Views needed: Ultimate left-back contenders

[KingRay]

Stan Turner was right back and Reg Potts left back.

[Essex Vale]

Selwyn Whalley anyone? Purely to make up the numbers as really he was crap! Schoolteacher at Hanley High where he wasn't liked also.

 

Selwyn was definitely a right back

[onestepatatime]

Selwyn was definitely a right back

Ok cheers mate. I just recall him being one of my best mates teachers at Hanley High and the scholars there thought he was a nutter.

 

Sent from my SM-G920F using the onevalefan mobile app

[Howjy04]

At this stage I think Rob is only looking for nominations to put in the list. Ron Wilson has already been mentioned and I definitely include him. I would also include John Ritchie, who operated in both left back positions, he was sold for a big fee to Preston after little more than a season.

 

We also need to decide what is Roy Sproson's position. Clearly he has to be in a team of Vale's best ever XI and I would put him in as a nominee at left back, which leaves the central defender slots open for people like Ant Gardner, Bill McGarry, Terry Alcock, Tommy Cheadle, John Nicholson Neil Aspin, Dean Glover, Phil Sproson, Roy Cross, Michael Walsh, Saggi Burton, Sam Collins, to mention just a few. Two of these players went on to play for England, that is a measure of the quality here.

 

So, with a view to the huge number of centre back candidates it makes perfect sense to me for Roy Sproson so slot in at left back. That was also the position he occupied when I saw my first game in 1961.

 

Good call EV,Roy could play anywhere on the left side.

[CambridgeDon]

Selwyn Whalley anyone? Purely to make up the numbers as really he was crap! Schoolteacher at Hanley High where he wasn't liked also.

 

Yes, largely because of his unorthodox disciplinary measures. One, as I remember, was in the form of a sawn-off cricket bat nicknamed "Shorty" which clearly carried a threat but fortunately was mostly for decorative purposes. You soon learned to keep out of his way. Not a bad footballer though not a left back.

[Paul6754]

John Ritchie (not the red and white one), he played for Vale from 65-67 then was transferred to PNE for ac 18k. He was a tenacious player with a good shot on him if my memory serves me right.

 

Ron Wilson is a good shout to.

[Paul6754]

Selwyn Whalley anyone? Purely to make up the numbers as really he was crap! Schoolteacher at Hanley High where he wasn't liked also.

 

Thought Selwyn played right back.

[Andy Proctor]

The only good left back ive seen at vale is tankard. All the left backs since have either been average or garbage.

[robf]

Thanks everyone. So, it's Reg Potts for the 54 side.

 

For me, if Potts is the LB of the 54 side then we can't really have Roy Sproson there as well so I personally think he has to be in the centre-half short-list.

 

p.s. Can I remind people as some have rightly pointed out - this is only to clarify the short-list, the actual vote will be coming in another thread and you will need to give your best LB in that thread NOT this one.

[Jacko51]

John Ritchie (not the red and white one), he played for Vale from 65-67 then was transferred to PNE for ac 18k. He was a tenacious player with a good shot on him if my memory serves me right.

 

I never saw Ritchie play for Vale but I did see him for Whitley Bay and he was outstanding!

[Robbie Earle's Perm]

What about Russell Bromage?

[southvale]

dean stokes?

 

Sent from my SM-A310F using the onevalefan mobile app

[JOHNNYAITCH]

dean stokes?

 

Sent from my SM-A310F using the onevalefan mobile app

 

After that Anglo Italian final "performance"?? Probably the worst defensive performance I've seen from a Vale player ever (and that includes Holwyn)

[JOHNNYAITCH]

Chris Sulley??? although not with us for long he made a good impression with me

[Essex Vale]

Thanks everyone. So, it's Reg Potts for the 54 side.

 

For me, if Potts is the LB of the 54 side then we can't really have Roy Sproson there as well so I personally think he has to be in the centre-half short-list.

 

p.s. Can I remind people as some have rightly pointed out - this is only to clarify the short-list, the actual vote will be coming in another thread and you will need to give your best LB in that thread NOT this one.

 

Ah Rob, how about you agree to put Roy Sroson in twice. He played in three promotion teams (incidentally a record equalled by Phil) but he effectively played in 3 different positions, left half (53/54) left back (58/59) and centre back (69/70). Given he also played in the Semi Final team and in the team that won the giant killers cup plus his number of appearances, I think his exceptional record entitles him to exceptional treatment for him to be allowed to be considered as a left back AND as a centre back. I fear that at centre back there are other players (some already identified in this thread) who went on to play at the very highest levels of English and international football, and they would push Roy out of the team. At left back however, no one could realistically push him out )

 

Anyway, great thread, great idea, and it keeps our minds ticking over on all matters Port Vale without resorting to some of the negativity of last season. I hope my appeal (will be my final one) finds you in a nice chilled relaxed mood :)