One of Port Vale’s best sides roared to promotion in 1994 and it all followed Wembley heartache during the previous season.
EYES ON THE PRIZE Port Vale remain razor focussed on promotion after previous heartache
The 1993-94 side
The 1993-94 side
The background
It has been a strange 1992-93 season for Port Vale. The headline was the side’s first-ever domestic trophy, the Autoglass Trophy, and their first-ever visit to Wembley’s Twin Towers. But that triumph was tinged by a regret of “what could have been” as Vale lost the play-off final, played eight days after the Autoglass triumph saw Vale lose on their second trip to Wembley. All eyes were now on how Rudge’s side would react to that play-off loss.
A summer of minimal changes
There were just one move of significance during the summer. Coming into the side was left-back Allen Tankard. The full-back would be an influential player later in his career as he lost his place to Dean Stokes in December. Leaving was veteran striker Keith Houchen and sadly young prospect Brian Mills who had succumbed to a career ending injury.
However, Vale were well stocked to cover the losses. Upfront, Rudge had bags of experience in Martin Foyle, Bernie Slaven and Nicky Cross. Midfield had similar riches with the prolific Ian Taylor, Robin van der Laan, Andy Porter and Ray Walker all options. In central defence there was the formidable trio of Peter Swan, Neil Aspin and Dean Glover.
With minimal changes would Vale have better luck during the 1993-94 season?
The season
There was an initial blip with Vale losing their first game at Burnley before Rudge’s side gave a glimpse of what was to come.
In the first home game of the season visitors Barnet were completely outclassed as strikers Martin Foyle and Bernie Slaven scored a hat-trick apiece (one in each half) as Vale ran out 6-0 winners. This was despite Vale playing most of the game with ten men after Peter Billing was dismissed.
However, it was a slow start with just one win in their first seven games.
It took until mid-September for Vale to find their feet and they did it by recording a run of eight wins in ten games. It included a superb away win at Brentford with Robin van der Laan and Nicky Cross scoring memorable goals.
Cross was prominent throughout the ten game run scoring seven goals. There was one blip as Vale strangely recorded a 4-0 home loss to Reading partway through their run. However, by the time November came, the side was firmly in the promotion picture.
Meanwhile, away from the League there was still time for a regular Rudge occurrence – a cup upset against glamourous opponents.
Vale played top-flight Southampton. The Valiants put on a superb display at the Dell, Andy Porter putting the visitors ahead before Iain Dowie equalised. In the replay, Vale went one better. Bernie Slaven, in one of his final appearances, put the home side ahead. It happened in front of a packed Hamil End, with home fans placed in the then away stand for the game. Porter expertly man marked Matt le Tissier out of the game while Saints’ Tommy Widdrington (later to become a Vale player under Brian Horton) was sent off for a dreadful high challenge.
However, the run ended in the next round when Vale were defeated by first division Wolves.
Rudge was clearly looking to strengthen his attack as he brought in Steve Livingstone on loan and had a failed bid for Andy Saville. Those moves were put in context when veteran Bernie Slaven moved on to Darlington in the New Year. The Vale boss once again made what could have been a weakness into a strength replacing Slaven with striker Joe Allen and loanee David Lowe. The latter proved highly influential with five goals and numerous assists.
Vale’s form was solid in the early part of the year although they did record a crucial victory in February. The Valiants triumphed 2-1 away at promotion rivals Reading.
By April, Vale were back to fine form winning eight out of ten games. Striker Martin Foyle netted his second hat-trick of the season in a dramatic 3-2 away win at Leyton Orient.
Promotion was achieved on the final day of the season. A huge Vale away following at the Goldstone ground saw the Valiants triumph 3-1 and go up in second place. Their objective had been well and truly accomplished.
Celebrations at Brighton
More celebrations at Brighton
The Sentinel special
Stats
Port Vale had accrued 88 points, enough to finish second behind leaders Reading. Martin Foyle topped the scoring charts with 20 goals although Nicky Cross and midfielder Ian Taylor both reached double figures. Reliable defender Neil Aspin was named player of the year.
In addition to promotion, Vale had reached the fourth round of the FA Cup, the area quarter-finals of the Football League Trophy and had their ‘traditional’ early exit from the League Cup.
Vale’s achievements were not unnoticed. In the summer, star midfielder Ian Taylor was sold to Sheffield Wednesday for a million pounds while defender Peter Swan was also tempted to Plymouth Argyle for £300,000.
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