Port Vale 1983-84 HOME

Click to go Back to our Main Index

The 1983-1984 season was Port Vale’s 72nd season of football in the English Football League, and first (15th overall) back in the Third Division following their promotion from the Fourth Division. The club suffered a horrendous start, and John McGrath lost his job before Christmas; he was replaced by his assistant John Rudge. Rudge instigated an immense turnaround in results, but Vale still ended up relegated, six points shy of safety.

Rudge said the battle to avoid relegation was as difficult a job as ‘trying to climb Everest in a pair of pumps’. Ireland international Eamonn O’Keefe was top-scorer and Player of the Year while a young Mark Bright showed his potential but left at the end of the season. Bright signed for Leicester City against Rudge’s wishes, and a tribunal handed Vale £33,333 and top-up clauses.

Pottery manufacturer Steelite International was established in 1983, based at the Orme Street Works in Dalehall, Middleport close to Burslem town centre, following the purchase of the hotelware division of Royal Doulton by David Johnson.

Steelite is a leading supplier of table ware and now supplies over 130 countries worldwide. Its products can be seen in some of the world’s leading establishments including the Four Seasons and Hilton Hotels, the Emirates Stadium, O2 Arena and onboard the Queen Victoria ocean liner.

The vast majority of employees at Steelite International enjoy long lengths of service with the company. Over 10 per cent of the current staff in 2010 actually worked for the company during its days as part of Royal Doulton.