John Jeffers – his Port Vale career in pictures
After his sad death at the age of 52, we want to remember John Jeffers’ contribution to Port Vale FC with these images.
About John John Jeffers
A key John Rudge signing, John Jeffers first joined the club on loan from Liverpool in 1988 as cover for the injured Paul Atkinson. It proved another canny move from Rudge as Jeffers helped give the Valiants balance on the left flank and played a key part in the club’s subsequent promotion in 1989.
The move was made permanent for a fee of £30,000 in March 1989. It proved to be a bargain as Jeffers made 219 appearances, scoring eleven times and winning two promotions with the club. A tricky left winger who could easily beat his marker, Jeffers was a crowd favourite and cult figure who was often featured in the legendary Port Vale fanzine The Memoirs of Seth Bottomley.
He stayed with Port Vale between 1988 and 1995 before moving on to a two year spell with Stockport County. He also had a loan spell with Shrewsbury Town while at Vale Park. He retired in 1998 after a twelve year footballing career and ended his playing days with 297 appearances and eighteen goals. He sadly passed away in January 2021 after a long illness.
John Jeffers in pictures
Reuben Agboola, John Jeffers and Darren Hughes deliver children’s Christmas presents to a hospital
A classical winger, Jeffers swerves past his man
Jeffers was troubled by injuries in his later Vale career. Here he is carried off in a match against Sheff Utd
John Jeffers 1968-2021. RIP. Forever Valiant
John Jeffers 1968-2021 - related content
A collection of articles to mark the sad passing of John Jeffers…
John Jeffers passes away – an obituary
Our report on the sad news contains multiple comments and tributes from Vale fans. Read it here
John Jeffers career in pictures
A selection of our favourite images of the winger from his time at Vale Park. See them here
Team mates react to John Jeffers’ passing
Read the tributes from his former Port Vale team mates in this article
John Jeffers, a Port Vale cult hero
Published before his sad passing, we featured the winger as a Valiants cult hero here
John Jeffers. 1968-2021. RIP. Forever Valiant.
James
20th January 2021 @ 12:54 pm
Player with talent and heart a quality which typifies PVFC . we need the present squad to contribute with the same qualities consistently.
John
RIP
Coojo
20th January 2021 @ 1:54 pm
So saddened and shocked.What a player JJ was,great left peg.Can still see his jinking run and superb cross for our equalizer at Preston in the play off semi. Forever Vale, RIP John
Allen Tankard
20th January 2021 @ 5:38 pm
One of the most talented and funny people I had the privilege to share the dressing room with, lots of happy memories & laughs. Very sad to be hearing this horrible news today, my sincere condolences to his family at this sad time… God bless JJ The wizard of the dribble as we used to call him.
David Moore
20th January 2021 @ 6:50 pm
Shocked to hear the sad news of JJ passing away.He was a fantastic player,with a Awesome character.
It was a pleasure to watch him play, condolences to his family and friends.
Ade Davies
20th January 2021 @ 7:25 pm
Rest in peace JJ,,,,,,,,,, loved every minute in a Vale shirt, beat one man, beat another,,,,, wait a second,,,, and I’ll beat em again, VALE LEGEND, they don’t make em like him anymore
Tim Harrison
22nd January 2021 @ 11:04 pm
Wish we could have the chance to sing “Johnny, Johnny Jeffers, Johnny Jeffers on the wi-ing” just one more time. It would be loud, really loud. Great player, sadly missed…
MARK BURKE
24th January 2021 @ 12:54 pm
Very very sad loss, I knew John from age 15 when we played together for England schoolboys then let up again at Port Vale, I loved him, bit crazy, funny, great lad. Very, very saddened to hear this, I wish his family strength at this time, RIP John xxx