In 1998, things went right down to the wire as John Rudge’s side needed to win their final game at Huddersfield Town in order to stay up. Here are press clippings and video.
About the season
John Rudge managed to mastermind survival despite the exits of a key performer. A key element of Rudge’s success was his ability to replace big money departures with new talent. He certainly did that in 1997. Jon McCarthy was sold to Birmingham City for £1.5m and in came Gareth Ainsworth for a bargain £500,000. Ainsworth proved to be a key asset as Vale scraped survival. This was also the season as the famous FA Cup double-header with Arsenal.
The summer following this season proved to be the end of an era as the likes of Lee Mills, Andy Porter, Dean Glover, Andy Hill and Gareth Griffiths all departed.
About the game
Needing a win to stay up, Vale recorded a thumping 4-1 victory with Swedish midfielder Jan Jansson scoring twice and other goals coming from Lee Mills and Martin Foyle. The win propelled Vale to nineteenth place relegating Manchester City and (to Vale fans’ glee) neighbours Stoke City. Here’s the incredibly tight final League table:
Related features
- John Rudge; Port Vale’s greatest manager
- Clipping: a national press article on Port Vale’s 1-1 home draw with Arsenal, 1998
- Ainsworth: I have massive respect for Rudge
Video – the full ninety minutes
Our YouTube channel has the full ninety minutes of a dramatic game. Watch it below.
Press clippings
Happy days ! The days when you had ultimate trust in your manage, knowing NO ONE could do any better!
We have done the same as last time, its unbelievable, Carol dithered sacking Crosby and Moore didnt have a chance now same again
Moore should have been sacked after Bolton tbh.
I wont be going until he has gone