Digest: Vale Park’s first game, 66 years ago today…
It’s the first weekly digest of the new season and in it we… look back at Vale Park’s opening game, select the Tweet of the week, former players news and a look back at Milija Aleksic…
Lead story – Vale Park’s first game August 24 1950
The first competitive game at Hamil Road took place 66 years today. The stadium had cost £50,000 and held 40,000 spectators – with 30,196 turning up to see Walter Aveyard score Vale Park’s first goal as Newport County were beaten 1-0. The images above show the songsheet that was distributed during the match.
Tweet of the week
It’s great to see Enoch Andoh making a good recovery from injury:
Former Valiants…
We can’t cover every former Vale player but here is a selection of news items:
- Former striker Theo Robinson (above) is on trial with Southend United.
- Another former forward, Achille Campion, now plays for Sligo Rovers and has netted two goals since joining in mid-August.
- Meanwhile, former Valiants Sean Rigg and Jennison Myrie-Williams are playing together for Newport County.
Two and out…
Last season we looked at Vale players who made a solitary appearance during their spell with the Valiants so this season we’re looking at players who only lasted two games.
(1) Milija Aleksic
A goalkeeper born to a Yugoslav father, Milija was forced into an early Vale debut when injuries saw him don the green jersey at the tender age of 17. he played in two FA Cup games against Shrewsbury Town in 1968 as Vale progressed to the second round after a replay. First choice Stuart Sharratt returned to fitness, Aleksic lost his place and was released in 1969.
The Shrewsbury programme struggled with the spelling of Aleksic’s name
The keeper dropped down to non-league but his determination to succeed saw him awarded a second chance in League football. He was signed by Plymouth in 1973 and helped the Pilgrims to promotion in 1975. He moved to Luton Town in 1976 and his form was such he was signed by top-flight Tottenham Hotspur for £100,000 in 1978.
Aleksic’s most memorable appearance for Spurs was in the club’s 1981 FA Cup Final appearances. He was in goal for both games as Tottenham won the replay thanks to a memorable goal from Ricky Villa.
He ended his playing days in South Africa and sadly died in 2012 aged 61 years of age.
Vale career: 2 games 0 goals