Port Vale managers are listed on this page. Entries include biography, statistics and a photograph (when available).
Our list of Port Vale managers also includes caretaker managers and the profiles date from 1896 until the present day. If you spot any errors please contact us
Caretaker spells are only included in our list of Port Vale managers when the caretaker was not handed the job on a permanent basis. If the caretaker was subsequently handed the role (e.g. Rob Page) then that caretaker spell has been rolled into the stats and details of their permanent spell as Port Vale manager.
List of Port Vale managers 1896 to 1939
SAM GLEAVES
1896-1905
D: 56
L: 100
Win percentage: 35%
The first on our list of Port Vale managers, Sam Gleaves was actually the club secretary (in effect, the manager) for nine years. He was described as a “capable” manager by a magazine of the time (the Golden Penny of 1898) and was at the helm as Vale were re-elected into the Football League in 1898.
TOMMY CLARE
1905-1911
D: 12
L: 43
Win percentage: 31%
A former England International, Clare had three playing spells with the club and was appointed manager in 1905. His spell was interrupted by a spell when the club was dissolved and investor Sam Bennion took over as emergency manager. The club was reformed and Clare resumed as manager. However, another financial crisis meant the club could not afford his wages and he left in 1911.
SAM BENNION
1908-1911 (CARETAKER)
D: N/A
L: N/A
Win percentage: N/A
Bennion, who had represented the club as player, official and benefactor had invested in the club in 1908 when it faced a financial crisis. The club had no registered players or manager as it was reformed, so Bennion became “emergency” manager for a spell.
HARRY MYATT
1913-1914
D: N/A
L: N/A
Win percentage: N/A
Myatt was an investor in the club and served as director and vice chairman. He was appointed team manager in October 1913 but stepped down in April 1914 as WW1 loomed.
TOM HOLFORD
1914-1920
D: 41
L: 85
Win percentage: 31%
Former England International Holford was appointed player-manager in 1914, but the club soon ceased playing operations due to the advent of World War One. Holford remained in charge as Vale returned to the Football League in 191 and remained in charge until 1920 when he was replaced by Joe Schofield. Holford would continue to feature as a player until he retired in 1924.
JOE SCHOFIELD
1920-1929
D: 53
L: 101
Win percentage: 42%
One of the club’s longest serving managers, Schofield’s reign was tragically cut short by his death in 1929. Schofield had managed neighbours Stoke City for four years before joining Port Vale, initially as secretary (manager) in 1920. His early years saw Vale ensconced in the lower reaches of Division Two but in 1925-26 “long-ball” tactics saw Vale finish a creditable eighth. The club was relegated in 1928-29 but Vale kept faith with Schofield. In 1929-30 Vale were top of the table when Schofield tragically passed away in September.
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TOM MORGAN
1929-1932
D: 42
L: 16
Win percentage: 46%
Morgan took over the club following the tragic death of Joe Schofield. He lead the club to the Third Division North Title and a club record fifth place finish in the Second Division. After Vale finished just one place above the relegation zone at the end of the 1931-32 season, he was relieved of his post in the summer.
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Honours:
Third Division North Title, 1930
TOM HOLFORD
1932-1935
D: 29
L: 57
Win percentage: 34%
A loyal club servant, Holford was appointed for a second time with the club in the Second Division. His reign included a club record 9-1 win over Chesterfield. However, after a poor start to the 1935-36 season, he was sacked in September and moved to a role of chief scout.
WARNEY CRESSWELL
1936-1937
D: 9
L: 15
Win percentage: 40%
The former England International was appointed in 1936 and introduced more professional training routines to the club. After a slow start, the side embarked on a 13 game unbeaten spell in mis-season. But they were unable to maintain their form and after finishing in eleventh place at the end of the season, Cresswell stepped down.
Image: South Shields Gazette
TOM MORGAN
1937-1939
D: 6
L: 6
Win percentage: 29%
After his successful first spell, Morgan was reappointed in 1938 as secretary-manager. He started well with just one loss in his first nine games. However, he “stunned” the club when he departed in March to join Wrexham as their new manager.
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List of Port Vale managers 1945 to 1999
DAVID PRATT and JACK DIFFIN
1944-1945
D: 0
L: 0
Win percentage: N/A
Managers in name only, Diffin and Pratt were both appointed “manager” during the latter period of WW2. However, as both were serving in the RAF they were effectively managers in name only and did not take charge of any competitive matches.
WILLIAM FRITH
1945-1946
D: 5
L: 3
Win percentage: 38%
Former Coventry City player Frith was appointed Port Vale manager in August 1945. He brought in a number of players but after a poor start to the season, he resigned in October. He cited differences with the board claiming that they refused to back his suggestions for new players, interfered in team selection and failed to grant him a long-term contract. The Vale board denied the claims and replaced Frith with Gordon Hodgson in October 1946.
GORDON HODGSON
1946-1950
D: 54
L: 84
Win percentage: 38%
A multi-talented sportsman, Hodgson had played cricket for Lancashire and played football for England. After WW2, Hodgson had retired from playing and moved into management. He was appointed Vale manager in 1946. Hodgson made a decent transfer profit, selling the likes of Ronnie Allen and Bill McGarry for a combined £32,000. But the profits were swallowed up in the funding of the new Vale Park ground. Hodgson was well-regarded by the Vale players but sadly he lost his battle against throat cancer in the summer of 1951.
IVOR POWELL
1951
D: 8
L: 8
Win percentage: 11%
The former Welsh International had been recruited as a player coach but he was appointed manager after the sad death of predecessor Gordon Hodgson. Powell was known as a stern taskmaster, which made him unpopular with the players. His contract was terminated on the 22nd November with the side bottom of the league.
KEN FISH
NOVEMBER 1951 to DECEMBER 1951 (CARETAKER)
D: 1
L: 2
Win percentage: 25%
The loyal trainer, who had been at the club since 1946, was appointed caretaker on Powell’s departure. Fish won one game – guiding the club to a surprise 4-1 win over Aldershot. He was replaced by Freddie Steele who took charge on Christmas Day.
FREDDIE STEELE
1951-1957
D: 73
L: 73
Win percentage: 41%
Steele replaced the unpopular Ivor Powell, originally as player-manager. Steele guided the club to arguably their greatest period of success – the 1953-54 season, hailed as the Iron Curtain or Steele Curtain era – when the club shattered records winning promotion and reaching the FA Cup semi-final. The side was famed for its defensive prowess and they conceded just 26 league goals that season, just five at home where the club kept a record 30 clean sheets. There was a settled side of 19 players, most of whom were locally born. Steele was not as successful in Division Two and when his side struggled in 1957 as injuries piled up, Steele tendered his resignation.
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Honours:
Promotion to Division Two 1954
NORMAN LOW
1957-1962
D: 66
L: 104
Win percentage: 41%
The Workington manager was appointed in 1957 and immediately tried to bring a more attacking style to the side. His most notable achievement was in 1959 as the Valiants finished as the inaugural champions of the newly formed Division Four. However, after disagreements with the board, he left the club in 1962.
Honours:
Promotion to Division Three 1959
FREDDIE STEELE
1962-1965
D: 32
L: 50
Win percentage: 35%
The legendary manager returned for a second spell with the club in 1962. His first season saw the side finish third, just outside of the promotion places. However, his second season saw the side finish in mid-table and when the team struggled in the third season, fans started to protest. With the club bottom of the table, Steele left ‘by mutual consent’ in February 1965.
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JACKIE MUDIE
1965-1967
D: 25
L: 42
Win percentage: 34%
Following Steele’s departure, Mudie took over as player-manager with friend Stanley Matthews assisting as coach. There was a kit change to all-white on Matthews’ suggestion and Mudie targeted players from the North East. However, his transfer tactics did not pay off, the team struggled and he resigned in 1967.
STANLEY MATTHEWS
1967-1968
D: 16
L: 21
Win percentage: 23%
Football legend Matthews joined the list of Port Vale managers when he was handed the Vale managerial reigns following Mudie’s resignation. However, the move was not a success. At the time, the club was deep in financial trouble and was expelled from the league in 1968 for illegal payments. He stood down as manager but continued in an unpaid basis and even agreed to have the majority of his outstanding wages written off. Roy Sproson said of his reign: “He trusted people who should never have been trusted and people took advantage of him. I am convinced a lot of people sponged off him and, all the while, the club were sliding.”
GORDON LEE
1968-1974
D: 86
L: 94
Win percentage: 36%
Lee’s first management role was at Vale. A modern manager who concentrated on coaching he guided the club to promotion in 1970. But in 1974, he announced that he had taken the club “as far as he could” and left to join Blackburn Rovers.
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Honours:
Promotion to Division Three 1970
ROY SPROSON
1974-1977
D: 63
L: 68
Win percentage: 31%
The club legend and record appearance holder was appointed manager on the advice of predecessor Gordon Lee. At the time, the club were struggling financially and Sproson was forced to sell star midfielder Brian Horton for £30,000. He left under a cloud in when he was sacked in October 1977 following a poor run of results. He turned down a role as a youth coach and sadly, he never returned to the club he had served so magnificently.
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COLIN HARPER
OCTOBER 1977 to NOVEMBER 1977 (CARETAKER)
D: 1
L: 4
Win percentage: 0%
Harper had been signed as a player-coach in July and was made caretaker on Roy Sproson’s departure. Determined to asset himself, he allegedly demanded no smiling during training sessions. He was replaced by Bobby Smith in November 1977 and as Smith brought in his own staff, Harper was released in January 1978.
BOBBY SMITH
1977-1978
D: 16
L: 15
Win percentage: 18%
Smith had just been sacked by Bury when he was appointed as the successor to Roy Sproson. The club’s lottery was proving successful and Smith engaged on a spending spree labelled “ludicrous” by local journalist Chris Harper. And so it proved as, despite the spending, the club were relegated to the fourth division. Smith subsequently agreed to move to Swindon Town in May 1978.
DENNIS BUTLER
1978-1979
D: 15
L: 23
Win percentage: 27%
Butler was promoted from assistant manager when Bobby Smith left the club but his reign was not a success. Despite a number of big money signings his team failed to impress and he was sacked in 1979.
ALAN BLOOR
1979
D: 4
L: 9
Win percentage: 27%
The player-coach was appointed caretaker manager in August 1979, following the departure of Dennis Butler. He was subsequently was appointed manager on a permanent basis in September but he resigned unexpectedly in December saying he “didn’t have what it takes.”
JOHN MCGRATH
1979-1984
D: 57
L: 73
Win percentage: 35%
The charismatic McGrath brought stability to the club after the managerial merry-go-round of the late 1970s. His crowned achievement was winning promotion in 1983 with a side featuring Bob Newton, Steve Fox and Geoff Hunter. But the side struggled markedly in the new division and he was dismissed and replaced by assistant John Rudge.
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Honours:
Promotion to Division Three 1983
JOHN RUDGE
1984-1999
D: 213
L: 258
Win percentage: 37%
The longest serving of all Port Vale managers, Rudge’s reign brought around unprecedented changes and honours to the club. During his long reign, Rudge proved adept at selling players on for profit, producing cup giantkillings and he earned three promotions.
In addition to those achievements, Rudge took the club to Wembley stadiun on three occasions – losing the Anglo-Italian Cup final and a play-off final against West Brom but winning the club’s first domestic trophy – the Autoglass Trophy – in 1993.
In 1999, following a poor run of results, Rudge was controversially sacked. Many fans protested, having a “flat cap” march in support of Rudge and holding a celebratory dinner with the former manager.
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Honours:
Promotion to Division Three 1986
Promotion to Division Two 1989
Promotion to Division One 1994
Autoglass Trophy 1993
Anglo-Italian Cup runners-up 1996
List of Port Vale managers 1999 to present
BRIAN HORTON
1999-2004
D: 67
L: 111
Win percentage: 32%
Horton had one of the more difficult jobs in football when he replaced Rudge as manager. The former Vale player managed to prevent relegation albeit at considerable cost (spending some £600,000 on transfer deadline day) but the club were relegated the following season. However, Horton did have significant success as he earned only the club’s second domestic trophy – the 2001 LDV Vans Trophy. However, following the departure of Chairman Bill Bell he did not see eye-to-eye with new board Valiant 2001 and he left by “mutual consent” in 2004.
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Honours:
LDV Vans Trophy, 2001
MARTIN FOYLE
2004-2007
D: 34
L: 82
Win percentage: 37%
Coach and former Vale player Foyle was subsequently appointed as the successor to Brian Horton. Foyle, a former forward was adept at signing strikers and he signed both Leon Constantine and Akpo Sodje. However, after a disastrous start to the 2007-8 season he was sacked. But there was a four week delay in naming his replacement until eventually Lee Sinnott was appointed in November.
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DEAN GLOVER
SEPTEMBER 2007 to NOVEMBER 2007 (CARETAKER)
D: 0
L: 5
Win percentage: 28%
Assistant manager Dean Glover took over as caretaker as the club took its time finding a replacement for Foyle. When the club opted for Lee Sinnott, Glover considering leaving before accepting a position as Sinnott’s assistant.
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LEE SINNOTT
2007-2008
D: 11
L: 24
Win percentage: 20%
The Farsley Celtic manager was appointed after a protracted chase in November 2007. He will be best remembered for the FA Cup defeat to Chasetown and more positively signing the likes of Anthony Griffith, John McCombe and Louis Dodds. He was controversially sacked following a board telephone vote.
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DEAN GLOVER
2008-2009
D: 8
L: 19
Win percentage: 31%
The promotion of coach Glover was seen as a “cheap” option by fans and so it proved as his short managerial reign turned out to be highly unpopular with fans. Poor performances, apparent player favoritism and Glover’s lack of connection to fans had resulted in a slump in season ticket sales. Unusually, Glover’s departure was announced one match before the end of the season and Glover at least had the consolation of seeing son Danny score against Barnet before he left.
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MICKY ADAMS
2009-2010
D: 27
L: 19
Win percentage: 43%
Adams’ appointment was unusual as it came following an interview with the club’s then lead sponsors Harlequin Properties. But Adams quickly installed a new work ethic and fitness regime that saw a revival on the pitch. It all came to an abrupt halt in December 2010 when Adams left the club to join boyhood idols Sheffield United.
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JIM GANNON
2011
D: 4
L: 7
Win percentage: 27%
Gannon’s 75 day reign was probably the shortest and most controversial of all Port Vale managers. The outspoken Gannon fell out with both coaching staff and players. A high turnover of players in and out of the club only contributed to a chaotic reign. It culminated in the infamous “busgate” confrontation with coach Geoff Horsfield. After protesting fans forced Gannon to seek shelter in Accrington’s main stand following another defeat, the end was nigh. He was sacked shortly afterwards.
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MARK GREW/GEOFF HORSFIELD
MARCH 2011 to MAY 2011 (CARETAKERS)
D: 4
L: 4
Win percentage: 25%
The experienced coaching duo took over until the end of the season after Gannon’s departure. They were unable to address Vale’s poor form but the highlight of their reign was undoubtedly a 7-2 win over Morecambe, the final home game of the season.
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MICKY ADAMS
2011 – 2014
D: 37
L: 62
Win percentage: 40%
Adams returned for a second spell in charge of the club after being sacked by Sheff Utd. He signed a three-year deal but his first season ended in administration. Despite that, some acute summer signings and superb man-management saw the club thrive in adversity and win promotion to League One. He then guided the side to ninth place in League One in 2013-2014 but left the club in September 2014 after a run of six straight defeats.
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Honours:
Promotion to League One, 2013
ROB PAGE
2014 – 2016
D: 20
L: 38
Win percentage: 38%
The former Welsh International was temporarily promoted from the assistant manager’s role following Adams’ departure. Page already had some experience of managing the club as he had taken temporary control the previous season while Adams undertook a knee operation.
Following a 3-0 home win over Leyton Orient, the role was made permanent on the 29th October 2014. However, he left in May 2016 to take up a position with Northampton Town.
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BRUNO RIBEIRO
2016
D: 6
L: 13
Win percentage: 35%
Reportedly a recommendation to Vale from friend Jose Mourinho, the Portuguese former Leeds and Sheff Utd player became the club’s first foreign manager on the 20th June 2016. He signed a three-year deal with the Valiants. Ribeiro brought in a host of new players and early results were good.
However, Vale’s form collapsed and after eleven games without a win, the manager resigned on Boxing Day following a home defeat by Walsall.
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MICHAEL BROWN
2016-2017
D: 9
L: 19
Win percentage: 18%
Ribeiro’s assistant Michael Brown was appointed caretaker boss in December following Bruno Ribeiro’s resignation. He won his first game – a 1-0 home win over Chesterfield. However, his spell as caretaker ended with the club being relegated on the final day of the season. Despite this, Brown was appointed on a permanent basis in May 2017.
However, a terrible start to his first full season say the club bottom of the league and Brown departed by mutual consent in September 2017.
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CHRIS MORGAN/DAVID KELLY
SEPT 2017 – OCT 2017 (CARETAKERS)
D: 2
L: 1
Win percentage: 25%
Brown’s assistants took over as joint caretakers after his departure. Their first game ended in a 1-1 draw with Yeovil and they obtained a single win – a 1-0 checkatrade trophy win over Newcastle United in their last game in charge.
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NEIL ASPIN
2017 to 2019
D: 23
L: 31
Win percentage: 31%
In October 2017 the club announced former player Neil Aspin had joined the ranks of Port Vale managers as he was put in charge alongside legendary former manager John Rudge rejoining in an advisory role. Aspin guided the club to safety in his first season (2017-18) but a poor run of form during the 2018-19 season, especially at home, saw him resign on the 30th January 2019.
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JOHN ASKEY
2019 to 2021
D: 25
L: 32
Win percentage: 37%
Former Macclesfield Town manager John Askey was appointed as successor to Neil Aspin in February 2019, The son of Vale legend Colin Askey, John was a former Vale youth team player. After Neil Aspin’s departure, Askey signed a short-term contract and steered the club clear of relegation at the end of 2018-19 season. Following a change of ownership, Askey was handed a three year contract by new owners the Shanahans. In the 2019-20 season, Askey’s side earned a money-spinning FA Cup tie with Man City and narrowly missed out on the play-offs due to the season finishing early due to the Covid pandemic. However, the 2020-21 season was not as successful and with the side recording just one win in twelve games, the club announced his departure in January 2021.
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DANNY PUGH/FRANK SINCLAIR
JAN 2021 – FEB 2021 (CARETAKERS)
D: 1
L: 4
Win percentage: 29%
Following Askey’s departure, Danny Pugh was put in interim charge. However, Pugh was forced to self-isolate after testing positive for Coronavirus so coach Frank Sinclair also had to help out in the dug out too. He reverted back to his former role when Darrell Clarke was appointed manager then left the club in May 2021.
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DARRELL CLARKE
FEB 2021 – APR 2023
D: 27
L: 45
Win percentage: 42%
On February 15th 2021, Port Vale agreed a compensation package with Walsall to bring their manager Darrell Clarke to the club. Clark would operate under Director of Football David Flitcroft. After a slow start, taking eight games to pick up a win, Clarke finished the 2020-21 season strongly with six straight wins. He rebuilt the squad in the summer and was named League Two manager of the month in September after a good start to the 2021-22 season.
He rebuilt the squad in the summer of 2022 and was present as the club secured promotion with a Wembley play-off win. However, the season was overshadowed by personal tragedy for Clarke who lost his daughter in 2022 and he took time off to mourn her loss. He dedicated Port Vale’s play-off final win to her memory.
Clarke was in charge when the club returned to League One but after a decent start to the season, the club’s form fell away in the second-half of the season and he surprisingly parted company with the club in April 2023.
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Honours:
Promotion to League One 2013
ANDY CROSBY
FEB 2022 – MAY 2022 (Interim spell #1)
D: 4
L: 4
Win percentage: 53%
Assistant Andy Crosby took over as Darrell Clarke took compassionate leave and he played a key role in guiding the side to the play-offs.
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ANDY CROSBY
APR 2023 – MAY 2023 (Interim spell #2)
D: 0
L: 3
Win percentage:
The Valints turned again to Andy Crosby after they parted company with Darrell Clarke. Handed a tough set of closing fixtures, the team’s performances improved under Crosby even though he won just one of his four games in charge. Nevertheless, it was enough to convince the club to hand him the managerial reigns on a permanent basis.
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ANDY CROSBY
MAY 2023 – FEB 2024
D: 11
L: 16
Win percentage: 32%
A former assistant to Darrell Clarke, Andy Crosby had had two spells as interim manager before being appointed on a permanent basis in May 2023. Crosby’s reign began with a humbling 7-0 loss to Barnsley before he took the side on a six match unbeaten run and to the quarter-finals of the League Cup for the first time in the club’s history. However, his reign came to an end in February after a run of just three wins in twenty games.
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DARREN MOORE
FEB 2024 –
D:
L:
Win percentage:
In February 2024, Port Vale appointed former Sheff Wed and West Brom manager Darren Moore on a five and a half year deal.
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