Sproson's Eleven

The following article was one of a series produced by Sentinel reporter Chris Harper to commemorate Roy's 25th year at the club. In this first article, published on February 10th 1975, Roy cites his all-time best Valiants team.

Port Vale Manager Roy Sproson is in his 25th year with the club, a feat which is to be recognised by a special testimonial evening to be held at Jollees night club, Longton, on March 18th.

In a series of articles with Chris Harper, the Sentinel’s Vale correspondent, Mr. Sproson reflects on his career with Vale, recalling players, managers and games during his outstanding service at Vale Park.

Today, Mr. Sproson selects his best team from the many players of his aquaintance.

In a playing career for Port Vale which began at Gillingham in 1950 and ended at Vale Park 22 years later, I suppose I must have encountered well over 500 other Vale Players. The task of selecting the best 11 over those years, therefore, speaks for itself. My choice in certain positions was a hard one: in others only one person really sprang to mind. The longer-serving Vale supporters will no doubt remember them all, while, to the younger generation, the names of many, if not all, will not register.

It is with no offence that I have left so many players out. In fact, some are still close friends today and my selection will inevitably spark off some controversy among some fans who will have their own ideas as to who were the better players.

But my choice is one of a professional, not of one who stands on the terraces and some of the most unappreciated players even today are highly regarded by fellow players, managers and coaches.

Ray King would probably be a popular choice as the best goalkeeper Port Vale have had in the last 25 years but, in my opinion, the best all-round goalkeeper I have lined-up with was Ken Hancock. Strong in dealing with crosses, quick reactions and a fine kicker of the ball, Ken stands out among those we have seen between the sticks at Vale Park. I remember him, in particular for one save he made in the dying moments of an F.A. Cup-tie at Sunderland in 1962.

We were level at no-score when Sunderland forced a corner. We had all the big men marked up but failed to spot a little chap whose header from point-blank range seemed a winner. Somehow, Ken turned in mid-air and managed to push the ball round the post in what still rates as the most fantastic save I have seen to this day.

Tough tackler

At right-back I would go for Stan Turner. Here was an immaculate reader of the game with a tremendous volley. But Stan was also neat around his feet and constructive although, by his very nature, he could frighten a winger to death.

There was a match we played at Barrow, who had a useful left-winger. He was well known to our manager, Freddie Steele, because Fred had known him as a player at Mansfield and although the lad had ability he was rather suspect when it came to physical contact. Freddie, accordingly, gave Stan his orders and the poor winger was all but cut in half. Stan was one for taking things literally and as Freddie told him: “I said hit him hard not kill him!”

It may come as a surprise that at left-back I would have Basil Heyward, probably noted as a centre-forward, and a good one at that. I thought that before he went to Portsmouth , Basil was looking one of the best full-backs in the country. He was quick, had a good left foot and was particularly good going forward. It was this attacking flair the Basil had that gives him the edge over Reg Potts, another fine defender, and one who runs Basil very closely for this position.

At right-half to use old fashioned terms, there could be no other choice for me than Bill McGarry. Here was everything that a manager could want in a player. I thought Bill always used to underrate himself. Magnificently fit, Bill was aggressive, busy, good in the air and a player of tremendous enthusiasm for the game. He gave 100 per cent effort for all of 90 minutes.

For an out and out stopper at centre-half my choice of Tom Cheadle will not come as a surprise. Not over tall, standing at something like 5ft. 10in. Tom was quick and strong and nobody could beat him. Pound for pound, in fact, I would say Tom is the hardest man I have ever met. There was a Cup game at Cardiff which springs to mind when Tom and Trevor Ford (no softy himself) were hammer and tongs at each other from first whistle to last. I have never seen anything like it.

At left-half I must go for Alan Martin. Alan’s assets were his pace and good control. He was extremely good on the ball and a highly intelligent player too.

Fine wingers

When wingers were wingers, I believe the best right-sided players we have had at Vale Park are Brian Jackson and Colin Askey. In his day, Brian was a better winger than Colin because of his greater pace. But over 46 games a season, Colin was the better of the two. Only his lack of real speed stopped Colin from becoming a great player because he had all the other equipment. A good crosser of the ball, Colin would take defenders on and was as brave as a lion, too, and his overall consistency earns him my vote for the No.7 shirt.

Two players came to mind when thinking about the inside-right slot. One was Eddie Baily simply because he was Eddie Baily and those who had the pleasure of seeing him play will know what I mean. The other was Stan Steele.

Over the course of a season I believe Stan did us the better job. His work rate, for a start, was higher than Eddie’s and he could score goals too. As a youngster of about 20, I remember Stan playing in two games against Southampton. He scored two or three goals at Southampton and then hit another in the return giving him four out of the seven we netted in the two matches.

At centre-forward, there is no mistake in my mind that the best we have had at Vale Park in 25 years was Harry Poole. Funnily enough, Harry wanted to play wing-half but had he believed in himself as a centre-forward he could have played in the first division.

I always thought that as a wing-half he was a waste. He possessed two good feet, great ball control, always found space, was quick and could finish. He also used to specialise in bending the ball round the defensive wall from free-kicks long before they became fashion.

Harry will no doubt recall a match we played at Queens Park Rangers in another cup-tie. He curved his shot round the Rangers defence so much that when it found the net, goalkeeper Mike Pinner thought it had gone out and entered the net through a hole at the back. Just for good measure Harry did it again a little later and also in the replay!

At inside-left I would pick the most underrated player by the Vale public in Ken Griffiths. Ken was one of those types of players I mentioned earlier who was not always appreciated by the crowd but was highly regarded by his fellow players.

When we reached the Second Division and F.A. Cup semi-finals in 1953-54, Ken was a tremendous asset. He was quick and had the ability to put the ball in the net.

Great ability

Finally, to outside-left, and three players came to mind. They were Alan Bennett, Dickie Cunliffe and Colin Grainger. To my mind, Bennett was the most complete of the three players and scores over Dickie because of his ability to go both inside and outside the full-back. He could also play on either wing.

But for ill luck and health, Alan could also have played in the first division. He had the potential and suited our style of play.

It is significant, I believe, that all 11 are local lads. They had a passion to do well for Port Vale and a pride in the club. All progressed through the junior ranks and, ironically, all seemed to come from the Abbey Hulton and Bucknall areas.

It is noticeable too, that I have not included a player from the last 10 years. Steele, Poole and Hancock played in the early 60s and the remainder in the 50s. Any one of them could have been sold any day. Sadly this has not been the case in recent times, although here’s hoping to better days.

This article reproduced courtesy of The Sentinel