List_of_Port_Vale_F.C._players

List of Port Vale F.C. players

List of Port Vale F.C. players

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Port Vale F.C. is an English professional association football club based in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. The club was formed in the late 1870s and in 1884 they took the name Burslem Port Vale, dropping the 'Burslem' prefix in 1907. The club joined the English Football League in 1892 as founder members of the Football League Second Division and though they resigned in 1907, they continued to play in North Staffordshire district leagues and would return to the Football League in 1919. The club's first-team have competed in numerous nationally and internationally organised competitions, and all players who have played at least 25 such matches are listed below.

Introduction

More than 500 Port Vale players have appeared in at least 25 senior competitive matches. In the early days, the scarcity of nationally organised competitive football meant players could spend many years with the club while making few such outings. However, to redress this the list includes appearances in minor cup competitions, such as the Staffordshire Senior Cup, before World War II. Exhibition games (friendlies) were the primary source of games in the early days of the game and so appearances in friendly games during the 19th century are also included. This means that Frank McGinnes is on the list, who recorded 109 goals in 140 matches despite being limited to just 33 goals in 39 Midland League games due to his death due to kidney failure on 25 June 1892, at the age of 22.

Numerous players throughout the club's history have enjoyed long careers with the club. Roy Sproson made 842 appearances for Vale between 1950 and 1972, later becoming manager for three years beginning in 1974. His nephew, Phil Sproson, went on to play 500 games for the club between 1977 and 1989. Wilf Kirkham is the club's record goalscorer with 164 goals in all competitions, as well as 38 goals in a season. Gareth Ainsworth is the player Vale have both received and spent the highest sum on in the transfer market, £500,000 spent in 1997 with £2,000,000 received as he exited the following year. Chris Birchall is the club's record international cap holder with 27, playing for Trinidad and Tobago between 2001 and 2006, including three appearances in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Others made little impact at the club, but were significant figures at other clubs, such as Willie Aitken, who went on to serve as head coach at Juventus.

Key

Name
Players with name in italics were on loan from another club for the duration of their Port Vale career.
Players marked in bold are still playing for the club.
Players known only by their surname (i.e. the initial of their first name is not recorded) are not included.
All statistics are correct up to and including the match played on 20 February 2024.
Nationality
Nationalities are listed for players, where known. Nationality is defined as the country of their international selection, where applicable. Nationalities for those who were not ever called up for international level are defined as their country of birth.
Players highlighted in pink represented their country at senior level whilst at the club.
Position
GKGoalkeeper; DFDefender; MFMidfielder; FWForward
Port Vale career
Port Vale career is defined as the first and last calendar years in which the player was registered as a professional at the club.
Appearances and goals
Appearances and goals comprise those in the English Football League (including play-off games), The Combination, Midland League, North Staffordshire Federation League, North Staffordshire & District League, The Central League, FA Cup, League Cup / EFL Cup, Football League Trophy / EFL Trophy, Anglo-Italian Cup, Debenhams Cup, Supporters' Clubs' Trophy, and Coronation Cup. Minor cup competitions (such as the Staffordshire Senior Cup) may also be included before World War II only. Friendly matches in the 19th century only are included.
Appearances in the 1939–40 Football League season, abandoned after three matches because of the Second World War, are excluded. Wartime league appearances are excluded.

Players with 25 or more appearances

A statue of rclub record appearance-holder Roy Sproson was unveiled outside Vale Park in November 2012.
Gareth Ainsworth scored 11 goals in 58 games for the club.
Chris Birchall represented Trinidad and Tobago 27 times whilst at Port Vale.
Paul Musselwhite played 367 games for the club, more than any other goalkeeper.
Martin Foyle scored 107 goals in 356 games for Port Vale between 1991 and 2000.
Tom Pope has the second-highest goal-scoring tally in the club's history.
Louis Dodds scored 107 goals in 356 appearances.
Billy Briscoe scored 60 goals in 331 appearances between 1918 and 1931.
Anthony Griffith captained Montserrat during his time at Port Vale.
Jennison Myrie-Williams was named on the PFA Team of the Year after helping the club to win promotion during the 2012–13 season.
Tommy Fraser captained the club between 2009 and 2011.
Justin Richards scored 14 goals in 50 appearances throughout the 2010–11.
Sam Johnson made 26 appearances before finding greater success with FC Halifax Town.
More information Name, Nationality ...

Players with fewer than 25 appearances

References

  • Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities: A Biographical Dictionary of Players, Officials and Supporters. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
  • Kent, Jeff (1993). The Port Vale Record 1879-1993. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9508981-9-8.
  • Kent, Jeff (1990). The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
  • Soccerbase
  • Neil Brown stat site

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