Port Vale — around the 1995/96 season

Overview:

• Club: Port Vale Football Club (based in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent).
• Manager/Coach: John Rudge — the club's long-serving manager (in charge from 1983 until 1999), well known for building competitive squads on limited budgets and for an eye for value signings and youth development.
• Home ground: Vale Park (the club's long-term stadium).
• League level (mid-1990s): Port Vale were competing in the Football League First Division (the second tier of English football at that time) and were generally a stable, mid-table side during this period.

Team character and notable figures (mid-1990s):

• John Rudge had established a recognizable playing style emphasizing organisation and getting the best from a relatively small budget.
• Key players around this era included long-serving club figures such as Martin Foyle (forward), Paul Musselwhite (goalkeeper) and Dean Glover (defender/midfielder). These players featured prominently through the mid‑1990s under Rudge’s management.
• Club colours normally were white shirts with black trim/shorts; the team nickname is “The Valiants.”

Notes on performance and context:

• Under John Rudge the club enjoyed relative stability in the second tier through much of the 1990s, following promotions earned in earlier years under his stewardship.
• Port Vale’s approach in this era relied on shrewd recruitment, youth development and a tight-knit squad rather than big spending.

If precise season data is required (final league position, full 1995–96 squad list, goal scorers, match results or cup runs), those can be supplied from historical records and statistics sources.