Famous Players – The 1980’s

Bob Newton

Much traveller striker Bob Newton joined the Vale from Hartlepool for a fee of £15,000 at the beginning of the 1982-83 season. He was a big strong old school centre forward who formed a dynamic partnership with fellow striker Ernie Moss and went on to score 22 goals in 42 appearances that season as Vale gained promotion from Division 4.

He became a fans favourite for his no-nonsense, robust style of play but sadly his time at the Vale was cut short in October the following season when he decided to join hometown club Chesterfield.

“I hope he doesn’t mind me saying that his game was less about finesse and more about blundering the ball into the net – taking the goalkeeper with it if necessary. Don’t get me wrong, Bob was a good player, as his 24 goals in 51 appearances suggest.

He was a cult hero with supporters who loved to see him score goals, and bully defenders.”

Former team mate Robbie Earle commenting on Bob Newton in his Staffs Sentinel Newspaper column in 2012.