With the Gunners set to visit Vale Park in the League Cup third round, we take a trip back to 1998 and John Rudge versus Arsene Wenger.
Background
It’s the 1997-98 season and the Valiants have entered the FA Cup at the third round stage. They face a daunting trip to Highbury but, in perhaps one of their most unsung performances, they secure a 0-0 draw against the Gunners. In the replay, Vale draw 1-1 in regular time (with Wayne Cordon scoring a memorable goal) before unluckily losing the penalty shootout. Arsenal’s team included Dennis Bergkamp, David Seaman, Lee Dixon, Ian Wright and so on… Vale had some legends of their own in Neil Aspin, Tony Naylor and Gareth Ainsworth. As Arsenal’s Ray Parlour recalled: “Vale came to Highbury and got a really good draw which they deserved so we had to go to Port Vale away. What a tough game, we just about got through.”
Here are our features on the two cup ties…
How the national press reported Port Vale’s draw against Arsenal at Highbury in 1998
Clipping: a national press article on Port Vale’s 1-1 home draw with Arsenal, 1998
Photo Essay: Vale’s Tony Naylor takes on Arsenal’s Vieira and Hughes
Port Vale in rare company as one of Arsene Wenger’s bogey sides
More classic games…
Wembley, the Spurs win, the LDV Vans Trophy final and much more… check out our dedicated section on classic Vale games. For each game we have a dedicated landing page with features, images and (often) match video
Another wonderful memory, curtesy of the brilliant John Rudge and some wonderful players!
Classic Rudgie team. Took one of the best sides in the country all the way. Great memories.
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