Bogie: Thanks for the support
We talk exclusively to club legend Ian Bogie who scored famous goals against Stoke City and Everton.
Bogie joined the Valiants in March 1995, following a £50,000 transfer from Leyton Orient. He played 170 games, scoring twelve times before he was handed a free transfer in 2000. He is currently the first-team manager at Blue Square Premier side Gateshead.
Ian was actually taking first-team training when we called, so the interview took place with the surreal background of players being ordered around the training pitch.
Our first question concerned Ian’s move to Vale Park in 1995 and how he came to arrive at Vale Park.
“I arrived in 1995 from Leyton Orient. Their finances were in melt-down due to the Barry Hearn takeover process and I was surplus to requirements,” Bogie told us.
I always appreciated the support the fans gave me and I’d like to thank them all for that support. You never know, I may see you at Vale Park sometime in the future…
“Port Vale were an established club in a higher division and with a great group of players and a great manager in John Rudge. So, I had no hesitation in joining and I had the best time of my career there. I’ve got great memories and I enjoyed every second of it.”
With Ian already mentioning John Rudge, we thought we should ask him more about Rudgie’s influence and whether his managerial style has influenced him as Gateshead manager?
“Definitely,” Bogie told us. “I’ve worked with a lot of managers, but John Rudge is up there with the very best. His man management skills were brilliant and he was a big influence on me. In fact, I still speak with him from time-to-time.”
Going back to Bogie’s Vale career, there are two opposition sides that come instantly to mind. So how did Bogie rate the games against local rivals Stoke City and cup holders Everton?
“The games against Stoke City were always big and the two league games in the 95/96 season were big highlights of my career. The game where I scored after 12 seconds was a great game to win as it came before our cup final against Genoa. I can’t remember too much about the game, but I do know that goal in on YouTube to this day and it must count as one of my best ever goals,” Bogie said.
As for the Everton game, Bogie told us, “I came on at half-time in the first match and I took a pot-shot. It took a slight deflection and went it. As for the replay at Vale Park, that was a fabulous team performance on the night. We always had belief in our ability and we always played the right way. I think that is shown by how many players in that team went on to play for teams in higher divisions. I felt Vale totally deserved that win and to be honest, with the chances we had, 2-1 flattered Everton!”
Finally, we wanted to ask Ian if he had any message for the Vale fans reading this. The former midfielder was fulsome in his praise: “Port Vale was the club where I enjoyed my best spell of my playing career but I also loved living in the area. My son was born in Staffordshire and I have really fond memories of my time at Vale. I always keep an eye out for the results.”
Bogie continued: “Vale have got a great stadium and a smashing fanbase. I always appreciated the support the fans gave me and I’d like to thank them all for that support. You never know, I may see you at Vale Park sometime in the future.”
We’d like to thank Ian Bogie for freely giving his time for this interview and wish him all the best as Gateshead manager. Thanks to Gateshead FC for their help in arranging this interview.