1999–2000 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1999–2000 season was Port Vale's 88th season of football in the English Football League, and sixth successive season in the First Division. Under manager Brian Horton, Vale struggled throughout the campaign and eventually suffered relegation, finishing 23rd, a full 13 points adrift of safety.

Port Vale

1999–2000 season
Chairman	Bill Bell
Manager	Brian Horton
Stadium	Vale Park
Football League First Division	23rd (36 Points)
FA Cup	Third Round (knocked out by Leeds United)
League Cup	First Round (knocked out by Chester City)
Player of the Year	Tommy Widdrington
Top goalscorer	League: Tony Rougier (8) All: Tony Rougier (9)
Highest home attendance	10,250 vs. Manchester City, 30 October 1999
Lowest home attendance	2,625 vs. Chester City, 24 August 1999
Average home league attendance	5,906
Biggest win	2–0 (twice) and 3–1 (twice)
Biggest defeat	0–3 vs. Ipswich Town, 8 April 2000
Home colours Away colours
← 1998–99 2000–01 →

In the cups, their efforts were swiftly cut short — they exited the FA Cup in the Third Round, and endured a shock First Round defeat in the League Cup, losing to Fourth Division side Chester City for a second straight season. Despite the lack of incoming transfers, the club sold young players for a total of approximately £1.5 million, a strategic move made amid growing financial woes and the looming threat of bankruptcy. On the field, Tony Rougier emerged as the top scorer, netting eight league goals and nine in all competitions, while stalwart Tony Naylor contributed eight goals over the season. The campaign also marked the transition from the celebrated '90s core — veterans like Martin Foyle, Paul Musselwhite, and Ian Bogie departed, while emerging talents such as Micky Cummins and Mark Goodlad began to feature.

Vale's season ended in disappointment as financial strain and squad turnover contributed to relegation, despite Rougier's goals.

Overview

First Division

The pre-season saw Brian Horton sign Jeff Minton (Brighton & Hove Albion), Tommy Widdrington (Grimsby Town), and Steve Rimmer (Manchester City) on free transfers. He also took Andy Oakes in on loan from Derby County and Matt Glennon from Bolton Wanderers as back-up goalkeepers, and striker Martin Aldridge on loan from Blackpool.

The season started with a goalless draw at Ewood Park with Blackburn Rovers, but soon went downhill with two defeats. Vale then entered inconsistent form, winning three and losing three in a run of six games. On 5 September, Vale beat Grimsby Town by three goals to one, with Bent scoring his first goal for the club.^[1] However, just two points from seven October games indicated Vale's future. Also in the month, striker Marcus Bent, signed by John Rudge nine months earlier for £375,000, was sold to Sheffield United for a bargain £300,000 and was later sold on by the "Blades" for a £1.7 million profit. The club set a record on 5 September, when just 3,737 turned up to see a 3–0 win over Grimsby Town – a division record low for a television match.^[2] The Vale ended the year in solid form, unbeaten in seven games, despite just two victories (over rivals Crewe Alexandra and against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane).^[2] In December, Carl Griffiths was sold back to former club Leyton Orient for £100,000.

In January, Horton signed defender Sagi Burton (Sheffield United) on a free transfer and signed Martin Bullock and Gareth Taylor on one-month loans from Barnsley and Manchester City respectively. Controversially, he also sold promising young defender Anthony Gardner to Tottenham Hotspur for £1 million.^[2] The next month David Healy would arrive on loan from Manchester United for the remainder of the season. Also, former international Ville Viljanen became the first Fin to play for the club when he joined from Västra Frölunda IF. In March, Horton made two key signings, bringing two young players that would be with the club for several years to come: Irish midfielder Micky Cummins (Middlesbrough) and goalkeeper Mark Goodlad (Nottingham Forest). He also sold Tony Butler to West Bromwich Albion for £140,000. During this transfer activity, Vale won just once in a sequence of 17 games. A 2–0 win over Portsmouth on 1 April raised hopes of Vale escaping the drop, but Horton's side gained just three points in their final eight games, thus dooming Vale to third-tier football.

They finished in 23rd place with 36 points, a massive 13 points away from the safety of West Bromwich Albion, and only ahead of Swindon Town on goals scored. With just seven victories, they had the fewest wins in the division. Tony Rougier only needed nine goals to become the club's top-scorer. The relegation meant that Brian Horton lost his 'proud record' of never being relegated as a player or as a manager.^[2]

At the end of the season numerous players were allowed to leave on free transfers: eight-year club veteran goalkeeper Paul Musselwhite (Hull City); five-year club favourite Ian Bogie (Kidderminster Harriers); Wayne Corden (Mansfield Town); Stewart Talbot (Rotherham United);^[3] Mark Snijders (AFC '34); Kevin Pilkington (Aberystwyth Town); and Steve Rimmer (Marine). Legendary striker Martin Foyle also retired after nine years as Vale's star striker. Simon Barker also retired at the age of 35. Meanwhile, the club's board increased to five members: Bill Bell (chairman), Andrew Bellfield, Paul Wright, Neil Hughes, and Charles Machin.^[4]

Finances

The club's shirt sponsors were Tunstall Assurance.

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale lost 2–0 to Premier League club Leeds United at Elland Road to exit the competition in the third round. Just 11,912 turned up for the game after the Vale board refused to allow a price reduction.^[2]

In the League Cup, for the second successive season Third Division Chester City knocked the Vale out at the first round. In the 2–1 defeat at the Deva Stadium, both sides finished the game with ten men, and as the return leg was a 4–4 draw, Chester achieved a 6–5 aggregate win.

League table

Main article: 1999–2000 Football League

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
20	Grimsby Town	46	13	12	21	41	67	−26	51
21	West Bromwich Albion	46	10	19	17	43	60	−17	49
22	Walsall (R)	46	11	13	22	52	77	−25	46	Relegation to the Second Division
23	Port Vale (R)	46	7	15	24	48	69	−21	36
24	Swindon Town (R)	46	8	12	26	38	77	−39	36

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

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League First 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	A	H	A	H	H	A	H	A	A	H	H	A	A	H	H	A	H	A	A	H	A	A	H	A	H	H	H	A	H	A	A	H	A	H	A	H	H	A	H	A	A	H	A	H
Result	D	L	L	W	L	W	L	L	W	L	D	L	L	D	L	L	W	D	D	W	D	D	D	L	L	D	W	D	L	L	D	L	L	L	D	L	L	W	D	L	D	L	D	L	L	L
Position	12	18	23	19	20	13	16	17	15	17	17	21	23	21	24	24	20	19	20	18	19	18	20	21	21	22	22	23	23	23	23	23	23	23	23	23	23	23	23	23	23	23	23	23	23	23
Points	1	1	1	4	4	7	7	7	10	10	11	11	11	12	12	12	15	16	17	20	21	22	23	23	23	24	27	28	28	28	29	29	29	29	30	30	30	33	34	34	35	35	36	36	36	36

Source: Statto^[5]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Attendance	Scorers
7 August 1999	Blackburn Rovers	A	0–0	20,530
14 August 1999	West Bromwich Albion	H	1–2	7,891	Minton (pen)
21 August 1999	Birmingham City	A	2–4	18,089	Rougier, Naylor
28 August 1999	Tranmere Rovers	H	1–0	4,657	Naylor
31 August 1999	Queens Park Rangers	A	2–3	9,502	Minton (pen), Gardner
5 September 1999	Grimsby Town	H	3–1	3,737	Bent, Naylor, Foyle
11 September 1999	Fulham	H	0–2	6,130
18 September 1999	Stockport County	A	0–1	7,632
25 September 1999	Swindon Town	H	2–0	4,629	Carragher, Talia (og.)
2 October 1999	Manchester City	A	1–2	31,608	Foyle
9 October 1999	Huddersfield Town	A	2–2	11,885	Gardner, Foyle
16 October 1999	Norwich City	H	0–1	5,790
19 October 1999	Nottingham Forest	H	0–2	5,714
23 October 1999	Wolverhampton Wanderers	A	2–2	20,488	Walsh, Rougier
26 October 1999	Swindon Town	A	1–2	5,703	Rougier
30 October 1999	Manchester City	H	1–2	10,250	Foyle
5 November 1999	Crewe Alexandra	H	1–0	5,584	Rougier
12 November 1999	Walsall	A	0–0	6,190
20 November 1999	Crystal Palace	H	2–2	5,170	Rougier, Foyle
23 November 1999	Sheffield United	A	3–2	8,965	Eyre, Tankard, Gardner
27 November 1999	Charlton Athletic	A	2–2	19,266	Rougier, Foyle
4 December 1999	Blackburn Rovers	H	0–0	6,084
18 December 1999	Portsmouth	A	0–0	11,869
28 December 1999	Barnsley	A	1–3	16,855	Minton
3 January 2000	Ipswich Town	H	1–2	6,908	Naylor
15 January 2000	West Bromwich Albion	A	0–0	10,831
22 January 2000	Birmingham City	H	3–1	7,702	Naylor, Widdrington (pen), Rougier
5 February 2000	Queens Park Rangers	H	1–1	5,493	Bullock
8 February 2000	Bolton Wanderers	H	0–1	5,092
12 February 2000	Grimsby Town	A	0–2	6,265
26 February 2000	Stockport County	H	1–1	5,663	Widdrington
4 March 2000	Fulham	A	1–3	10,418	Healy
7 March 2000	Crewe Alexandra	A	1–2	8,044	Viljanen
11 March 2000	Sheffield United	H	2–3	5,484	Healy, Rougier
18 March 2000	Crystal Palace	A	1–1	18,954	Widdrington (pen)
21 March 2000	Walsall	H	1–2	5,737	Cummins
25 March 2000	Bolton Wanderers	A	1–2	12,292	Viljanen
1 April 2000	Portsmouth	H	2–0	5,426	Viljanen, Widdrington (pen)
4 April 2000	Charlton Athletic	H	2–2	4,513	Viljanen, Burton
8 April 2000	Ipswich Town	A	0–3	19,663
15 April 2000	Barnsley	H	2–2	5,918	Burton, Widdrington (pen)
18 April 2000	Tranmere Rovers	A	1–2	5,602	Healy
22 April 2000	Norwich City	A	0–0	15,526
24 April 2000	Huddersfield Town	H	1–2	5,828	Naylor
29 April 2000	Nottingham Forest	A	0–2	15,534
7 May 2000	Wolverhampton Wanderers	H	0–1	8,525

FA Cup

Main article: 1999–2000 FA Cup

Round	Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Attendance	Goalscorers
R3	12 December 1999	Leeds United	A	0–2	11,912

League Cup

Main article: 1999–2000 Football League Cup

Round	Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Attendance	Goalscorers
R1 1st Leg	10 August 1999	Chester City	A	1–2	2,102	Rougier
R1 2nd Leg	24 August 1999	Chester City	H	4–4	2,625	Naylor (2), Minton, Griffiths

Player statistics

Appearances and goals

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

Pos.	#	Name	Football League		FA Cup		League Cup		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
GK	1	Paul Musselwhite	30	0	1	0	1	0	32	0
DF	2	Michael Walsh	12	1	0	0	2	0	14	1
DF	3	Allen Tankard	35	1	1	0	1	0	37	1
MF	4	Dave Brammer	29	0	0	0	2	0	31	0
FW	6	Ville Viljanen	14	4	0	0	0	0	14	4
DF	7	Alex Smith	13	0	0	0	2	0	15	0
MF	8	Micky Cummins	12	1	0	0	0	0	12	1
DF	9	Sagi Burton	20	2	0	0	0	0	22	2
MF	10	Jeff Minton	23	3	1	0	2	1	26	4
MF	11	Tommy Widdrington	38	5	1	0	0	0	39	5
FW	12	Tony Naylor	36	6	1	0	2	2	39	8
GK	13	Kevin Pilkington	15	0	0	0	1	0	16	0
MF	14	Richard Eyre	30	1	1	0	2	0	33	1
FW	15	Martin Foyle	22	6	1	0	1	0	24	6
MF	16	Wayne Corden	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
MF	17	Tony Rougier	38	8	1	0	2	1	41	9
MF	18	George O'Callaghan	11	0	0	0	0	0	11	0
DF	19	Matt Carragher	37	1	0	0	2	0	39	1
DF	20	Steve Rimmer	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
DF	21	Liam Burns	24	0	1	0	0	0	25	0
MF	22	Neil Brisco	13	0	1	0	0	0	14	0
MF	23	Stewart Talbot	6	0	0	0	0	0	6	0
FW	24	David Healy	16	3	0	0	0	0	16	3
MF	25	Ian Bogie	9	0	0	0	0	0	9	0
GK	26	Mark Goodlad	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
DF	27	Mark Snijders	21	0	1	0	0	0	22	0
DF	28	Paul Donnelly	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
MF	29	Stewart Clitheroe	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
FW	30	Anthony Tarr	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
MF	31	Paul Taylor	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
GK	32	Chris Gowen	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Players that left the club mid-season:
DF	5	Tony Butler	15	0	0	0	0	0	15	0
DF	6	Anthony Gardner	26	3	1	0	2	0	29	3
FW	8	Marcus Bent	8	1	0	0	1	0	9	1
MF	8	Martin Bullock	6	1	0	0	0	0	6	1
FW	9	Carl Griffiths	5	0	0	0	2	1	7	1
MF	24	Simon Barker	5	0	0	0	1	0	6	0
DF	24	Gareth Taylor	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
GK	26	Andy Oakes	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
GK	26	Matt Glennon	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
FW	33	Martin Aldridge	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	0

Top scorers

Place	Position	Nation	Number	Name	First Division	FA Cup	League Cup	Total
1	MF	Trinidad	17	Tony Rougier	8	0	1	9
2	FW	England	12	Tony Naylor	6	0	2	8
3	FW	England	15	Martin Foyle	6	0	0	6
4	MF	England	11	Tommy Widdrington	5	0	0	5
–	FW	Finland	6	Ville Viljanen	4	0	0	4
6	MF	England	10	Jeff Minton	3	0	1	4
7	DF	England}	6	Anthony Gardner	3	0	0	3
–	FW	Northern Ireland	24	David Healy	3	0	0	3
9	DF	Saint Kitts	9	Sagi Burton	2	0	0	2
10	MF	England	14	Richard Eyre	1	0	0	1
–	DF	England	3	Allen Tankard	1	0	0	1
–	DF	England	19	Matt Carragher	1	0	0	1
–	FW	England	8	Marcus Bent	1	0	0	1
–	DF	England	2	Michael Walsh	1	0	0	1
–	MF	England	8	Martin Bullock	1	0	0	1
–	MF	Ireland	8	Micky Cummins	1	0	0	1
–	FW	England	9	Carl Griffiths	0	0	1	1
–		–	–	Own goals	1	0	0	0
				TOTALS	48	0	5	53

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Fee	Ref.
June 1999	MF		Jeff Minton	Brighton & Hove Albion	Free transfer	[6]
June 1999	DF		Steve Rimmer	Manchester City	Free transfer	[6]
June 1999	MF		Tommy Widdrington	Grimsby Town	Free transfer	[6]
January 2000	DF		Sagi Burton	Sheffield United	Free transfer	[6]
February 2000	FW		Ville Viljanen	Västra Frölunda IF	Free transfer	[6]
March 2000	MF		Micky Cummins	Middlesbrough	Free transfer	[6]
March 2000	GK		Mark Goodlad	Nottingham Forest	Free transfer	[6]

Transfers out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Fee	Ref.
October 1999	FW		Marcus Bent	Sheffield United	£375,000	[6]
December 1999	FW		Carl Griffiths	Leyton Orient	£100,000	[6]
January 2000	DF		Anthony Gardner	Tottenham Hotspur	£1 million	[6]
March 2000	DF		Tony Butler	West Bromwich Albion	£140,000	[6]
April 2000	MF		Ian Bogie	Kidderminster Harriers	Free transfer	[6]
May 2000	MF		Simon Barker	Retired		[6]
May 2000	DF		Steve Rimmer	Marine	Released	[6]
July 2000	MF		Stewart Talbot	Rotherham United	Free transfer	[6]
Summer 2000	MF		Wayne Corden	Mansfield Town	Free transfer	[6]
Summer 2000	FW		Martin Foyle	Retired		[6]
Summer 2000	GK		Paul Musselwhite	Sheffield Wednesday	Free transfer	[6]
Summer 2000	GK		Kevin Pilkington	Aberystwyth Town	Free transfer	[6]
Summer 2000	DF		Mark Snijders	AFC '34	Released	[6]
11 August 2000	MF		Tony Rougier	Reading	£325,000	[6]

Loans in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Date to	Ref.
20 August 1999	GK		Andy Oakes	Derby County	10 September 1999	[6]
10 September 1999	GK		Matt Glennon	Bolton Wanderers	20 October 1999	[6]
27 September 1999	FW		Martin Aldridge	Blackpool	27 October 1999	[6]
11 January 2000	MF		Martin Bullock	Barnsley	28 February 2000	[6]
19 January 2000	FW		Gareth Taylor	Manchester City	16 February 2000	[6]
19 February 2000	MF		David Healy	Manchester United	8 May 2000	[6]