Five of the best Port Vale signings by Brian Horton

Best Brian Horton signings

Brian Horton’s managerial reign at Vale Park lasted five years and like most managers, there was the odd dud signing. However, despite the signings of the likes of Phil Charnock and Mark Boyd there were also these stand-out transfers…

Mark Goodlad

One of Brian Horton’s earliest signings and arguably his best was that of young goalkeeper Mark Goodlad. Arriving just as the Valiants were relegated in 2000, Horton showed remarkable faith in the 21 year-old. He made cost cuts by releasing first choice duo Paul Musselwhite and Kevin Pilkington and handed the jersey to Goodlad. It proved to be justified. The former Forest keeper rapidly became undisputed first-choice and was in goal as Vale lifted the 2001 LDV Vans Trophy final. Goodlad ended his career in 2008 after 247 appearances – a figure that surely would have been higher if injuries had not played a part. In many fans’ eyes, he is the best Vale goalkeeper of the last 25 years.

Steve Brooker

Reportedly recommended to him by his eventual successor, Martin Foyle, Steve Brooker was nevertheless a Horton signing. Following a similar path to Goodlad, Brooker had next to no experience but quickly showed his huge potential. Signed on loan, it took the Valiants less than a month to snap him up on a permanent deal for a knockdown £15,000. It proved to be fantastic value for money. Brooker scored the winner at the LDV Vans Trophy final during his debut season and soon became one of the side’s star performers. After 151 appearances and 41 goals he was sold to Bristol City for £225,000.

Steve McPhee

There’s a theme developing here as Steve McPhee was the third player, with next to no experience, which Brian Horton signed and turned into a first-team regular. Signed after a grand total of nil appearances for Coventry City, the free transfer soon proved to be a dynamic, energetic and match winning forward. McPhee hit top form in 2004 when he netted 27 times. It took his total to 44 goals in 147 appearances for the club but sadly that proved to be his final tally as he opted to reject a contract offer and move to Beira Mar in Portugal.

Marc Bridge-Wilkinson

Yes, that’s right, Marc Bridge-Wilkinson is the fourth rookie player signed by Brian Horton and turned into an asset. The diminutive playmaker was recommended by scout Ray Williams and proved to be one of the most talented players on the books during the Horton years. Bridge-Wilkinson scored in the LDV Vans Trophy final and was a regular scorer throughout his Vale spell. However, his game wasn’t all about goals and his skilful play saw him admired by rival clubs. The lure of increased wages saw him turn down a Vale contract offer to join Stockport County in 2004. He had made 140 appearances and scored 36 goals in a Port Vale shirt.

Micky Cummins

And to complete our theme… a fifth player with no experience who became a Vale regular. Micky Cummins had made just two appearances for Middlesbrough when he moved to Vale on a free transfer in 2000. He soon cemented a regular starting place either in the centre or right of midfield where his energetic displays complemented the skills of Bridge-Wilkinson. Like his midfield partner, Cummins regularly found the back of the net and he was joint top-scorer with ten league goals after the 2005-6 season. Having made a total of 287 league and cup appearances for Port Vale, scoring 34 goals, Cummins was released in 2006 after a seven year spell in Burslem.