A feature in a Port Vale programme bidding farewell to departing long-serving defender Ron Wilson.
Our photo essay feature is an article usually based on a single photo.
The background…
The background…a) The programme
This is from the 1970 Boxing Day fixture against Wrexham at Vale Park. The Valiants had been promoted to the Third Division under Gordon Lee but their form up to this point had been patchy, hindered by an injury to John King.
This game continued the trend with Vale losing 3-0 at home in front of 6,303. Vale rallied to end the season in 17th spot, three points clear of relegation
b) The player
Ron Wilson had joined Port Vale from Stoke City back in 1963. He broke through to be a regular at left-back in 1965 and he played fifty times as the Vale won promotion in 1969-70.
However, with 293 appearances for the club under his bet, Wilson took the difficult decision to emigrate to South Africa on account of his son’s ill health. He later played for South African side Hellenic from 1971 to 1976. Wilson was in illustrious company as players such as Bobby Moore and Gordon Banks made guest appearances during that time. He later returned to the area and played for Caverswall.
Port Vale career stats – 293 appearances, five goals
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- Photo Essay: Port Vale’s Mark Chamberlain receives an award in 1982
- Photo Essay: a programme feature on Vale legend Roy Sproson from 1970
- Photo Essay: John Rudge’s first Port Vale signing in action…
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Interesting to look back on. He was a disciplined and tenacious left back, but also good going forward, overlapping and crossing. In the mid 1960’s he played quite a lot of games in the number 11 shirt as a left side midfielder.