2007–08 Port Vale F.C. season

Port Vale
2007–08 season
Chairman Bill Bratt
Manager Martin Foyle
(until September)
Lee Sinnott
(November onwards)
Stadium Vale Park
Football League One 23rd (38 Points)
FA Cup Second Round
League Cup First Round
League Trophy Preliminary Round
Player of the Year Paul Harsley
Top goalscorer League: Luke Rodgers (9)
All: Luke Rodgers (12)
Highest home attendance 7,908 vs. Leeds United (15 March 2008)
Lowest home attendance 2,730 vs. Morecambe (10 November 2007)
Average home league attendance 4,417
Home colours
Away colours
← 2006–07 2008–09 →

The 2007–08 season was Port Vale's 96th season of football in the Football League, and fourth successive season in League One. Vale finished second-from-bottom, and were relegated, some twelve points from safety. Manager Martin Foyle left the club in September, and Lee Sinnott failed to improve results despite making several loan signings. Vale were also knocked out of the FA Cup at the Second Round by Southern Football League side Chasetown, a club five divisions below the Vale. Vale also had no luck in either the League Cup or the League Trophy, exiting both competitions at the first stage after a penalty shoot-out. Throughout the season the club saw a large turnover of players, as Sinnott attempted to build a squad of players of his own choosing to prepare for a promotion push the following season.

Manager Martin Foyle left the club in September.
Player of the Year Paul Harsley left at the end of the season.
Danny Whitaker played 45 games, but left at the end of the season.

Overview

League One

The pre-season saw Martin Foyle sign Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Keith Lowe on a season long loan,[1] and both Paul Edwards and Craig Rocastle from Oldham Athletic.[2] He also signed Marc Richards from Barnsley,[3] as well as Shane Tudor and Justin Miller from Leyton Orient. Calum Willock also joined on a short-term deal,[4] as did Southampton loanee David McGoldrick,[5] and Chester City's veteran defender Ashley Westwood.[6] However an audacious attempt to land Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler failed.[7]

The season started with just five points in the opening six games, with just one goal scored from open play. A few games into the season Akpo Sodje was sold to Sheffield Wednesday for an undisclosed fee.[8] With only two disappointing mid-table finishes to his name, and with Vale lying 23rd in the league, Foyle left the club by mutual consent on 26 September.[9] Caretaker-manager Dean Glover was disappointed with the players, comparing them to a pub team.[10] In October, Glover signed teenage midfielder Will Atkinson joined on loan from Hull City and left-back Adam Eckersley on loan from Manchester United.[11] On 5 November, Farsley Celtic manager Lee Sinnott was appointed as the new Vale boss.[12] This decision caused Dean Glover to consider his position at the club,[13] though he eventually chose to remain as Sinnott's assistant.[14] Sinnott warned of big changes at the club.[15] Young defender Charlie O'Loughlin was then loaned out to Nantwich Town, and Shane Tudor was sent out on loan to Shrewsbury Town.[16] Arriving at the club were midfielders Mark Salmon (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and Marc Laird (Manchester City) on short loan deals.[17][18]

In January, goalkeeper Mark Goodlad was forced to retire due to injury,[19] and young Joe Anyon faced criticism from the fans for his performances.[20] Adam Eckersley then returned to the club after his release from Manchester United, as Sinnott's first non-loan signing.[21] Sinnott then signed Dave Mulligan from Scunthorpe United on a short-term contract. Midfielder David Howland also arrived on loan from Birmingham City,[22] and would join the club permanently at the end of the season.[23] Fellow Birmingham player Krystian Pearce also signed on loan,[24] though would impress enough to win a longer stay with Birmingham. Sinnott then raided another Birmingham club, this time Aston Villa, to bring Australian teenager Chris Herd on a one-month loan,[25] as well as Swedish youngster Tobias Mikaelsson.[26] He also allowed Rocastle to join Gillingham on a two-week loan.[27] Sinnott also completed the signings of Chasetown pair Chris Slater and Kyle Perry, who left their jobs to become full-time professional footballers.[28] In February, O'Loughlin was loaned out to Hinckley United. After the club lost a 2–0 lead at Victoria Park to lose 3–2 against Hartlepool United, club legend Jon McCarthy questioned the team's mental strength.[29] In April, Craig Rocastle's contract was terminated by mutual consent, and he moved to play for Greek club Thrasyvoulos.[30] Teenage goalkeeper Chris Martin made his debut on 19 April, as Vale were on the end of a 6–0 defeat by Swindon Town at The County Ground.[31] Despite just two defeats in the final ten games of the season, Vale had long been relegated.

They finished in 23rd place with 38 points, above Luton Town only because the "Hatters" were hit with a ten-point deduction. Vale were twelve points behind Crewe Alexandra, who finished one place above the relegation zone. Luke Rodgers was the club's top scorer with twelve goals in all competitions. There was a distinct lack of goals in the side, though their goals conceded tally of 81 was the highest in the league.

At the end of the season there was an exodus of players: Robin Hulbert (Darlington);[32] Colin Miles (Woking);[33] Jason Talbot (Livingston);[34] Mark McGregor (Altrincham);[35] Joe Cardle (Airdrie United);[36] Adam Eckersley (Horsens);[37] Dave Mulligan (Wellington Phoenix);[38] Justin Miller (Chelmsford City);[39] Charlie O'Loughlin (Nantwich Town);[40] as well as club captain George Pilkington (Luton Town).[41] Sinnott claimed this cull was necessary to turn the club around.[42] Danny Whitaker rejected Vale's contract offer,[43] and their revised offer,[44][45] to move off to Oldham Athletic.[46] Player of the Year Paul Harsley also turned down a new deal, and instead signed with Chesterfield.[47] Marc Richards discussed a £100,000 move to Cheltenham Town,[48] though chose to stay in Burslem.

Finances

The club had to make monthly repayments of around £19,000 for a £2.25 million loan taken out from the local council in 2005.[49] The club's shirt sponsorship came from Sennheiser.

Cup competitions

In the FA Cup, Sinnott's first cup game in charge saw Vale take revenge on Morecambe with a 2–0 win at Vale Park,[50] to give the "Valiants" what seemed to be an easy Second Round tie with Southern League side Chasetown (an eighth tier team 101 league places below them).[51] Vale sacrificed a one-goal lead over the amateurs to limp to a 1–1 draw at Vale Park, after conceding from a 40-yard free kick taken by trainee accountant Mark Branch.[52][53] Chasetown then made a giant-killing with a late goal on their home ground, after Luke Rodgers missed two penalties.[54]

In the League Cup, Vale exited at the First Round after losing to League Two side Wrexham 5–3 on penalties, following a 1–1 home draw.[55]

In the League Trophy, Vale were beaten on penalties by a League Two side for the second time in the season, this time after a 2–2 draw with Morecambe at Christie Park. Caretaker-manager Dean Glover likened his side to a "pub team".[56]

Marc Richards rejected a £100,000 move to Cheltenham Town.
Chris Martin conceded six goals on his debut.

Final league table

PWDLFAGDPts
C1Swansea City46271188242+4092
P2Nottingham Forest46221686432+3282
P3Doncaster Rovers462311126541+2480
 4Carlisle United462311126446+1880
 5Leeds United46271097238+3476 F
 6Southend United462210147055+1576
 7Brighton and Hove Albion461912155850+669
 8Oldham Athletic461813155845+1367
 9Northampton Town461715146055+566
 10Huddersfield Town46206205062-1266
 11Tranmere Rovers461811175247+565
 12Walsall461616145246+664
 13Swindon Town461613176356+761
 14Leyton Orient461612184963-1460
 15Hartlepool United46159226265-354
 16Bristol Rovers461217174553-853
 17Millwall461410224561-1652
 18Yeovil Town461410223859-2152
 19Cheltenham Town461312214264-2251
 20Crewe Alexandra461214204765-1850
R21Bournemouth46177226272-1048 A
R22Gillingham461113224473-2946
R23Port Vale46911264781-3438
R24Luton Town461110254363-2033 A

F Leeds deducted 15 points for failure to comply with rules on insolvency.
A Luton and Bournemouth both deducted 10 points a piece for administration entrance.
P = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

Results

Port Vale's score comes first

Legend

Win Draw Loss
Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHA
Result D L L W D L L L W L L L W L L D L L W D L D L L L W L L D L D L L L L L W D L W W W D L D D
Position 7 17 22 17 14 20 22 22 21 22 23 23 22 23 23 22 23 24 21 22 23 24 24 24 24 23 23 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 23 23 23 23 23

Sourced from Statto.[57]

Football League One

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
11 August 2007 Bristol RoversH1–16,808Rodgers (pen)
18 August 2007 Yeovil TownA0–15,071
25 August 2007 Hartlepool UnitedH0–23,978
1 September 2007 BournemouthA1–05,444Rodgers
8 September 2007 WalsallA0–04,967
15 September 2007 Nottingham ForestH0–26,521
22 September 2007 Luton TownA1–26,084Rodgers
29 September 2007 Southend UnitedH1–23,969Rodgers (pen)
2 October 2007 Cheltenham TownH3–03,102McGoldrick, Edwards, Rocastle
6 October 2007 Northampton TownA1–24,755McGoldrick
13 October 2007 Brighton and Hove AlbionH0–13,490
20 October 2007 Leyton OrientA1–34,555Rodgers
27 October 2007 Swindon TownH2–14,013Rodgers (pen), Whitaker
3 November 2007 Huddersfield TownA1–38,555Rodgers
6 November 2007 Crewe AlexandraH0–15,329
17 November 2007 Oldham AthleticA1–15,097Willock
24 November 2007 Doncaster RoversH1–34,581Pilkington
4 December 2007 Leeds UnitedA0–320,301
8 December 2007 GillinghamA2–17,001Willock, King (og)
15 December 2007 Tranmere RoversH0–03,604
22 December 2007 Nottingham ForestA0–221,407
26 December 2007 WalsallH1–16,029Laird
29 December 2007 Luton TownH1–24,224Willock
2 January 2008 Cheltenham TownA0–13,221
5 January 2008 Carlisle UnitedA2–36,313Harsley, Willock
12 January 2008 MillwallH3–13,724Lowe (2), Whitaker
19 January 2008 Swansea CityA0–212,310
26 January 2008 BournemouthH1–34,047Pilkington
29 January 2008 Yeovil TownH2–22,869Eckersley, Edwards
2 February 2008 Bristol RoversA2–36,927Harsley (pen), Lowe
9 February 2008 Carlisle UnitedH1–14,221Harsley (pen)
12 February 2008 Hartlepool UnitedA2–33,630Herd (2)
16 February 2008 Swansea CityH0–24,347
23 February 2008 MillwallA0–37,775
1 March 2008 Oldham AthleticH0–33,715
8 March 2008 Doncaster RoversA1–28,040Whitaker
11 March 2008 Crewe AlexandraA2–05,229Harsley (pen), Rodgers
15 March 2008 Leeds UnitedH3–37,908Harsley (pen), Whitaker, Rodgers
20 March 2008 Tranmere RoversA0–26,484
24 March 2008 GillinghamH2–13,157Richards, Whitaker
29 March 2008 Leyton OrientH2–13,252Richards, Howland
5 April 2008 Brighton and Hove AlbionA3–27,741Richards (2), Whitaker
12 April 2008 Huddersfield TownH0–04,150
19 April 2008 Swindon TownA0–67,361
26 April 2008 Northampton TownH2–24,556Richards, Glover
3 May 2008 Southend UnitedA1–19,292Mulligan
Chris Slater was signed from Chasetown.
Kyle Perry was signed from Chasetown.

FA Cup

Main article: 2007–08 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R110 November 2007 MorecambeH2–02,730Pilkington, Willock
R22 December 2007 ChasetownH1–15,875Rodgers
R2 Replay12 December 2007 ChasetownA0–11,986

League Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R114 August 2007 WrexhamH(3)1–1(5)2,916Rodgers (pen)

League Trophy

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R19 October 2007 MorecambeA(2)2–2(4)1,644Miller, Rodgers

Player statistics

Appearances

Pos. # Name Football League FA Cup League Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
GK1England Mark Goodlad 00000000
DF2England George Pilkington 4523110503
DF3England Jason Talbot 2503010290
MF4England Robin Hulbert 2200010240
DF5England Keith Lowe 2832010313
DF6England Richard Walker 00000000
MF7England Shane Tudor 1401010170
MF8England Paul Harsley 4151000425
FW9England Marc Richards 2951010325
FW10England Luke Rodgers 36931114112
MF11England Paul Edwards 2522010292
GK12England Joe Anyon 4403010490
MF13England Simon Richman 60000060
MF14England Danny Whitaker 4173010457
FW15South Africa Justin Miller 1401000161
DF16England Mark McGregor 2002010230
MF17Grenada Craig Rocastle 2312010271
DF18England Colin Miles 30101050
MF19England Joe Cardle 90000090
FW20England Akpo Sodje 30000030
DF20England Ashley Westwood 1201000140
DF20England Adam Eckersley 1810000181
FW21England Danny Glover 1510000161
DF22England Luke Prosser 50000050
DF23England Charlie O'Loughlin 30000030
MF23England Luke Chapman 10000010
FW24Saint Kitts and Nevis Calum Willock 1533110204
FW24England Kyle Perry 1600000160
FW25Republic of Ireland David McGoldrick 1720000182
MF25Australia Chris Herd 1120000112
GK26England Chris Martin 20000020
MF27England Will Atkinson 40000040
FW27Northern Ireland James Lawrie 60100070
MF28Republic of Ireland Mark Salmon 901000100
MF28New Zealand Dave Mulligan 1310000131
MF29Scotland Marc Laird 713000101
DF29England Chris Slater 50000050
MF32England Ross Davidson 30000030
FW33Sweden Tobias Mikaelsson 60000060
MF34Northern Ireland David Howland 1710000171
DF35England Krystian Pearce 1200000120
DFEngland Mitchell Hanson 00000000

Scorers

All competitions

Scorer Goals
England Luke Rodgers 12
England Danny Whitaker 7
England Paul Harsley 5
England Marc Richards
Saint Kitts and Nevis Calum Willock 4
England Keith Lowe 3
England George Pilkington
Australia Chris Herd 2
Republic of Ireland David McGoldrick
England Paul Edwards
England Adam Eckersley 1
Grenada Craig Rocastle
New Zealand Dave Mulligan
Scotland Marc Laird
Northern Ireland David Howland
South Africa Justin Miller
England Danny Glover

League

Scorer Goals
England Luke Rodgers 9
England Danny Whitaker 7
England Paul Harsley 5
England Marc Richards
Saint Kitts and Nevis Calum Willock 3
England Keith Lowe
England George Pilkington 2
Australia Chris Herd
Republic of Ireland David McGoldrick
England Paul Edwards
England Adam Eckersley 1
Grenada Craig Rocastle
New Zealand Dave Mulligan
Scotland Marc Laird
Northern Ireland David Howland
England Danny Glover

References

  1. ↑ "Port Vale pull off triple swoop". BBC Sport. 8 June 2007. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  2. ↑ "Port Vale pull off triple swoop". BBC Sport. 8 June 2007. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
  3. ↑ "Richards set for Port Vale switch". BBC Sport. 11 May 2007. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
  4. ↑ "Vale sign ex-Bees striker Willock". BBC Sport. 10 August 2007. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  5. ↑ "McGoldrick goes on loan". www.saintsfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 31 August 2007.
  6. ↑ "Westwood in, Cardle out at Vale". BBC Sport. 30 August 2007. Retrieved 2009-07-20.
  7. ↑ "Port Vale launch bid for Fowler". BBC Sport. 12 July 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  8. ↑ "Owls swoop to sign striker Sodje". BBC Sport. 30 August 2007. Retrieved 2009-08-11.
  9. ↑ "Foyle and Port Vale part company". BBC Sport. 26 September 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  10. ↑ "Port Vale 'played like pub team'". BBC Sport. 10 October 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  11. ↑ Pass, Steve (12 October 2007). "Vale bring in duo". Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 November 2008.
  12. ↑ "Sinnott named new Port Vale boss". BBC Sport. 5 November 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  13. ↑ "Glover ponders his future at Vale". BBC Sport. 4 November 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  14. ↑ "Glover to sign new deal with Vale". BBC Sport. 19 December 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  15. ↑ "Sinnott eyes changes at Vale Park". BBC Sport. 29 December 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  16. ↑ "Shrewsbury sign Vale winger Tudor". BBC Sport. 19 November 2007. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
  17. ↑ "Wolves young duo sent out on loan". BBC Sport. 22 November 2007. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  18. ↑ "Sinnott makes first Vale signing". BBC Sport. 8 November 2007. Retrieved 2009-06-08.
  19. ↑ "Port Vale keeper forced to retire". BBC Sport. 2008-01-02. Archived from the original on 5 January 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-02.
  20. ↑ "Vale keeper Anyon answers critics". BBC Sport. 8 February 2008. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  21. ↑ "Port Vale complete Eckersley deal". BBC Sport. 1 January 2008. Retrieved 7 November 2008.
  22. ↑ "Birmingham youngster joins Vale". BBC Sport. 23 January 2008. Archived from the original on 28 January 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2008.
  23. ↑ "Howland to stay with the Valiants". BBC Sport. 23 May 2008. Retrieved 23 May 2008.
  24. ↑ "Pearce extends Vale loan contract". BBC Sport. 3 March 2008. Archived from the original on 11 March 2008. Retrieved 10 March 2008.
  25. ↑ "Vale sign Villa youngster on loan". BBC Sport. 9 January 2008. Retrieved 2009-06-01.
  26. ↑ "Vale sign Villa reserve striker". BBC Sport. 17 January 2008. Retrieved 6 July 2009.
  27. ↑ "Gillingham sign Vale's Rocastle". BBC Sport. 10 January 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-02.
  28. ↑ "Port Vale snap up Chasetown duo". BBC Sport. 2008-01-11. Archived from the original on 15 January 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-26.
  29. ↑ "Vale are mentally weak - McCarthy". BBC Sport. 14 February 2008. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  30. ↑ "First summer signings for Sinnott". BBC Sport. 29 April 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-02.
  31. ↑ "Swindon 6-0 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 19 April 2008. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  32. ↑ "Quakers sign Hulbert and Clarke". BBC Sport. 8 August 2008. Archived from the original on 25 April 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-03.
  33. ↑ "Miles and Vernazza sign for Cards". BBC Sport. 6 August 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  34. ↑ "Livi hand contracts to trialists". BBC Sport. 13 July 2008. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  35. ↑ "Facebook helps McGregor find Alty". BBC Sport. 4 August 2008. Retrieved 2009-05-30.
  36. ↑ "Cardle completes move to Airdrie". BBC Sport. 13 July 2008. Retrieved 2009-05-11.
  37. ↑ "Eckersley waits on contract talks". BBC Sport. 1 April 2008. Retrieved 7 November 2008.
  38. ↑ "Phoenix take a Mulligan". Football Federation Australia. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-21.
  39. ↑ "Clarets capture Moore and Miller". BBC Sport. 21 July 2008. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
  40. ↑ "More defenders to leave Vale Park". BBC Sport. 16 April 2008. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
  41. ↑ "Luton Town bring in 11 new faces". BBC Sport. 2008-08-08. Retrieved 2009-12-01.
  42. ↑ "Sinnott stands by Port Vale cull". BBC Sport. 10 June 2008. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  43. ↑ "Whitaker rejects Vale contract". BBC Sport. 7 May 2008. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
  44. ↑ "Whitaker faces deadline on future". BBC Sport. 11 June 2008. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
  45. ↑ "Whitaker offered improved deal". BBC Sport. 6 June 2008. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
  46. ↑ "Whitaker chooses Latics over Vale". BBC Sport. 2008-06-20. Retrieved 2008-06-20.
  47. ↑ "Spireites agree deal for Harsley". BBC Sport. 2008-05-19. Retrieved 2009-05-31.
  48. ↑ "Valiants accept bid for Richards". BBC Sport. 30 July 2008. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  49. ↑ "Port Vale late with repayments of £2.25m council loan". BBC Sport. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  50. ↑ "Morecambe 0-2 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 10 November 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  51. ↑ "The defeat of Port Vale". BBC Sport. 16 December 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  52. ↑ "Port Vale 1-1 Chasetown". BBC Sport. 2 December 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  53. ↑ "The FA CUP e-on Five divisions apart but minnows earn replay as Vale fans turn on their team Port Vale 1 Chasetown 1.". The Mirror. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  54. ↑ "Chasetown 1-0 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 11 December 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  55. ↑ "Port Vale 1-1 Wrexham (aet)". BBC Sport. 14 August 2007. Retrieved 21 January 2011.
  56. ↑ "Port Vale 'played like pub team'". BBC Sport. 10 October 2007. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  57. ↑ Port Vale 2007–2008 : Results & Fixtures. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Monday, April 11, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.