My best Port Vale XI: Alan opts for a Port Vale “colossus” in his backline

This is the twelfth in a new series where OVF is asking fans to name a team of their best-ever Port Vale players in a 4-4-2 formation. Here’s a best-ever eleven courtesy of Alan.

About me

On and off, I have lived most of my life in Staffordshire, and live there now. I first attended Vale early in the 1958-59 season, accompanying my father and my uncle, my mother’s brother. My mother’s family lived in Hanley dating from well back into the 19th Century (I’m researching our genealogy), and their home in the early 20th Century was literally a couple of minutes walk from the Old Recreation Ground. I’m aware of my uncle’s support for Vale from the 1930s onwards, but sadly have no way of checking any earlier family support.

My favourite moment has to be beating Bristol Rovers in the 1988-89 play-off final, and finally seeing Vale promoted to the second flight after more than 30 years watching and supporting the team in the lower divisions.

My choices

Here’s a run through of my choices…

Martin Foyle – a complete forward, the best I’ve ever seen in a Vale shirt, able to score with either foot or his head, provide hold-up and link-up play, offer plenty of assists, and not above getting stuck in when tackling back.

Stan Steele (pictured) – OK, I’ll admit to sentimentality for including my first Vale goal-scoring hero. Decent all-round lower-division forward, a powerful shot with the old cannon balls.

Steve Guppy – silky winger, with pace, trickery and above all a cultured left foot delivering the best crosses I’ve ever seen from a Vale player.

Robbie Earle – second only to the great Roy as my all-time favourite Vale player. Talented but clumsy as a youth player, but absolutely exemplary in continually working at improving his game and gradually turning himself into a complete midfielder

Gareth Ainsworth – too brief a spell at Vale, but a delightful character and a totally committed player who gave it his all. I’ve included him alongside Robbie because, as well as his attacking prowess, Gareth never shirked getting amongst the muck and bullets of the midfield battle.

Mark Chamberlain – an absolute thoroughbred, a delight to watch him turning full-backs inside out. A mystery why he didn’t win more England caps.

Roy Sproson – the King of Vale Park, a colossus in defence but also in aerial attack. I’ve included him on the left side of the back four because he had left-footed quality, he played there a good few times in his long career, and that choice allows me to reunite the following centre-back pairing.

Dean Glover – a calm, collected and skilful centre-back, and the perfect defensive partner for Aspo

Neil Aspin – the heart of a lion and sinews of oak, a defensive giant and the perfect defensive partner for Deano

Andy Hill – a winning combination of cultured footballer and genuinely hard player. I can’t think of a single winger who managed to give him the run-around.

Ken Hancock – one of those rare players who seem to have a special relationship with gravity. My ageing mind’s eye can still see Ken flying through the air and making top-class saves look simply routine to his super skills.

The line-up

My sub choices

Naylor, Porter, Taylor, John, Musselwhite

The overall best eleven