It’s long overdue but with his statue unveiling happening later this month, we have produced a dedicated section to club president, long-serving manager, club legend and hero for so many Vale fans – Sir John Rudge.
Our dedicated section is available from the site menu and selecting the “History” section. Or click below to visit it:
John Rudge – Port Vale’s greatest manager
Read about Port Vale FC’s greatest manager – the long-serving John Rudge. This special section contains a collection of features, videos and images about John Rudge.
If you’d like to contribute any John Rudge memorabilia to the page please do contact us
I be came a Vale fan in 1987, Rudge was such a Stalwart servant to The Club, My Favourite manager alongside M.Adams.
I think all clubs have a special manager in their clubs history, but not many can match the achievements and the duration of service of John Rudge at Port Vale. One has to realise just what a state Port Vale was in when he arrived, and exactly where the club was when he left. He did not just put one outstanding team together, he had to constantly sell his better players (a disastrous situation to most clubs) and start again on numerous occasions. It’s testament to how good John Rudge was, personally I just can not choose a best eleven. Just on keepers would you choose Musslewhite or Grew. As for full backs we had Webb, Mills, Hughes, Tankard to name a few. Most I think would then have to try to sort out 2 from 4 in Aspin, Swan, Walsh and Glover for centre backs. Then when you go into the midfield, could Earle, Walker and Taylor play together. If they could, we would then have just 3 places left and about 10 outstanding candidates for the forward line. We were ridiculously spoilt ! Not only did John Rudge have an outstanding eye for talented footballers, his ability to identify players with good personalities was second to none. When you consider Vale got 10years service out of Walker, Porter, Glover, Aspin as well as Foyle it’s just amazing. Good time for anyone who was fortunate enough to live through them and all down to John Rudge.
Absolute LEGEND ❤️ I had trials with the Vale in 1979. I have been a Vale fan all my life, mum, dad and brother! We have travelled far and wide as loyal fans. Some things are just in your DNA. VTID. John Rudge will always have iconic status..long live the King…❤️
No words are good enough for what John Rudge did for the Vale. So many players who he brought to the club. So difficult to name a great line up.
This bloke came into the Vale when it was at a very low point and introduced attractive football using wingers and ball playing footballers to excite and entertain .There were tales of his missions to look at and sign the right players detailed in his excellent book .He raised ten million in transfers when people were sold and yet made the Vale stronger and better to lift us up two divisions . No other manager will ever do that again . Most managers these days expect a big budget to go out and make a team , but this genius started with nothing and formed great teams . Thank you John for all the memories of great matches and travelling to see your exciting teams .
under the word genius would be John rudge no words can describe what he did for vale amazing King john
Rudge’s management achievements at the Vale with promotions and Wembley appearances on a “shoe string budget” easily set him aside as the club’s greatest manager. The quality of his forward movement football with wingers provided excitement and entertainment for supporters and gave them so many lifetime memories. For me, Rudge is in the Potteries hall of football fame greatest, alongside the likes of Matthews, Roy Sproson, Steele and Banks. That he also did an outstanding job for 14 years as Director of Football at neighbours Stoke is testament to his professionalism and football expertise. If ever a Port Vale stalwart merited a statue in his honour, it is John Rudge for his truly outstanding service.