2006–07 Port Vale F.C. season explained

Club:	Port Vale
Season:	2006–07
Manager:	Martin Foyle
Owner:	Valiant 2001
Chairman:	Bill Bratt
Stadium:	Vale Park
League:
League Result:	12th (60 Points)
Cup1:	FA Cup
Cup1 Result:	Second Round (knocked out by Hereford United)
Cup2:	League Cup
Cup2 Result:	Fourth Round
Cup3:	Football League Trophy
Cup3 Result:	Second Round (knocked out by Crewe Alexandra)
Cup4 Result:	Akpo Sodje
League Topscorer:	Leon Constantine (22)
Season Topscorer:	Leon Constantine (26)
Lowest Attendance:	3,077 vs. Gillingham, 5 December 2006
Average Attendance:	4,726
Largest Win:	4–0 and 5–1
Largest Loss:	0–4 vs. Hereford United, 2 December 2006
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Prevseason:	2005–06
Nextseason:	2007–08

The 2006–07 season was Port Vale's 95th season of football in the English Football League, and third-successive season in League One. Martin Foyle's side again finished in mid-table whilst exiting the FA Cup and the Football League Trophy in the Second Round. Vale, notoriously poor performers in the League Cup, managed to reach the Fourth Round for the first time, at which point they were beaten by top-flight Tottenham Hotspur. Strike partners Leon Constantine and Akpo Sodje put in a 42-goal partnership, with Sodje picking up the club's Player of the Year award. At the end of the season, top-scorer Constantine left the club, as did senior midfielder Danny Sonner, scuppering Foyle's long-term plans.

Overview

League One

The pre-season saw Martin Foyle make a number of signings, including: Danny Sonner (Peterborough United);^[1] Jason Talbot (Mansfield Town); Paul Harsley (Macclesfield Town);^[2] Richard Walker (Crewe Alexandra); Danny Whitaker (Macclesfield Town); Colin Miles (Yeovil Town);^[3] and Akpo Sodje (Darlington).^[4] He also took Stefan Moore on loan from Queens Park Rangers,^[5] and utility player Ritchie Humphreys from Hartlepool United.^[6] Youth team player Danny Glover, son of assistant manager Dean Glover, was also given a squad number.

The season started with Vale in fine form, winning their first four games for the first time in 77 years.^[7] His four goals meant Constantine was named the division's Player of the Month for August.^[8] This run stopped with four defeats in the next five games, with Vale scoring just three goals. In November, Ross Gardner was signed on loan from Nottingham Forest and would join permanently in the January transfer window.^[9] Foyle also signed defender Clayton Fortune on a season-long loan for a second time, this time from Leyton Orient.^[10] Heading into December with just three wins in fifteen league games, they won their first four games, with Constantine hitting five of Vale's nine goals. In January, Foyle splashed out £30,000 on Crewe Alexandra striker Luke Rodgers. He also signed former teammate Paul Musselwhite as an emergency back-up goalkeeper following an injury to Mark Goodlad,^[11] as well as Cardiff City midfielder Malvin Kamara.^[12] He also turned down an offer from Barnsley of £200,000 (plus Marc Richards) for Constantine,^[13] who claimed to be happy at Vale Park.^[14] However, he did sell skilful winger Jeff Smith to Carlisle United for £60,000.^[15] Also leaving Burslem was Louis Briscoe, who was allowed to join Leek Town.^[16] Vale's form had left them once again, as they failed to pick up a win in a sequence of seven games. In February, defender Rhys Weston joined on a short-term contract, having left Norwegian club Viking FK.^[17] On 10 March, Vale travelled to the Don Valley Stadium, and Sodje managed to hit four goals past the Rotherham United defence to give Vale a 5–1 win.^[18] This gave Vale fans a sliver of hope of reaching the play-offs, but Vale failed to string two wins together in their final nine games, despite a 3–0 win over nearby Crewe Alexandra.

They finished in twelfth place with sixty points, a clear distance from both the play-off and the relegation zones. They again had the lowest number of draws in the division, recording just six stalemates. Constantine was the second-highest scorer in the division after Billy Sharp of Scunthorpe United. Player of the Year, Sodje also hit sixteen goals. Captain George Pilkington and midfielder Danny Whitaker missed just two games between them all season.

At the end of the season a number of players were released: Nathan Lowndes (Chester City); George Abbey (Crewe Alexandra); Rhys Weston (Walsall); Michael Husbands (Macclesfield Town);^[19] Christian Smith (Clyde); Ross Gardner (Ilkeston Town);^[20] Malvin Kamara (Huddersfield Town);^[21] Michael Walsh and Mark Soboljew. Leon Constantine also decided against signing a new contract at Vale. Instead, he joined Leeds United.^[22] Danny Sonner also rejected his contract offer, and moved on to Walsall,^[23] but not before making a parting shot at the club's leadership.^[24]

Finances

The club had to make monthly repayments of around £19,000 for a £2.25 million loan from the local council in 2005.^[25] The club's shirt sponsorship came from local company BGC Gas.

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale advanced past League Two side Lincoln City with a 2–1 victory at Sincil Bank.^[26] However, they then were on the end of a 4–0 hiding from Hereford United at Edgar Street in the Second Round.

In the League Cup, Vale faced Preston North End, who they defeated with goals from Sodje and Constantine.^[27] The "Valiants" then vanquished Queens Park Rangers 3–2 in the Second Round.^[28] This left them facing Norwich City, the third Championship club of the season to travel to Burslem in the League Cup. Vale again upset the odds by winning the penalty shoot-out 3–2 following a goalless draw against a strong "Canary" side.^[29] Premier League Tottenham Hotspur awaited in the Fourth Round, who at White Hart Lane proved to be too much of a challenge for the Vale. Constantine put Vale into the lead, but a Tom Huddlestone goal took the game into extra time before both Huddlestone and Jermain Defoe scored to give "Spurs" a 3–1 win, thus saving Martin Jol's blushes.^[30] This represented the club's greatest achievement in the competition, as Vale had never reached the fourth round before, and would not do so again until 2023.^[31]

In the Football League Trophy, Vale advanced past Scunthorpe United after winning on penalties at Glanford Park.^[32] They then had a home tie with local rivals Crewe Alexandra. The "Railwaymen" won the game 3–2 despite a brace from Constantine.

League table

See main article: article and 2006–07 Football League.

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League One

Matches

Date	Opponent	Venue	Result	Attendance	Scorers
5 August 2006	Leyton Orient	H	3–0	5,631	Constantine (2), Sodje
8 August 2006	Oldham Athletic	A	1–0	4,975	Sodje
12 August 2006	Cheltenham Town	A	1–0	4,309	Constantine
19 August 2006	Chesterfield	H	3–2	5,622	Constantine (2), Pilkington
26 August 2006	Yeovil Town	A	0–1	4,827
3 September 2006	Doncaster Rovers	H	1–2	4,862	Whitaker
9 September 2006	Blackpool	H	2–1	5,171	Constantine, Sodje
12 September 2006	Scunthorpe United	A	0–3	3,473
16 September 2006	Bradford City	A	0–2	7,829
23 September 2006	Bristol City	H	0–2	5,295
26 September 2006	Nottingham Forest	H	1–1	7,388	Husbands
30 September 2006	Northampton Town	A	2–0	5,316	Pilkington, Moore
8 October 2006	Rotherham United	H	1–3	4,810	Constantine (pen)
13 October 2006	Tranmere Rovers	A	2–1	7,866	Smith, Constantine
21 October 2006	Huddersfield Town	H	1–2	5,225	Constantine
28 October 2006	Millwall	A	1–1	10,189	Sodje
4 November 2006	Crewe Alexandra	A	1–2	7,632	Abbey
18 November 2006	Swansea City	H	0–2	4,615
25 November 2006	Carlisle United	A	2–3	7,543	Harsley, Smith
5 December 2006	Gillingham	H	2–0	3,077	Gardner, Constantine
9 December 2006	Bournemouth	A	4–0	4,538	Constantine (2), Pilkington, Sodje
16 December 2006	Brentford	H	1–0	4,166	Pilkington
23 December 2006	Brighton and Hove Albion	H	2–1	4,349	Constantine (2 [1 pen])
26 December 2006	Nottingham Forest	A	0–3	22,999
30 December 2006	Bristol City	A	1–2	12,776	Smith
1 January 2007	Scunthorpe United	H	0–0	4,869
6 January 2007	Bradford City	H	0–1	4,146
13 January 2007	Blackpool	A	1–2	6,661	Sodje (pen)
27 January 2007	Brighton and Hove Albion	A	0–0	5,177
3 February 2007	Leyton Orient	A	1–2	4,295	Gardner
6 February 2007	Northampton Town	H	1–0	3,353	Whitaker
17 February 2007	Chesterfield	A	0–3	3,752
20 February 2007	Oldham Athletic	H	3–0	4,061	Whitaker, Pilkington, Constantine (pen)
24 February 2007	Doncaster Rovers	A	0–1	7,848
3 March 2007	Yeovil Town	H	4–2	4,202	Constantine (2), Whitaker, Rose (og)
6 March 2007	Cheltenham Town	H	1–0	3,340	Kamara
10 March 2007	Rotherham United	A	5–1	3,854	Sodje (4), Pilkington
17 March 2007	Tranmere Rovers	H	2–3	4,809	Sonner, Constantine
24 March 2007	Millwall	H	2–0	3,973	Whitaker, Sodje
31 March 2007	Huddersfield Town	A	2–2	10,313	Sodje (2)
7 April 2007	Carlisle United	H	0–2	4,882
9 April 2007	Swansea City	A	0–3	12,465
14 April 2007	Crewe Alexandra	H	3–0	5,740	Hulbert, Constantine, Rodgers
21 April 2007	Gillingham	A	2–3	5,928	Whitaker, Constantine (pen)
28 April 2007	Brentford	A	3–4	5,125	Constantine (2), Rodgers
5 May 2007	Bournemouth	H	2–1	5,080	Sodje, Rodgers

FA Cup

See main article: article and 2006–07 FA Cup.

!Round!!Date!!Opponent!!Venue!!Result!!Attendance!!Goalscorers

R1	11 November 2006	Lincoln City	A	2–1	3,884	Whitaker, Sodje
R2	2 December 2006	Hereford United	A	0–4	4,076

League Cup

See main article: article and 2006–07 Football League Cup.

!Round!!Date!!Opponent!!Venue!!Result!!Attendance!!Goalscorers

R1	23 August 2006	Preston North End	H	2–1	3,522	Sodje, Constantine
R2	19 September 2006	Queens Park Rangers	H	3–2	3,550	Smith, Whitaker, Walker
R3	24 October 2006	Norwich City	H	(3)0–0(2)	4,518
R4	8 November 2006	Tottenham Hotspur	A	1–3	34,560	Constantine

Football League Trophy

See main article: article and 2006–07 Football League Trophy.

!Round!!Date!!Opponent!!Venue!!Result!!Attendance!!Goalscorers

R1	30 October 2006	Scunthorpe United	A	(5)0–0(3)	3,421
R2	29 November 2006	Crewe Alexandra	H	2–3	4,694	Constantine (2)

Player statistics

Appearances

Pos.		Name	Football League		FA Cup		League Cup		Football League Trophy		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
GK	1	Mark Goodlad	25	0	2	0	4	0	1	0	32	0
DF	2	George Pilkington	46	6	1	0	4	0	2	0	53	6
DF	3	Jason Talbot	22	0	0	0	3	0	1	0	26	0
MF	4	Danny Sonner	33	1	2	0	4	0	1	0	40	1
DF	5	Michael Walsh	18	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	20	0
DF	6	Richard Walker	16	0	1	0	4	1	1	0	22	1
FW	7	Luke Rodgers	8	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	3
MF	8	Paul Harsley	32	1	2	0	4	0	2	0	40	1
FW	9	Nathan Lowndes	12	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	12	0
FW	10	Leon Constantine	42	22	2	0	4	2	2	2	50	26
GK	12	Joe Anyon	22	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	23	0
MF	14	Danny Whitaker	45	6	2	1	4	1	2	0	53	8
DF	15	George Abbey	24	1	2	0	3	0	2	0	31	1
DF	16	Mark McGregor	32	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	35	0
FW	17	Michael Husbands	23	1	0	0	3	0	1	0	27	1
DF	18	Colin Miles	29	0	2	0	1	0	1	0	33	0
MF	19	Joe Cardle	7	0	1	0	1	0	1	0	10	0
FW	20	Akpo Sodje	43	14	1	1	4	1	2	0	50	16
MF	21	Robin Hulbert	20	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	20	1
MF	22	Mark Soboljew	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
DF	23	Luke Prosser	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
DF	24	Rhys Weston	15	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	15	0
MF	25	Christian Smith	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
GK	26	Chris Martin	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
MF	27	Ross Gardner	16	2	2	0	1	0	1	0	20	2
FW	28	Danny Glover	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
DF	29	Clayton Fortune	13	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	15	0
MF	32	Malvin Kamara	18	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	18	1
GK	40	Paul Musselwhite	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Players that left the club mid-season:
FW	7	Stefan Moore	12	1	1	0	1	0	1	0	15	1
MF	11	Jeff Smith	27	3	2	0	4	1	1	0	34	4
MF	24	Louis Briscoe	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
DF	27	Ritchie Humphreys	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	0

Top scorers

width=60	Place	width=60	Position	width=180	Nation	width=60	Number	width=150	Name	width=115	EFL League One	width=80	FA Cup	width=80	EFL Cup	width=80	EFL Trophy	width=80	Total
1	FW		10	Leon Constantine	22	0	2	2	26
2	FW		20	Akpo Sodje	14	1	1	0	16
3	MF		14	Danny Whitaker	6	1	1	0	8
4	DF		2	George Pilkington	6	0	0	0	6
5	MF		11	Jeff Smith	3	0	1	0	4
6	FW		7	Luke Rodgers	3	0	0	0	3
7	MF		27	Ross Gardner	2	0	0	0	2
8	MF		4	Danny Sonner	1	0	0	0	1
–	FW		7	Stefan Moore	1	0	0	0	1
–	FW		17	Michael Husbands	1	0	0	0	1
–	DF		6	Richard Walker	0	0	1	0	1
–	DF		15	George Abbey	1	0	0	0	1
–	MF		8	Paul Harsley	1	0	0	0	1
–	MF		32	Malvin Kamara	1	0	0	0	1
–	MF		21	Robin Hulbert	1	0	0	0	1
–	–	–	–	Own goals	1	0	0	0	1
				TOTALS	64	2	6	2	74

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Fee	Ref.
May 2006	MF				Free transfer	^[33]
May 2006	DF				Free transfer
June 2006	DF				Free transfer
June 2006	DF				Free transfer
June 2006	MF			Macclesfield Town	Free transfer
August 2006	FW				Free transfer
January 2007	MF				Free transfer
January 2007	FW				'nominal'
January 2007	GK				Free transfer
January 2007	FW				£30,000
February 2007	DF				Free transfer

Transfers out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Fee	Ref.
January 2007	FW				Released
January 2007	MF				£60,000
May 2007	DF				Released
May 2007	MF				Released
May 2007	MF				Rejected contract
May 2007	DF			Retired
June 2007	FW				Free transfer
June 2007	FW				Released
June 2007	GK				Free transfer
June 2007	MF				Free transfer
July 2007	FW				Released
July 2007	DF				Released
August 2007	FW				Bosman transfer

Loans in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Date to	Ref.
29 August 2006	FW				29 December 2006
8 September 2006	MF				9 October 2006
7 November 2006	MF				8 January 2007
22 November 2006	DF				6 May 2007

Loans out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Date to	Ref.
25 January 2007	MF				20 March 2007
22 March 2007	MF				End of season
22 March 2007	DF				8 April 2007
March 2007	GK				End of season

References

Specific

General

• Soccerbase

Notes and References

1. News: Vale sign Posh midfielder Sonner. 23 April 2012. BBC Sport. 28 May 2005.
2. News: Harsley decides on Vale Park move. BBC Sport. 30 May 2006. 31 May 2009.
3. Web site: Vale snap up Miles and Whitaker. 28 June 2006. BBC Sport. 16 July 2009.
4. Web site: Boss adds trio to Port Vale squad. 19 May 2006. BBC Sport. 11 August 2009.
5. Web site: Vale capture QPR striker on loan . 29 August 2006. BBC Sport. 2 August 2009.
6. News: Humphreys leaves Pools. The Northern Echo. 8 September 2007. 22 July 2007.
7. News: Baggaley . Mike . Impressive Vale show strength in depth . 21 August 2024 . Valiant's Substack . 21 August 2024.
8. http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/page/AwardsDetail/0,,10794~907257,00.html Coca-cola Manager of the Month 2006-07
9. Web site: Port Vale sign Forest's Gardner . 8 November 2006. BBC Sport. 21 May 2009.
10. Web site: Fortune signs Port Vale loan deal . 22 November 2006. BBC Sport. 20 May 2009.
11. Web site: Port Vale sign keeper Musselwhite . 3 January 2007. BBC Sport. 9 August 2009.
12. Web site: Port Vale capture winger Kamara . 16 January 2007. BBC Sport. 8 June 2009.
13. News: Constantine's Tykes move is off. BBC Sport. 18 January 2007. 5 January 2010.
14. Web site: Constantine content at Port Vale. 14 February 2007. BBC Sport. 21 January 2011.
15. News: Carlisle snap up Vale midfielder. BBC Sport. 25 January 2004. 25 January 2007.
16. Web site: Port Vale release striker Briscoe . 23 January 2007. BBC Sport. 12 May 2009.
17. Web site: Port Vale wrap up Weston transfer . 12 February 2007. BBC Sport. 19 July 2009.
18. Web site: Rotherham 1-5 Port Vale. 10 March 2007. BBC Sport. 21 January 2011.
19. News: Husbands makes Macclesfield move. 5 May 2012. BBC Sport. 11 July 2007.
20. Web site: Vale boss Foyle clears the decks . 9 May 2007. BBC Sport. 21 May 2009.
21. Web site: Huddersfield sign winger Kamara . 18 June 2007. BBC Sport. 8 June 2009.
22. News: Leeds complete triple acquisition. BBC Sport. 7 August 2007. 7 August 2007.
23. Web site: Veteran Sonner rejects Vale offer . 17 May 2007. BBC Sport. 28 June 2009.
24. Web site: Chairman responds to Sonner blast. 24 May 2007. BBC Sport. 28 June 2009.
25. News: Port Vale late with repayments of £2.25m council loan. 8 February 2012. BBC Sport. 8 February 2012.
26. Web site: Port Vale 2-1 Lincoln. 11 November 2006. BBC Sport. 21 January 2011.
27. Web site: Port Vale 2-1 Preston. 24 August 2006. BBC Sport. 21 January 2011.
28. Web site: Port Vale 3-2 QPR. 19 September 2006. BBC Sport. 21 January 2011.
29. Web site: Port Vale 0-0 Norwich (AET). 24 October 2006. BBC Sport. 21 January 2011.
30. Web site: Tottenham 3-1 Port Vale (aet). 8 November 2006. BBC Sport. 21 January 2011.
31. News: MATCH REPORT PORT VALE 0-0 BURTON ALBION . 10 November 2023 . Port Vale F.C. . 4 November 2023 . en-gb.
32. Web site: Port Vale beat Iron on penalties. 30 October 2006. BBC Sport. 21 January 2011.
33. Web site: Port Vale FC Club Details Transfers Soccer Base. www.soccerbase.com. 7 October 2016.