1989 Football League Third Division play-off final

Association football match December 2017 December 2017 1989 Football League Third Division play-off final Vale Park.jpg Vale Park pictured in July 2006 Bristol Rovers 1 Port Vale 2 First leg 1 1 1989 05 31 y Twerton Park Bath Allan Gunn(Sussex) 9,042 Second leg 0 1 1989 06 03 y Vale Park Stoke-on-Trent Keith Hackett(Sheffield & Hallamshire) 17,343 1988 1990 The 1989 Football League Third Division play-off final was a two-legged football match played on 31 May and 3 June 1989, between Port Vale and Bristol Rovers to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from the Third Division to the Second Division. The top two teams of the 1988–89 Football League Third Division season gained automatic promotion to the Second Division, while those placed from third to sixth place in the table took part in play-offs; the winners of these semi-finals competed for the final place for the 1989–90 season in the Second Division. From 1990 onwards, play-off finals would be one-legged affairs decided at Wembley Stadium or an appropriate neutral stadium. It was the first time either Port Vale or Bristol Rovers played a play-off final, with play-offs only being introduced to English football for the first time two years previously. In the semi-finals, Port Vale defeated Preston North End, and Bristol Rovers beat Fulham. The first leg of the final finished 1–1, with Port Vale midfielder Robbie Earle equalising in the 73rd minute after Gary Penrice had given Bristol Rovers the lead in the first half. In the second leg, Earle scored the only goal of the match with a 52nd minute header. The result meant that Port Vale won the play-offs with a 2–1 aggregate victory. Port Vale ended the following season eleventh in the Second Division, 13 points outside the play-offs and 13 points above the relegation zone. Bristol Rovers secured promotion as champions of the Third Division, finishing two points ahead of Bristol City in second and six points ahead of third-placed Notts County. Route to the final 1988–89 Football League main WDL Q right auto Football League Third Division final table, leading positions WOL Wolverhampton Wanderers SHU Sheffield United PTV Port Vale FUL Fulham BRR Bristol Rovers PNE Preston North End 26 14 6 96 49 25 9 12 93 54 24 12 10 78 48 22 9 15 69 67 19 17 10 67 51 19 15 12 79 60 complete https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/1989/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 20 April 2021 League Division Three end of season table for 1988–89 season 30 August 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200830124736/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/1989/ live The 1988–89 season saw Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sheffield United and Port Vale vie for the two automatic promotion places in the Third Division, the third tier of the English football league system, and it was Port Vale who missed out and finished in third-place, two places ahead of Bristol Rovers in fifth.Sherwin Phil MBE method inspired promotion and best decade in Port Vale history https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-promotion-bristol-rovers-2930046 3 June 2021 StokeonTrentLive 2021-06-03 en 3 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210603081515/https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-promotion-bristol-rovers-2930046 live Both therefore took part in the play-offs to determine the third promoted team. Port Vale had finished level on points with second-place Sheffield United, but their inferior goal difference cost them automatic promotion.Sherwin Phil Port Vale win 1989 play-off final to kick-off the best decade in club's history https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-1989-promotion-celebration-2930046 3 June 2020 The Sentinel 1 June 2019 21 June 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200621085152/https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-1989-promotion-celebration-2930046 live Bristol Rovers finished fifth, ten points behind Port Vale.League Division Three end of season table for 1988–89 season https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/1989/ 11v11 12 June 2020 AFS Enterprises 30 August 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200830124736/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/1989/ live Port Vale's opponents for the play-off semi-final were Preston North End, managed by John Rudge's predecessor John McGrath, and the first leg was played on the plastic pitch at Deepdale in Preston on 22 May. Port Vale sold their 3,500 allocation for the game in three days. Preston's Nigel Jemson put the home side in front on 16 minutes, before Robbie Earle levelled the score at 1–1 after a John Jeffers cross was flicked on by Darren Beckford.Preston North End v Port Vale, 22 May 1989 https://www.11v11.com/matches/preston-north-end-v-port-vale-22-may-1989-306781/ 11v11 12 June 2020 AFS Enterprises 12 June 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200612141221/https://www.11v11.com/matches/preston-north-end-v-port-vale-22-may-1989-306781/ live There was a pitch invasion by the Preston fans after a fire erupted under the wooden slats of their stands. Joan Walley, Member of parliament (MP) for the Stoke-on-Trent North constituency, called for an enquiry at Parliament, but none was made.Kent Jeff The Valiants' Years: The Story of Port Vale 1990 Witan Books 286 0-9508981-4-7 The return leg was held at Vale Park three days later. Beckford opened the scoring on 11 minutes after latching on to a Ron Futcher flick on, only for Mark Patterson to again level the tie just two minutes later. Futcher had the chance to take the lead with a penalty, only to hit the bar, before Beckford scored two goals in quick succession to claim a hat-trick and secure a 4–2 aggregate victory. Bristol Rovers faced Fulham in their semi-final play-off on 21 May, and the first leg was played at Twerton Park, Bath, where Bristol Rovers had played their home matches since being forced to leave Eastville Stadium in 1986. Bristol Rovers claimed a 1–0 win with a goal from Gary Penrice.Bristol Rovers v Fulham, 21 May 1989 https://www.11v11.com/matches/bristol-rovers-v-fulham-21-may-1989-306779/ 11v11 12 June 2020 AFS Enterprises 12 June 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200612141223/https://www.11v11.com/matches/bristol-rovers-v-fulham-21-may-1989-306779/ live The second leg was played three days later at Craven Cottage, London. Bristol Rovers claimed a comfortable victory, winning 4–0 away with goals from Billy Clark, Ian Holloway, Dennis Bailey and Andy Reece.Fulham v Bristol Rovers, 25 May 1989 https://www.11v11.com/matches/fulham-v-bristol-rovers-25-may-1989-306780/ 11v11 12 June 2020 AFS Enterprises 12 June 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200612141223/https://www.11v11.com/matches/fulham-v-bristol-rovers-25-may-1989-306780/ live Bristol RoversRoundPort ValeOpponentResultLegsSemi-finalsOpponentResultLegsFulham5–01–0 home; 4–0 awayPreston North End4–21–1 away; 3–1 home Match Background thumb|180px|Port Vale goalkeeper Mark Grew conceded only one goal in the final. It was the first time Port Vale or Bristol Rovers played a play-off final. Port Vale had previously posted two mid-table finishes following their promotion into the third tier in 1986.Kent Jeff The Port Vale Record 1879–1993 Witan Books 1993 0-9508981-9-8 Bristol Rovers meanwhile had spent most of the decade in the third tier following relegation from the second tier in 1981. In the two league matches played between the clubs during the regular season, the two teams played out a 2–2 draw at Twerton Park in April before Vale won the home fixture 1–0 in the campaign's penultimate game. Port Vale had conceded fewer goals than any other team in the Third Division in the 1988–89 season.Season 1988–89 https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1988-89.html RSSSF 12 June 2020 25 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100125003554/http://www.rsssf.com/engpaul/FLA/1988-89.html live No team in the Football League had picked up as many home league draws as Bristol Rovers, with 11, whereas only the bottom two clubs of the Third Division had won fewer home fixtures. Port Vale quickly sold out their 1,500 ticket allocation at Twerton Park, whilst 4,000 Bristol Rovers fans secured tickets at Vale Park. Simon Mills had to postpone his honeymoon to play in the final. The second leg would be the first time Port Vale would play a competitive fixture in June. Port Vale were strong favourites, with The Guardian David Foot reporting that financially limited Bristol Rovers had made it to the play-offs "against every apparent law of logic" as manager Gerry Francis had built a squad with a transfer budget of £20,000, half of which he had lent the club himself in order to sign Ian Holloway.Foot David Gerry-built and Bristol fashion https://theguardian.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=78803291&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjI2MDE4NTI3NSwiaWF0IjoxNjIyNzMxNTUyLCJleHAiOjE2MjI4MTc5NTJ9.3T6BFBH95pc434zQnjMtZ9Zy9WQq50eumCsppicqDsM 3 June 2021 The Guardian 6 May 1989 Newspapers.com 3 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210603161846/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=78803291&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjI2MDE4NTI3NSwiaWF0IjoxNjIyNzMxNTUyLCJleHAiOjE2MjI4MTc5NTJ9.3T6BFBH95pc434zQnjMtZ9Zy9WQq50eumCsppicqDsM live Summary First leg The referee for the first leg was Allan Gunn from Sussex.Bristol Rovers v Port Vale, 31 May 1989 https://www.11v11.com/matches/bristol-rovers-v-port-vale-31-may-1989-306783/ 11v11 12 June 2020 AFS Enterprises 12 June 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200612141229/https://www.11v11.com/matches/bristol-rovers-v-port-vale-31-may-1989-306783/ live The Port Vale starting line-up were largely the same eleven that defeated Preston, but with Gary West starting in place of Alan Webb.Kent Jeff The Port Vale Record 1879–1993 1993 Witan Books 225 0-9508981-9-8 Bristol Rovers were reported to have reserve players Paul Nixon and Willmott on stand-by as Devon White, Phil Purnell and leading scorer Gary Penrice faced late fitness tests, Mackay discounts League Form; Football The Times 31 May 1989 Gale https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A117156031/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=01b48601 7 June 2021 Louise Taylor subscription 14 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210614155620/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA117156031&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=01b48601 live though all three would start the game. Francis was unable to name Geoff Twentyman, who was suspended, whilst loanees Bailey and Ian Hazel both returned to their parent clubs.Mackay's relaxant https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/67841591/the-guardian/ 3 June 2021 The Guardian 31 May 1989 Newspapers.com 18 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210118155624/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/67841591/the-guardian/ live Francis stated that "we are going to give it a real go. We are not letting up now". Jeffers missed a good chance to open the scoring in the 30th minute following a Beckford flick-on from a corner kick.http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Memory-Match-Bristol-Rovers-1-Port-Vale-1-31-1989/article-2578985-detail/article.html Memory Match: Bristol Rovers 1 Port Vale 1 May 31, 1989 Sherwin Phil 28 August 2010 Stoke Sentinel Stoke-on-Trent 29 August 2010 It was Bristol Rovers that were the first to score; keeper Nigel Martyn hit the ball upfield and Penrice volleyed the ball into the net over a stranded Mark Grew following a White flick-on. Futcher headed the ball into the net just before half-time only to find his goal disallowed for offside. Port Vale dominated the second half and it was Earle who equalised 17 minutes from time to level the tie, scoring a headed goal from a Futcher cross. Port Vale nearly won the match in the dying moments, only for Beckford's header to be cleared off the goal-line. Bristol Rovers manager Francis bemoaned Futcher being yellow-carded for an altercation with Ian Alexander when he believed a red was more appropriate, saying "It was an out and out nut!" In his match report, Nicholas Harling of The Times wrote that "Vale finished the first leg looking by far the more accomplished side". Premature lap of honour The Times 1 June 1989 https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A117155800/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=24e35b2a 7 June 2021 subscription Nicholas Harling Gale 14 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210614155615/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA117155800&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=24e35b2a live Second leg The referee for the second leg was 1981 FA Cup final referee and Sheffield & Hallamshire County Football Association representative Keith Hackett.Port Vale v Bristol Rovers, 03 June 1989 https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bristol-rovers-03-june-1989-306784/ 11v11 12 June 2020 AFS Enterprises 12 June 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200612141227/https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bristol-rovers-03-june-1989-306784/ live Port Vale manager John Rudge announced an unchanged team from the eleven that held Bristol Rovers to a 1–1 draw in the first leg. Francis was also able to name the same starting line-up for Bristol Rovers as the 13-man squad all passed fitness tests. Thomas stands by for Palace recall The Times 3 June 1989 Gale https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A117155468/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=322fafeb 7 June 2021 subscription Nicholas Harling 14 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210614155603/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA117155468&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=322fafeb live The first half finished goalless despite large periods of pressure from Port Vale, with Martyn in good form in the Bristol Rovers goal. Martyn saved a 30 yd strike from Dean Glover, whilst Beckford and Earle both came close to taking the lead. The second half saw the "MBE" combination (a Simon Mills corner, flicked on by Beckford and knocked into the net by Earle)http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Vale-heroes-completed-mission-thanks-MBE/article-1470435-detail/article.html Vale heroes completed mission thanks to MBE 30 October 2009 The Sentinel Stoke-on-Trent 31 October 2009 pay off, resulting in an Earle headed goal in the 52nd minute; it was his 19th goal of the season and fourth headed goal against Bristol Rovers that season. It was to prove the only goal of the match as Port Vale controlled the remainder of the game, and a celebratory pitch invasion ensued. The Guardian'''s Stephen Bierley did not enjoy the match and his only praise for Bristol Rovers was that they "did as little as possible to threaten the status quo, winning much praise from everybody by not forcing extra time to extend the tedium".Little to fire the imagination on a cracking day for the Potteries https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/78803452/the-guardian/ 3 June 2021 The Guardian 5 June 1989 Newspapers.com 2 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215653/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/78803452/the-guardian/ live In contrast, The Observer'' Derek Wallis reported that "Rovers... played some delightful football but they were unable to penetrate a resolute defence... in which West and Glover needed to be constantly alert".Wallis Derek Port Vale UP https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/78803390/the-observer/ 3 June 2021 The Guardian 4 June 1989 Newspapers.com 2 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215928/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/78803390/the-observer/ live With the play-offs still a relatively new concept, both managers and some journalists were highly critical of the idea and agreed that Port Vale had deserved their promotion after finishing the league campaign in third place. Port Vale are justly rewarded The Times 5 June 1989 Gale subscription https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A117155205/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=cca1cd24 7 June 2021 Ian Ross 14 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210614155641/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA117155205&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=cca1cd24 live "We practised corners for hours, and it certainly paid off. Millsy could put in a brilliant delivery and as soon as it went toward Becky I knew it was coming my way. At the end of the game it was a huge feeling of relief that we had proved a point – we were good enough for promotion. We knew as a group of players we could play at a higher level and this gave us a chance to do so. I had a great time at Vale, and this was the greatest of them all. Earle speaking to The Sentinel in 2009 Details First leg 31 May 1989 19:45 BST Bristol Rovers 1–1 Port Vale Penrice 31 Earle 73 Twerton Park, Bath 9,042 Allan Gunn (Sussex) _whiteborder _whitequarters14 _whiteborder _blue stripes _band_white 0000FF 0000FF 0000FF FFFFFF 0000FF Bristol Rovers _blackcollar ffd700 ffd700 ffd700 ffd700 ffd700 ffd700 Port Vale Bristol Rovers: GK 1Nigel MartynDF 2Ian AlexanderDF 3Billy ClarkDF 4Steve YatesFW 5 Devon WhiteDF6Vaughan Jones (c) MF7Ian Holloway MF 8 David MehewMF 9 Andy ReeceFW 10Gary PenriceMF11 Phil PurnellSubstitutes:FW Christian McClean Manager:Gerry FrancisPort Vale: GK 1Mark GrewDF 2Simon MillsDF 3Darren HughesMF 4Ray WalkerDF 5 Gary WestDF6Dean GloverMF7John JeffersMF 8 Robbie EarleFW 9 Ron Futcher FW 10Darren BeckfordMF11 Andy PorterSubstitutes:FW Ronnie Jepson Manager:John Rudge Second leg 3 June 1989 15:00 BST Port Vale 1–0 Bristol Rovers Earle 52 Vale Park, Stoke-on-Trent 17,343 Keith Hackett (Sheffield & Hallamshire) _vneckblack _color_3_stripes_black ffffff ffffff ffffff 000000 ffffff Port Vale ffd700 ffd700 ffd700 0000FF 0000FF Bristol Rovers Port Vale: GK 1Mark GrewDF 2Simon MillsDF 3Darren HughesMF 4Ray WalkerDF 5 Gary WestDF6Dean GloverMF7John JeffersMF 8 Robbie EarleFW 9 Ron FutcherFW 10Darren BeckfordMF11 Andy Porter Substitutes:FW 12 Kevin Finney FW Ronnie Jepson Manager:John RudgeBristol Rovers: GK 1Nigel MartynDF 2Ian AlexanderDF 3Billy ClarkDF 4Steve YatesFW 5 Devon WhiteDF6Vaughan Jones (c) MF7Ian HollowayMF 8 David MehewMF 9 Andy ReeceFW 10Gary PenriceMF11 Phil PurnellSubstitutes:FW Paul Nixon Manager:Gerry Francis Post-match thumb|180px|Ian Holloway as Millwall manager in January 2015. Bristol Rovers recovered from the loss and the following season joined Port Vale in the second tier, coming up as champions.Season 1989–90 https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1989-90.html RSSSF 30 May 2021 26 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100126045934/http://www.rsssf.com/engpaul/FLA/1989-90.html live Port Vale remained in the second tier until 1991–92, when they were relegated in last place.England 1991/1992 https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1991-92.html RSSSF 30 May 2021 1 February 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090201012024/http://rsssf.com/engpaul/FLA/1991-92.html live Bristol Rovers were themselves relegated at the end of the 1992–93 season.Football Statistics Archive https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1992-93.html RSSSF 30 May 2021 7 May 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190507001701/http://www.rsssf.com/engpaul/FLA/1992-93.html live Goalkeeper Martyn went on to win 23 caps for England and spend a long career in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Everton.Nigel Martyn Booking Agent Talent Roster https://mn2s.com/booking-agency/talent-roster/nigel-martyn/ MN2S 12 May 2020 30 August 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200830130050/https://mn2s.com/booking-agency/talent-roster/nigel-martyn/ live Midfielder Holloway went on to manage Bristol Rovers in May 1996, with Gary Penrice as his assistant,Murply Alex Let's Have Coffee: The Tao of Ian Holloway Jones, Richard Faragher Steve Naked Guides Ltd Bristol 1 June 2005 0-9544177-9-8 in the first job of a long managerial career.https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=628 Managers – Ian Holloway Soccerbase Centurycomm 19 January 2020 14 January 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200114211323/https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=628 live Gerry Francis went on to manage Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, though would end his management career after a second spell at Bristol Rovers in 2001. https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=533 Soccerbase Centurycomm 14 June 2021 Managers – Gerry Francis 10 August 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200810160049/https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=533 live Earle was sold to Wimbledon for £775,000 in July 1991 and later appeared in the 1998 FIFA World Cup for Jamaica.16637 10 July 2016 The man that effectively put Port Vale in the final, Beckford, was himself sold to Norwich City for £925,000 in June 1991.Flown From the Nest – Darren Beckford http://www.ex-canaries.co.uk/players/beckford.htm ex-canaries 12 May 2020 30 August 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200830130156/http://www.ex-canaries.co.uk/players/beckford.htm live Mastermind of the success John Rudge immediately signed a new two-year contract and continued to manage Port Vale until January 1999, when he was dismissed in a controversial decision by chairman Bill Bell.Keenan Dave Port Vale savour moment https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/forum/uploads/monthly_2021_06/bristol-rovers1.jpg.e81234d1c4c134d3ef46a436df03ce5f.jpg 9 June 2021 onevalefan.co.uk 14 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210614155605/https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/forum/uploads/monthly_2021_06/bristol-rovers1.jpg.e81234d1c4c134d3ef46a436df03ce5f.jpg live https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/no-grudge-for-rudge-only-old-golden-memories-2198438.html? No grudge for Rudge, only old golden memories Shaw Phil 30 January 2011 The Independent 30 January 2011 24 June 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180624010451/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/no-grudge-for-rudge-only-old-golden-memories-2198438.html live References Play-off final Category:Football League Third Division play-off finals 1989 Play-off final 1989 Play-off final 1989 3 Football League Third Division play-off final Football League Third Division play-off final