Five of the best: successful Port Vale trialists

Captain, scorer of extraordinary goals and player of the season

After a stellar campaign as the side’s most influential player, it’s easy to forget that playmaker Tom Conlon initially joined the club as a relatively unsung trialist. Dino Maamria had recently been appointed Stevenage manager in 2018 and he clearly didn’t rate Conlon, releasing him at the end of the 2017-18 season. Stevenage’s loss was Port Vale’s gain as the youngster impressed then Vale boss Neil Aspin during the summer of 2018. Initially, Conlon was offered a year’s deal but did enough to earn an extension and the player has flourished in recent months being appointed captain, scoring some spectacular goals (including one from the centre circle against Barrow) and winning five trophies at the club’s player of the year awards in 2021. After signing a new deal, his impact since that trial in 2018 is likely to continue for some years hence.

Stats: 114 games and 14 goals (to end of 2020-21 season

The continental trailblazer

A low profile trial back in 1990 gave little indication of the impact that Robin van der Laan would have on Vale’s fortunes. On first glance, the move didn’t look promising. A young Dutch striker, who was suspended in his native country for fourteen games – what did John Rudge see in him? Well, although the answer wasn’t immediately obvious, JR’s master plan soon became clear. At first, it looked like his spell would only be notable as the club’s first continental signing. The Dutchman was an average striker with a record of four goals in eighteen games. However, his game was transformed when Rudge converted him to a central midfielder. Van der Laan went on to make over 200 appearances and was a key figure in the Autoglass Trophy final win and promotion in 1994. He also popped up with memorable goals – a headed effort against neighbours Stoke City and another at Anfield against Liverpool and in front of his parents who’d travelled to the game. The midfielder also proved a catalyst for future Rudge success. He was sold to Derby County for £475,000, money that enabled the club to bring in Jon McCarthy (himself then sold for a big profit). However, the transfer also included a make-weight – striker Lee Mills – who Rudge typically also sold on for a £1m fee a couple of years later.

Stats: 210 games and 27 goals

The former teacher who became a storming full-back and fans’ favourite

Colin Tartt (pictured far right net to Steve Fox and Geoff Hunter ,above) had two notable spells at the Valiants, but his Vale career began with a trial back in 1972. Tartt had qualified as a teacher but opted for football as he signed a contract with Port Vale in 1972. He had an inauspicious start as his debut was a 7-0 defeat by Rotherham United but his all-action style and willingness to have a shot soon endeared him to the fans. He was a regular in the side for five seasons before being sold to Chesterfield for a £15,000 fee. However, that wasn’t the end of Tartt’s association with Vale. He returned to the club in 1981 and helped the club to promotion in 1983. He ended his career in 1985 as he returned to teaching.

Stats: 329 games and 20 goals

The Scot who became the ultimate cult hero

We happen to have the newspaper clipping which signalled the signing of seventies legend Tommy McLaren at Vale Park in 1968. It’s just three lines and it’s copied below. It’s hardly the most memorable arrivals at the club but Tommy would soon make up for that:

The all-action Scot had moved down to Burslem after a spell a spell with Berwich Rangers and he would soon become the darling of the terraces with a string of all-action performances. He won promotion in 1970 and was named player of the year in 1971. McLaren sadly passed away after being released by the club in 1977 but his impact and influence is still recalled fondly today.

Stats: 369 games and 29 goals

The diminutive playmaker from Derby

Following the end of the Rudge era, Vale’s record of snapping up bargains in the transfer market became more and more sporadic. However, trialist Marc Bridge-Wilkinson is a notable exception. Released after a solitary game for Derby, the midfielder had a successful 2000 trial at Vale Park and soon became an integral part of Brian Horton’s Port Vale side. He scored the winner in a Potteries derby game against Stoke City and also scored in Vale’s successful Football League Trophy final against Brentford in 2001. A regular source of goals in the Vale midfield, Bridge-Wilkinson was sorely missed when he opted to turn down Vale’s contract offer and join Stockport County in 2004.

Stats: 140 games and 36 goals