Famous Players – The 1980’s

Alan Webb

Full back Alan joined the Vale from West Bromwich Albion in July 1984 and was an ever-present in the 1984-85 season with 56 appearances, earning himself the club’s Player of the Year award. He then played 48 games in the following season to help the Valiants win promotion to the third tier with a fourth-place finish.

Alan struggled in 1986-87 following a shin bone injury in the early part of the season but he eventually managed to return to action before the campaign was completed.  He again struggled to stay fit in the face of numerous other injuries, including second-degree burns sustained from sliding on a plastic pitch and blood clots in his thighs, however he did mange to recover to make 29 appearances during 1987-88

He then played a significant role in the 1988-89 season, appearing 47 times as Vale beat Bristol Rovers in the play-offs to secure promotion to the second tier for the first time in over 30 years.

A spate of further injuries then began to blight his career and he was forced into early retirement in June 1992 following a compound leg fracture. His knee never straightened following the break.

Team mate Phil Sproson rated Alan as a versatile and consistent player who was probably the club’s best right back of the 80s era.