The 2008–09 season was Port Vale's 98th season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in League Two. Micky Adams received plaudits for his first full season in charge. He took a squad of players that had previously been near the bottom of the division and made them difficult to beat, taking them to a tenth place finish, just outside the play-offs. In the League Cup Vale defeated two Championship sides to reach the Third Round stage. They also exited the League Trophy at the Third Round, and the FA Cup at the Second Round, whilst the reserve side finished as Staffordshire Senior Cup runners-up. Marc Richards hit 23 goals, whilst Player of the Year Anthony Griffith was also an essential part of the first eleven.
Young keeper
Chris Martin established himself as the club's #1.
Overview
League Two
The pre-season saw a new manager appointed – experienced 47-year-old Micky Adams arrived at Vale Park on 5 June 2009.[1] Chairman Bill Bratt stated that Adams' goal would be to stabilize the club,[2] a point reiterated by observers such as Robbie Earle,[3] as well as Adams himself.[4] He made his first signing on 15 June, bringing 21-year-old Tommy Fraser to the club on a free transfer, who had played for Adams at Brighton.[5] He appointed Fraser as club captain.[6] After confirming the signing of Adam Yates, who was linked to the club before Adams' arrival, Adams signed Doug Loft, who had also played under him at Brighton.[7] After a pre-season friendly, Adams considered switching to a 3–5–2 formation for the season.[8] On 21 July, it was announced that Adams had appointed veteran striker Geoff Horsfield as player-assistant manager. He was still strengthening his squad early in the season, signing midfielders Jason Jarrett, Kris Taylor and Claus Bech Jørgensen on short-term deals. He also signed Jamie Guy on loan from Colchester United, Damien McCrory on loan from Plymouth Argyle,[9] and winger Lewis Haldane from Bristol Rovers – Haldane would later make the move permanent in January.[10][11] In order to raise cash he placed six youngsters on the transfer list.[12]
The season started with just one defeat in the first seven league games, demonstrating how Adams had made his side difficult to beat. Joe Anyon returned to fitness to play a reserve game on 23 September,[13] but failed to displace teenager Chris Martin.[14] After a period of three defeats in seven days, including being knocked out of the League Cup at the third round, Adams decided to place his whole squad on the transfer list, saying of his team's performance: "We looked like a woman who had a big fur coat on but underneath she’s got no knickers on."[15] It was a controversial move, one that divided opinion among analysts and fans,[16][17] also bringing the fourth tier club to national attention.[18] The move appeared to many to be a motivational tactic.[19] He later admitted he merely played "a psychological game with them... [and] I don't think they fell for it – I don't think anybody fell for it".[20] Luke Prosser and Danny Glover both were shipped off to Conference National side Salisbury City on one month loan deals.[21] Steve Thompson was released from his contract to join Telford United.[22] Three wins – including a cup win over League One Stockport County and a league win at local rivals Crewe Alexandra – and three draws within four weeks saw Adams nominated for the League Two Manager of the Month award for October 2009.[23] He signed a contract extension in November 2009, keeping him at the club until summer 2012.[24][25]
"The vision that I share with the board and the supporters is to win promotion. I think it can be achieved. It's all about short steps. The first one was to stabilise and we've done that. The players have bought into my philosophy and the next stage is to win promotion and establish ourselves as a League One club."—
Adams planned to push for promotion the following season.
[26]
In November, Sam Stockley took the decision to retire on medical advice, having suffered an eye injury.[27] However he later joined Hungarian club Ferencvárosi TC as a player-coach.[28] This allowed Adam Yates to make the right-back spot his own. Glover also left the club for a loan spell at Rochdale.[29] Arriving at the club was Bristol Rovers loanee Sean Rigg,[30] who would sign permanently at the season's end.[31]
In the January 2010 transfer window Adams signed Lewis Haldane permanently, with Sean Rigg and Craig Davies signing on loan.[32] In February, Anyon returned to the starting line after young rival Martin was rested.[33] He performed well over seven games, but made two costly errors that resulted in two goals and dropped points in the play-off hunt.[34] Thus he was consigned to the bench until the season's end. Luke Prosser, Danny Glover and Ross Davidson were also informed they would not be offered new contracts,[35] and Prosser immediately joined James Lawrie on loan at Kidderminster Harriers.[36] Both Glover and Davidson joined Stafford Rangers on loan. Adams' men stormed into the play-off places for the first time in the season with just two games left to play, following a 2–1 win over champions-elect Notts County.[37] Yet with just one point from their final two games, the Vale finished just outside the play-off zone.
They finished in tenth place with 68 points, boasting the best goals conceded tally outside of the top three. They were four points short of Dagenham & Redbridge in the play-off zone – who would go on to win the play-off final. Only runaway champions Notts County lost fewer games than Vale, though only Macclesfield Town and Cheltenham Town picked up more draws. Marc Richards was the club's top-scorer with 23 goals, more than double that of his nearest rival.
At the end of the season Joe Anyon was offered a new contract at Vale Park on reduced pay,[38] but instead signed with Lincoln City.[39] Chris Martin signed a new two-year contract,[40] which came with an increase in wages.[41] Released players moved on to other clubs: Luke Prosser (Southend United);[42] Simon Richman and Danny Glover (Worcester City);[43] David Howland (Glentoran);[44] and James Lawrie (AFC Telford United).[45] Ross Davidson also joined Stafford Rangers, after having spent much of the season loan at the club, as well as a brief time at Nantwich Town. Geoff Horsfield retired as a player to concentrate on his role as assistant manager.[46]
Finances
On the financial side rumours abounded. In July 2009, Bill Bratt spoke out to publicly deny rumours spread on Vale fan sites, specifically rumours of sponsorship deals with Basement Jaxx and Maplin Electronics. Bratt said the rumours were "inaccurate, spurious and damaging", claiming the speculation could damage genuine and confidential negotiations.[47] In November, Bratt announced that he was planning to retire as chairman at the end of the season,[48][49] though he later decided to stay on. Reports that Andy Townsend would be appointed as a football advisor also surfaced,[50] but never transpired. There also came statements that shirt sponsors Harlequin Property would invest £500,000 into the club, though again this never materialized. Stoke-on-Trent city council gave the club a two-year repayment holiday for a £2.25 million loan taken out in 2005.[51]
Cup competitions
In the FA Cup, Vale advanced past Stevenage after a replay, with a 1–0 win at Broadhall Way. This ended Stevenage's year-long unbeaten home record.[52] They were then defeated 1–0 by League One Huddersfield Town in the Second Round.
In the League Cup, the club beat Championship side Sheffield United 2–1 at Bramall Lane in the First Round.[53] The Vale then defeated Sheffield Wednesday 2–0 in the Second Round, with goals from Adams' signing Kris Taylor and Rob Taylor – a player not appreciated under Dean Glover.[54] It was only after this game that Adams actually signed his managerial contract – two months after taking charge.[55] The delay was blamed on 'legal complications'.[56] Vale then took another Championship side, Scunthorpe United, to extra time at Glanford Park, before succumbing to a 2-0 defeat.
In the League Trophy, Vale knocked out Stockport County with a 3–1 win, before exiting at the Third Round after losing out to Bradford City at Valley Parade in a penalty shoot-out.
Final league table
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
| 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 | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | A | H | H | A | A | H | A | H | H | A | A | H | A | H |
| Result | D | D | L | W | D | W | D | L | L | D | D | W | W | D | D | L | D | D | W | L | D | W | W | D | D | W | L | L | W | L | W | L | W | L | W | W | D | L | W | W | D | W | D | W | L | D |
| Position | 12 | 17 | 20 | 15 | 16 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 10 |
Sourced from Statto.[57]
Football League Two
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
|---|
| 8 August 2009 | Rochdale | H | 1–1 | 6,158 | Richards (pen) |
| 15 August 2009 | Bradford City | A | 0–0 | 11,333 | |
| 18 August 2009 | Macclesfield Town | A | 0–2 | 3,433 | |
| 22 August 2009 | Darlington | H | 1–0 | 4,561 | Richards |
| 29 August 2009 | Hereford United | A | 2–2 | 2,434 | Dodds, R.Taylor |
| 5 September 2009 | Grimsby Town | H | 4–0 | 5,056 | Dodds, Richards, Owen, Collins |
| 12 September 2009 | Aldershot Town | A | 1–1 | 3,406 | R.Taylor |
| 19 September 2009 | Bury | H | 0–1 | 5,461 | |
| 26 September 2009 | Notts County | A | 1–3 | 7,561 | Richards (pen) |
| 29 September 2009 | Accrington Stanley | H | 2–2 | 4,326 | Dodds, Fraser |
| 3 October 2009 | Bournemouth | H | 0–0 | 4,905 | |
| 10 October 2009 | Shrewsbury Town | A | 1–0 | 7,096 | McCombe |
| 17 October 2009 | Crewe Alexandra | A | 2–1 | 6,943 | Richards, K.Taylor |
| 24 October 2009 | Cheltenham Town | H | 1–1 | 4,979 | Richards |
| 31 October 2009 | Dagenham & Redbridge | A | 1–1 | 2,003 | Dodds |
| 14 November 2009 | Rotherham United | H | 1–2 | 4,788 | Prosser |
| 21 November 2009 | Barnet | A | 0–0 | 1,939 | |
| 24 November 2009 | Torquay United | H | 2–2 | 3,996 | Loft, R.Taylor |
| 1 December 2009 | Lincoln City | A | 2–1 | 2,569 | Richards, Dodds |
| 5 December 2009 | Morecambe | H | 0–2 | 4,679 | |
| 12 December 2009 | Northampton Town | A | 1–1 | 4,132 | Richards (pen) |
| 28 December 2009 | Grimsby Town | A | 2–1 | 4,401 | Rigg, R.Taylor |
| 19 January 2010 | Burton Albion | H | 3–1 | 4,458 | Richards (2), Rigg |
| 23 January 2010 | Macclesfield Town | H | 0–0 | 5,167 | |
| 26 January 2010 | Rochdale | A | 0–0 | 3,081 | |
| 30 January 2010 | Hereford United | H | 2–0 | 4,686 | Davies, Richards |
| 6 February 2010 | Burton Albion | A | 0–1 | 4,644 | |
| 9 February 2010 | Chesterfield | H | 1–2 | 4,090 | Davies |
| 13 February 2010 | Torquay United | A | 2–1 | 2,563 | Haldane, Richards |
| 20 February 2010 | Barnet | H | 0–2 | 4,571 | |
| 23 February 2010 | Lincoln City | A | 4–0 | 3,231 | Own goal, R.Taylor, Davies, McCombe |
| 27 February 2010 | Morecambe | A | 0–1 | 2,064 | |
| 2 March 2010 | Darlington | A | 3–1 | 1,582 | Loft, Dodds, Haldane |
| 6 March 2010 | Northampton Town | H | 1–3 | 4,861 | Loft |
| 9 March 2010 | Bradford City | H | 2–1 | 3,728 | Richards, R.Taylor |
| 13 March 2010 | Chesterfield | A | 5–0 | 4,138 | Richards (3), R.Taylor, Davies (pen) |
| 20 March 2010 | Cheltenham Town | A | 1–1 | 3,503 | McCombe |
| 27 March 2010 | Crewe Alexandra | H | 0–1 | 7,232 | |
| 3 April 2010 | Rotherham United | A | 2–1 | 3,721 | Davies, Richards |
| 5 April 2010 | Dagenham & Redbridge | H | 3–1 | 4,572 | Haldane, R.Taylor, Davies |
| 10 April 2010 | Aldershot Town | H | 1–1 | 5,399 | Rigg |
| 13 April 2010 | Accrington Stanley | A | 2–1 | 2,205 | Davies, K.Taylor |
| 17 April 2010 | Bury | A | 1–1 | 4,570 | Richards (pen) |
| 24 April 2010 | Notts County | H | 2–1 | 7,459 | Richards, K.Taylor |
| 1 May 2010 | Bournemouth | A | 0–4 | 9,055 | |
| 8 May 2010 | Shrewsbury Town | H | 1–1 | 8,467 | Richards (pen) |
FA Cup
Main article:
2009–10 FA CupLeague Cup
League Trophy
Player statistics
Appearances
|
Scorers
All competitions
League
|
Awards
References
- ↑ "Adams unveiled as Port Vale boss". BBC Sport. 5 June 2009. Archived from the original on 7 June 2009. Retrieved 15 June 2009.
- ↑ "Port Vale: Adams can lead Vale revival, says Bratt". The Sentinel. 5 June 2009. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
- ↑ "Robbie Earle: Adams ideal for Vale job". The Sentinel. 5 June 2009. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
- ↑ "Port Vale: I'm the man to revive Vale, says Adams". The Sentinel. 5 June 2009. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
- ↑ "Midfielder Fraser joins Port Vale". BBC Sport. 15 June 2009. Archived from the original on 18 June 2009. Retrieved 15 June 2009.
- ↑ "Fraser named new Valiants captain". BBC Sport. 4 August 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
- ↑ "Breaking News: Port Vale complete Loft signing". The Sentinel. 22 June 2009. Retrieved 22 June 2009.
- ↑ Baggaley, Michael (20 July 2009). "Port Vale: Valiants beat Newcastle as boss Adams switches formation". The Sentinel. Retrieved 20 July 2009.
- ↑ "McCrory returns to Vale on loan". BBC Sport. 24 August 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
- ↑ "Port Vale snap up winger Haldane". BBC Sport. 1 September 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-01.
- ↑ "Lewis Haldane pens fresh Port Vale loan deal". BBC Sport. 31 December 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
- ↑ Shaw, Steve (6 August 2009). "Port Vale: Valiants transfer list six players". The Sentinel. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
- ↑ "Port Vale: Anyon makes return as reserves draw". The Sentinel. 23 September 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
- ↑ "Vale keeper Anyon begins comeback". BBC Sport. 24 September 2009. Archived from the original on 6 November 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-24.
- ↑ Shaw, Steve (26 September 2009). "Port Vale: Adams places every player on transfer list". The Sentinel. Archived from the original on 2 October 2009. Retrieved 26 September 2009.
- ↑ Macari, Lou (29 September 2009). "Lou Macari: Nuclear option may backfire on Adams". The Sentinel. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
- ↑ Earle, Robbie (1 October 2009). "Robbie Earle: Vale boss Adams makes shrewd move". The Sentinel. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
- ↑ Taylor, Louise (29 September 2009). "Micky Adams is playing a dangerous game at Port Vale". The Guardian (London). Archived from the original on 2 October 2009. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
- ↑ Shaw, Steve (8 October 2009). "Port Vale: Motivation was behind 'transfer-listing', says Adams". The Sentinel. Retrieved 8 October 2009.
- ↑ "Rampant Vale slay the leaders to storm the play-off places". The Sentinel. 26 April 2010. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
- ↑ "Salisbury sign Vale pair on loan". BBC Sport. 13 August 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
- ↑ "Vale's Thompson joins AFC Telford". BBC Sport. 7 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-07.
- ↑ Shaw, Steve (5 November 2009). "Port Vale: Adams has united us, says Griffith". The Sentinel. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
- ↑ "Breaking News: Adams extends Vale stay". The Sentinel. 9 November 2009. Retrieved 9 November 2009.
- ↑ "Adams commits to three-year deal". port-vale.co.uk. 9 November 2009. Archived from the original on 11 November 2009. Retrieved 9 November 2009.
- ↑ "Adams extends Port Vale contract". BBC Sport. 9 November 2009. Archived from the original on 12 November 2009. Retrieved 9 November 2009.
- ↑ "Defender Stockley set to retire". BBC Sport. 1 November 2009. Archived from the original on 4 November 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
- ↑ "Sam Stockley and Anthony Elding set for Hungarian move". BBC Sport. 4 January 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
- ↑ "Rochdale swoop for Vale striker". BBC Sport. 26 November 2009. Retrieved 26 November 2009.
- ↑ "Vale sign Rigg from Rovers". The Sentinel. 24 November 2009. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
- ↑ "Striker Sean Rigg signs two-year contract at Port Vale". BBC Sport. 27 May 2010. Archived from the original on 30 May 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
- ↑ "Vale: I'm not looking for a late transfer deal says Adams". The Sentinel. 30 January 2010. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
- ↑ Shaw, Steve (24 February 2010). "Port Vale: Anyon back with a bang for rampant Vale". The Sentinel. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
- ↑ "Micky Adams undecided on Port Vale goalkeeper Joe Anyon". BBC Sport. 22 March 2010. Archived from the original on 25 March 2010. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
- ↑ "Breaking News: Vale to release trio". The Sentinel. 25 March 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- ↑ "Port Vale release Glover, Prosser and Davidson". BBC Sport. 25 March 2010. Archived from the original on 28 March 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
- ↑ Sherwin, Phil (26 April 2010). "Phil Sherwin: Micky's boys roll back the years". The Sentinel. Retrieved 26 April 2010.
- ↑ "Port Vale: Anyon looks to the future". The Sentinel. 20 May 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
- ↑ "Lincoln City sign ex-Port Vale goalkeeper Joe Anyon". BBC Sport. 20 May 2010. Archived from the original on 23 May 2010. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
- ↑ "Port Vale deals for Griffith, McCombe, Martin & Taylor". BBC Sport. 13 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-13.
- ↑ Shaw, Steve (13 May 2010). "Port Vale: Fab four sign up". The Sentinel. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
- ↑ "CENTRE-BACKS LATEST RECRUITS". southendunited.co.uk. 1 August 2010. Archived from the original on 3 August 2010. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
- ↑ Carley, Steve (6 August 2010). "Three new signings complete City squad". Worcester News. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
- ↑ "Glens sign David Howland". glentoran.com. 19 September 2010. Archived from the original on 23 September 2010. Retrieved 19 September 2010.
- ↑ "AFC Telford sign Northern Ireland striker James Lawrie". BBC Sport. 10 August 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
- ↑ "Port Vale: Horsfield signs up for coaching role". The Sentinel. 28 May 2010. Archived from the original on 31 May 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2010.
- ↑ Bratt, Bill (30 July 2009). "Port Vale: Valiants in talks with regeneration expert". The Sentinel. Retrieved 2009-07-30.
- ↑ Shaw, Steve (5 November 2009). "Port Vale: Bratt ready to quit Vale". The Sentinel. Archived from the original on 8 November 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-05.
- ↑ "Port Vale: Bratt ready to quit chief executive role". The Sentinel. 17 December 2009. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
- ↑ "Townsend set for Port Vale role". BBC Sport. 19 October 2009. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
- ↑ "Port Vale FC to resume £2.25m council loan repayments". BBC Sport. 4 April 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
- ↑ "Port Vale: Vital statistics". The Sentinel. 22 February 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
- ↑ "Sheff Utd 1 – 2 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 11 August 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
- ↑ "Adams praises giant-killers Vale". BBC Sport. 26 August 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2009.
- ↑ "Adams signs one-year deal at Vale". BBC Sport. 28 August 2009. Retrieved 29 August 2009.
- ↑ "Port Vale: Adams signs one-year deal with club". The Sentinel. 28 August 2009. Retrieved 29 August 2009.
- ↑ Port Vale 2009–2010 : Results & Fixtures. Statto Organisation. Retrieved 28 April 2012.
- ↑ Owen, Jon (12 May 2010). "Griffith takes home top accolade". The Sentinel. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
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