his first award in April 2013, Tom Pope stated, "To be voted for by the fans like this is a massive honour for me. It means such a lot, more than the other [PFA] awards I've been lucky enough to win."^[1] Midfielders are more commonly rewarded, claiming 20 wins.

The current holder is midfielder Ryan Croasdale, following his consistent performances throughout the 2024–25 season.

Winners

Year	Level^[A]	Name	Position^[B]	Nationality	Reference	Notes
1967	4	Roy Sproson	Defender	England	^[2]	^[C]
1969	4	Ron Wilson	Defender	Scotland	^[2]
1970	4	John Green	Midfielder	England	^[2]
1971	3	Tommy McLaren	Striker	Scotland	^[2]
1972	3	Sammy Morgan	Striker	Northern Ireland	^[2]
1973	3	Ray Williams	Striker	England	^[2]
1974	3	David Harris	Defender	England	^[2]
1975	3	John Connaughton	Goalkeeper	England	^[2]
1976	3	John Ridley	Midfielder	England	^[2]
1977	3	David Harris	Defender	England	^[2]	^[D]
1978	3	Ken Beamish	Striker	England	^[2]
1979	4	Bernie Wright	Striker	England	^[2]
1980	4	Kenny Beech	Midfielder	England	^[2]
1981	4	Russell Bromage	Midfielder	England	^[2]
1982	4	Ernie Moss	Striker	England	^[2]
1983	4	Wayne Cegielski	Defender	Wales	^[2]
1984	3	Eamonn O'Keefe	Striker	Republic of Ireland	^[2]	^[E]
1985	4	Alan Webb	Defender	England	^[2]
1986	4	Jim Arnold	Goalkeeper	England	^[2]
1987	3	Andy Jones	Striker	Wales	^[2]
1988	3	Ray Walker	Midfielder	England	^[2]
1989	3	Mark Grew	Goalkeeper	England	^[2]
1990	2	Neil Aspin	Defender	England	^[2]
1991	2	Ray Walker	Midfielder	England	^[2]	^[D]
1992	2	Mark Grew	Goalkeeper	England	^[2]	^[D]
1993	3	Ian Taylor	Midfielder	England	^[3]
1994	3	Neil Aspin	Defender	England	^[4]	^[D]
1995	2	Martin Foyle	Striker	England	^[5]
1996	2	Jon McCarthy	Midfielder	Northern Ireland	^[6]
1997	2	Lee Mills	Striker	England	^[7]
1998	2	Gareth Ainsworth	Midfielder	England	^[8]
1999	2	Martin Foyle	Striker	England	^[9]	^[D]
2000	2	Tommy Widdrington	Midfielder	England	^[10]
2001	3	Dave Brammer	Midfielder	England	^[11]
2002	3	Mark Goodlad	Goalkeeper	England	^[12]
2003	3	Sam Collins	Defender	England	^[13]
2004	3	Stephen McPhee	Striker	Scotland	^[14]
2005	3	Billy Paynter	Striker	England	^[15]
2006	3	George Pilkington	Defender	England	^[16]
2007	3	Akpo Sodje	Striker	England	^[15]
2008	3	Paul Harsley	Midfielder	England	^[17]
2009	4	Joe Anyon	Goalkeeper	England	^[18]
2010	4	Anthony Griffith	Midfielder	Montserrat	^[19]
2011	4	John McCombe	Defender	England	^[20]
2012	4	Doug Loft	Midfielder	England	^[21]
2013	4	Tom Pope	Striker	England	^[22]
2014	3	Tom Pope	Striker	England	^[23]	^[D]
2015	3	Michael O'Connor	Midfielder	Northern Ireland	^[24]
2016	3	Anthony Grant	Midfielder	England	^[25]
2017	3	Nathan Smith	Defender	England	^[26]
2018	4	Tom Pope	Striker	England	^[27]	^[G]
2019	4	Scott Brown	Goalkeeper	England	^[28]
2020	4	David Worrall	Midfielder	England	^[29]
2021	4	Tom Conlon	Midfielder	England	^[30]
2022	4	Ben Garrity	Midfielder	England	^[31]
2023	3	Nathan Smith	Defender	England	^[32]	^[D]
2024	3	Ben Garrity	Midfielder	England	^[33]	^[D]
2025	4	Ryan Croasdale	Midfielder	England	^[34]

Wins by playing position

Position	Number of winners ^[F]
Midfielder	21
Striker	17
Defender	13
Goalkeeper	7

Wins by nationality

Nationality	Number of winners^[F]
England	48
Northern Ireland	3
Scotland	3
Wales	2
Republic of Ireland	1
Montserrat	1

Footnotes

A. ^ For ease of reading, the complexities of the frequent renaming of the various divisions have been simplified to a number, reflecting the official "Level" of competition in the English league system. For more information see English football league system#Structure.

B. ^ For a full description of positions, see Association football positions.

C. ^ Inaugural winner.

D. ^ Second award.

E. ^ First non-British winner.

F. ^ Multiple winners are counted multiple times.

G. ^ Third award.

References

General

Kent, Jeff (1996), Port Vale Personalities, Witan Books, ISBN 0-9529152-0-0

Specific

^ "Hot-shot Tom Pope rewarded for a stellar season with home-town club". The Sentinel. 30 April 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y Kent, Jeff (1990). The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. p. 305. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
^ Kent 2010, p. 288
^ Kent 2010, p. 11
^ Kent 2010, p. 106
^ Kent 2010, p. 190
^ Hayes, Dean (1998). Port Vale Football Club: An A-Z. Sigma Leisure. p. 102. ISBN 1850586101.
^ Baggaley, Mike (11 August 2017). "When Ainsworth fired Port Vale to double over Manchester City". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
^ Fielding, Rob (26 May 2019). "This is the OVF viewers all-time Port Vale XI". onevalefan.co.uk. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
^ "Widdo: I'm Captain because I'm mouthy". onevalefan.co.uk. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
^ "David Brammer". crewealex.net/. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
^ "Player of the Year Announced". port-vale.co.uk. 17 November 2004. Retrieved 24 October 2011.^{[permanent dead link]}
^ "It's a clean sweep as Super Sam is Top Man". port-vale.co.uk. 17 November 2004. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
^ "Player of the Year Awards". port-vale.co.uk. 17 November 2004. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
^ ^a ^b "Player of the Year Awards". port-vale.co.uk. 10 May 2011. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
^ "Awards". port-vale.co.uk. 5 May 2006. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
^ "Player of the Year". port-vale.co.uk. 30 April 2008. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
^ "Player of the Year- Winners". Port Vale F.C. 27 April 2009. Archived from the original on 30 April 2009. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
^ Owen, Jon (12 May 2010). "Port Vale: Griffith takes home top accolade". The Sentinel. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
^ "Player of the Year Awards 2011". port-vale.co.uk. 9 May 2011. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
^ "Loft grateful for award success". The Sentinel. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
^ "Tom Pope wins player-of-the-year award". The Sentinel. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
^ Baggaley, Mike (5 May 2014). "Tom Pope named Port Vale player of the year". The Sentinel. Archived from the original on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
^ Baggaley, Mike (3 May 2015). "Michael O'Connor dominates Vale's awards night". The Sentinel. Archived from the original on 4 May 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2015.
^ Baggaley, Mike (8 May 2016). "Anthony Grant wins prestigious Supporters' Club award". The Sentinel. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
^ Baggaley, Mike (2 May 2017). "Port Vale's player of year Smith philosophical about future". Stoke Sentinel. Archived from the original on 3 May 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
^ Baggaley, Michael (28 April 2018). "Tom Pope makes history at Port Vale player of the year awards". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
^ "Player Awards Night 2018/19". Port Vale F.C. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
^ Whittingham, Harry (28 August 2020). "End of season awards for 2019/20". Port Vale F.C. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
^ Baggaley, Michael (8 May 2021). "Port Vale player-of-the-year awards winners as trophies are handed out". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
^ Mounteney, Luke (13 June 2022). "Player of the Year Awards 2021/22 | The Winners". Port Vale F.C. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
^ "22/23 Player of the Year | Nathan Smith". Port Vale F.C. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
^ "2023/24 Player of the Year | Ben Garrity | Port Vale FC". Port Vale FC. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
^ Fielding, Rob (9 April 2025). "Ryan Croasdale is multiple winner at end of season awards". onevalefan.co.uk. Retrieved 9 April 2025.

[1] "Hot-shot Tom Pope rewarded for a stellar season with home-town club". The Sentinel. 30 April 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2013.

[book-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y Kent, Jeff (1990). The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. p. 305. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.

[3] Kent 2010, p. 288

[4] Kent 2010, p. 11

[5] Kent 2010, p. 106

[6] Kent 2010, p. 190

[7] Hayes, Dean (1998). Port Vale Football Club: An A-Z. Sigma Leisure. p. 102. ISBN 1850586101.

[8] Baggaley, Mike (11 August 2017). "When Ainsworth fired Port Vale to double over Manchester City". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 12 August 2017.

[9] Fielding, Rob (26 May 2019). "This is the OVF viewers all-time Port Vale XI". onevalefan.co.uk. Retrieved 4 June 2020.

[10] "Widdo: I'm Captain because I'm mouthy". onevalefan.co.uk. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2020.

[11] "David Brammer". crewealex.net/. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2011.

[12] "Player of the Year Announced". port-vale.co.uk. 17 November 2004. Retrieved 24 October 2011.^{[permanent dead link]}

[13] "It's a clean sweep as Super Sam is Top Man". port-vale.co.uk. 17 November 2004. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2011.

[14] "Player of the Year Awards". port-vale.co.uk. 17 November 2004. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2011.

[potya-15] "Player of the Year Awards". port-vale.co.uk. 10 May 2011. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2011.

[16] "Awards". port-vale.co.uk. 5 May 2006. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2011.

[17] "Player of the Year". port-vale.co.uk. 30 April 2008. Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2011.

[18] "Player of the Year- Winners". Port Vale F.C. 27 April 2009. Archived from the original on 30 April 2009. Retrieved 28 April 2009.

[19] Owen, Jon (12 May 2010). "Port Vale: Griffith takes home top accolade". The Sentinel. Retrieved 12 May 2010.

[poty2011-20] "Player of the Year Awards 2011". port-vale.co.uk. 9 May 2011. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2011.

[21] "Loft grateful for award success". The Sentinel. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2012.

[22] "Tom Pope wins player-of-the-year award". The Sentinel. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2013.

[23] Baggaley, Mike (5 May 2014). "Tom Pope named Port Vale player of the year". The Sentinel. Archived from the original on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.

[24] Baggaley, Mike (3 May 2015). "Michael O'Connor dominates Vale's awards night". The Sentinel. Archived from the original on 4 May 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2015.

[25] Baggaley, Mike (8 May 2016). "Anthony Grant wins prestigious Supporters' Club award". The Sentinel. Retrieved 8 May 2016.

[26] Baggaley, Mike (2 May 2017). "Port Vale's player of year Smith philosophical about future". Stoke Sentinel. Archived from the original on 3 May 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2017.

[27] Baggaley, Michael (28 April 2018). "Tom Pope makes history at Port Vale player of the year awards". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 30 April 2018.

[28] "Player Awards Night 2018/19". Port Vale F.C. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019.

[29] Whittingham, Harry (28 August 2020). "End of season awards for 2019/20". Port Vale F.C. Retrieved 2 September 2020.

[30] Baggaley, Michael (8 May 2021). "Port Vale player-of-the-year awards winners as trophies are handed out". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 9 May 2021.

[recent-31] Mounteney, Luke (13 June 2022). "Player of the Year Awards 2021/22 | The Winners". Port Vale F.C. Retrieved 13 June 2022.

[poty23-32] "22/23 Player of the Year | Nathan Smith". Port Vale F.C. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.

[33] "2023/24 Player of the Year | Ben Garrity | Port Vale FC". Port Vale FC. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.

[34] Fielding, Rob (9 April 2025). "Ryan Croasdale is multiple winner at end of season awards". onevalefan.co.uk. Retrieved 9 April 2025.

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v t e Port Vale Football Club
Honours Matches European record
Club	Head-to-head History Potteries derby Records Seasons
Notable seasons	1953–54 (FA Cup semi-finalists) 2025–26 (current season)
Grounds	Limekin Lane (1876–81) Westport (1881–84) Moorland Road (1884–86) Athletic Ground (1886–1913) Old Recreation Ground (1913–50) Vale Park (1950–present)
People	Managers Player of the Year winners Players with: 25+ appearances 1–24 appearances internationals caps
Category:Port Vale F.C. Portal:Association football Commons:Port Vale F.C.

v t e Lists of male footballers in England by club
Premier League	Arsenal 100+ 25–99 1–24 POTY Aston Villa Bournemouth Brentford 100+ 25–99 1–24 Internationals Hall of Fame POTY Brighton & Hove Albion Burnley 100+ Internationals Chelsea 100+ 25–99 1–24 POTY Crystal Palace 100+ POTY Everton 100+ Internationals Hall of Fame Fulham 100+ 25–99 1–24 Leeds United Liverpool 100+ 25–99 1–24 POTY Manchester City 100+ 25–99 1–24 Manchester United 100+ 25–99 1–24 POTY Captains Newcastle United Nottingham Forest 100+ Internationals Sunderland Tottenham Hotspur West Ham United Wolverhampton Wanderers
Championship	Birmingham City 100+ 25–99 1–24 Blackburn Rovers Bristol City Charlton Athletic Coventry City 100+ Internationals POTY Derby County 100+ POTY Hull City Ipswich Town 100+ Hall of Fame POTY Leicester City Middlesbrough Millwall Norwich City 100+ 25–99 Hall of Fame POTY Oxford United Portsmouth Preston North End 100+ POTY Queens Park Rangers Sheffield United 100+ 25–99 Internationals POTY Sheffield Wednesday All Internationals POTY Southampton 100+ 25–99 1–24 POTY Stoke City 100+ 25–99 1–24 POTY Swansea City 100+ Internationals Watford 50+ 1–49 POTY West Bromwich Albion Wrexham 100+ 25–99 1–24
League One	AFC Wimbledon Barnsley Blackpool Bolton Wanderers 100+ 25–99 1–24 POTY Bradford City 50+ 1–49 Burton Albion Cardiff City 100+ 25–99 1–24 Captains Internationals Doncaster Rovers 100+ 1879–1918 Exeter City Huddersfield Town Leyton Orient Lincoln City 100+ 25–99 Luton Town 100+ POTY Mansfield Town Northampton Town Peterborough United Plymouth Argyle 100+ POTY Port Vale 25+ 1–24 POTY Reading 100+ 25–99 1–24 Internationals POTY Rotherham United Stevenage Stockport County Wigan Athletic Wycombe Wanderers
League Two	Accrington Stanley Barnet Barrow Bristol Rovers 100+ 25–99 Internationals POTY Bromley Cambridge United Cheltenham Town Chesterfield Colchester United 100+ 25–99 1–24 POTY Crawley Town Crewe Alexandra Fleetwood Town Gillingham 50+ 25–49 1–24 Grimsby Town Harrogate Town Milton Keynes Dons Newport County Notts County Oldham Athletic 100+ 25–99 1–24 Salford City Shrewsbury Town Swindon Town Tranmere Rovers 100+ 1921–1939 1945–present Walsall
Non-League	Bradford (Park Avenue) Bury 100+ 25–99 1–24 Chester 100+ 25–99 1–24 Dagenham & Redbridge Darlington 100+ 25–99 1–24 Nelson Rochdale 100+ 25–99 1–24 Southend United Torquay United Yeovil Town 100+ Internationals York City 100+ 25–99 1–24 POTY
Defunct	Halifax Town Hereford United Macclesfield Town Scarborough Wanderers Wigan Borough
Clubs are grouped by their division in the 2025–26 season. Includes the Welsh clubs where lists have been created. 'POTY' = 'Player of the Year / Season'.

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