Port Vale
1999–2000 season
ChairmanBill Bell
ManagerBrian Horton
StadiumVale Park
Football League First Division23rd (36 Points)
FA CupThird Round
(knocked out by Leeds United)
League CupFirst Round
(knocked out by Chester City)
Player of the YearTommy Widdrington
Top goalscorerLeague: Tony Rougier (8)
All: Tony Rougier (9)
Highest home attendance10,250 vs. Manchester City, 30 October 1999
Lowest home attendance2,625 vs. Chester City, 24 August 1999
Average home league attendance5,906
Biggest win2–0 (twice) and 3–1 (twice)
Biggest defeat0–3 vs. Ipswich Town, 8 April 2000

The 1999–2000 season was Port Vale's 88th season of football in the English Football League, and sixth-successive season in the First Division. Vale suffered relegation in 23rd-place, some thirteen points adrift of safety. They also exited the FA Cup at the Third Round, and were knocked out of the League Cup at the First Round by fourth tier Chester City for the second consecutive season. The club spent nothing on transfers, but sold young players for some £1.5 million – despite this the club was heading towards bankruptcy. The club continued to gain one generation of players at the expense of the successful '90s generation; Martin Foyle, Paul Musselwhite and Ian Bogie departing, with fresh talent such as Micky Cummins and Mark Goodlad arriving in their place.

Overview

First Division

The pre-season saw Brian Horton sign Jeff Minton (Brighton & Hove Albion), Tommy Widdrington (Grimsby Town), and Steve Rimmer (Manchester City) on free transfers. He also took Andy Oakes in on loan from Derby County and Matt Glennon from Bolton Wanderers as back-up goalkeepers, and striker Martin Aldridge on loan from Blackpool.

The season started with a goalless draw at Ewood Park with Blackburn Rovers, but soon went downhill with two defeats. Vale then entered inconsistent form, winning three and losing three in a run of six games. However, just two points from seven October games indicated Vale's future. Also in the month, striker Marcus Bent, signed by John Rudge nine months earlier for £375,000, was sold to Sheffield United for a bargain £300,000, and was later sold on by the "Blades" for a £1.7 million profit. The club set a record on 5 September, when just 3,737 turned up to see a 3–0 win over Grimsby Town – a division record low for a television match.[1] The Vale ended the year in solid form, unbeaten in seven games, despite just two victories (over rivals Crewe Alexandra and against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane).[1] In December, Carl Griffiths was sold back to former club Leyton Orient for £100,000.

In January, Horton signed defender Sagi Burton (Sheffield United) on a free transfer, and signed Martin Bullock and Gareth Taylor on one month loans from Barnsley and Manchester City respectively. Controversially, he also sold promising young defender Anthony Gardner to Tottenham Hotspur for £1 million.[1] The next month David Healy would arrive on loan from Manchester United for the remainder of the season. Also, former international Ville Viljanen became the first Fin to play for the club, when he joined from Västra Frölunda IF. In March, Horton made two key signings, bringing two young players that would be with the club for several years to come: Irish midfielder Micky Cummins (Middlesbrough) and goalkeeper Mark Goodlad (Nottingham Forest). He also sold Tony Butler to West Bromwich Albion for £140,000. During this transfer activity Vale won just once in a sequence of seventeen games. A 2–0 win over Portsmouth on 1 April raised hopes of Vale escaping the drop, but Horton's side gained just three points in their final eight games, thus dooming Vale to third-tier football.

They finished in 23rd place with 36 points, a massive thirteen points away from the safety of West Bromwich Albion, and only ahead of Swindon Town on goals scored. With just seven victories, they had the fewest wins in the division. Tony Rougier only needed nine goals in all competitions to become the club's top-scorer. The relegation meant that Brian Horton lost his 'proud record' of never being relegated as a player or as a manager.[1]

At the end of the season numerous players were allowed to leave on free transfers: eight-year club veteran goalkeeper Paul Musselwhite (Hull City); five-year club favourite Ian Bogie (Kidderminster Harriers); Wayne Corden (Mansfield Town); Stewart Talbot (Rotherham United);[2] Mark Snijders (AFC '34); Kevin Pilkington (Aberystwyth Town); and Steve Rimmer (Marine). Legendary striker Martin Foyle also retired, after nine years as Vale's star striker. Simon Barker also retired, at the age of 35. Meanwhile, the club's board increased to five members: Bill Bell (chairman), Andrew Bellfield, Paul Wright, Neil Hughes, and Charles Machin.[3]

Finances

The club's shirt sponsors were Tunstall Assurance.

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Vale lost 2–0 to Premier League club Leeds United at Elland Road, to exit the competition at the Third Round. Just 11,912 turned up for the game, after the Vale board refused to allow a price reduction.[1]

In the League Cup, for the second-successive season Third Division Chester City knocked the Vale out at the First Round. In the 2–1 defeat at the Deva Stadium both sides finished the game with ten men, and as the return leg was a 4–4 draw, Chester achieved a 6–5 aggregate win.

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Charlton Athletic (C, P) 46 27 10 9 79 45 +34 91 Promotion to the Premier League
2 Manchester City (P) 46 26 11 9 78 40 +38 89
3 Ipswich Town (O, P) 46 25 12 9 71 42 +29 87 Qualification for the First Division play-offs
4 Barnsley 46 24 10 12 88 67 +21 82
5 Birmingham City 46 22 11 13 65 44 +21 77
6 Bolton Wanderers 46 21 13 12 69 50 +19 76
7 Wolverhampton Wanderers 46 21 11 14 64 48 +16 74
8 Huddersfield Town 46 21 11 14 62 49 +13 74
9 Fulham 46 17 16 13 49 41 +8 67
10 Queens Park Rangers 46 16 18 12 62 53 +9 66
11 Blackburn Rovers 46 15 17 14 55 51 +4 62
12 Norwich City 46 14 15 17 45 50 −5 57
13 Tranmere Rovers 46 15 12 19 57 68 −11 57
14 Nottingham Forest 46 14 14 18 53 55 −2 56
15 Crystal Palace 46 13 15 18 57 67 −10 54
16 Sheffield United 46 13 15 18 59 71 −12 54
17 Stockport County 46 13 15 18 55 67 −12 54
18 Portsmouth 46 13 12 21 55 66 −11 51
19 Crewe Alexandra 46 14 9 23 46 67 −21 51
20 Grimsby Town 46 13 12 21 41 67 −26 51
21 West Bromwich Albion 46 10 19 17 43 60 −17 49
22 Walsall (R) 46 11 13 22 52 77 −25 46 Relegation to the Second Division
23 Port Vale (R) 46 7 15 24 48 69 −21 36
24 Swindon Town (R) 46 8 12 26 38 77 −39 36
Source:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Football League First Division

Results by matchday

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHAHAHHAHAAHHAAHHAHAAHAAHAHHHAHAAHAHAHHAHAAHAH
ResultDLLWLWLLWLDLLDLLWDDWDDDLLDWDLLDLLLDLLWDLDLDLLL
Position12182319201316171517172123212424201920181918202121222223232323232323232323232323232323232323
Source: Statto[4]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
7 August 1999Blackburn RoversA0–020,530
14 August 1999West Bromwich AlbionH1–27,891Minton (pen)
21 August 1999Birmingham CityA2–418,089Rougier, Naylor
28 August 1999Tranmere RoversH1–04,657Naylor
31 August 1999Queens Park RangersA2–39,502Minton (pen), Gardner
5 September 1999Grimsby TownH3–13,737Bent, Naylor, Foyle
11 September 1999FulhamH0–26,130
18 September 1999Stockport CountyA0–17,632
25 September 1999Swindon TownH2–04,629Carragher, Talia (og.)
2 October 1999Manchester CityA1–231,608Foyle
9 October 1999Huddersfield TownA2–211,885Gardner, Foyle
16 October 1999Norwich CityH0–15,790
19 October 1999Nottingham ForestH0–25,714
23 October 1999Wolverhampton WanderersA2–220,488Walsh, Rougier
26 October 1999Swindon TownA1–25,703Rougier
30 October 1999Manchester CityH1–210,250Foyle
5 November 1999Crewe AlexandraH1–05,584Rougier
12 November 1999WalsallA0–06,190
20 November 1999Crystal PalaceH2–25,170Rougier, Foyle
23 November 1999Sheffield UnitedA3–28,965Eyre, Tankard, Gardner
27 November 1999Charlton AthleticA2–219,266Rougier, Foyle
4 December 1999Blackburn RoversH0–06,084
18 December 1999PortsmouthA0–011,869
28 December 1999BarnsleyA1–316,855Minton
3 January 2000Ipswich TownH1–26,908Naylor
15 January 2000West Bromwich AlbionA0–010,831
22 January 2000Birmingham CityH3–17,702Naylor, Widdrington (pen), Rougier
5 February 2000Queens Park RangersH1–15,493Bullock
8 February 2000Bolton WanderersH0–15,092
12 February 2000Grimsby TownA0–26,265
26 February 2000Stockport CountyH1–15,663Widdrington
4 March 2000FulhamA1–310,418Healy
7 March 2000Crewe AlexandraA1–28,044Viljanen
11 March 2000Sheffield UnitedH2–35,484Healy, Rougier
18 March 2000Crystal PalaceA1–118,954Widdrington (pen)
21 March 2000WalsallH1–25,737Cummins
25 March 2000Bolton WanderersA1–212,292Viljanen
1 April 2000PortsmouthH2–05,426Viljanen, Widdrington (pen)
4 April 2000Charlton AthleticH2–24,513Viljanen, Burton
8 April 2000Ipswich TownA0–319,663
15 April 2000BarnsleyH2–25,918Burton, Widdrington (pen)
18 April 2000Tranmere RoversA1–25,602Healy
22 April 2000Norwich CityA0–015,526
24 April 2000Huddersfield TownH1–25,828Naylor
29 April 2000Nottingham ForestA0–215,534
7 May 2000Wolverhampton WanderersH0–18,525

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R312 December 1999Leeds UnitedA0–211,912

League Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R1 1st Leg10 August 1999Chester CityA1–22,102Rougier
R1 2nd Leg24 August 1999Chester CityH4–42,625Naylor (2), Minton, Griffiths

Player statistics

Appearances

Pos. # Name Football League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK1England Paul Musselwhite 3001010320
DF2England Michael Walsh 1210020141
DF3England Allen Tankard 3511010371
MF4England Dave Brammer 2900020310
FW6Finland Ville Viljanen 1440000144
DF7England Alex Smith 1300020150
MF8Republic of Ireland Micky Cummins 1210000121
DF9Saint Kitts and Nevis Sagi Burton 2020000222
MF10England Jeff Minton 2331021264
MF11England Tommy Widdrington 3851000395
FW12England Tony Naylor 3661022398
GK13England Kevin Pilkington 1500010160
MF14England Richard Eyre 3011020331
FW15England Martin Foyle 2261010246
MF16England Wayne Corden 20000020
MF17Trinidad and Tobago Tony Rougier 3881021419
MF18Republic of Ireland George O'Callaghan 1100000110
DF19England Matt Carragher 3710020391
DF20England Steve Rimmer 20000020
DF21Northern Ireland Liam Burns 2401000250
MF22England Neil Brisco 1301000140
MF23England Stewart Talbot 60000060
FW24Northern Ireland David Healy 1630000163
MF25England Ian Bogie 90000090
GK26England Mark Goodlad 10000010
DF27Netherlands Mark Snijders 2101000220
DF28England Paul Donnelly 40000040
MF29England Stewart Clitheroe 00000000
FW30England Anthony Tarr 00000000
MF31England Paul Taylor 00000000
GK32England Chris Gowen 00000000
Players that left the club mid-season:
DF5England Tony Butler 1500000150
DF6England Anthony Gardner 2631020293
FW8England Marcus Bent 81001091
MF8England Martin Bullock 61000061
FW9England Carl Griffiths 50002171
MF24England Simon Barker 50001060
DF24Wales Gareth Taylor 40000040
GK26England Andy Oakes 00000000
GK26England Matt Glennon 00000000
FW33England Martin Aldridge 30000030

Top scorers

Place Position Nation Number Name First Division FA Cup League Cup Total
1MF Trinidad17Tony Rougier8019
2FW England12Tony Naylor6028
3FW England15Martin Foyle6006
4MF England11Tommy Widdrington5005
–FW Finland6Ville Viljanen4004
6MF England10Jeff Minton3014
7DF England}6Anthony Gardner3003
–FW Northern Ireland24David Healy3003
9DF Saint Kitts9Sagi Burton2002
10MF England14Richard Eyre1001
–DF England3Allen Tankard1001
–DF England19Matt Carragher1001
–FW England8Marcus Bent1001
–DF England2Michael Walsh1001
–MF England8Martin Bullock1001
–MF Ireland8Micky Cummins1001
–FW England9Carl Griffiths0011
–––Own goals1000
TOTALS 48 0 5 53

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
June 1999MFEnglandJeff MintonBrighton & Hove AlbionFree transfer[5]
June 1999DFEnglandSteve RimmerManchester CityFree transfer[5]
June 1999MFEnglandTommy WiddringtonGrimsby TownFree transfer[5]
January 2000DFSaint Kitts and NevisSagi BurtonSheffield UnitedFree transfer[5]
February 2000FWFinlandVille ViljanenSweden Västra Frölunda IFFree transfer[5]
March 2000MFRepublic of IrelandMicky CumminsMiddlesbroughFree transfer[5]
March 2000GKEnglandMark GoodladNottingham ForestFree transfer[5]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
October 1999FWEnglandMarcus BentSheffield United£375,000[5]
December 1999FWWalesCarl GriffithsLeyton Orient£100,000[5]
January 2000DFEnglandAnthony GardnerTottenham Hotspur£1 million[5]
March 2000DFEnglandTony ButlerWest Bromwich Albion£140,000[5]
April 2000MFEnglandIan BogieKidderminster HarriersFree transfer[5]
May 2000MFEnglandSimon BarkerRetired[5]
May 2000DFEnglandSteve RimmerMarineReleased[5]
July 2000MFEnglandStewart TalbotRotherham UnitedFree transfer[5]
Summer 2000MFEnglandWayne CordenMansfield TownFree transfer[5]
Summer 2000FWEnglandMartin FoyleRetired[5]
Summer 2000GKEnglandPaul MusselwhiteSheffield WednesdayFree transfer[5]
Summer 2000GKEnglandKevin PilkingtonWales Aberystwyth TownFree transfer[5]
Summer 2000DFNetherlandsMark SnijdersNetherlands AFC '34Released[5]
11 August 2000MFTrinidad and TobagoTony RougierReading£325,000[5]

Loans in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Date to Ref.
20 August 1999GKEnglandAndy OakesDerby County10 September 1999[5]
10 September 1999GKEnglandMatt GlennonBolton Wanderers20 October 1999[5]
27 September 1999FWEnglandMartin AldridgeBlackpool27 October 1999[5]
11 January 2000MFEnglandMartin BullockBarnsley28 February 2000[5]
19 January 2000FWWalesGareth TaylorManchester City16 February 2000[5]
19 February 2000MFNorthern IrelandDavid HealyManchester United8 May 2000[5]

References

Specific
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Vale slide into Division Two". BBC Sport. 28 June 2000. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
  2. ↑ "Millers snap up Talbot". BBC Sport. 12 July 2000. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
  3. ↑ "Board change at Vale". BBC Sport. 10 July 2000. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
  4. ↑ Port Vale 1999–2000 : Results & Fixtures. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
  5. 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 "Port Vale FC Club Details | Transfers | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
General
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