1984–85 Port Vale F.C. season
Encyclopedia
The 1984–85 season was Port Vale
's seventy-third season of football in the Football League
, and first (twelfth overall) back in the Fourth Division
following their relegation from the Third Division
. John Rudge
's first full season in charge, the Vale finished in mid-table following a season of rebuilding the squad. Veteran striker Ally Brown was top-scorer with 21 goals, whilst midfield dynamo Robbie Earle
hit 19 goals. Defender Alan Webb
was elected Player of the Year, whilst a young Ray Walker
also spent a short period on loan at the club. Vale progressed to the Third Round of the FA Cup
, and the Second Rounds of the League Cup
and League Trophy
.
); winger Peter Griffiths
(Stoke City
); and both forward Derek Monaghan
and reliable defender Alan Webb
(West Bromwich Albion
). This came after John Rudge
stated that "Vale's reputation has been built on grit and determination and I will be looking to bring in the player who is willing to die for the cause". Attempts to re-sign Brian Horton
failed once again, whilst Martin Henderson
had his contract cancelled after failing to report for pre-season training – he later signed with Spalding United
. Just before the season began Gary Brazil
was signed on loan from Sheffield United
.
The season opened with a 1–0 defeat to Mansfield Town
. Tommy Gore
soon announced his retirement due to a neck injury. The Vale then went five games unbeaten, as the club announced a new five year shirt sponsorship deal with Trentham
firm Eagle Delivery Service. Young winger Ray Walker
also arrived on loan from Aston Villa
. The fans chanted 'what a load of rubbish' on 1 October, as Vale lost 3–0 at home to struggling side Northampton Town
. Rudge stated that 'In truth we were rubbish' and promptly cancelled the player's day off. Another five game unbeaten run followed, as Brown showed his 'class' and Walker impressed. On 5 November, Eamonn O'Keefe scored a 'brilliant' hat-trick past Southend United
in a 4–1 win. Rudge then signed Stockport County
's outside-right Oshor Williams
for £7,000. Vale's form then suffered after Walker returned to Villa Park
. To remedy this Rudge signed Southend United midfielder Billy Kellock
, who made 'a stunning impact' in his debut, playing a key part in the 5–1 victory over Exeter City
on New Years day. This was the first of a sixteen game unbeaten run, in which the team equalled a club-record six straight away draws between 19 January and 29 March.
On 2 February, Robbie Earle
scored a hat-trick past Hereford United
. Striker partner Ally Brown claimed "He is my brains and I am his legs". John Rudge received the Manager of the Month award for February. The next month Barry Siddall
joined Stoke City on a free transfer, after Chris Pearce
had established himself as the Vale's #1. Wayne Cegielski
also signed with Blackpool
and Eamonn O'Keefe followed him to Bloomfield Road
for a £10,000 fee. Five victories in the opening six games of April took Vale sliding down the league, as Brown was out with a knee injury. Vale rallied to go through the final five games unbeaten.
They finished in twelfth place with sixty points, winning and losing fourteen games. Between them Brown and Earle racked up a combined total of forty goals in all competitions. Yet it was Russell Bromage
who was selected for the PFA
Fourth Division
team.
and Derek Monaghan (retired); Colin Tartt
(Shepshed Charterhouse
); and Ian Griffiths (Wigan Athletic
). Billy Kellock also refused terms, and so joined Halifax Town
, whilst John Ridley
joined Stafford Rangers
as a player-coach. Vale received £700 following a tribunal claim, becoming the first Football League club to take a non-league club to a tribunal.
, Vale beat Northern Premier League
side Macclesfield Town
2–1 at Moss Rose
. This game was overshadowed by a fence collapse that left thirteen injured and led to 21 arrests. Town Chairman Alan Brocklehurst blamed 'the hooligan element of the Vale support', however Vale Chairman Jim Lloyd laid the blame at the feet of the police. The next round saw Vale conquer Scunthorpe United
with a 4–1 home victory. In the Third Round they travelled to West Ham United
's Upton Park
, where the First Division
club beat the "Valiants" 4–1.
In the League Cup
, Vale went past Bury
on away goals, having scored one of their two goals at Gigg Lane
. In the Second Round they lost 2–1 at home to Second Division
Wolverhampton Wanderers
, though they did earn a goalless draw at Molineux
.
In the League Trophy
, Vale eliminated Northampton Town
in a 2–1 replay victory at Sixfields
. The original match saw an attendance of just 1,386 at Vale Park
. At the replay Ian Griffiths
required a skin graft
after getting his hand trapped in a toilet door. Vale were knocked out in the next round by Bristol City
, losing 2–1 to the Third Division
side at Ashton Gate.
P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
's seventy-third season of football in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
, and first (twelfth overall) back in the Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
following their relegation from the Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
. John Rudge
John Rudge
John Robert Rudge is an English former football player and football manager. He is currently working as the director of football at Stoke City....
's first full season in charge, the Vale finished in mid-table following a season of rebuilding the squad. Veteran striker Ally Brown was top-scorer with 21 goals, whilst midfield dynamo Robbie Earle
Robbie Earle
Robert Fitzgerald "Robbie" Earle MBE is an English-born Jamaican former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals....
hit 19 goals. Defender Alan Webb
Alan Webb (footballer)
Alan Richard Webb is an English former footballer who played as a right-back. He played 225 league games in an eleven year career in the Football League. He spent 1981 to 1984 with West Bromwich Albion, and also played on loan at Lincoln City, but spent most of his career at Port Vale. He was...
was elected Player of the Year, whilst a young Ray Walker
Ray Walker (footballer)
Raymond "Ray" Walker is an English former football midfielder. He played 440 games for Port Vale in all competitions between 1986 and 1997, ensuring himself a place in the club's history. He was twice the club's player of the season, and was named on the PFA Team of the Year three times...
also spent a short period on loan at the club. Vale progressed to the Third Round of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
, and the Second Rounds of the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
and League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
.
Fourth Division
The pre-season saw four new arrivals: veteran striker Ally Brown (WalsallWalsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
); winger Peter Griffiths
Peter Griffiths (footballer)
Peter James Griffiths is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths played for Bideford and Stoke City, also spending a loan spell with Bradford City before joining Port Vale in July 1984. He played regular football in the 1984–85 season until tearing a groin muscle in April 1985...
(Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
); and both forward Derek Monaghan
Derek Monaghan
Derek James Monaghan is an English former footballer who played as a forward for West Bromwich Albion, Port Vale, and Redditch United.-Playing career:...
and reliable defender Alan Webb
Alan Webb (footballer)
Alan Richard Webb is an English former footballer who played as a right-back. He played 225 league games in an eleven year career in the Football League. He spent 1981 to 1984 with West Bromwich Albion, and also played on loan at Lincoln City, but spent most of his career at Port Vale. He was...
(West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
). This came after John Rudge
John Rudge
John Robert Rudge is an English former football player and football manager. He is currently working as the director of football at Stoke City....
stated that "Vale's reputation has been built on grit and determination and I will be looking to bring in the player who is willing to die for the cause". Attempts to re-sign Brian Horton
Brian Horton
Brian Horton is an English former footballer and manager, who is working as Phil Brown's assistant at Preston North End.Horton played for Hednesford Town, Port Vale, Brighton & Hove Albion, Luton Town and Hull City as a midfielder...
failed once again, whilst Martin Henderson
Martin Henderson (footballer)
William Martin Neville Henderson is a Scottish former footballer who played in Scotland, England, and the United States.-Playing career:...
had his contract cancelled after failing to report for pre-season training – he later signed with Spalding United
Spalding United F.C.
Spalding United F.C. is an English football club based in Spalding, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of Division One of the United Counties League and play at Sir Halley Stewart Field.-History:...
. Just before the season began Gary Brazil
Gary Brazil
Gary Nicholas Brazil is a former professional footballer and football manager in the English football league....
was signed on loan from Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
.
The season opened with a 1–0 defeat to Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
. Tommy Gore
Tommy Gore
Thomas John Gore is an English former footballer.-Wigan Athletic:Gore played as a youth for Liverpool and Tranmere Rovers before joining Wigan Athletic in January 1974. He made 185 Northern Premier League appearances for Wigan before the club gained its Football League status...
soon announced his retirement due to a neck injury. The Vale then went five games unbeaten, as the club announced a new five year shirt sponsorship deal with Trentham
Trentham, Staffordshire
Trentham is a suburb of Stoke-on-Trent, located to the south-west of the city centre and to the south of the neighbouring town of Newcastle-under-Lyme. Although the majority of Trentham is within the city limits, it is mostly separated from the main urban area by surrounding open space and the...
firm Eagle Delivery Service. Young winger Ray Walker
Ray Walker (footballer)
Raymond "Ray" Walker is an English former football midfielder. He played 440 games for Port Vale in all competitions between 1986 and 1997, ensuring himself a place in the club's history. He was twice the club's player of the season, and was named on the PFA Team of the Year three times...
also arrived on loan from Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
. The fans chanted 'what a load of rubbish' on 1 October, as Vale lost 3–0 at home to struggling side Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
. Rudge stated that 'In truth we were rubbish' and promptly cancelled the player's day off. Another five game unbeaten run followed, as Brown showed his 'class' and Walker impressed. On 5 November, Eamonn O'Keefe scored a 'brilliant' hat-trick past Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
in a 4–1 win. Rudge then signed Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
's outside-right Oshor Williams
Oshor Williams
Oshor Joseph Williams is a former footballer in the English football league who now works for the PFA as a union learning representative. During his playing days he played both in midfielder and in attack...
for £7,000. Vale's form then suffered after Walker returned to Villa Park
Villa Park
Villa Park may mean:United Kingdom* Villa Park, an association football stadium in Birmingham, EnglandUnited States* Villa Park, California, a small city in Orange County* Villa Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago in DuPage County...
. To remedy this Rudge signed Southend United midfielder Billy Kellock
Billy Kellock (footballer)
William Kellock is a former Scottish footballer.-Playing career:Kellock played for Aston Villa, Cardiff City, Norwich City, Millwall, Chelmsford City, Kettering Town, Peterborough United, Luton Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southend United before joining Port Vale in December 1984...
, who made 'a stunning impact' in his debut, playing a key part in the 5–1 victory over Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
on New Years day. This was the first of a sixteen game unbeaten run, in which the team equalled a club-record six straight away draws between 19 January and 29 March.
On 2 February, Robbie Earle
Robbie Earle
Robert Fitzgerald "Robbie" Earle MBE is an English-born Jamaican former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals....
scored a hat-trick past Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
. Striker partner Ally Brown claimed "He is my brains and I am his legs". John Rudge received the Manager of the Month award for February. The next month Barry Siddall
Barry Siddall
Barry Alfred Siddall is an English former professional football goalkeeper. When he retired from the game he had made 614 appearances to his name over a 21-year career in the Football League, playing for numerous clubs....
joined Stoke City on a free transfer, after Chris Pearce
Chris Pearce (footballer)
Christopher Leslie Pearce is a Welsh former footballer.-Playing career:Pearce played for Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Blackburn Rovers. He enjoyed loan spells with Rochdale and Barnsley before transferring to Port Vale in June 1983. He became the first choice keeper from September 1984,...
had established himself as the Vale's #1. Wayne Cegielski
Wayne Cegielski
Wayne Cegielski is a former Welsh under-21 international footballer. A defender, he played 282 league games in a thirteen year career in the Football League....
also signed with Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
and Eamonn O'Keefe followed him to Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road is an all-seater football stadium in the English town of Blackpool, Lancashire. It has been the permanent home of Blackpool F.C. since 1901 and is named after the road on which the stadium's main entrance used to stand. The stadium has been in a process of redevelopment since 2000...
for a £10,000 fee. Five victories in the opening six games of April took Vale sliding down the league, as Brown was out with a knee injury. Vale rallied to go through the final five games unbeaten.
They finished in twelfth place with sixty points, winning and losing fourteen games. Between them Brown and Earle racked up a combined total of forty goals in all competitions. Yet it was Russell Bromage
Russell Bromage
Russell Bromage is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. In a fourteen year career in the Football League he made 400 league appearances, scoring 14 goals....
who was selected for the PFA
Professional Footballers' Association
The Professional Footballers' Association is the trade union for professional footballers in England and Wales. The world's oldest professional sport trade union, it has 4,000 members....
Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
team.
Finances
On the financial side, a loss was made of £7,793 due to a 20% drop in attendance figures. The wage bill stood at £389,341, whilst gate receipts took in £128,954 and the lottery raised £191,000. Five players left on free transfers, most significant were the departures of: Terry ArmstrongTerry Armstrong
Terence "Terry" Armstrong is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder for Huddersfield Town and Port Vale during the 1970s & 1980s.-Playing career:...
and Derek Monaghan (retired); Colin Tartt
Colin Tartt
Colin Tartt is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Tartt joined Port Vale from Alsager College , initially on trial, in June 1972. His first appearance was as a substitute in a 7–0 drubbing at Rotherham United on 26 August 1972, his first full debut was on 26 September that year in a 4–0...
(Shepshed Charterhouse
Shepshed Dynamo F.C.
Shepshed Dynamo F.C. is a football team based in the small town of Shepshed in the North West of Leicestershire, England.Their home ground is called The Dovecote, which is situated on Butthole Lane. Football has been played on this ground for over 100 years...
); and Ian Griffiths (Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
). Billy Kellock also refused terms, and so joined Halifax Town
Halifax Town A.F.C.
Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years...
, whilst John Ridley
John Ridley (footballer)
John Ridley is an English former footballer. A versatile midfielder, he had a twelve year professional career in the Football League, playing for Port Vale and Chesterfield, as well as Leicester City. He also played for non-league Stafford Rangers and for American side Fort Lauderdale Strikers.He...
joined Stafford Rangers
Stafford Rangers F.C.
Stafford Rangers Football Club is a semi-professional English football team from Stafford which plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.The team wear black and white stripes with black shorts...
as a player-coach. Vale received £700 following a tribunal claim, becoming the first Football League club to take a non-league club to a tribunal.
Cup competitions
In the FA CupFA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
, Vale beat Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
side Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
2–1 at Moss Rose
Moss Rose
Moss Rose is a multi-purpose stadium in Macclesfield, England. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Macclesfield Town F.C....
. This game was overshadowed by a fence collapse that left thirteen injured and led to 21 arrests. Town Chairman Alan Brocklehurst blamed 'the hooligan element of the Vale support', however Vale Chairman Jim Lloyd laid the blame at the feet of the police. The next round saw Vale conquer Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
with a 4–1 home victory. In the Third Round they travelled to West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
's Upton Park
Boleyn Ground
The Boleyn Ground, more commonly referred to as Upton Park due to its location in Upton Park, London is the football stadium of West Ham United.-History:...
, where the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
club beat the "Valiants" 4–1.
In the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
, Vale went past Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
on away goals, having scored one of their two goals at Gigg Lane
Gigg Lane
Gigg Lane is an all-seater football stadium in Bury, Greater Manchester, England. Historically within Lancashire, it was built for Bury F.C. in 1885, and has been their home ever since.-History:...
. In the Second Round they lost 2–1 at home to Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
, though they did earn a goalless draw at Molineux
Molineux stadium
Molineux Stadium is a Premier League football stadium situated in Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, England. It has been the home ground of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club since 1889, and has a long and illustrious history as the first 'new build' stadium in Football League history, one of the...
.
In the League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
, Vale eliminated Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
in a 2–1 replay victory at Sixfields
Sixfields Stadium
Sixfields Stadium is a 7,653-capacity all-seater sports stadium in Northampton, England. It has been the home ground of Northampton Town Football Club following their move from the County Ground in October 1994....
. The original match saw an attendance of just 1,386 at Vale Park
Vale Park
Vale Park is a football stadium in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home ground of Port Vale F.C., who have played at the ground since 1950....
. At the replay Ian Griffiths
Ian Griffiths
Ian James Griffiths is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths played for Tranmere Rovers and Rochdale before joining Port Vale on trial in October 1984. He scored on his full debut, in a 4–1 home win over Scunthorpe United in a second round FA Cup game on 7 December 1984...
required a skin graft
Skin grafting
Skin grafting is a type of graft surgery involving the transplantation of skin. The transplanted tissue is called a skin graft.Skin grafting is often used to treat:*Extensive wounding or trauma*Burns...
after getting his hand trapped in a toilet door. Vale were knocked out in the next round by Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
, losing 2–1 to the Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
side at Ashton Gate.
Final league table
| P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chesterfield Chesterfield F.C. Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower... |
46 | 26 | 13 | 7 | 64 | 35 | 91 | |
| 2 | Blackpool Blackpool F.C. Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the... |
46 | 24 | 14 | 8 | 73 | 39 | 86 | |
| 3 | Darlington Darlington F.C. Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003... |
46 | 24 | 13 | 9 | 66 | 49 | 85 | |
| 4 | Bury Bury F.C. Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the... |
46 | 24 | 12 | 10 | 76 | 50 | 84 | |
| 5 | Hereford United Hereford United F.C. Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',... |
46 | 22 | 11 | 13 | 65 | 47 | 77 | |
| 6 | Tranmere Rovers Tranmere Rovers F.C. Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system... |
46 | 24 | 3 | 19 | 83 | 66 | 75 | |
| 7 | Colchester United Colchester United F.C. Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910.... |
46 | 20 | 14 | 12 | 87 | 65 | 74 | |
| 8 | Swindon Town Swindon Town F.C. Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011... |
46 | 21 | 9 | 16 | 62 | 58 | 72 | |
| 9 | Scunthorpe United Scunthorpe United F.C. Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One.... |
46 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 83 | 62 | 71 | |
| 10 | Crewe Alexandra Crewe Alexandra F.C. Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club... |
46 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 65 | 69 | ||
| 66 | |||||||||
| 11 | Peterborough United Peterborough United F.C. Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is... |
46 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 54 | 53 | 62 | |
| 12 | Port Vale Port Vale F.C. Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as... |
46 | 14 | 18 | 14 | 61 | 59 | +2 | 60 |
| 13 | Aldershot Aldershot F.C. Aldershot Football Club was an English Football League club, which was wound up in the High Court in March 1992. They became the first Football League club since Accrington Stanley to resign from the League during the course of a season. The club was nicknamed the Shots for both the last syllable... |
46 | 17 | 8 | 21 | 56 | 63 | ||
| 59 | |||||||||
| 14 | Mansfield Town Mansfield Town F.C. Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910... |
46 | 13 | 18 | 15 | 41 | 38 | 57 | |
| 15 | Wrexham | 46 | 15 | 9 | 22 | 67 | 70 | ||
| 54 | |||||||||
| 16 | Chester City Chester City F.C. Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the... |
46 | 15 | 9 | 22 | 60 | 72 | ||
| 54 | |||||||||
| 17 | Rochdale Rochdale A.F.C. Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921... |
46 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 55 | 69 | ||
| 53 | |||||||||
| 18 | Exeter City Exeter City F.C. Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003... |
46 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 57 | 79 | ||
| 53 | |||||||||
| 19 | Hartlepool United Hartlepool United F.C. Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season... |
46 | 14 | 10 | 22 | 54 | 67 | ||
| 52 | |||||||||
| 20 | Southend United Southend United F.C. Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had... |
46 | 13 | 11 | 22 | 58 | 83 | ||
| 50 | |||||||||
| 21 | Halifax Town Halifax Town A.F.C. Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years... |
46 | 15 | 5 | 26 | 42 | 69 | ||
| 50 | |||||||||
| 22 | Stockport County Stockport County F.C. Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport... |
46 | 13 | 8 | 25 | 58 | 79 | ||
| 47 | |||||||||
| 23 | Northampton Town Northampton Town F.C. Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season... |
46 | 14 | 5 | 27 | 53 | 74 | ||
| 47 | |||||||||
| 24 | Torquay United Torquay United F.C. Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley... |
46 | 9 | 14 | 23 | 38 | 63 | ||
| 41 |
P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points
Legend
| Win | Draw | Loss |
Football League Fourth Division
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 August 1984 | Mansfield Town Mansfield Town F.C. Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910... |
|H | 0–1 | 3,552 | |
| 1 September 1984 | Wrexham | |A | 1–1 | 1,849 | Brazil Gary Brazil Gary Nicholas Brazil is a former professional footballer and football manager in the English football league.... |
| 8 September 1984 | Hartlepool United Hartlepool United F.C. Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season... |
|H | 1–1 | 3,232 | Sproson Phil Sproson Phillip Jess "Phil" Sproson is a former English footballer who played as a central defender. He played in 500 matches for Port Vale and scored 41 goals , this places him third highest in the list of appearances for Port Vale... |
| 15 September 1984 | Torquay United Torquay United F.C. Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley... |
|A | 3–1 | 1,692 | Walker Ray Walker (footballer) Raymond "Ray" Walker is an English former football midfielder. He played 440 games for Port Vale in all competitions between 1986 and 1997, ensuring himself a place in the club's history. He was twice the club's player of the season, and was named on the PFA Team of the Year three times... , Earle Robbie Earle Robert Fitzgerald "Robbie" Earle MBE is an English-born Jamaican former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals.... , Brown |
| 18 September 1984 | Blackpool Blackpool F.C. Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the... |
|A | 1–1 | 4,902 | Brazil Gary Brazil Gary Nicholas Brazil is a former professional footballer and football manager in the English football league.... |
| 22 September 1984 | Tranmere Rovers Tranmere Rovers F.C. Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system... |
|H | 2–1 | 3,301 | Brazil Gary Brazil Gary Nicholas Brazil is a former professional footballer and football manager in the English football league.... , Earle Robbie Earle Robert Fitzgerald "Robbie" Earle MBE is an English-born Jamaican former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals.... |
| 29 September 1984 | Hereford United Hereford United F.C. Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',... |
|A | 0–1 | 4,093 | |
| 1 October 1984 | Northampton Town Northampton Town F.C. Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season... |
|H | 0–3 | 3,235 | |
| 6 October 1984 | Crewe Alexandra Crewe Alexandra F.C. Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club... |
|H | 2–0 | 4,145 | Brown, P.Griffiths Peter Griffiths (footballer) Peter James Griffiths is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths played for Bideford and Stoke City, also spending a loan spell with Bradford City before joining Port Vale in July 1984. He played regular football in the 1984–85 season until tearing a groin muscle in April 1985... |
| 13 October 1984 | Rochdale Rochdale A.F.C. Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921... |
|A | 2–1 | 1,722 | O'Keefe, Brown |
| 20 October 1984 | Swindon Town Swindon Town F.C. Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011... |
|A | 1–0 | 3,056 | O'Keefe |
| 22 October 1984 | Chesterfield Chesterfield F.C. Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower... |
|H | 0–0 | 4,988 | |
| 27 October 1984 | Peterborough United Peterborough United F.C. Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is... |
|H | 3–1 | 3,943 | Brown (2), O'Keefe |
| 3 November 1984 | Stockport County Stockport County F.C. Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport... |
|A | 1–3 | 2,698 | O'Keefe |
| 5 November 1984 | Southend United Southend United F.C. Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had... |
|H | 4–1 | 2,989 | O'Keefe (3), Earle Robbie Earle Robert Fitzgerald "Robbie" Earle MBE is an English-born Jamaican former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals.... |
| 10 November 1984 | Aldershot Aldershot F.C. Aldershot Football Club was an English Football League club, which was wound up in the High Court in March 1992. They became the first Football League club since Accrington Stanley to resign from the League during the course of a season. The club was nicknamed the Shots for both the last syllable... |
|A | 0–1 | 2,188 | |
| 23 November 1984 | Chester City Chester City F.C. Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the... |
|H | 0–0 | 3,391 | |
| 30 November 1984 | Halifax Town Halifax Town A.F.C. Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years... |
|A | 1–2 | 1,689 | Hunter Geoff Hunter (footballer) Geoffrey "Geoff" Hunter is a former English footballer who played as a midfielder. In a twelve year career in the Football League he played 430 league games, scoring 38 goals.... |
| 15 December 1984 | Darlington Darlington F.C. Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003... |
|H | 0–1 | 3,645 | |
| 22 December 1984 | Scunthorpe United Scunthorpe United F.C. Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One.... |
|H | 1–1 | 2,521 | P.Griffiths Peter Griffiths (footballer) Peter James Griffiths is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths played for Bideford and Stoke City, also spending a loan spell with Bradford City before joining Port Vale in July 1984. He played regular football in the 1984–85 season until tearing a groin muscle in April 1985... |
| 26 December 1984 | Bury Bury F.C. Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the... |
|A | 0–4 | 4,664 | |
| 28 December 1984 | Colchester United Colchester United F.C. Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910.... |
|A | 2–3 | 2,014 | Brown, Smith Martyn Smith (footballer) Martyn Christopher Smith is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Smith played for Leek Town before joining Port Vale in August 1984. He played 17 games, scoring just the one goal before being handed a free transfer in May 1985. He moved on to Macclesfield Town and Eastwood before moving... |
| 1 January 1985 | Exeter City Exeter City F.C. Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003... |
|H | 5–1 | 3,306 | Kellock Billy Kellock (footballer) William Kellock is a former Scottish footballer.-Playing career:Kellock played for Aston Villa, Cardiff City, Norwich City, Millwall, Chelmsford City, Kettering Town, Peterborough United, Luton Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southend United before joining Port Vale in December 1984... (2 [1 pen]), Brown (2), Earle Robbie Earle Robert Fitzgerald "Robbie" Earle MBE is an English-born Jamaican former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals.... |
| 19 January 1985 | Hartlepool United Hartlepool United F.C. Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season... |
|A | 2–2 | 2,285 | Brown, Williams Oshor Williams Oshor Joseph Williams is a former footballer in the English football league who now works for the PFA as a union learning representative. During his playing days he played both in midfielder and in attack... |
| 26 January 1985 | Torquay United Torquay United F.C. Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley... |
|H | 2–2 | 2,839 | Hunter Geoff Hunter (footballer) Geoffrey "Geoff" Hunter is a former English footballer who played as a midfielder. In a twelve year career in the Football League he played 430 league games, scoring 38 goals.... , Earle Robbie Earle Robert Fitzgerald "Robbie" Earle MBE is an English-born Jamaican former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals.... |
| 2 February 1985 | Hereford United Hereford United F.C. Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',... |
|H | 3–1 | 3,453 | Earle Robbie Earle Robert Fitzgerald "Robbie" Earle MBE is an English-born Jamaican former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals.... (3) |
| 23 February 1985 | Stockport County Stockport County F.C. Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport... |
|H | 3–2 | 3,154 | Brown (2), Bromage Russell Bromage Russell Bromage is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. In a fourteen year career in the Football League he made 400 league appearances, scoring 14 goals.... |
| 2 March 1985 | Peterborough United Peterborough United F.C. Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is... |
|A | 0–0 | 2,817 | |
| 5 March 1985 | Chesterfield Chesterfield F.C. Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower... |
|A | 0–0 | 3,480 | |
| 9 March 1985 | Swindon Town Swindon Town F.C. Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011... |
|H | 2–0 | 3,300 | Sproson Phil Sproson Phillip Jess "Phil" Sproson is a former English footballer who played as a central defender. He played in 500 matches for Port Vale and scored 41 goals , this places him third highest in the list of appearances for Port Vale... , Brown |
| 13 March 1985 | Mansfield Town Mansfield Town F.C. Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910... |
|H | 1–1 | 2,161 | Sproson Phil Sproson Phillip Jess "Phil" Sproson is a former English footballer who played as a central defender. He played in 500 matches for Port Vale and scored 41 goals , this places him third highest in the list of appearances for Port Vale... |
| 16 March 1985 | Rochdale Rochdale A.F.C. Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921... |
|H | 3–1 | 2,788 | P.Griffiths Peter Griffiths (footballer) Peter James Griffiths is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths played for Bideford and Stoke City, also spending a loan spell with Bradford City before joining Port Vale in July 1984. He played regular football in the 1984–85 season until tearing a groin muscle in April 1985... , Kellock Billy Kellock (footballer) William Kellock is a former Scottish footballer.-Playing career:Kellock played for Aston Villa, Cardiff City, Norwich City, Millwall, Chelmsford City, Kettering Town, Peterborough United, Luton Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southend United before joining Port Vale in December 1984... (pen), Brown |
| 22 March 1985 | Crewe Alexandra Crewe Alexandra F.C. Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club... |
|A | 0–0 | 4,763 | |
| 25 March 1985 | Wrexham | |H | 0–0 | 2,964 | |
| 29 March 1985 | Southend United Southend United F.C. Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had... |
|A | 1–1 | 2,407 | Earle Robbie Earle Robert Fitzgerald "Robbie" Earle MBE is an English-born Jamaican former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals.... |
| 1 April 1985 | Tranmere Rovers Tranmere Rovers F.C. Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system... |
|A | 1–4 | 1,450 | Earle Robbie Earle Robert Fitzgerald "Robbie" Earle MBE is an English-born Jamaican former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals.... |
| 6 April 1985 | Bury Bury F.C. Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the... |
|H | 0–0 | 3,544 | |
| 8 April 1985 | Exeter City Exeter City F.C. Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003... |
|A | 1–2 | 2,427 | Earle Robbie Earle Robert Fitzgerald "Robbie" Earle MBE is an English-born Jamaican former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals.... |
| 13 April 1985 | Aldershot Aldershot F.C. Aldershot Football Club was an English Football League club, which was wound up in the High Court in March 1992. They became the first Football League club since Accrington Stanley to resign from the League during the course of a season. The club was nicknamed the Shots for both the last syllable... |
|H | 1–2 | 2,562 | Earle Robbie Earle Robert Fitzgerald "Robbie" Earle MBE is an English-born Jamaican former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals.... |
| 17 April 1985 | Northampton Town Northampton Town F.C. Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season... |
|A | 0–1 | 1,311 | |
| 20 April 1985 | Chester City Chester City F.C. Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the... |
|A | 0–2 | 1,575 | |
| 22 April 1985 | Blackpool Blackpool F.C. Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the... |
|H | 1–1 | 3,725 | Brown |
| 27 April 1985 | Halifax Town Halifax Town A.F.C. Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years... |
|H | 3–1 | 2,029 | Brown, Earle Robbie Earle Robert Fitzgerald "Robbie" Earle MBE is an English-born Jamaican former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals.... , Williams Oshor Williams Oshor Joseph Williams is a former footballer in the English football league who now works for the PFA as a union learning representative. During his playing days he played both in midfielder and in attack... |
| 4 May 1985 | Darlington Darlington F.C. Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003... |
|A | 1–1 | 3,565 | Earle Robbie Earle Robert Fitzgerald "Robbie" Earle MBE is an English-born Jamaican former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals.... |
| 6 May 1985 | Colchester United Colchester United F.C. Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910.... |
|H | 3–2 | 2,526 | Brown, Kellock Billy Kellock (footballer) William Kellock is a former Scottish footballer.-Playing career:Kellock played for Aston Villa, Cardiff City, Norwich City, Millwall, Chelmsford City, Kettering Town, Peterborough United, Luton Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southend United before joining Port Vale in December 1984... , Earle Robbie Earle Robert Fitzgerald "Robbie" Earle MBE is an English-born Jamaican former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals.... (pen) |
| 10 May 1985 | Scunthorpe United Scunthorpe United F.C. Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One.... |
|A | 3–3 | 1,867 | Brown, Tartt Colin Tartt Colin Tartt is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Tartt joined Port Vale from Alsager College , initially on trial, in June 1972. His first appearance was as a substitute in a 7–0 drubbing at Rotherham United on 26 August 1972, his first full debut was on 26 September that year in a 4–0... , Williams Oshor Williams Oshor Joseph Williams is a former footballer in the English football league who now works for the PFA as a union learning representative. During his playing days he played both in midfielder and in attack... |
FA Cup
| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | 19 November 1984 | Macclesfield Town Macclesfield Town F.C. Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium... |
A | 2–1 | 4,672 | Brown, Earle Robbie Earle Robert Fitzgerald "Robbie" Earle MBE is an English-born Jamaican former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals.... |
| R2 | 7 December 1984 | Scunthorpe United Scunthorpe United F.C. Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One.... |
H | 4–1 | 4,268 | Brown, O'Keefe (pen), Bromage Russell Bromage Russell Bromage is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. In a fourteen year career in the Football League he made 400 league appearances, scoring 14 goals.... , I.Griffiths Ian Griffiths Ian James Griffiths is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths played for Tranmere Rovers and Rochdale before joining Port Vale on trial in October 1984. He scored on his full debut, in a 4–1 home win over Scunthorpe United in a second round FA Cup game on 7 December 1984... |
| R3 | 5 January 1985 | West Ham United West Ham United F.C. West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current... |
A | 1–4 | 11,452 | P.Griffiths Peter Griffiths (footballer) Peter James Griffiths is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths played for Bideford and Stoke City, also spending a loan spell with Bradford City before joining Port Vale in July 1984. He played regular football in the 1984–85 season until tearing a groin muscle in April 1985... |
League Cup
| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 1st Leg | 28 August 1984 | Bury Bury F.C. Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the... |
H | 1–0 | 2,498 | Earle Robbie Earle Robert Fitzgerald "Robbie" Earle MBE is an English-born Jamaican former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals.... |
| R1 2nd Leg | 4 September 1984 | Bury Bury F.C. Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the... |
A | 1–2 | 2,257 | Tartt Colin Tartt Colin Tartt is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Tartt joined Port Vale from Alsager College , initially on trial, in June 1972. His first appearance was as a substitute in a 7–0 drubbing at Rotherham United on 26 August 1972, his first full debut was on 26 September that year in a 4–0... |
| R2 1st Leg | 24 September 1984 | Wolverhampton Wanderers Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at... |
H | 1–2 | 6,949 | Brown |
| R2 2nd Leg | 9 October 1984 | Wolverhampton Wanderers Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at... |
A | 0–0 | 5,964 |
League Trophy
| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | 29 January 1985 | Northampton Town Northampton Town F.C. Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season... |
H | 1–1 | 1,386 | Williams Oshor Williams Oshor Joseph Williams is a former footballer in the English football league who now works for the PFA as a union learning representative. During his playing days he played both in midfielder and in attack... |
| R1 Replay | 5 February 1985 | Northampton Town Northampton Town F.C. Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season... |
A | 2–1 | 1,405 | Earle Robbie Earle Robert Fitzgerald "Robbie" Earle MBE is an English-born Jamaican former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals.... (2) |
| R2 | 18 March 1985 | Bristol City Bristol City F.C. Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City... |
A | 1–2 | 3,635 | Brown |
Appearances
| Pos. | Name | Football League | FA Cup | League Cup | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| GK |  Barry SiddallBarry Siddall Barry Alfred Siddall is an English former professional football goalkeeper. When he retired from the game he had made 614 appearances to his name over a 21-year career in the Football League, playing for numerous clubs.... |
9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| GK |  Chris PearceChris Pearce (footballer) Christopher Leslie Pearce is a Welsh former footballer.-Playing career:Pearce played for Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Blackburn Rovers. He enjoyed loan spells with Rochdale and Barnsley before transferring to Port Vale in June 1983. He became the first choice keeper from September 1984,... |
36 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 43 | 0 |
| GK | Karl Austin Karl Austin Karl Austin is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Austin played for Stafford Rangers before joining Port Vale on non-contract terms in February 1985. He played in the 3-3 draw at Scunthorpe United on 10 May 1985 but was not signed to a permanent deal at the end of the season.-References:... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| DF | Phil Sproson Phil Sproson Phillip Jess "Phil" Sproson is a former English footballer who played as a central defender. He played in 500 matches for Port Vale and scored 41 goals , this places him third highest in the list of appearances for Port Vale... |
44 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 54 | 3 |
| DF | Wayne Cegielski Wayne Cegielski Wayne Cegielski is a former Welsh under-21 international footballer. A defender, he played 282 league games in a thirteen year career in the Football League.... |
8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| DF | Alan Webb Alan Webb (footballer) Alan Richard Webb is an English former footballer who played as a right-back. He played 225 league games in an eleven year career in the Football League. He spent 1981 to 1984 with West Bromwich Albion, and also played on loan at Lincoln City, but spent most of his career at Port Vale. He was... |
46 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 56 | 0 |
| DF | Wayne Ebanks Wayne Ebanks Michael Wayne Anthony Ebanks , known as Wayne Ebanks, is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Ebanks played for West Bromwich Albion, where he went out on loan to nearby Stoke City and Port Vale. His loan spell at Vale started in March 1985 and he impressed enough in his eleven games to be... |
11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| DF | Chris Banks Chris Banks (footballer) Christopher N. Banks is an English former professional football defender, now a physiotherapist at Stoke City.... |
7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| MF | Russell Bromage Russell Bromage Russell Bromage is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. In a fourteen year career in the Football League he made 400 league appearances, scoring 14 goals.... |
37 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 46 | 2 |
| MF | Terry Armstrong Terry Armstrong Terence "Terry" Armstrong is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder for Huddersfield Town and Port Vale during the 1970s & 1980s.-Playing career:... |
4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| MF | Colin Tartt Colin Tartt Colin Tartt is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Tartt joined Port Vale from Alsager College , initially on trial, in June 1972. His first appearance was as a substitute in a 7–0 drubbing at Rotherham United on 26 August 1972, his first full debut was on 26 September that year in a 4–0... |
12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 15 | 2 |
| MF | Geoff Hunter Geoff Hunter (footballer) Geoffrey "Geoff" Hunter is a former English footballer who played as a midfielder. In a twelve year career in the Football League he played 430 league games, scoring 38 goals.... |
42 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 51 | 2 |
| MF | John Ridley John Ridley (footballer) John Ridley is an English former footballer. A versatile midfielder, he had a twelve year professional career in the Football League, playing for Port Vale and Chesterfield, as well as Leicester City. He also played for non-league Stafford Rangers and for American side Fort Lauderdale Strikers.He... |
43 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 51 | 0 |
| MF |  Robbie EarleRobbie Earle Robert Fitzgerald "Robbie" Earle MBE is an English-born Jamaican former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals.... |
46 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 56 | 19 |
| MF | Tommy Gore Tommy Gore Thomas John Gore is an English former footballer.-Wigan Athletic:Gore played as a youth for Liverpool and Tranmere Rovers before joining Wigan Athletic in January 1974. He made 185 Northern Premier League appearances for Wigan before the club gained its Football League status... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| MF | Ray Walker Ray Walker (footballer) Raymond "Ray" Walker is an English former football midfielder. He played 440 games for Port Vale in all competitions between 1986 and 1997, ensuring himself a place in the club's history. He was twice the club's player of the season, and was named on the PFA Team of the Year three times... |
15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 |
| MF | Martyn Smith Martyn Smith (footballer) Martyn Christopher Smith is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Smith played for Leek Town before joining Port Vale in August 1984. He played 17 games, scoring just the one goal before being handed a free transfer in May 1985. He moved on to Macclesfield Town and Eastwood before moving... |
13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 17 | 1 |
| MF | Adrian Reeves-Jones Adrian Reeves-Jones Adrian Kenneth Reeves-Jones is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Reeves-Jones graduated through Port Vale's youth team to signed as a professional in November 1984. He made his first appearance as a substitute in a goalless home draw with Wrexham on 25 March 1985 and made his full debut... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| MF |  Billy KellockBilly Kellock (footballer) William Kellock is a former Scottish footballer.-Playing career:Kellock played for Aston Villa, Cardiff City, Norwich City, Millwall, Chelmsford City, Kettering Town, Peterborough United, Luton Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southend United before joining Port Vale in December 1984... |
11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 4 |
| MF | Wayne Kerrins Wayne Kerrins Wayne Michael Kerrins is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Kerrins started his career with Fulham, he was sent out on loan to Fourth Division Port Vale in March 1985. After eight appearances for the Vale he returned to Fulham at the end of the season... |
8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| MF | Paul Lodge Paul Lodge Paul Lodge is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Lodge started his career with Everton, where he enjoyed loan spells with Wigan Athletic and Rotherham United before transferring to Preston North End and then Bolton Wanderers. Whilst at the Wanderers he was loaned to Port Vale in November... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| MF | Ian Griffiths Ian Griffiths Ian James Griffiths is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths played for Tranmere Rovers and Rochdale before joining Port Vale on trial in October 1984. He scored on his full debut, in a 4–1 home win over Scunthorpe United in a second round FA Cup game on 7 December 1984... |
12 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 |
| MF | Peter Griffiths Peter Griffiths (footballer) Peter James Griffiths is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths played for Bideford and Stoke City, also spending a loan spell with Bradford City before joining Port Vale in July 1984. He played regular football in the 1984–85 season until tearing a groin muscle in April 1985... |
31 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 39 | 4 |
| FW |  Eamonn O'Keefe |
22 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 8 |
| FW | Oshor Williams Oshor Williams Oshor Joseph Williams is a former footballer in the English football league who now works for the PFA as a union learning representative. During his playing days he played both in midfielder and in attack... |
17 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 4 |
| FW | Derek Monaghan Derek Monaghan Derek James Monaghan is an English former footballer who played as a forward for West Bromwich Albion, Port Vale, and Redditch United.-Playing career:... |
7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| FW | Ally Brown |
40 | 17 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 49 | 21 |
| FW | Gary Brazil Gary Brazil Gary Nicholas Brazil is a former professional footballer and football manager in the English football league.... |
6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 |
All competitions
| Scorer | Goals |
|---|---|
| Ally Brown |
21 |
| Robbie Earle Robbie Earle Robert Fitzgerald "Robbie" Earle MBE is an English-born Jamaican former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals.... |
19 |
| Eamonn O'Keefe |
8 |
| Billy Kellock Billy Kellock (footballer) William Kellock is a former Scottish footballer.-Playing career:Kellock played for Aston Villa, Cardiff City, Norwich City, Millwall, Chelmsford City, Kettering Town, Peterborough United, Luton Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southend United before joining Port Vale in December 1984... |
4 |
| Oshor Williams Oshor Williams Oshor Joseph Williams is a former footballer in the English football league who now works for the PFA as a union learning representative. During his playing days he played both in midfielder and in attack... |
|
| Peter Griffiths Peter Griffiths (footballer) Peter James Griffiths is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths played for Bideford and Stoke City, also spending a loan spell with Bradford City before joining Port Vale in July 1984. He played regular football in the 1984–85 season until tearing a groin muscle in April 1985... |
|
| Gary Brazil Gary Brazil Gary Nicholas Brazil is a former professional footballer and football manager in the English football league.... |
3 |
| Phil Sproson Phil Sproson Phillip Jess "Phil" Sproson is a former English footballer who played as a central defender. He played in 500 matches for Port Vale and scored 41 goals , this places him third highest in the list of appearances for Port Vale... |
|
| Geoff Hunter Geoff Hunter (footballer) Geoffrey "Geoff" Hunter is a former English footballer who played as a midfielder. In a twelve year career in the Football League he played 430 league games, scoring 38 goals.... |
2 |
| Colin Tartt Colin Tartt Colin Tartt is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Tartt joined Port Vale from Alsager College , initially on trial, in June 1972. His first appearance was as a substitute in a 7–0 drubbing at Rotherham United on 26 August 1972, his first full debut was on 26 September that year in a 4–0... |
|
| Russell Bromage Russell Bromage Russell Bromage is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. In a fourteen year career in the Football League he made 400 league appearances, scoring 14 goals.... |
|
| Ray Walker Ray Walker (footballer) Raymond "Ray" Walker is an English former football midfielder. He played 440 games for Port Vale in all competitions between 1986 and 1997, ensuring himself a place in the club's history. He was twice the club's player of the season, and was named on the PFA Team of the Year three times... |
1 |
| Martyn Smith Martyn Smith (footballer) Martyn Christopher Smith is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Smith played for Leek Town before joining Port Vale in August 1984. He played 17 games, scoring just the one goal before being handed a free transfer in May 1985. He moved on to Macclesfield Town and Eastwood before moving... |
|
| Ian Griffiths Ian Griffiths Ian James Griffiths is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths played for Tranmere Rovers and Rochdale before joining Port Vale on trial in October 1984. He scored on his full debut, in a 4–1 home win over Scunthorpe United in a second round FA Cup game on 7 December 1984... |
|
League
| Scorer | Goals |
|---|---|
| Ally Brown |
17 |
| Robbie Earle Robbie Earle Robert Fitzgerald "Robbie" Earle MBE is an English-born Jamaican former international footballer who played as a midfielder. He played 578 league games in senior club football, scoring 136 goals.... |
15 |
| Eamonn O'Keefe |
7 |
| Billy Kellock Billy Kellock (footballer) William Kellock is a former Scottish footballer.-Playing career:Kellock played for Aston Villa, Cardiff City, Norwich City, Millwall, Chelmsford City, Kettering Town, Peterborough United, Luton Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southend United before joining Port Vale in December 1984... |
4 |
| Oshor Williams Oshor Williams Oshor Joseph Williams is a former footballer in the English football league who now works for the PFA as a union learning representative. During his playing days he played both in midfielder and in attack... |
3 |
| Peter Griffiths Peter Griffiths (footballer) Peter James Griffiths is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Griffiths played for Bideford and Stoke City, also spending a loan spell with Bradford City before joining Port Vale in July 1984. He played regular football in the 1984–85 season until tearing a groin muscle in April 1985... |
|
| Gary Brazil Gary Brazil Gary Nicholas Brazil is a former professional footballer and football manager in the English football league.... |
|
| Phil Sproson Phil Sproson Phillip Jess "Phil" Sproson is a former English footballer who played as a central defender. He played in 500 matches for Port Vale and scored 41 goals , this places him third highest in the list of appearances for Port Vale... |
|
| Geoff Hunter Geoff Hunter (footballer) Geoffrey "Geoff" Hunter is a former English footballer who played as a midfielder. In a twelve year career in the Football League he played 430 league games, scoring 38 goals.... |
2 |
| Ray Walker Ray Walker (footballer) Raymond "Ray" Walker is an English former football midfielder. He played 440 games for Port Vale in all competitions between 1986 and 1997, ensuring himself a place in the club's history. He was twice the club's player of the season, and was named on the PFA Team of the Year three times... |
1 |
| Colin Tartt Colin Tartt Colin Tartt is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Tartt joined Port Vale from Alsager College , initially on trial, in June 1972. His first appearance was as a substitute in a 7–0 drubbing at Rotherham United on 26 August 1972, his first full debut was on 26 September that year in a 4–0... |
|
| Russell Bromage Russell Bromage Russell Bromage is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. In a fourteen year career in the Football League he made 400 league appearances, scoring 14 goals.... |
|
| Martyn Smith Martyn Smith (footballer) Martyn Christopher Smith is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Smith played for Leek Town before joining Port Vale in August 1984. He played 17 games, scoring just the one goal before being handed a free transfer in May 1985. He moved on to Macclesfield Town and Eastwood before moving... |
|