1980s: Darren Beckford and Ron Futcher to the fore
In our latest series of clipping from the OVF archives, we look at several matches from the latter part of the 1980’s.
Find features and stories related to John Rudge on Port Vale website onevalefan.co.uk
John Rudge has been rightly accorded legendary status due to his achievements during a long spell as Port Vale manager.
Rudge was appointed manager in 1983 after a brief spell as caretaker. He was in charge for sixteen years during which time he took the club to three promotions and won the Autoglass Trophy final at Wembley stadium.
His spell in charge was notable for his ability to bring in talented players on the cheap and sell them for large profits, the footballing style of his sides and a number of cup giantkilling acts including wins over Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, Southampton and Derby County.
In our latest series of clipping from the OVF archives, we look at several matches from the latter part of the 1980’s.
The Valiants secure a memorable televised FA Cup first round win over their neighbours Stoke City.
John Rudge’s side produce a famous FA Cup giantkilling against the cup holders.
A new series of videos by OVF celebrate the achievements of key Vale players or officials. Our aim is to sum up their work for the club in a matter of minutes. First up is John Rudge…
Leaf through the pages of the programme from the penultimate game of Vale’s ’88 cup run. It contains Spurs photos, a 1954 tribute and even a Vale joke!
At first glance, this may look to be an ordinary preview piece by the local news. But it does contain footage of Vale training, an interview with John Rudge and Robbie Earle scoring against Stoke City.
For our latest scrapbook clippings, we take a look at a few Port Vale survival masterclasses including a report on that memorable win over Huddersfield.
Watch a news report and see highlights of John Rudge’s testimonial game against Aston Villa in 1993.
News reports of Port Vale’s two FA Cup games against Southampton in 1994. The first match ended 1-1 at the Dell, but Vale won the replay 1-0 at Vale Park thanks to a Bernie Slaven goal.
Legendary Port Vale manager John Rudge is among the celebrity names confirmed for Tony Naylor’s charity match at Vale Park.
Rob Fielding recalls the time that John Rudge attempted to sign the then unknown Liverpool teenager Steve Staunton.
This video vault entry documents every match in Port Vale’s triumphant march to Wembley in the 1992-1993 season.
We take a look back to 1993 and a news report announcing Port Vale’s free transfer signing of striker Bernie Slaven.
A dramatic last-minute winner by substitute Andy Jones secures a victory for Port Vale during their 1988-1989 promotion season.
Fresh from their epic cup run the season before, John Rudge’s Port Vale took on top-flight Norwich City in an FA Cup clash in 1989.
For this Video Vault feature, we take a trip back to 1988 and a special weekend for Port Vale fans when the Valiants managed to string together two high-scoring wins in the space of just three days. They started with a 6-1 demolition of Cardiff City on Saturday September the 17th, 1988 – a game […]
We take a leaf through the pages of a 1989 programme for the Littlewoods Cup second round game between Port Vale and Wimbledon.
The second of our video clips from 1993 showing the celebrations following Port Vale’s victory in the Autoglass Trophy final.
Legendary manager John Rudge has reportedly laughed off any possibility of a return to Vale Park despite being seen in conversation with owner Norman Smurthwaite, the Sentinel claims.
It should come as no surprise that on the 25th anniversary of OVF editor Rob Fielding’s favourite Vale game, that this website should produce a number of features recalling the events of 30th January 1988…
Christmas Day 2012 marks the fourteenth anniversary of former Port Vale FC manager John McGrath sadly passing away.
Former Port Vale manager John Rudge has said that he “cannot foresee football not playing a part” in his life as he prepares to leave Stoke City.
Long-serving Port Vale kitman Stan “Stan the man” Nicholls has passed some more of his anecdotes onto OVF. In his latest anecdotes, Stan recalls the Vale players’ instant respect for John Rudge, an unfortunate car journey and a kick around with a famous fan…
We’re delighted that long-serving Port Vale kitman Stan “Stan the man” Nicholls has agreed that OVF should publish some of his Vale memories in a regular column. In this episode – Swanny and the string, Paul “memory man” Kerr and an incident involving John Rudge and a bowl of salted peanuts…
The 10th of May 2012 marks Port Vale legend Gareth Ainsworth’s 39th birthday. And to celebrate we’ve dug up a vintage OVF interview with the man himself.
Cult hero John McGrath: the first manager to enter our cult hall of fame, McGrath’s reign may have been outshone by that of John Rudge but nevertheless McGrath enjoyed a memorable, brief and (at-least partially) successful spell with the Valiants..
In this article we explain how John Rudge nearly pulled off a stunning coup for the Valiants… signing striker Steve Bull!