1986–87 Port Vale F.C. season

March 2015 March 2015 Port Vale 1986–87 John Rudge Jim Lloyd Vale Park Football League Third Division 12th (57 points) FA Cup Second Round(eliminated by Walsall) League Cup Second Round(eliminated by Manchester United) Associate Members' Cup Northern Section Quarter-finals(eliminated by Gillingham) Player of the Year Andy Jones Andy Jones (31) Andy Jones (37) 10,568 vs. Manchester United, 7 October 1986 994 vs. Hereford United, 22 December 1986 3,312 6–0 vs. Fulham, 28 March 1987 0–5 vs. Walsall, 6 December 1986 _thinblackstripes _thinblackstripes _thinblackstripes _white stripes _color_3_stripes_black ffffff ffffff ffffff 000000 ffffff ffff00 ffff00 ffff00 _blackborder _blackborder _vneckblack ffff00 ffff00 1985–86 1987–88 The 1986–87 season was Port Vale's 75th season of football in the English Football League, and first (16th overall) season back in the Third Division following promotion from the Fourth Division.Kent Jeff The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale Witan Books 1990 258–290 From Rags to Riches (1979–1990) 0-9508981-4-7 Under the stewardship of manager John Rudge and chairman Jim Lloyd, the club secured a mid-table finish, ending the campaign in 12th place with 57 points. Andy Jones, Rudge's signing, who also received the Player of the Year accolade, was the club's top scorer, netting 31 goals in the league and 37 in all competitions. Vale's cup runs were modest: they reached the Second Round of both the FA Cup (eliminated by Walsall) and the League Cup, and progressed to the Northern Quarter-final of the Associate Members' Cup, exiting against Gillingham. Vale Park witnessed its record lowest gate for a competitive match when only 994 supporters attended the Associate Members' Cup tie with Hereford United, while the season featured a club record largest away win of 6–0 against Fulham, and the heaviest defeat of 5–0 to Walsall. The season also saw significant squad developments, including the signing of Ray Walker and the debut of Andy Porter. Stabilising in the third tier, Vale laid the groundwork for a promotion challenge that would materialise two years later. Overview Third Division The pre-season saw John Rudge bring 28-year-old goalkeeper Mark Grew to the club from Ipswich Town. He also bought Aston Villa's Ray Walker for £12,000 following his successful loan spell the previous season; Sheffield United winger Paul Smith for £10,000; and Walsall's 'cultured' striker Richard O'Kelly for £6,000. Rudge was connected with the vacant management position at Preston North End, but declared himself happy at Vale Park. The season would see its midweek games played on a Tuesday, rather than the traditional Monday and the play-offs were also introduced. The season opened with a 2–2 draw at crisis club Middlesbrough, who were forced to play the fixture at Hartlepool, after finding themselves kicked out of Ayresome Park. Vale also drew their opening home match the following week against Rotherham United, and Grew was forced off with a knee injury and Alan Webb split his shinbone. Jim Arnold, now a full-time policeman, agreed to return to the club on non-contract terms to replace the injured Grew. Playing a 'fluent, passing game', Vale defeated bogey-team Walsall, who had maintained a 21-game unbeaten league run against the "Valiants" since 1965.Baggaley Mike Hopes and plans for Vale's young players https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/hopes-and-plans-for-vales-young-players 18 June 2026 Valiant's Substack 18 June 2026 Ageing Arnold failed to maintain his fitness and Vale struggled around the foot of the table following a 4–3 reverse to Swindon Town on 21 October. Rudge signed 'giant' Alex Williams on loan from Manchester City. Despite Andy Jones leading the scoring charts, Vale still suffered. Rudge's attempts to sign Steve Bull from West Bromwich Albion failed. On 9 November, Vale Park hosted an American football match, in which Locomotive Derby beat the Stoke Spitfires 13–8. By the end of the month, Vale were cut four points adrift at the bottom of the league. The next month John Williams was sold to Bournemouth for £30,000, having been in poor form for Vale. Rudge then splashed out £5,000 on Bristol City's Gary Hamson. He also brought Bob Hazell in from Reading on a free transfer. The team fell to a 3–2 defeat at Darlington on 19 December. Hazell successfully shored up the Vale defence, as in his first three games, the Vale kept three clean sheets. O'Kelly required a knee operation in January, but good news came as Alex Williams was signed permanently for £10,000. The team achieved a "handsome" 4–1 victory over Brentford on 24 January, which led to Brentford manager Frank McLintock getting the sack.Croxford Mark The Big Brentford Book of the Eighties Lane David Waterman Greville Legends Publishing 2011 978-1906796716 Sunbury, Middlesex 331–3 Three days later, Robbie Earle made his 142nd consecutive appearance in a 1–1 draw with Rotherham United at Millmoor, picking up a groin injury that put him into the treatment room. The next week, a 4–2 win over Doncaster Rovers was the last of a streak of six games unbeaten that took the Vale up to 14th in the table. Rudge attempted to sign Don Goodman, who was transfer listed at Bradford City, but ended his interest after being quoted £100,000.Goodman too expensive for the likes of Port Vale Staffordshire Sentinel Green 'Un 11 February 2017 30 A bad February saw a 4–1 loss at Notts County and ended with a 6–1 capitulation at home to Blackpool, Vale's biggest home defeat since March of the disastrous 1956–57 season. They responded positively, despite a number of players playing injured, with a 2–0 home win over Bury in front of a season-low crowd of 2,261 in freezing temperatures.Baggaley Mike Back home for a promotion test https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/back-home-for-a-promotion-test 4 March 2025 Valiant's Substack 3 March 2025 Vale picked up eleven of a possible 18 points in March, with Rudge also signing Darren Beckford on loan from Manchester City. On 28 March, the club recorded their biggest ever away win by thumping Fulham 6–0 at Craven Cottage, with Jones bagging a hat-trick. Jones had been called up to the Wales squad shortly before the match.Baggaley Mike Players impressing and decisions ahead https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/players-impressing-and-decisions 28 July 2026 Valiant's Substack 27 July 2026 On 1 April, Jones was selected for the Wales squad, and scored past Finland.Baggaley Michael Archive classic - Port Vale fans turn out for goal hero on Wales debut https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/archive-classic-port-vale-fans-4008193 3 April 2020 Stoke Sentinel 1 April 2020 On 14 April, Jones was one of four goalscorers in a 4–1 victory at York City with what The Sentinel's Chris Harper reported was possibly their best performance of the season.Baggaley Mike Vale hammer Bromley to go top https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/vale-hammer-bromley-to-go-top 13 April 2025 Valiant's Substack 13 April 2025 Vale lost five of their seven April games, including home losses to the bottom two clubs, Carlisle United and Darlington, and a 5–2 defeat at Walsall. They ensured their safety by ripping apart Newport County on 4 May, with Jones hitting five goals. Scouts from Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea were present to witness him become the first player to score five in a Football League game that season.Baggaley Mike A party and a farewell to League Two https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/a-party-and-a-farewell-to-league 5 May 2025 Valiant's Substack 4 May 2025 They finished in twelfth spot with 57 points, twelve points clear of Bolton Wanderers. Andy Jones scored 37 goals in all competitions. Finances On the financial side, a £53,373 loss was recorded. Match receipts earned £228,422, whilst the market rents raised £100,614. The bank overdraft stood at £216,453, whilst the club's total debts were £363,878. The club's shirt sponsors were Browns Transport. Both Geoff Hunter and Wayne Ebanks left on free transfers, Hunter joining Wrexham. Chairman Jim Lloyd also resigned due to his deteriorated relationship with the board. He was replaced by garage owner Bill Bell, who was one of many men to have worked on building Vale Park in the 1940s. Bell stated that he was unafraid to cut loose any deadwood. Ticket prices were £2.50 for the terrace and £3.50 for the stand, with season tickets available for £45 terracing and £66 seats; matchday attendances dropped off significantly following a 50 pence price rise in February. Cup competitions In the FA Cup, the first round tie with non-League neighbours Stafford Rangers attracted a healthy crowd of 5,738, the second-highest attendance of the season, and Vale advanced with a 1–0 win despite Jones being sent off after 26 minutes. Travelling to Walsall for the second round, they were on the end of a 5–0 drubbing at the Bescot Stadium. Jim Lloyd called the 'tame surrender' a 'disgrace', and Rudge ordered extra training for the players. In the League Cup, Vale advanced past Notts County 7–1 on aggregate following wins both at home and at Meadow Lane. They then faced Ron Atkinson's First Division Manchester United in the second round, just as they had in 1983. United picked up a 3–0 victory at Old Trafford before eliminating the Vale with a 5–2 win in Stoke-on-Trent. In the Associate Members' Cup, the opening match against Fourth Division Hereford United set a club-record for the lowest-ever attendance for a competitive first-team game, as only 994 fans turned up at Vale Park on 22 December to witness Vale win through a Jones goal. The missing fans only missed 'a long yawn in freezing conditions'. A 2–1 defeat to Newport County at Somerton Park failed to prevent Vale from advancing to the first round. Vale then eliminated Exeter City with a 1–0 win at St James Park. However, Gillingham defeated Vale 4–3 on penalties after a 3–3 draw in Burslem. Gillingham scored all five of their penalties, and then Ron Hillyard saved Vale's final penalty.Gillingham V Newport County Matchday Programme 8–9 Ron's Night....To Remember!!! 17 February 1987 Results Football League Third Division 1986–87 Football League League table Third Division y PTV Results by matchday table b Round Ground A/H/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/A/H/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/H/H/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/A/H/A Result D/D/W/L/D/L/W/L/L/W/D/L/L/D/L/L/L/W/L/D/W/W/W/D/W/L/D/D/L/W/D/W/L/D/W/L/L/L/W/W/L/L/L/D/W/W Position 7/14/7/10/12/16/12/15/16/13/14/16/17/20/20/21/24/22/23/24/20/17/16/16/14/14/14/14/19/15/13/13/14/15/12/12/15/16/13/11/13/14/14/15/13/12 Points 1p/2p/5p/5p/6p/6p/9p/9p/9p/12p/13p/13p/13p/14p/14p/14p/14p/17p/17p/18p/21p/24p/27p/28p/31p/31p/32p/33p/33p/36p/37p/40p/40p/41p/44p/44p/44p/44p/47p/50p/50p/50p/50p/51p/54p/57p Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss green1 red1 StattoPort Vale 1986–1987 : Results & Fixtures https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070352/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/port-vale/1986-1987/results 4 March 2016 . Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012. Matches 1 23 August 1986 Middlesbrough 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/middlesbrough-v-port-vale-23-august-1986-140781/ Port Vale Stephens O'Kelly Maguire Ayresome Park Middlesbrough 3,690 2 30 August 1986 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-rotherham-united-30-august-1986-140796/ Rotherham United O'Kelly Vale Park Burslem 3,734 3 6 September 1986 Brentford 0–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/brentford-v-port-vale-06-september-1986-140801/ Port Vale Maguire Smith Griffin Park Brentford, West London 3,150 4 13 September 1986 Port Vale 2–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-york-city-13-september-1986-140819/ York City Jones pen. Vale Park Burslem 4,893 5 16 September 1986 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-notts-county-16-september-1986-140830/ Notts County Jones Vale Park Burslem 3,725 6 20 September 1986 Bolton Wanderers 3–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/bolton-wanderers-v-port-vale-20-september-1986-140836/ Port Vale Burnden Park Bolton 4,872 7 27 September 1986 Port Vale 4–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-walsall-27-september-1986-140855/ Walsall Jones pen. Bowden Earle Vale Park Burslem 4,531 8 30 September 1986 Blackpool 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/blackpool-v-port-vale-30-september-1986-140857/ Port Vale Bloomfield Road Blackpool 4,585 9 4 October 1986 Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-fulham-04-october-1986-140875/ Fulham Vale Park Burslem 3,862 10 11 October 1986 Chesterfield 2–4 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/chesterfield-v-port-vale-11-october-1986-140882/ Port Vale Jones Earle Maguire Saltergate Chesterfield, Derbyshire 2,755 11 18 October 1986 Bristol Rovers 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/bristol-rovers-v-port-vale-18-october-1986-140894/ Port Vale Twerton Park Bath, Somerset 3,054 12 21 October 1986 Port Vale 3–4 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-swindon-town-21-october-1986-140910/ Swindon Town Earle 22 Jones 59 Bamber 70 og. Kamara 5 White 10 Jones 40 Gilligan 72 Vale Park Burslem M. Dimblebee, G. Wilkinson 3,420 13 25 October 1986 Port Vale 1–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-gillingham-25-october-1986-140921/ Gillingham Jones Shearer pen. Pritchard Vale Park Burslem 3,055 14 1 November 1986 Bury 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/bury-v-port-vale-01-november-1986-140927/ Port Vale Jones pen. Smith Gigg Lane Bury, Greater Manchester 2,598 15 4 November 1986 Carlisle United 2–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/carlisle-united-v-port-vale-04-november-1986-140938/ Port Vale Brunton Park Carlisle 2,748 16 8 November 1986 Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-wigan-athletic-08-november-1986-140957/ Wigan Athletic Houston Vale Park Burslem 3,339 17 22 November 1986 Doncaster Rovers 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/doncaster-rovers-v-port-vale-22-november-1986-140966/ Port Vale O'Kelly Belle Vue Doncaster 2,455 18 14 December 1986 Port Vale 2–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-chester-city-14-december-1986-140996/ Chester City Earle Smith Kelly Vale Park Burslem 3,397 19 19 December 1986 Darlington 3–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/darlington-v-port-vale-19-december-1986-140999/ Port Vale Jones Feethams Darlington 1,052 20 26 December 1986 Port Vale 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bristol-city-26-december-1986-141016/ Bristol City Vale Park Burslem 4,168 21 27 December 1986 Newport County 0–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/newport-county-v-port-vale-27-december-1986-141030/ Port Vale Jones pen. Smith Somerton Park Newport, Wales 2,105 22 1 January 1987 Mansfield Town 0–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/mansfield-town-v-port-vale-01-january-1987-141039/ Port Vale Hazell Field Mill Mansfield 3,053 23 24 January 1987 Port Vale 4–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-brentford-24-january-1987-141059/ Brentford Jones pen. Earle Smith Cooke Vale Park Burslem 3,062 24 27 January 1987 Rotherham United 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/rotherham-united-v-port-vale-27-january-1987-141063/ Port Vale Walker Millmoor Rotherham 2,397 25 3 February 1987 Port Vale 4–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-doncaster-rovers-03-february-1987-141074/ Doncaster Rovers Jones pen. Hamson Maguire Vale Park Burslem 2,835 26 7 February 1987 Notts County 4–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/notts-county-v-port-vale-07-february-1987-141082/ Port Vale Bowden Meadow Lane Nottingham 5,277 27 14 February 1987 Port Vale 1–1 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bolton-wanderers-14-february-1987-141095/ Bolton Wanderers Bowden Vale Park Burslem 3,678 28 17 February 1987 Port Vale 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-middlesbrough-17-february-1987-141102/ Middlesbrough Vale Park Burslem 3,263 29 28 February 1987 Port Vale 1–6 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-blackpool-28-february-1987-141125/ Blackpool Sproson Vale Park Burslem 3,765 30 3 March 1987 Port Vale 2–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bury-03-march-1987-141137/ Bury Smith Maguire Vale Park Burslem 2,261 31 7 March 1987 Gillingham 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/gillingham-v-port-vale-07-march-1987-141144/ Port Vale Priestfield Stadium Gillingham, Kent 3,929 32 14 March 1987 Port Vale 4–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bristol-rovers-14-march-1987-141158/ Bristol Rovers Jones pen. Walker Maguire Vale Park Burslem 2,758 33 17 March 1987 Swindon Town 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/swindon-town-v-port-vale-17-march-1987-141169/ Port Vale Ramsey 25 County Ground Swindon D. Axcell 7,347 34 21 March 1987 Port Vale 2–2 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-chesterfield-21-march-1987-141181/ Chesterfield Bowden Sproson Vale Park Burslem 2,903 35 28 March 1987 Fulham 0–6 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/fulham-v-port-vale-28-march-1987-141194/ Port Vale Jones Smith Walker Maguire Craven Cottage Fulham, West London 3,798 36 31 March 1987 Port Vale 1–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-afc-bournemouth-31-march-1987-141202/ AFC Bournemouth Walker Vale Park Burslem 3,228 37 4 April 1987 Wigan Athletic 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/wigan-athletic-v-port-vale-04-april-1987-141215/ Port Vale Campbell Jones Springfield Park Wigan 3,567 38 11 April 1987 Port Vale 0–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-carlisle-united-11-april-1987-141230/ Carlisle United Vale Park Burslem 2,449 39 14 April 1987 York City 1–4 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/york-city-v-port-vale-14-april-1987-141236/ Port Vale Webb Jones Sproson Maguire Bootham Crescent York 2,804 40 18 April 1987 Port Vale 3–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-mansfield-town-18-april-1987-141245/ Mansfield Town Beckford Jones Maguire Cassells Vale Park Burslem 2,625 41 20 April 1987 Bristol City 1–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/bristol-city-v-port-vale-20-april-1987-141251/ Port Vale Ashton Gate Ashton Gate, Bristol 8,669 42 25 April 1987 Port Vale 1–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-darlington-25-april-1987-141272/ Darlington Jones Vale Park Burslem 2,492 43 28 April 1987 Walsall 5–2 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/walsall-v-port-vale-28-april-1987-141285/ Port Vale Beckford Bromage Fellows Park Walsall 5,696 44 2 May 1987 AFC Bournemouth 0–0 D https://www.11v11.com/matches/afc-bournemouth-v-port-vale-02-may-1987-141287/ Port Vale Dean Court Bournemouth 9,559 45 4 May 1987 Port Vale 6–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-newport-county-04-may-1987-141306/ Newport County Jones pen. pen. Sproson Compton Vale Park Burslem 2,733 46 9 May 1987 Chester City 1–2 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/chester-city-v-port-vale-09-may-1987-141320/ Port Vale Graham Earle Beckford Sealand Road Chester 3,021 FA Cup 1986–87 FA Cup R1 15 November 1986 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-stafford-rangers-15-november-1986-215644/ Stafford Rangers Earle Vale Park Burslem 5,738 R2 6 December 1986 Walsall 5–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/walsall-v-port-vale-06-december-1986-215700/ Port Vale Fellows Park Walsall 7,033 League Cup 1986–87 Football League Cup R1 1st Leg 26 August 1986 Notts County 1–3 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/notts-county-v-port-vale-26-august-1986-31489/ Port Vale Jones pen. O'Kelly Meadow Lane Nottingham 2,167 R1 2nd Leg 3 September 1986 Port Vale 4–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-notts-county-03-september-1986-31531/ Notts County Jones O'Kelly Walker Smith Vale Park Burslem 3,486 7–2 R2 1st Leg 24 September 1986 Manchester United 3–0 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/manchester-united-v-port-vale-24-september-1986-31554/ Port Vale Stapleton 51 Whiteside 81 Old Trafford Old Trafford 18,906 R2 2nd Leg 7 October 1986 Port Vale 2–5 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-manchester-united-07-october-1986-31571/ Manchester United Jones pen. og. Stapleton 34 Barnes 71 Moses 75 89 Davenport 77 pen. Vale Park Burslem 10,568 2–8 Associate Members' Cup 1986–87 Associate Members' Cup Preliminary 22 December 1986 Port Vale 1–0 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-hereford-united-22-december-1986-291723/ Hereford United Jones Vale Park Burslem 994 Preliminary 6 January 1987 Newport County 2–1 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/newport-county-v-port-vale-06-january-1987-291724/ Port Vale og. Somerton Park Newport, Wales 826 R1 20 January 1987 Exeter City 0–1 W https://www.11v11.com/matches/exeter-city-v-port-vale-20-january-1987-291733/ Port Vale Maguire St James Park Exeter 1,365 Southern Section Quarter-final 10 February 1987 Port Vale 3–3 L https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-gillingham-10-february-1987-291747/ Gillingham Jones Smith Hazell Elsey Cascarino Smith Vale Park Burslem 2,768 4–5 yes Squad statistics Appearances and goals Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward Third Division FA Cup League Cup Associate Members' Cup GK ENG Mark Grew 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 GK ENG Alex Williams 31 0 2 0 0 0 4 0 DF ENG Chris Banks 25 0 2 0 4 0 3 0 DF ENG Russell Bromage 41 1 2 0 4 0 4 0 DF ENG Wayne Ebanks 16 0 1 0 4 0 1 0 DF ENG Craig Hawtin 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 DF ENG Bob Hazell 21 1 0 0 0 0 3 1 DF ENG Phil Sproson 44 4 2 0 4 0 2 0 DF ENG Alan Webb 21 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 MF ENG Jon Bowden 34 4 2 0 3 0 3 0 MF JAM Robbie Earle 35 6 2 1 4 0 4 0 MF ENG Gary Hamson 27 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 MF ENG Geoff Hunter 5 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 MF SCO Paul Maguire 42 8 2 0 4 0 4 1 MF ENG Andy Porter 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 MF ENG Paul Smith 42 7 2 0 4 1 3 1 MF ENG Ray Walker 45 4 1 0 4 1 4 0 FW ENG Darren Beckford 11 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 FW WAL Andy Jones 43 31 1 0 4 4 4 2 FW ENG Richard O'Kelly 12 3 1 0 2 2 0 0 |- |colspan="14"|Players who featured but departed the club during the season: GK ENG Jim Arnold 12 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 DF ENG Alan Dodd 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 DF ENG John Williams 14 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 |} Top scorers PlacePositionNationNameThird DivisionFA CupLeague CupAssociate Members' CupTotal1FWWalesAndy Jones31042372MFScotlandPaul Maguire80019–MFEnglandPaul Smith701194MFJamaicaRobbie Earle610075MFEnglandRay Walker40105–FWEnglandRichard O'Kelly302057FWEnglandJon Bowden40004–FWEnglandDarren Beckford40004–DFEnglandPhil Sproson4000410DFEnglandBob Hazell1001211DFEnglandAlan Webb10001–MFEnglandGary Hamson10001–DFEnglandRussell Bromage10001––Own goals10113TOTALS7619692 Transfers Transfers in Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref. June 1986 GK ENG Mark Grew Ipswich Town Free transfer Kent Jeff Port Vale Personalities Witan Books 1996 0-9529152-0-0 July 1986 FW ENG Richard O'Kelly Walsall £6,000 July 1986 MF ENG Paul Smith Sheffield United £10,000 July 1986 MF ENG Ray Walker Aston Villa £12,000 December 1986 MF ENG Gary Hamson Bristol City £5,000 December 1986 DF ENG Bob Hazell Reading Free transfer January 1987 GK ENG Alex Williams Manchester City £10,000 March 1987 FW ENG Darren Beckford Manchester City £15,000 Transfers out Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref. December 1986 GK ENG Jim Arnold Kidderminster Harriers Retired December 1986 DF ENG John Williams Bournemouth £30,000 May 1987 DF ENG Wayne Ebanks Cambridge United Free transfer May 1987 MF ENG Geoff Hunter Wrexham Free transfer 6 August 1987 MF ENG Jon Bowden Wrexham £12,500 13 August 1987 DF ENG Russell Bromage Bristol City £25,000 Loans in Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref. November 1986 GK ENG Alex Williams Manchester City January 1987 December 1986 DF ENG Alan Dodd SWE IF Elfsborg December 1986 Loans out Date from Position Nationality Name To Date to Ref. 1987 MF ENG Andy Porter NZ Hutt Valley United 1987 References Specific General Kent Jeff The Port Vale Record 1879-1993 Witan Books 1993 0-9508981-9-8 Category:Port Vale F.C. seasons Port Vale