1998–99 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1998–99 season was Port Vale's 87th season of football in the English Football League, and fifth successive season in the First Division. After 16 years at the helm, manager John Rudge was relieved of his duties in January and replaced by Brian Horton, ushering in a period of upheaval that saw a club-record 43 players make league appearances throughout the campaign. Battling to maintain their league status, Vale ultimately narrowly avoided relegation on goals scored, despite a final-day defeat to Bury — who went down having scored ten fewer goals.

Vale's cup runs were brief: they were eliminated from the FA Cup in the Third Round by Liverpool, and suffered a shock exit in the First Round of the League Cup, falling to Fourth Division Chester City. Up front, Martin Foyle led the line, finishing as both league and season top scorer with nine goals, while Gareth Ainsworth chipped in with six across all competitions. Support from the terraces reflected the club's struggles; the highest attendance at Vale Park was 16,557 for the Liverpool FA Cup tie, while the lowest was 3,478 in the League Cup defeat to Chester; the average attendance stood at 6,991. Vale's biggest wins were modest — three 2–0 victories — while their heaviest defeats were two 4–0 losses.

Vale's season was a rollercoaster of managerial change, record squad turnover, and a dramatic escape from relegation — anchored by Foyle's goals and a last-gasp survival that succeeded on goals scored.

The pre-season saw John Rudge splash out £300,000 on Bristol Rovers forward Peter Beadle and £100,000 on Scunthorpe United defender Michael Walsh. He also signed Dave Barnett (Dunfermline Athletic); Brian McGlinchey and Paul Beesley (Manchester City); and John McQuade (Hamilton Academical) on free transfers. Stéphane Pounewatchy also became the first French player to play for the club when he was signed on a monthly contract from Dundee. Scott Mean was loaned to the club by West Ham United, though he went on to sustain a knee injury during his spell that would damage his career. Also, Andy Clarke was signed on loan from Wimbledon.

The season started poorly with three defeats, Lee Hughes scoring a hat-trick for West Bromwich Albion to finish this run-off. Two wins opened the month of September, including a 2–1 home victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers to which match reporter Martin Spinks said: "a result like this requires a wooden mallet to the forehead such was its unlikelihood".^[1] The month ended with former Valiant Lee Mills scoring a brace for Bradford City in a 4–0 win over Vale at Valley Parade. In October, Derek McGill signed from Queens Park Rangers, though he would move on to Hamilton Academical later in the year. On 29 October, Gareth Ainsworth became Vale's biggest ever transfer as he was sold to Wimbledon for £2 million. In November, Robin Berntsen became the first Norwegian to play for the Vale when he arrived on loan from Tromsø IL. In addition to this, French forward Christophe Horlaville joined on loan from Le Havre, and Des Lyttle also arrived on loan from Nottingham Forest. After winning the first four games in October, Vale then went on a streak of twelve defeats in 15 games, though the sole victory of this run, a 1–0 win over Bury on 19 December, would prove to be crucial at the end of the season. The win was not enough for Rudge, who would get the sack in January after he made his final two signings: Trinidadian midfielder Tony Rougier from Hibernian for £175,000, and young striker Marcus Bent from Crystal Palace for a £375,000 fee. After Rudge was sacked by Chairman Bill Bell, highly distressed fans formed a "flat cap protest" (Rudge's headwear of choice) against the decision. Offered the role of Director of Football at the club, he instead took up the same position at rivals Stoke City. To replace him, Bell appointed experienced manager and former Vale player Brian Horton, paying Brighton & Hove Albion £80,000 in compensation.^[2]

In February, Peter Beadle was sold to Notts County for £250,000, representing a £50,000 loss. On 6 February, Vale recorded a 2–0 home win over Huddersfield Town as Foyle claimed a brace.^[3] On 9 March, Vale won 4–3 at Norwich City to end a run of ten consecutive away defeats with what was voted as the performance of the week by the League Managers Association.^[4] The month of March saw Horton make his first signings as manager, bringing in five new faces: Dave Brammer (£300,000 from Wrexham); Tony Butler (£115,000 from Blackpool); Carl Griffiths (£100,000 from Leyton Orient); Alex Smith (£75,000 from Chester City); and Chris Allen (free from Nottingham Forest). This cost the club a total of £590,000. He also took in striker Alan Lee on loan from Aston Villa, and Craig Russell on loan from Manchester City. His changes finally paid off in April, as Vale went on a five-game unbeaten run. Their penultimate game was a 2–0 victory over QPR, which included a first career goal for 18-year old defender Anthony Gardner.^[5] A final day 1–0 defeat at fellow relegation candidates Bury was inconsequential.

They finished in 21st position with 47 points, ahead of Bury on goals scored, but behind both Portsmouth and Queens Park Rangers on goals scored. Had the goals difference rule been in effect, Vale would have been relegated instead of Bury. Crewe Alexandra finished three places and one position higher than the Vale. Vale suffered 25 defeats, more than any other club in the league, and only Grimsby and Bury had scored fewer goals. Player of the Year Martin Foyle was the club's top-scorer with nine goals, representing the lowest total tally for the club's top-scorer since 1964–65. Only Paul Musselwhite and Allen Tankard managed to hit forty appearances, as a club record 43 players managed to turn out for the club throughout the season.^[6]

At the end of the season, there was a complete clear-out, with ten players leaving: ten-year club veteran Neil Aspin (Darlington); Dave Barnett (Lincoln City); Brian McGlinchey (Gillingham); John McQuade (Raith Rovers); Chris Allen (Stockport County); Rogier Koordes (TOP Oss); Jan Jansson (IFK Norrköping); Paul Mahorn (Stevenage Borough); Stéphane Pounewatchy (Colchester United); and Paul Beesley (Blackpool).

The club's shirt sponsors were Tunstall Assurance. Season ticket prices ranged between £228 and £257 fr adults, and matchday tickets were £12 and £13.50.^[7]

In the FA Cup, Vale hosted Premier League side Liverpool. The "Reds" left Burslem with a 3–0 victory, the goals scored by Michael Owen, Paul Ince, and Robbie Fowler.

In the League Cup, Third Division Chester City dispatched the Vale 2–1 at Vale Park, and held on to a 2–2 draw at the Deva Stadium to embarrass Vale fans with a minor giant-killing act.

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

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