Famous Players – The 1980’s

Russell Bromage

Left footed attacking wing back Russell joined the Vale as an apprentice in 1975 and was named as the club’s most promising youngster for the 1975-76 season.  He signed a professional contract in late 1977 and made his first team debut towards the end of that season.

He then became a regular, almost ever present, in the team winning the club’s Player of the Year in 1981 and as captain he helped the club to promotion in 1982-83 under John McGrath.  He was also selected in the PFA Team of the Year as team Robbie Earle praised him as an “excellent captain”.

Then following relegation under new manager John Rudge in 1984, Russell’s consistency won him a place in the PFA Team of the Year for the 1984-85 season as Vale tried unsuccessfully to bounce back to the third tier.  Russell’s second promotion with the club did follow in 1985-86 as he made 51 appearances.

He was sold to Bristol Rovers for £25,000 in 1987 after 10 years with the Vale for which he was provided with a testimonial game against Stoke City.

Russell eventually moved to Shoreham on the South coast and continued to be involved in the game until he retired in 2008 after a stint playing for Whitehawk in the Sussex County League.