1990–91 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1990–91 season was Port Vale's 79th season of football in the English Football League, and second-successive (34th overall) season in the Second Division.^[1] For the first time since 1926–27 they played in a league above Potteries derby rivals Stoke City. Under manager John Rudge and chairman Bill Bell, the Valiants achieved a solid 15th‑place finish with 57 points, indicating a stable mid‑table performance.

Port Vale

1990–91 season
Chairman	Bill Bell
Manager	John Rudge
Stadium	Vale Park
Football League Second Division	15th (57 Points)
FA Cup	Fourth Round (knocked out by Manchester City)
League Cup	Second Round (knocked out by Oxford United)
Full Members' Cup	First Round (knocked out by Notts County)
Player of the Year	Ray Walker
Top goalscorer	League: Darren Beckford (21) All: Darren Beckford (23)
Highest home attendance	19,132 vs. Manchester City, 26 January 1991
Lowest home attendance	5,265 vs. Oxford United, 24 September 1990
Average home league attendance	8,092
Biggest win	5–1 vs. Plymouth Argyle, 1 December 1990
Biggest defeat	0–4 vs. Middlesbrough, 9 April 1991
Home colours Away colours
← 1989–90 1991–92 →

Their cup exploits were modest yet respectable: reaching the Fourth Round of the FA Cup (where they were knocked out by Manchester City), exiting in the Second Round of the League Cup at the hands of Oxford United, and seeing an early First Round departure in the Full Members' Cup, losing to Notts County. A highlight in the transfer market was the astute signing of Dutch midfielder Robin van der Laan for £80,000 — a move that exemplified Rudge's knack for unearthing underrated talent. Darren Beckford continued his scoring form, finishing as the club's top scorer with 21 league goals and 23 in all competitions, while Ray Walker earned the Player of the Year award.

Attendance figures reflected a passionate fan base: a season‑high of 19,132 saw Vale face off against Manchester City in the FA Cup on 26 January 1991, while the lowest turnout of 5,265 occurred in the League Cup tie against Oxford United on 24 September 1990; the average home league attendance stood at 8,092. The team's biggest win came in a commanding 5–1 victory over Plymouth Argyle on 1 December 1990, contrasting with their heaviest loss, a 4–0 defeat to Middlesbrough on 9 April 1991.

Vale consolidated their place in the Second Division through astute signings, consistent goal-scoring from Beckford, and solid cup performances, laying a stable foundation for the seasons ahead.

Overview

Second Division

The pre-season saw John Rudge follow up a recommendation by signing young Irish forward Derek Swan from Bohemians for £15,000.^[1] Meanwhile, more than £250,000 was taken in by the club from season-ticket sales.^[1] Much of this went on improving Vale Park, with 3,750 yellow and white seats fitted in the Railway Paddock and 1,121 seats added to the upper tier of the Bycars End.^[1] The Bycars End roof was removed for safety reasons, whilst a police box was constructed between the Railway Paddock and the Hamil End.^[1] Admission rates increased to £5 for a terrace place, £6 for a seat in the Paddock and £7 in the stand.^[1] Season tickets ranged between £75 and £105. With police bills set to spiral upwards, a record five-figure shirt sponsorship deal was struck with Kalamazoo (a business systems company).^[1] A 25,000 seater stadium was planned for Festival Park; however, Chairman Bill Bell was 'frightened to death by the cost', and the plans were binned.^[1]

The season opened with two defeats, though a 2–0 win over Leicester City on 1 September kick-started the Vale's campaign. A week later they beat Portsmouth 4–2 at Fratton Park. However, their 3–2 win over Middlesbrough was followed by seven league games without a win. Left-back Colin Gibson scored on his debut, having arrived on loan from Manchester United; whilst future-Nigerian international Reuben Agboola also arrived on loan from Sunderland. On 17 November, Vale won 1–0 at home to an Oldham Athletic side who were unbeaten in their 16 league games.^[2] The streak ended when Ray Walker and Darren Beckford found their scoring form, firing the club to five victories in seven games, including a 5–1 home win over Plymouth Argyle which Rudge described as "the sort of game that, as a forward, you never want to end because there were so many chances".^[3] On 15 December, Vale beat Oxford United after Beckford scored the only goal of the game, with Rudge saying his "goal was that of a £1m player".^[4] The Vale lost their form around Christmastime however. They remained in indifferent form until the end of the season. Rudge took in Nick Platnauer on loan from Notts County, though results failed to pick up.

On 19 January, Vale recorded a 3–2 home victory over Portsmouth to end a run of poor form. Guy Whittingham put the visitors ahead following a mistake from Trevor Wood, then Neil Aspin scored his first goal for the club to equalise. Former Valiant Mark Chamberlain assisted Whittingham for another goal before late goals from Dean Glover and Beckford won the game.^[5] In February, Ronnie Jepson was sold to Preston North End for £80,000, having previously been loaned out to Peterborough United. Gary West also spent much of the season away from Vale Park, spending time on loan at Gillingham and Lincoln City (signing permanently for Lincoln at the end of the season for a £25,000 fee). All of the money raised from Jepson's sale went on bringing Dutchman Robin van der Laan to Burslem from Wageningen. Right-back Paul West also arrived for a £3,800 fee from non-League Alcester Town. In March, Gary Ford and £80,000 were traded to Mansfield Town in exchange for Kevin Kent. Also of note during this spell was a hat-trick for Beckford in a 3–0 win over Blackburn Rovers on 9 March, and a run of four goals in the final four games for Robbie Earle.^[6] Vale won their first away game in four months on 23 March, beating Charlton Athletic 1–0 at Selhurst Park; Van der Laan scored the goal, whilst Grew played excellently in goal and Porter played well in the absence of the injured Jeffers.^[7] Striker Brian Mills made his debut in a final day win over Swindon Town, and would later be picked for the England squad for the 1991 FIFA World Youth Championship.

They finished in 15th place with 57 points, twelve points away from Middlesbrough in the play-offs, but nine points clear of relegated West Bromwich Albion. Beckford scored 23 goals in all competitions, whilst Earle contributed twelve goals.

Finances

The club's shirt sponsors were Kalamazoo.

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale advanced into the fourth round with a 2–1 victory over Fourth Division side Peterborough United amidst stormy conditions at Vale Park after Mick Halsall had put the visitors ahead on four minutes – Rudge said "it was a scrap, not a classic" as a Walker penalty and Beckford header secured the victory.^[8] In the next round, they lost at home to First Division Manchester City in front of a season-high crowd of 19,132.

In the League Cup, the "Valiants" faced Oxford United. A 2–0 defeat on the home leg meant they were eliminated after a goalless draw at the Manor Ground.

In the short-lived Full Members' Cup, Vale lost 1–0 to Notts County at Meadow Lane to exit the competition at the first stage.

League table

Main article: 1990–91 Football League

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
13	Bristol Rovers	46	15	13	18	56	59	−3	58
14	Ipswich Town	46	13	18	15	60	68	−8	57
15	Port Vale	46	15	12	19	56	64	−8	57
16	Charlton Athletic	46	13	17	16	57	61	−4	56
17	Portsmouth	46	14	11	21	58	70	−12	53

Source: ^{[citation needed]}
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League Second Division

Results by matchday

Round	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39	40	41	42	43	44	45	46
Ground	A	H	H	A	H	H	A	A	H	H	A	A	H	H	A	A	H	A	H	H	H	A	A	H	A	H	A	A	H	A	A	H	A	H	H	A	H	A	H	A	A	H	A	A	H	H
Result	L	L	W	W	L	W	D	L	L	D	L	D	L	W	W	L	W	D	W	W	L	L	D	L	D	W	L	L	W	L	L	W	D	D	L	W	D	W	L	L	W	L	D	D	D	W
Position	24	24	12	9	15	7	9	13	13	14	15	15	16	17	15	18	15	13	10	8	10	12	12	12	15	14	15	16	15	15	16	14	15	15	16	16	16	15	15	16	15	15	16	17	16	15
Points	0	0	3	6	6	9	10	10	10	11	11	12	12	15	18	18	21	22	25	28	28	28	29	29	30	33	33	33	36	36	36	39	40	41	41	44	45	48	48	48	51	51	52	53	54	57

Source: Statto^[9]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Attendance	Scorers
25 August 1990	Oxford United	A	2–5	4,837	Jeffers, Earle
28 August 1990	Wolverhampton Wanderers	H	1–2	12,746	Beckford (pen)
1 September 1990	Leicester City	H	2–0	8,837	Earle, Beckford
8 September 1990	Portsmouth	A	4–2	8,835	Beckford (2), Cross, Earle
15 September 1990	Newcastle United	H	0–1	10,040
17 September 1990	Middlesbrough	H	3–1	7,880	Beckford (2), Earle
22 September 1990	Barnsley	A	1–1	8,533	Beckford
29 September 1990	Hull City	A	2–3	5,185	Gibson, Cross
1 October 1990	Notts County	H	0–1	7,723
6 October 1990	Charlton Athletic	H	1–1	6,706	Beckford
13 October 1990	Ipswich Town	A	0–3	10,438
20 October 1990	Sheffield Wednesday	A	1–1	24,527	Gibson
22 October 1990	West Bromwich Albion	H	1–2	8,824	Walker (pen)
27 October 1990	Bristol City	H	3–2	7,451	Walker (2 [1 pen]), Beckford
3 November 1990	Swindon Town	A	2–1	8,364	Ford, Beckford
10 November 1990	Bristol Rovers	A	0–2	5,661
17 November 1990	Oldham Athletic	H	1–0	11,384	Cross
23 November 1990	Blackburn Rovers	A	1–1	8,061	Walker (pen)
1 December 1990	Plymouth Argyle	H	5–1	6,717	Beckford (2), Jeffers, Ford, Walker
15 December 1990	Oxford United	H	1–0	5,953	Beckford
22 December 1990	Brighton & Hove Albion	H	0–1	6,750
26 December 1990	Watford	A	1–2	8,084	Earle
29 December 1990	West Ham United	A	0–0	23,603
1 January 1991	Millwall	H	0–2	8,418
12 January 1991	Leicester City	A	1–1	9,307	Earle
19 January 1991	Portsmouth	H	3–2	6,314	Aspin, Glover, Beckford
2 February 1991	Newcastle United	A	0–2	14,480
16 February 1991	Oldham Athletic	A	0–2	12,907
23 February 1991	Bristol Rovers	H	3–2	7,166	Millar, Beckford, Walker (pen)
26 February 1991	Wolverhampton Wanderers	A	1–3	15,919	Earle
2 March 1991	Plymouth Argyle	A	0–2	5,145
9 March 1991	Blackburn Rovers	H	3–0	7,004	Beckford (3)
12 March 1991	Notts County	A	1–1	6,305	Beckford
16 March 1991	Hull City	H	0–0	6,103
18 March 1991	Ipswich Town	H	1–2	5,820	van der Laan
23 March 1991	Charlton Athletic	A	1–0	5,225	van der Laan
30 March 1991	Watford	H	0–0	6,661
3 April 1991	Brighton & Hove Albion	A	2–1	9,733	Beckford, van der Laan
6 April 1991	West Ham United	H	0–1	9,658
9 April 1991	Middlesbrough	A	0–4	15,063
13 April 1991	Millwall	A	2–1	10,860	van der Laan, Beckford
15 April 1991	Barnsley	H	0–1	6,939
27 April 1991	West Bromwich Albion	A	1–1	13,650	Earle
4 May 1991	Bristol City	A	1–1	11,555	Earle
6 May 1991	Sheffield Wednesday	H	1–1	13,317	Earle
11 May 1991	Swindon Town	H	3–1	7,713	Mills (2), Earle

FA Cup

Main article: 1990–91 FA Cup

Round	Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Attendance	Goalscorers
R3	5 January 1991	Peterborough United	H	2–1	7,490	Walker (pen), Beckford
R4	26 January 1991	Manchester City	H	1–2	19,132	Beckford

League Cup

Main article: 1990–91 Football League Cup

Round	Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Attendance	Goalscorers
R2 1st Leg	24 September 1990	Oxford United	H	0–2	5,265
R2 2nd Leg	10 October 1990	Oxford United	A	0–0	2,333

Full Members' Cup

Main article: 1990–91 Full Members' Cup

Round	Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Attendance	Goalscorers
R1	20 November 1990	Notts County	A	0–1	2,320

Player statistics

Appearances and goals

Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward

Pos.	Name	Football League		FA Cup		League Cup		Full Members' Cup		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
GK	Mark Grew	14	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	14	0
GK	Trevor Wood	32	0	2	0	2	0	1	0	37	0
DF	Alan Webb	4	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	6	0
DF	Simon Mills	41	0	1	0	2	0	1	0	45	0
DF	Darren Hughes	17	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	18	0
DF	Dean Glover	41	1	2	0	2	0	1	0	46	1
DF	Tim Parkin	29	0	2	0	0	0	1	0	32	0
DF	Neil Aspin	41	1	2	0	2	0	1	0	46	1
DF	Reuben Agboola	9	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	9	0
DF	Paul West	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
DF	Gary West	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
DF	Matt Booth	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
DF	Wayne Simpson	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
MF	Robbie Earle	35	11	2	0	0	0	0	0	37	11
MF	Andy Porter	40	0	1	0	2	0	1	0	44	0
MF	Ray Walker	45	6	2	1	2	0	1	0	50	7
MF	Kevin Finney	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
MF	John Jeffers	31	2	2	0	2	0	1	0	36	2
MF	Paul Millar	17	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	18	1
MF	Robin van der Laan	18	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	18	4
MF	Nick Platnauer	14	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	15	0
MF	Gary Ford	30	2	2	0	2	0	1	0	35	2
MF	Colin Gibson	6	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	2
MF	Kevin Kent	11	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	11	0
MF	Glen Shepherd	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
FW	Darren Beckford	43	21	2	2	2	0	0	0	47	23
FW	Ronnie Jepson	15	0	2	0	2	0	0	0	19	0
FW	Nicky Cross	19	3	0	0	2	0	1	0	22	3
FW	Brian Mills	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2
FW	Gary McKinstrey	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Top scorers

Place	Position	Nation	Name	Second Division	FA Cup	League Cup	Full Members' Cup	Total
1	FW	England	Darren Beckford	21	2	0	0	23
2	MF	Jamaica	Robbie Earle	11	0	0	0	11
3	MF	England	Ray Walker	6	1	0	0	7
4	MF	Netherlands	Robin van der Laan	4	0	0	0	4
5	FW	England	Nicky Cross	3	0	0	0	3
6	MF	England	Colin Gibson	2	0	0	0	2
–	MF	England	Gary Ford	2	0	0	0	2
–	FW	England	Brian Mills	2	0	0	0	2
–	MF	England	John Jeffers	2	0	0	0	2
10	MF	Northern Ireland	Paul Millar	1	0	0	0	1
–	DF	England	Neil Aspin	1	0	0	0	1
–	DF	England	Dean Glover	1	0	0	0	1
			TOTALS	56	3	0	0	59

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Fee	Ref.
January 1991	DF		Paul West	Alcester Town	£8,000	[10]
February 1991	MF		Robin van der Laan	FC Wageningen	£80,000	[10]
March 1991	MF		Kevin Kent	Mansfield Town	£80,000	[10]

Transfers out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Fee	Ref.
January 1991	MF		Paul Atkinson	Gateshead	Retired	[10]
February 1991	FW		Ronnie Jepson	Preston North End	£80,000	[10]
March 1991	MF		Gary Ford	Mansfield Town	Exchange	[10]
May 1991	MF		Kevin Finney	Lincoln City	Free transfer	[10]
June 1991	FW		Darren Beckford	Norwich City	£925,000	[10]
July 1991	MF		Robbie Earle	Wimbledon	£775,000	[10]
August 1991	FW		Paul Millar	Cardiff City	£60,000	[10]
August 1991	GK		Gary West	Lincoln City	£25,000	[10]

Loans in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Date to	Ref.
September 1990	MF		Colin Gibson	Manchester United	October 1990	[10]
November 1990	DF		Reuben Agboola	Sunderland	December 1990	[10]
January 1991	FW		Nick Platnauer	Notts County	April 1991	[10]

Loans out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Date to	Ref.
October 1990	GK		Mark Grew	Blackburn Rovers	December 1990	[10]
October 1990	FW		Paul Millar	Hereford United	November 1990	[10]
November 1990	GK		Gary West	Gillingham	November 1990	[10]
January 1991	GK		Gary West	Lincoln City	January 1991	[10]