2006–07 Port Vale F.C. season

The 2006–07 season was Port Vale's 95th season of football in the English Football League, and third-successive season in League One. Under manager Martin Foyle, the club finished 12th with 60 points, maintaining mid-table stability despite periods of inconsistency. The attacking partnership of Leon Constantine and Akpo Sodje proved prolific, contributing a combined total of 42 goals, with Constantine leading the team with 26 goals in all competitions and 22 in the league, earning him the club's top scorer accolade.

In cup competitions, Vale reached the Fourth Round of the League Cup, marking their deepest run in the competition in recent years, where they were eliminated by Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur. They exited the FA Cup and the Football League Trophy in the Second Round, defeated by Hereford United and Crewe Alexandra, respectively.

Off the pitch, the club's financial situation remained challenging, with average home league attendances around 4,726 and a lowest home attendance of 3,077 recorded against Gillingham in December. Despite these challenges, Akpo Sodje was named Player of the Year for his contributions on the field. At the season's conclusion, both Constantine and senior midfielder Danny Sonner departed the club, disrupting Foyle's plans for the following season.

The pre-season saw Martin Foyle make a number of signings, including: Danny Sonner (Peterborough United);^[1] Jason Talbot (Mansfield Town);^[2] Paul Harsley (Macclesfield Town);^[3] Richard Walker (Crewe Alexandra);^[2] Danny Whitaker (Macclesfield Town); Colin Miles (Yeovil Town);^[4] and Akpo Sodje (Darlington).^[2] 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. Vale beat Blackpool by two goals to one, Keith Southern's last-minute goal halving Vale's lead established by Constantine and Sodje.^[9]

In November, Ross Gardner was signed on loan from Nottingham Forest and would join permanently in the January transfer window.^[10] Foyle also signed defender Clayton Fortune on a season-long loan for a second time, this time from Leyton Orient.^[11] Heading into December with just three wins in 15 league games, they won their first four games, with Constantine hitting five of Vale's nine goals. On 16 December, Vale won 1–0 at home to Brentford as Foyle recovered in hospital from an infected knee, with assistant Dean Glover taking charge in his absence.^[12]

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,^[13] as well as Cardiff City midfielder Malvin Kamara.^[14] He also turned down an offer from Barnsley of £200,000 (plus Marc Richards) for Constantine,^[15] who claimed to be happy at Vale Park.^[16] However, he did sell skilful winger Jeff Smith to Carlisle United for £60,000.^[17] Also leaving Burslem was Louis Briscoe, who was allowed to join Leek Town.^[18] On 13 January, they fell to a 2–1 defeat at Blackpool, with all three goals coming in the final 18 minutes: Andy Morrell put the Tangerines in front after 72 minutes, and David Fox followed his lead four minutes later, before Sodje halved Vale's deficit from the penalty spot in injury time.^[19] 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.^[20] 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.^[21] 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 ended the season with a 2–1 home win over AFC Bournemouth as goals from Sodje and Rodgers were enough to defeat the visitors despite a late goal from Luke Summerfield.^[22]

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 16 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);^[23] Christian Smith (Clyde); Ross Gardner (Ilkeston Town);^[24] Malvin Kamara (Huddersfield Town);^[25] Michael Walsh and Mark Soboljew. Leon Constantine also decided against signing a new contract at Vale. Instead, he joined Leeds United.^[26] Danny Sonner also rejected his contract offer, and moved on to Walsall,^[27] but not before making a parting shot at the club's leadership.^[28]

The club had to make monthly repayments of around £19,000 for a £2.25 million loan from the local council in 2005.^[29] The club's shirt sponsorship came from local company BGC Gas.

In the FA Cup, Vale advanced past League Two side Lincoln City with a 2–1 victory at Sincil Bank.^[30] However, they then were on the end of a 4–0 hiding from Hereford United at Edgar Street in the second round.^[31]

In the League Cup, Vale faced Preston North End, who they defeated with goals from Sodje and Constantine.^[32] The "Valiants" then vanquished Queens Park Rangers 3–2 in the second round.^[33] 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.^[34] Premier League club 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.^[35] 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.^[36]

In the Football League Trophy, Vale advanced past Scunthorpe United after winning on penalties at Glanford Park.^[37] They then had a home tie with local rivals Crewe Alexandra. The "Railwaymen" won the game 3–2 despite a brace from Constantine.

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

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