Port Vale 1997-98

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Despite a 2-1 loss to rivals Stoke City at their newly opened Britannia Stadium, John Rudge masterminded a final day escape from relegation in the First Division, as the Potters instead lost their second tier status, leaving Vale as the top club in the Potteries again.

In the FA Cup, Vale faced a trip to Arsenal at Highbury. The Valiants battled to a goalless draw to take the Gunners back to Burslem. Again goalless, Dennis Bergkamp scored in extra time, but Wayne Corden equalised eight minutes before full- time. The Londoners won the game 4-3 on penalties, and later went on to lift the cup.

An end of an era for the club saw Lee Mills and Jon McCarthy leave for big money, whilst Dean Glover, Andy Porter, and Andy Hill also left the club. Record signing Gareth Ainsworth joined from Lincoln City for £500,000.

The Lucie Wedgwood Gates were unveiled in 1998 as part of the celebrations marking the 50th Anniversary of the National Health Service. Named after the founder of Burslem Health Centre, the gates located in Chapel Lane in the mother town were designed around a number of themes which included Parent & Child, local Industry and Lucie and Cecil Wedgwood – reflecting on health improvements from the past to the present.

Lucie was a Director of Josiah Wedgwood & Sons and one of the First Women Magistrates appointed in the City of Stoke-on- Trent and made Honorary Freeman of the city, in 1930, being the first woman to receive this honour.