| Club: | Port Vale |
| Season: | 1984–85 |
| Manager: | John Rudge |
| Chairman: | Jim Lloyd |
| Stadium: | Vale Park |
| League: | Football League Fourth Division |
| League Result: | 12th (60 Points) |
| Cup1: | FA Cup |
| Cup1 Result: | Third Round (knocked out by West Ham United) |
| Cup2: | League Cup |
| Cup2 Result: | Second Round |
| Cup3: | Associate Members' Cup |
| Cup3 Result: | Second Round (knocked out by Bristol City) |
| Cup4 Result: | Alan Webb |
| League Topscorer: | Ally Brown (17) |
| Season Topscorer: | Ally Brown (21) |
| Lowest Attendance: | 1,386 vs. Northampton Town, 29 January 1985 |
| Average Attendance: | 3,267 |
| Largest Win: | 5–1 vs. Exeter City, 1 January 1985 |
| Largest Loss: | 0–4 vs. Bury, 26 December 1984 |
| Pattern La1: | _thinblackstripes |
| Pattern B1: | _thinblackstripes |
| Pattern Ra1: | _thinblackstripes |
| Pattern Sh1: | _white stripes |
| Pattern So1: | _color_3_stripes_black |
| Leftarm1: | ffffff |
| Body1: | ffffff |
| Rightarm1: | ffffff |
| Shorts1: | 000000 |
| Socks1: | ffffff |
| Pattern La2: | _greenborder |
| Pattern B2: | _thingreenstripes |
| Pattern Ra2: | _greenborder |
| Leftarm2: | FFFF00 |
| Body2: | FFFF00 |
| Rightarm2: | FFFF00 |
| Shorts2: | 228B22 |
| Socks2: | FFFF00 |
| Prevseason: | 1983–84 |
| Nextseason: | 1985–86 |
The 1984–85 season was Port Vale's 73rd season of football in the English Football League, and first (12th overall) back in the Fourth Division following their relegation from the Third Division.[1] 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 the 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 Associate Members' Cup.
The pre-season saw four new arrivals: veteran striker Ally Brown (Walsall); 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. On 22 September, Vale defeated Tranmere Rovers 2–1, due in part to a superb performance from Robbie Earle.[2] However, 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 20 October, Vale won 1–0 away at Swindon Town, who were coached by player-manager Lou Macari.[3] 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 Year's 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, 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.
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. The club's shirt sponsors were EDS. Five players left on free transfers, most significant were the departures of: Terry Armstrong 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.
In the FA Cup, 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 Associate Members' Cup, 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.
See main article: article and 1984–85 Football League.
Port Vale's score comes first
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 August 1984 | Mansfield Town | H | 0–1 | 3,552 | |||
| 1 September 1984 | Wrexham | A | 1–1 | 1,849 | Brazil | ||
| 8 September 1984 | Hartlepool United | H | 1–1 | 3,232 | Sproson | ||
| 15 September 1984 | Torquay United | A | 3–1 | 1,692 | Walker, Earle, Brown | ||
| 18 September 1984 | Blackpool | A | 1–1 | 4,902 | Brazil | ||
| 22 September 1984 | Tranmere Rovers | H | 2–1 | 3,301 | Brazil, Earle | ||
| 29 September 1984 | Hereford United | A | 0–1 | 4,093 | |||
| 1 October 1984 | Northampton Town | H | 0–3 | 3,235 | |||
| 6 October 1984 | Crewe Alexandra | H | 2–0 | 4,145 | Brown, P.Griffiths | ||
| 13 October 1984 | Rochdale | A | 2–1 | 1,722 | O'Keefe, Brown | ||
| 20 October 1984 | Swindon Town | A | 1–0 | 3,056 | O'Keefe | ||
| 22 October 1984 | Chesterfield | H | 0–0 | 4,988 | |||
| 27 October 1984 | Peterborough United | H | 3–1 | 3,943 | Brown (2), O'Keefe | ||
| 3 November 1984 | Stockport County | A | 1–3 | 2,698 | O'Keefe | ||
| 5 November 1984 | Southend United | H | 4–1 | 2,989 | O'Keefe (3), Earle | ||
| 10 November 1984 | Aldershot | A | 0–1 | 2,188 | |||
| 23 November 1984 | Chester City | H | 0–0 | 3,391 | |||
| 30 November 1984 | Halifax Town | A | 1–2 | 1,689 | Hunter | ||
| 15 December 1984 | Darlington | H | 0–1 | 3,645 | |||
| 22 December 1984 | Scunthorpe United | H | 1–1 | 2,521 | P.Griffiths | ||
| 26 December 1984 | Bury | A | 0–4 | 4,664 | |||
| 28 December 1984 | Colchester United | A | 2–3 | 2,014 | Brown, Smith | ||
| 1 January 1985 | Exeter City | H | 5–1 | 3,306 | Kellock (2 [1 pen]), Brown (2), Earle | ||
| 19 January 1985 | Hartlepool United | A | 2–2 | 2,285 | Brown, Williams | ||
| 26 January 1985 | Torquay United | H | 2–2 | 2,839 | Hunter, Earle | ||
| 2 February 1985 | Hereford United | H | 3–1 | 3,453 | Earle (3) | ||
| 23 February 1985 | Stockport County | H | 3–2 | 3,154 | Brown (2), Bromage | ||
| 2 March 1985 | Peterborough United | A | 0–0 | 2,817 | |||
| 5 March 1985 | Chesterfield | A | 0–0 | 3,480 | |||
| 9 March 1985 | Swindon Town | H | 2–0 | 3,300 | Sproson, Brown | ||
| 13 March 1985 | Mansfield Town | H | 1–1 | 2,161 | Sproson | ||
| 16 March 1985 | Rochdale | H | 3–1 | 2,788 | P.Griffiths, Kellock (pen), Brown | ||
| 22 March 1985 | Crewe Alexandra | A | 0–0 | 4,763 | |||
| 25 March 1985 | Wrexham | H | 0–0 | 2,964 | |||
| 29 March 1985 | Southend United | A | 1–1 | 2,407 | Earle | ||
| 1 April 1985 | Tranmere Rovers | A | 1–4 | 1,450 | Earle | ||
| 6 April 1985 | Bury | H | 0–0 | 3,544 | |||
| 8 April 1985 | Exeter City | A | 1–2 | 2,427 | Earle | ||
| 13 April 1985 | Aldershot | H | 1–2 | 2,562 | Earle | ||
| 17 April 1985 | Northampton Town | A | 0–1 | 1,311 | |||
| 20 April 1985 | Chester City | A | 0–2 | 1,575 | |||
| 22 April 1985 | Blackpool | H | 1–1 | 3,725 | Brown | ||
| 27 April 1985 | Halifax Town | H | 3–1 | 2,029 | Brown, Earle, Williams | ||
| 4 May 1985 | Darlington | A | 1–1 | 3,565 | Earle | ||
| 6 May 1985 | Colchester United | H | 3–2 | 2,526 | Brown, Kellock, Earle (pen) | ||
| 10 May 1985 | Scunthorpe United | A | 3–3 | 1,867 | Brown, Tartt, Williams |
See main article: article and 1984–85 FA Cup.
| R1 | 19 November 1984 | Macclesfield Town | A | 2–1 | 4,672 | Brown, Earle | |
| R2 | 7 December 1984 | Scunthorpe United | H | 4–1 | 4,268 | Brown, O'Keefe (pen), Bromage, I.Griffiths | |
| R3 | 5 January 1985 | West Ham United | A | 1–4 | 11,452 | P.Griffiths |
See main article: article and 1984–85 Football League Cup.
| R1 1st Leg | 28 August 1984 | Bury | H | 1–0 | 2,498 | Earle | |
| R1 2nd Leg | 4 September 1984 | Bury | A | 1–2 | 2,257 | Tartt | |
| R2 1st Leg | 24 September 1984 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | H | 1–2 | 6,949 | Brown | |
| R2 2nd Leg | 9 October 1984 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | A | 0–0 | 5,964 |
See main article: article and 1984–85 Associate Members' Cup.
| R1 | 29 January 1985 | Northampton Town | H | 1–1 | 1,386 | Williams | |
| R1 Replay | 5 February 1985 | Northampton Town | A | 2–1 | 1,405 | Earle (2) | |
| R2 | 18 March 1985 | Bristol City | A | 1–2 | 3,635 | Brown |
| Pos. | Name | Football League | FA Cup | League Cup | Associate Members' Cup | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| GK | Barry Siddall | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| GK | Chris Pearce | 36 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 43 | 0 |
| GK | Karl Austin | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| DF | Phil Sproson | 44 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 54 | 3 |
| DF | Wayne Cegielski | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| DF | Alan Webb | 46 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 56 | 0 |
| DF | Wayne Ebanks | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| DF | Chris Banks | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| DF | Russell Bromage | 37 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 46 | 2 |
| MF | Terry Armstrong | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| MF | Colin Tartt | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 2 |
| MF | Geoff Hunter | 42 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 51 | 2 |
| MF | John Ridley | 43 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 51 | 0 |
| MF |  Robbie Earle | 46 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 56 | 19 |
| MF | Tommy Gore | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| MF | Ray Walker | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 |
| MF | Martyn Smith | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 1 |
| MF | Adrian Reeves-Jones | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| MF | Billy Kellock | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 4 |
| MF | Wayne Kerrins | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| MF | Paul Lodge | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| MF | Ian Griffiths | 12 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 1 |
| MF | Peter Griffiths | 31 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 39 | 4 |
| FW |  Eamonn O'Keefe | 22 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 8 |
| FW | Oshor Williams | 17 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 22 | 4 |
| FW | Derek Monaghan | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| FW | Ally Brown | 40 | 17 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 49 | 21 |
| FW | Gary Brazil | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 |
| width=60 | Place | width=60 | Position | width=180 | Nation | width=150 | Name | width=80 | Fourth Division | width=80 | FA Cup | width=80 | League Cup | width=80 | Associate Members' Cup | width=80 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FW | Ally Brown | 17 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 21 | ||||||||||
| 2 | MF | Robbie Earle | 15 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 19 | ||||||||||
| 3 | FW | Eamonn O'Keefe | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||
| 4 | MF | Billy Kellock | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||
| – | FW | Oshor Williams | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||
| – | MF | Peter Griffiths | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||
| 7 | FW | Gary Brazil | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||
| – | DF | Phil Sproson | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||
| 9 | MF | Geoff Hunter | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||
| – | MF | Colin Tartt | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||
| – | DF | Russell Bromage | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||
| 12 | MF | Ray Walker | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||
| – | MF | Martyn Smith | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||
| – | FW | Ian Griffiths | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||
| TOTALS | 61 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 75 | ||||||||||||
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Fee | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | MF | Free transfer | [4] | ||||
| July 1984 | FW | Free transfer | |||||
| July 1984 | MF | Free transfer | |||||
| July 1984 | FW | Free transfer | |||||
| July 1984 | DF | West Bromwich Albion | Free transfer | ||||
| August 1984 | MF | Free transfer | |||||
| October 1984 | MF | Free transfer | |||||
| December 1984 | MF | Free transfer | |||||
| February 1985 | GK | Non-contract |
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Fee | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 1984 | MF | Retired | |||||
| March 1985 | DF | Free transfer | |||||
| March 1985 | MF | | Blackpool | £17,500 | |||
| March 1985 | GK | Free transfer | |||||
| May 1985 | MF | Free transfer | |||||
| May 1985 | FW | Free transfer | |||||
| May 1985 | MF | Free transfer | |||||
| May 1985 | MF | Free transfer | |||||
| May 1985 | MF | Free transfer | |||||
| June 1985 | MF | Free transfer | |||||
| Summer 1985 | GK | Free transfer | |||||
| Summer 1985 | MF | Free transfer | |||||
| Summer 1985 | MF | £700 | |||||
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Date to | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 1984 | FW | August 1984 | |||||
| August 1984 | MF | Aston Villa | End of season | ||||
| November 1984 | MF | January 1985 | |||||
| March 1985 | DF | End of season | |||||
| March 1985 | MF | End of season |