Port Vale legend Roy Sproson remembered
To mark the 27th anniversary of his passing, we post this feature to mark the astonishing contribution that Roy Sproson made to Port Vale FC.
About Roy Sproson…
At the time, we did not know what it was like to lose and the thought never occurred to us. We were convinced, in fact, that we could not be beaten…
Roy Sproson on the record-breaking Iron Curtain season
Burslem-born Roy is widely considered to be the Vale’s greatest player. He made his debut in 1949 and was a key member of the legendary 1953-54 record-breaking Iron Curtain side. He continued playing until 1972 when he finally retired after 837 starts and 5 substitute appearances. He was manager of the side between 1974 and 1977. Roy sadly passed away in 1997 but his legacy and that of the Sproson family is celebrated by the Roy Sproson statue outside the main entrance to Vale Park. The inscription on the statue reads:
“Though three decades as a player and captain he made a record 837 appearances for Port Vale and scored 35 goals. He was a true-legend who combined style and steel with loyalty. The very spirit of Port Vale ran through this unique man who also went on to manage the club.”
Roy Sproson in words…
I wondered what Roy Sproson was doing there. Here was a player of First Division standard who seemed to have ended up in the wrong context, like a larger-than-life actor who only performed in low-budget dramas in off-Broadway theatres in New York. Having played in every position except for goalkeeper, Sproson had already been with Port Vale for eleven years when I arrived and he still had another decade to go…
Former player Colin Grainger recalls meeting Roy Sproson after signing for the club
Here are a selection of our articles featuring the Port Vale legend…
Roy Sproson in pictures…
It has been a real good life…
Roy Sproson on his football career
Here are some of our clippings of Roy Sproson: