It’s one of the most fondly remembered promotions of recent decades, with a local lad providing a fairytale ending – here’s the story of Port Vale’s promotion in 1989.
HITTING THE HEIGHTS The John Rudge glory days begin in earnest
Key figures
Manager Rudge
Top-scorer Beckford
Play-off supremo Earle
Captain- Sproson
The background
A pattern was emerging under Port Vale manager John Rudge. In early 1987, Rudge had negotiated the club record sale of striker Andy Jones and spent the cash wisely to strengthen his squad with the likes of Simon Mills, David Riley and Gary Ford. What had resulted was a famous cup run which saw Terry Venables’ Spurs’ side humbled at Vale Park. On the eve of the 1988-89 season, Rudge now cannily reinvested the cup receipts. But it wasn’t altogether straightforward.
Top of the list were a left-sided midfielder and a striker. A fee was paid to bring in Sunderland’s Paul Atkinson on the left flank. But despite a highly promising debut, he succumbed to injury and eventually had to be replaced. Finding a striker proved even more difficult. Seven signings were attempted including moves for Wayne Biggins, Imre Varadi and even a return move for Andy Jones before veteran Ron Futcher was snatched from under the noses of Mansfield Town. It proved a Rudge masterstroke. The final jigsaw piece was in place for what would turn out to be a memorable promotion season.
The team line-up at the start of the 1988-89 season
The season
The opening match was a good omen for the Valiants as they ran out 4-2 winners at Preston despite the home side’s plastic pitch. The line-up saw midfielder Simon Mills line-up as right-back, a key positional change by the manager. The side showed their true potential over a weekend in September. In the course of three days, Vale scored eleven times – thumping Cardiff 6-1 and thrashing Chesterfield 5-0. The new-look strikeforce of Fucher and Beckford scored five of the goals.
Two more memorable results followed in October – with Vale drawing 3-3 at Molineux with promotion favourites Wolves and also managing a 3-3 home draw with Dave Bassett’s strongly fancied Sheffield United side. It seemed that John Rudge’s side had strong promotion credentials of their own.
However, the first half of the season was not without its worries. Rudge tried and failed to bring in central defensive cover (an issue which would rear its head later in the campaign) while Liverpool youngster John Jeffers was brought in to cover for Atkinson who had a long-term injury.
By the festive break, Vale were well placed in the promotion places. They even managed to defeat local rivals Mansfield Town on Boxing Day despite midfield playmaker Ray Walker being dismissed. However, the wheels threatened to come off in January.
Rudge lost not one but both his first choice centre-halves. Bob Hazell was forced to retire through injury and he was joined by partner Phil Sproson. Rudge was forced to spend big and thankfully he had the cup earnings to turn to. In came the towering Gary West for £70,000 and more importantly, the cultured Dean Glover for a club record transfer of £200,000. Glover was to prove a masterful Rudge addition.
The signings steadied the ship. The forward duo of veteran Futcher and powerful youngster Beckford was full of goals, as was midfielder Robbie Earle. The defence boasted a pair of enterprising full-backs in Mills and Hughes while Ray Walker pulled the strings in midfield. Emerging youngster Andy Porter enthusiastically covered any gaps and injuries with all-action play.
A routine came to sum up the season. Known as the “MBE” it was a corner kick routine that produced bags of goals. The initials stood for Mills – the corner taker, Beckford – the player to flick the ball on and Earle – the finisher.
Vale continued to be beset by bad breaks – literally in the case of the luckless David Riley who broke his leg in April. Even the return of fans favourite Andy Jones was enough for Vale to force their way into the automatic places. They finished just short and were to take part in the play-offs for the first time.
The semi-finals were against Preston North End and a 1-1 draw at Deepdale was overshadowed by a fire in one of the old stadium’s wooden stand which saw Vale fans (including this one) having to climb fences to get onto the pitch. In the second-leg Vale made no mistake with striker Darren Beckford smashing a hat-trick to take Vale into the two-legged final.
The game at Twerton Park saw Vale draw 1-1 thanks to a goal from Robbie Earle – although Rovers were furious that Ron Futcher wasn’t sent off after a clash with an opposition player. In a memorable return leg at Vale Park, the Valiants found Rovers keeper Nigel Martyn in near unstoppable form as Rudge’s side dominated.
In the end it was a fairytale finish. The winner came from the infamous MBE routine with Robbie Earle, who had scored in the three previous meetings with Rovers hitting the winner. The local lad, rejected by Stoke City and nurtured through the Vale youth ranks burst into tears at the final whistle, overcome with the magnitude of his contribution.
It was a deserved promotion for Rudge’s side. Their tally of 84 points would have won the Fourth Division title and they’d finished ten points ahead of play-off opponents Bristol Rovers. Rudge had given a glimpse of his and his team’s potential as he guided them into the second tier for the first time in thirty years.
The Sentinel celebrates
Robbie Earle's tears of joy
The Sentinel again
Selected player bios
Mark Grew (pictured) – a reliable presence in goal- Simon Mills – a cult figure and class act at right-back
- Darren Hughes – a speed machine, powering up the left flank
- Phil Sproson – Roy’s nephew was so unlucky to be missing at the end
- Bob Hazell – as was his powerful (and scary) partner
- Dean Glover – long regarded as the club’s most cultured centre-half
- Ray Walker – the cultured midfield playmaker
- Robbie Earle – full of energy and vital goals in midfield
- David Riley – an unsung hero playing out of position on the wing
- Andy Porter – local youngster showing glimpses of his tenacity
- John Jeffers – a crucial loan addition offering balance on the left
- Darren Beckford – power and aerial ability upfront
- Ron Futcher – an unpredictable veteran who helped Beckford develop
Mark Grew (pictured) – a reliable presence in goalStats for the 1988-89 season
- Port Vale finished third on 84 points
- The conceded just 48 goals, the best in the division
- Darren Beckford top-scored with 23 goals with Robbie Earle and Ron Futcher on 19 apiece
- 17,353 supporters watched the play-off final at Vale Park
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