# 1995–96 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1995–96 season was Port Vale's 84th season of football in the English Football League, and second-successive season in the First Division. Despite a poor start to the season, John Rudge led his side to a twelfth-place finish. The league highlights were two derby wins over Stoke City, had these results gone the other way then Stoke would have won automatic promotion to the Premier League. Vale's excellent mid-season form also raised hopes of a promotion campaign, but they faded away at the final stages. In the FA Cup, Vale achieved a celebrated upset by knocking out holders Everton with a 2–1 win at Vale Park. They were then eliminated at the Fifth Round, after taking Leeds United to a replay. They reached the final of the Anglo-Italian Cup, where they were defeated 5–2 by Genoa. These successes did not translate to the League Cup, where Vale exited at the first round. Key new signings were Lee Mills and Player of the Year Jon McCarthy, though it was established star Tony Naylor who was the club's top-scorer. With 62 competitive fixtures, it set a club record for most games in one season.

## Overview
### First Division

The pre-season saw John Rudge make three key signings. He bought Lee Mills from Derby County with Robin van der Laan going in the opposite direction, with Vale receiving an additional £475,000; as well as Jon McCarthy from York City for a, still club record, £500,000; and defender Andy Hill from Manchester City for £200,000. He also signed Dutch defender Jermaine Holwyn from AFC Ajax for a £5,000 fee.
The season started terribly, as Vale won just one of their opening ten league games, failing to find the net in half of these fixtures. However, the one win during this time was against the most important of opponents, rivals Stoke City at the Victoria Ground. The derby took place on 27 August, and a crowd of 14,283 witnessed Ian Bogie score the game's only goal. Their win over Huddersfield Town at the Alfred McAlpine Stadium at the start of the October was also followed by a sequence of eight games without a win, leaving the club staring relegation in the face. In November, Canadian international defender Randy Samuel signed after impressing on trial but soon was sidelined with a serious knee injury. Meanwhile, John Jeffers left the club for Stockport County. On 9 December, Vale won 3–2 at home to Reading, their second win in a row, to move themselves off the foot of the league table.
The Vale turned a corner in December and would remain one of the division's form sides until April, losing just two league games in nineteen games, picking up eleven wins. A six-game winning run concluded with a 3–0 win over Barnsley on 30 March, with captain Neil Aspin saying the team was the best he'd known during his seven years at the club. The Valiants achieved their first league double over Stoke in 71 years by winning the return fixture under the floodlights on 12 March, with Bogie again the only name on the scoresheet, this time scoring within just 12 seconds of the kick-off; BBC Radio Stoke commentator George Andrews excitedly reported that "Bogie's done the business! Five seconds into the game, the Bogie Boogie has set it alight here, and the Stokies are stunned". To Stoke, Bogie lived up to his name, as he scored his second league goal of the campaign in front of a Vale Park crowd of 16,737. Vale were facing the prospect of a promotion battle to reach the top-flight of English football, the Premier League, for the first time in their history. However, just two wins came in the final ten games, leaving Vale to settle for a top-half finish.
They finished in twelfth place with sixty points, eleven points shy of Charlton Athletic in the play-off zone, and eight points clear of Millwall in the relegation zone. Tony Naylor was the top-scorer with twelve goals in all competitions, closely followed by Martin Foyle, Andy Porter, and Jon McCarthy.
At the end of the season, Kevin Kent retired and took up a coaching role at the club. Young winger Craig Lawton had not established himself at Vale, and so was transferred to non-League Colwyn Bay. Randy Samuel was also permitted to leave for Norwegian club Harstad IL. Bradley Sandeman was another departing player, as he was given a free transfer to Rotherham United, whilst Lee Glover also joined the "Millers" for a £150,000 fee.

### Finances

The club's shirt sponsors were Tunstall Assurance.

### Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale faced a difficult tie against Crystal Palace. After a goalless draw at Selhurst Park, the Vale advanced with a 4–3 win thanks to a brace from Ray Walker. They then faced the cup holders Everton at Goodison Park. Foyle equalized after the "Toffees" scored the opener, and Ian Bogie saved the day with a deflected goal in injury time after Everton had again taken the lead through Duncan Ferguson. This goal saved the blushes of Foyle, who missed a sitter from 6 yards (5.5 m) earlier in the game, and Paul Musselwhite, who gifted Ferguson his goal when he spilt Anders Limpar's cross. Back at Vale Park, the "Valiants" added another scalp to their collection with goals from Bogie and McCarthy to win the match 2–1. The club also took in their highest ever gate receipt total, as the game saw Vale bank £170,349. They then faced another top side away in the Fifth Round, Leeds United at Elland Road. A goalless draw raised hopes of another cup upset, and hopes turned to expectations as Naylor put Vale ahead in the replay. However, two goals from Gary McAllister saved United's blushes, dumping Vale out of the cup. For their efforts, John Rudge's side were handed the FA's Giantkillers award for the season.
In the League Cup, Vale faced league rivals Huddersfield Town. Despite a 2–1 victory at the Alfred McAlpine Stadium, the "Terriers" escaped from Burslem with a 3–1 victory to knock Vale out of the competition.
In the Anglo-Italian Cup, Vale drew 2–2 with Cesena, beat Ancona 2–0, and drew 0–0 with Genoa, before beating Perugia 5–3. The draw with nine-time Serie A champions and former UEFA Cup semi-finalists Genoa was seen as particularly creditable, with Musselwhite praised for some excellent close-range saves to earn his clean sheet. This took Vale through the group stage, along with Birmingham City, as they finished ahead of both Oldham Athletic and Luton Town. Facing Ipswich Town in the English semi-final, they progressed with a 4–2 win. To reach the final, they still had to beat West Bromwich Albion in a two-legged affair. They beat the "Baggies" 3–1 to become the last English team in the competition and face Genoa again, this time to decide the tournament's winner. Despite a brace from Foyle, the Serie B side were the 5–2 victors, former Italian international Gennaro Ruotolo scoring a hat-trick.

## League table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 10 | Barnsley | 46 | 14 | 18 | 14 | 60 | 66 | −6 | 60 |
| 11 | West Bromwich Albion | 46 | 16 | 12 | 18 | 60 | 68 | −8 | 60 |
| 12 | Port Vale | 46 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 59 | 66 | −7 | 60 |
| 13 | Tranmere Rovers | 46 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 64 | 60 | +4 | 59 |
| 14 | Southend United | 46 | 15 | 14 | 17 | 52 | 61 | −9 | 59 |

## 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 | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | A | H | H | A | A | H | A | A | H | A | A | A | H | H | H | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | H | H | H | A | A |
| Result | D | L | W | D | L | L | L | L | D | D | W | L | D | L | D | L | D | L | D | W | W | W | L | W | L | W | D | D | D | D | W | W | W | W | W | W | D | L | L | L | W | D | W | L | L | D |
| Position | 14 | 22 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 22 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 12 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 17 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |

#### Matches

| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
| 13 August 1995 | Derby County | A | 0–0 | 10,869 | |
| 19 August 1995 | Millwall | H | 0–1 | 8,202 | |
| 27 August 1995 | Stoke City | A | 1–0 | 14,283 | Bogie |
| 30 August 1995 | Sunderland | H | 1–1 | 7,693 | Porter |
| 2 September 1995 | Norwich City | A | 1–2 | 13,908 | Mills |
| 9 September 1995 | Portsmouth | H | 0–2 | 7,374 | |
| 12 September 1995 | Leicester City | H | 0–2 | 8,814 | |
| 16 September 1995 | Grimsby Town | A | 0–1 | 4,066 | |
| 23 September 1995 | Reading | A | 2–2 | 7,819 | Lee Glover, Lee Mills |
| 30 September 1995 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | H | 2–2 | 11,550 | Porter, Richards (og) |
| 7 October 1995 | Huddersfield Town | A | 2–0 | 11,335 | Guppy, McCarthy |
| 15 October 1995 | Crystal Palace | H | 1–2 | 6,935 | L.Glover |
| 21 October 1995 | Barnsley | A | 1–1 | 7,332 | Guppy |
| 29 October 1995 | Birmingham City | H | 1–2 | 8,875 | Porter |
| 5 November 1995 | Oldham Athletic | A | 2–2 | 5,138 | Mills (2) |
| 11 November 1995 | Sheffield United | H | 2–3 | 7,284 | Mills, Naylor |
| 18 November 1995 | Watford | H | 1–1 | 6,265 | Samuel |
| 22 November 1995 | Tranmere Rovers | A | 1–2 | 6,681 | Naylor |
| 25 November 1995 | Charlton Athletic | A | 2–2 | 10,174 | Griffiths, Porter |
| 2 December 1995 | Huddersfield Town | H | 1–0 | 7,701 | Foyle |
| 9 December 1995 | Reading | H | 3–2 | 6,376 | Foyle, Guppy, Porter |
| 16 December 1995 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | A | 1–0 | 23,329 | Porter |
| 20 December 1995 | Southend United | A | 1–2 | 4,506 | Naylor |
| 26 December 1995 | West Bromwich Albion | H | 3–1 | 10,807 | Foyle, Guppy, Naylor |
| 1 January 1996 | Ipswich Town | A | 1–5 | 9,926 | Naylor |
| 13 January 1996 | Millwall | A | 2–1 | 14,220 | Foyle, Naylor |
| 20 January 1996 | Derby County | H | 1–1 | 11,947 | Naylor |
| 10 February 1996 | Sunderland | A | 0–0 | 15,954 | |
| 17 February 1996 | Leicester City | A | 1–1 | 13,758 | McCarthy |
| 2 March 1996 | West Bromwich Albion | A | 1–1 | 13,707 | McCarthy |
| 9 March 1996 | Southend United | H | 2–1 | 6,222 | L.Glover, McCarthy |
| 12 March 1996 | Stoke City | H | 1–0 | 16,737 | Bogie |
| 20 March 1996 | Norwich City | H | 1–0 | 6,085 | Foyle |
| 23 March 1996 | Ipswich Town | H | 2–1 | 7,277 | Bogie, McCarthy |
| 27 March 1996 | Portsmouth | A | 2–1 | 6,335 | Griffiths, Naylor |
| 30 March 1996 | Barnsley | H | 3–0 | 7,358 | Foyle, Naylor, Porter |
| 2 April 1996 | Crystal Palace | A | 2–2 | 14,180 | Foyle, McCarthy |
| 6 April 1996 | Birmingham City | A | 1–3 | 17,469 | Porter |
| 8 April 1996 | Oldham Athletic | H | 1–3 | 7,796 | Mills |
| 13 April 1996 | Watford | A | 2–5 | 9,066 | McCarthy, Porter |
| 16 April 1996 | Grimsby Town | H | 1–0 | 5,796 | Aspin |
| 20 April 1996 | Tranmere Rovers | H | 1–1 | 7,419 | Naylor |
| 23 April 1996 | Luton Town | H | 1–0 | 6,054 | Mills |
| 27 April 1996 | Charlton Athletic | H | 1–3 | 8,428 | McCarthy |
| 30 April 1996 | Luton Town | A | 2–3 | 5,443 | ?, ? |
| 4 May 1996 | Sheffield United | A | 1–1 | 18,741 | Naylor |

### FA Cup

| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
| R3 | 6 January 1996 | Crystal Palace | A | 0–0 | 10,456 | |
| R3 Replay | 16 January 1996 | Crystal Palace | H | 4–3 | 6,754 | Walker (2), Foyle, Porter |
| R4 | 27 January 1996 | Everton | A | 2–2 | 33,168 | Bogie, Foyle |
| R4 Replay | 14 February 1996 | Everton | H | 2–1 | 19,197 | Bogie, McCarthy |
| R5 | 21 February 1996 | Leeds United | A | 0–0 | 18,607 | |
| R5 Replay | 27 February 1996 | Leeds United | H | 1–2 | 14,023 | Naylor |

### League Cup

| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
| R1 1st leg | 15 August 1995 | Huddersfield Town | A | 2–1 | 5,363 | Sedgley (og) |
| R1 2nd leg | 22 August 1995 | Huddersfield Town | H | 1–3 | 4,380 | L.Glover |

## Player statistics
### Appearances and goals

| Pos. | Name | Football League | Football League | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup / Anglo-Italian Cup | League Cup / Anglo-Italian Cup | Total | Total |
| Pos. | Name | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| GK | Paul Musselwhite | 39 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 53 | 0 |
| GK | Arjan van Heusden | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| DF | Dean Glover | 29 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 35 | 0 |
| DF | Neil Aspin | 22 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 30 | 1 |
| DF | Bradley Sandeman | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| DF | Gareth Griffiths | 41 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 53 | 2 |
| DF | Dean Stokes | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 26 | 0 |
| DF | Allen Tankard | 29 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 45 | 0 |
| DF | Andy Hill | 35 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 47 | 0 |
| DF | Randy Samuel | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 1 |
| MF | Andy Porter | 45 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 61 | 12 |
| MF | Ray Walker | 35 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 46 | 2 |
| MF | Kevin Kent | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| MF | Ian Bogie | 32 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 48 | 5 |
| MF | Wayne Corden | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| MF | Steve Guppy | 44 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 60 | 5 |
| MF | Craig Lawton | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| MF | Stewart Talbot | 20 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 28 | 0 |
| MF | Jon McCarthy | 45 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 61 | 10 |
| FW | Martin Foyle | 25 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 34 | 14 |
| FW | Lee Glover | 24 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 32 | 6 |
| FW | Tony Naylor | 39 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 51 | 15 |
| FW | Lee Mills | 32 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 5 | 42 | 13 |

### Top scorers

| Place | Position | Nation | Name | First Division | FA Cup | League Cup | Anglo-Italian Cup | Total |
| 1 | FW | England | Tony Naylor | 11 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 15 |
| 2 | FW | England | Martin Foyle | 8 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 14 |
| 3 | FW | Northern Ireland | Jon McCarthy | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 11 |
| – | MF | England | Andy Porter | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 11 |
| – | FW | England | Lee Mills | 8 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 11 |
| 6 | MF | England | Ian Bogie | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| – | FW | Scotland | Lee Glover | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| – | MF | England | Steve Guppy | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| 9 | DF | England | Gareth Griffiths | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| – | MF | England | Ray Walker | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 11 | DF | England | Neil Aspin | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | DF | Canada | Randy Samuel | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| – | | – | Own goals | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| | | | TOTALS | 59 | 9 | 2 | 18 | 88 |

## Transfers
### Transfers in

| Date from | Position | Name | From | Fee |
| May 1995 | DF | Jermaine Holwyn | AFC Ajax | £5,000 |
| July 1995 | FW | Lee Mills | Derby County | Exchange |
| August 1995 | DF | Andy Hill | Manchester City | £150,000 |
| August 1995 | MF | Jon McCarthy | York City | £450,000 |
| November 1995 | DF | Randy Samuel | Fortuna Sittard | Free transfer |

### Transfers out

| Date from | Position | Name | To | Fee |
| November 1995 | MF | John Jeffers | Stockport County | Free transfer |
| May 1996 | MF | Craig Lawton | Colwyn Bay | Free transfer |
| May 1996 | DF | Randy Samuel | Harstad IL | Released |
| May 1996 | DF | Bradley Sandeman | Rotherham United | Free transfer |
| 15 August 1996 | FW | Lee Glover | Rotherham United | £150,000 |
| Summer 1996 | MF | Kevin Kent | Retired | Retired |