Phil Sproson
Encyclopedia
Phillip Jess "Phil" Sproson (born 13 October 1959) is a former English
footballer who played as a central defender
. He played in 500 matches (426 in the league) for Port Vale
and scored 41 goals (33 in the league), this places him third highest in the list of appearances for Port Vale. He was the nephew of legendary Vale defender Roy Sproson
and son of Jess Sproson, who played for Vale between 1940 and 1947.
coach Reg Berks after Berks visited Thistley Hough High School
to see the team play. Sproson was not considered good enough to play for the school team but Berks believed he had a found a young talent after losing interest in the school's first eleven, and after asking for the youngster's address paid him a visit later in the day to get him on a contract, at which point he discovered the youngster was the nephew of Vale's manager, Roy Sproson. Berks asked the uncle why he had not told him he had a young family member who could play football, to which he responded "I didn't know I'd got one!".
In the Vale youth team, Sproson was a midfielder
, though as he grew into a tall young man he was converted into a centre-half role. Sproson was only a semi-pro at Vale as his uncle did not want to be seen to using his position to advance his own family. He rejected an apprenticeship at Stoke City
and instead became an apprentice electrician until new manager Bobby Smith offered him forms with Port Vale in December 1977.
He became a first team regular of high regard, but was sent off in a 5–1 defeat at Northampton Town
on 27 December 1980 for 'foul and abusive language' after a squabble with team-mate Russell Bromage
(who himself went on to play over 400 games for Vale). The 1982–83 season
proved highly successful for Sproson; he was a regular in the first team and was included in the PFA
select Fourth Division
side as Vale were promoted. The same happened in the 1985–86 season
. The 1988–89
season saw Vale promoted from the Third Division
, but in January 1989 Sproson suffered a severe knee injury during training and retired the following month. His testimonial match
was held against rivals
Stoke City
on 21 March 1988, Vale drew the game 1–1, and Sproson collected £12,000 of the takings.
Against medical advice, Sproson attempted a return to league football. In August 1989 he joined Birmingham City
, who were obliged to pay Port Vale a "fee" of £50,000 in lieu of insurance money. The player was unable to regain the required fitness levels, and he retired again in September 1990, though he later played for Stafford Rangers
, Northwich Victoria
and Milton United
.
's Player Management Agency, but stood down in March 2009.
Sproson works as an agent
for players such as Michael Raynes
, Curtis Davies
and Marlon Harewood
.
with Port Vale
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
footballer who played as a central defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. He played in 500 matches (426 in the league) for Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
and scored 41 goals (33 in the league), this places him third highest in the list of appearances for Port Vale. He was the nephew of legendary Vale defender Roy Sproson
Roy Sproson
Roy Sproson was an English footballer and football manager for Port Vale. A one-club man, he holds the all-time appearance record for Vale, making 837 starts for Vale between 1950 and 1972. This includes a run of 128 consecutive appearances between April 1954 and March 1957...
and son of Jess Sproson, who played for Vale between 1940 and 1947.
Playing career
Sproson was spotted by Port ValePort Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
coach Reg Berks after Berks visited Thistley Hough High School
Thistley Hough High School
Thistley Hough High School is a secondary school in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. It was built in 1938 as a school for girls. It is a classical art deco building which retains its original features.The current headteacher is Mr R Haines.-External links:...
to see the team play. Sproson was not considered good enough to play for the school team but Berks believed he had a found a young talent after losing interest in the school's first eleven, and after asking for the youngster's address paid him a visit later in the day to get him on a contract, at which point he discovered the youngster was the nephew of Vale's manager, Roy Sproson. Berks asked the uncle why he had not told him he had a young family member who could play football, to which he responded "I didn't know I'd got one!".
In the Vale youth team, Sproson was a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
, though as he grew into a tall young man he was converted into a centre-half role. Sproson was only a semi-pro at Vale as his uncle did not want to be seen to using his position to advance his own family. He rejected an apprenticeship at Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
and instead became an apprentice electrician until new manager Bobby Smith offered him forms with Port Vale in December 1977.
He became a first team regular of high regard, but was sent off in a 5–1 defeat at Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
on 27 December 1980 for 'foul and abusive language' after a squabble with team-mate Russell Bromage
Russell Bromage
Russell Bromage is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder. In a fourteen year career in the Football League he made 400 league appearances, scoring 14 goals....
(who himself went on to play over 400 games for Vale). The 1982–83 season
1982–83 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1982–83 season was Port Vale's seventy-first season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Fourth Division. John McGrath led the Vale to a club-record 88 points , which saw them win promotion in third place...
proved highly successful for Sproson; he was a regular in the first team and was included in the PFA
Professional Footballers' Association
The Professional Footballers' Association is the trade union for professional footballers in England and Wales. The world's oldest professional sport trade union, it has 4,000 members....
select Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
side as Vale were promoted. The same happened in the 1985–86 season
1985–86 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1985–86 season was Port Vale's seventy-fourth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in the Fourth Division. John Rudge achieved his first success as manager, leading Vale to promotion into the Third Division with a fourth place finish...
. The 1988–89
1988–89 Port Vale F.C. season
The 1988–89 season was Port Vale's seventy-seventh season of football in the Football League, and third successive season in the Third Division. They achieved promotion to the Second Division with a 2–1 aggregate win over Bristol Rovers in the two-legged play-off Final...
season saw Vale promoted from the Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
, but in January 1989 Sproson suffered a severe knee injury during training and retired the following month. His testimonial match
Testimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
was held against rivals
Potteries derby
The Potteries derby is the football local derby in Stoke-on-Trent between Port Vale and Stoke City. The fans of each club both consider the other to be their main rivals; this has led to a heated atmosphere at these matches, especially with the rise of football hooliganism and the 'Naughty Forty'...
Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
on 21 March 1988, Vale drew the game 1–1, and Sproson collected £12,000 of the takings.
Against medical advice, Sproson attempted a return to league football. In August 1989 he joined Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
, who were obliged to pay Port Vale a "fee" of £50,000 in lieu of insurance money. The player was unable to regain the required fitness levels, and he retired again in September 1990, though he later played for Stafford Rangers
Stafford Rangers F.C.
Stafford Rangers Football Club is a semi-professional English football team from Stafford which plays in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.The team wear black and white stripes with black shorts...
, Northwich Victoria
Northwich Victoria F.C.
Northwich Victoria Football Club are an English football club who play at the Victoria Stadium in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of...
and Milton United
Milton United F.C. (Oxon)
Milton United F.C. is a football club based in Milton, Oxfordshire, England. They were established in 1909 first noted as competing in the North Berks League in 1926, joining the Hellenic League Division One in 1989...
.
Post-retirement
Sproson worked as head of the PFAProfessional Footballers' Association
The Professional Footballers' Association is the trade union for professional footballers in England and Wales. The world's oldest professional sport trade union, it has 4,000 members....
's Player Management Agency, but stood down in March 2009.
Sproson works as an agent
Sports agent
A sports agent procures and negotiates employment and endorsement contracts for an athlete.In return, the sports agent generally receives between 4 and 10% of the athlete's playing contract, and 10 to 20% of the athlete's endorsement contract, though these figures vary...
for players such as Michael Raynes
Michael Raynes
Michael Bernard Raynes is an English professional footballer who plays for Rotherham as a central defender.-Career:Raynes began his career as a trainee at Stockport County...
, Curtis Davies
Curtis Davies
Curtis Eugene Davies is an English professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Birmingham City. Davies has previously played for Luton Town, where he began his career, West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa and Leicester City....
and Marlon Harewood
Marlon Harewood
Marlon Anderson Harewood is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Guangzhou R&F in China.Harewood started his career at Nottingham Forest. During his career there, he had loan spells at Haka and Ipswich Town before joining West Ham United in 2003 and then Aston Villa in 2007...
.
Honours
Individual- PFA Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
Team of the YearPFA Team of the YearThe Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
: 1982–831982–83 Port Vale F.C. seasonThe 1982–83 season was Port Vale's seventy-first season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Fourth Division. John McGrath led the Vale to a club-record 88 points , which saw them win promotion in third place...
with Port Vale
- Football League Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
3rd place finish (promoted): 1982–831982–83 Port Vale F.C. seasonThe 1982–83 season was Port Vale's seventy-first season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Fourth Division. John McGrath led the Vale to a club-record 88 points , which saw them win promotion in third place... - Football League Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
4th place finish (promoted): 1985–861985–86 Port Vale F.C. seasonThe 1985–86 season was Port Vale's seventy-fourth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in the Fourth Division. John Rudge achieved his first success as manager, leading Vale to promotion into the Third Division with a fourth place finish... - Football League Third DivisionFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
play-offFootball League One play-offsThe Football League One Playoffs are a series of playoff matches, contested by the teams finishing from 3rd to 6th in the NPower Football League One table to determine the third spot for promotion to the second tier of English football, the Championship....
winner: 19891989 Football League Third Division play-off FinalThe 1989 Football League Third Division play-off final was a two-legged football match played at on 31 May and 3 June 1989, to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from the Third Division to the Second Division of The Football League in the 1988–89 season. Port Vale faced Bristol...