Photo Essay: three new Port Vale signings in 1998

Three new Port Vale signings

This photo shows new Port Vale signing Paul Beesley, Stephane Pounewatchy and loan signing Andy Clarke. The three players joined the Valiants in late August/early September. It’s fair to say the three had mixed fortunes. Pounewatchy signed a short-term deal and made just two appearances for the club leaving before the end of the month. Wimbledon forward Clarke had a relatively uneventful loan spell making six appearances and scoring no goals. Of the three, Beesley had the longest lasting impact. The veteran had been at Vale for a loan spell the previous season and joined on a permanent basis, aged 33. He was a regular under John Rudge, making 41 appearances and scoring three goals but was released by Rudge’s successor Brian Horton.