:1989 Football League Third Division play-off final
{{short description|Association football match}}
{{good article}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox football match
| title = 1989 Football League Third Division play-off final
| other_titles =
| image = Vale Park.jpg
| event =
| caption = Vale Park pictured in July 2006
| team1 = Bristol Rovers
| team1score = 1
| team2 = Port Vale
| team2score = 2
| details =
| firstleg = First leg
| team1score1 = 1
| team2score1 = 1
| details1 =
| date1 = {{Start date|1989|05|31|df=y}}
| stadium1 = Twerton Park
| city1 = Bath
| man_of_the_match1a =
| referee1 = Allan Gunn
(Sussex)
| attendance1 = 9,042
| weather1 =
| secondleg = Second leg
| team1score2 = 0
| team2score2 = 1
| details2 =
| date2 = {{Start date|1989|06|03|df=y}}
| stadium2 = Vale Park
| city2 = Stoke-on-Trent
| man_of_the_match2a =
| referee2 = Keith Hackett
(Sheffield & Hallamshire)
| attendance2 = 17,343
| weather2 =
| previous = 1988
| next = 1990
}}
The 1989 Football League Third Division play-off final was a two-legged football match played on 31 May and 3 June 1989, between Port Vale and Bristol Rovers to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from the Third Division to the Second Division. The top two teams of the 1988–89 Football League Third Division season gained automatic promotion to the Second Division, while those placed from third to sixth place in the table took part in play-offs; the winners of these semi-finals competed for the final place for the 1989–90 season in the Second Division. From 1990 onwards, play-off finals would be one-legged affairs decided at Wembley Stadium or an appropriate neutral stadium.
It was the first time either Port Vale or Bristol Rovers played a play-off final, with play-offs only being introduced to English football for the first time two years previously. In the semi-finals, Port Vale defeated Preston North End, and Bristol Rovers beat Fulham. The first leg of the final finished 1–1, with Port Vale midfielder Robbie Earle equalising in the 73rd minute after Gary Penrice had given Bristol Rovers the lead in the first half. In the second leg, Earle scored the only goal of the match with a 52nd minute header. The result meant that Port Vale won the play-offs with a 2–1 aggregate victory.
Port Vale ended the following season eleventh in the Second Division, 13 points outside the play-offs and 13 points above the relegation zone. Bristol Rovers secured promotion as champions of the Third Division, finishing two points ahead of Bristol City in second and six points ahead of third-placed Notts County.
Route to the final
{{further|1988–89 Football League}}
{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL
|res_col_header=Q
|float=right
|teamwidth=auto
|title=Football League Third Division final table, leading positions
|team1=WOL|name_WOL=Wolverhampton Wanderers
|team2=SHU|name_SHU=Sheffield United
|team3=PTV|name_PTV=Port Vale
|team4=FUL|name_FUL=Fulham
|team5=BRR|name_BRR=Bristol Rovers
|team6=PNE|name_PNE=Preston North End
|win_WOL=26|draw_WOL=14|loss_WOL=6|gf_WOL=96|ga_WOL=49
|win_SHU=25|draw_SHU=9|loss_SHU=12|gf_SHU=93|ga_SHU=54
|win_PTV=24|draw_PTV=12|loss_PTV=10|gf_PTV=78|ga_PTV=48
|win_FUL=22|draw_FUL=9|loss_FUL=15|gf_FUL=69|ga_FUL=67
|win_BRR=19|draw_BRR=17|loss_BRR=10|gf_BRR=67|ga_BRR=51
|win_PNE=19|draw_PNE=15|loss_PNE=12|gf_PNE=79|ga_PNE=60
}}
The 1988–89 season saw Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sheffield United and Port Vale vie for the two automatic promotion places in the Third Division, the third tier of the English football league system, and it was Port Vale who missed out and finished in third-place, two places ahead of Bristol Rovers in fifth.{{cite news |last1=Sherwin |first1=Phil |title=MBE method inspired promotion and best decade in Port Vale history |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-promotion-bristol-rovers-2930046 |access-date=3 June 2021 |work=StokeonTrentLive |date=2021-06-03 |language=en |archive-date=3 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603081515/https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-promotion-bristol-rovers-2930046 |url-status=live }} Both therefore took part in the play-offs to determine the third promoted team. Port Vale had finished level on points with second-place Sheffield United, but their inferior goal difference cost them automatic promotion.{{cite news |last1=Sherwin |first1=Phil |title=Port Vale win 1989 play-off final to kick-off the best decade in club's history |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-1989-promotion-celebration-2930046 |access-date=3 June 2020 |work=The Sentinel |date=1 June 2019 |archive-date=21 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621085152/https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-1989-promotion-celebration-2930046 |url-status=live }} Bristol Rovers finished fifth, ten points behind Port Vale.{{cite web |title=League Division Three end of season table for 1988–89 season |url=https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/1989/ |website=11v11 |access-date=12 June 2020 |publisher=AFS Enterprises |archive-date=30 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830124736/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/1989/ |url-status=live }}
Port Vale's opponents for the play-off semi-final were Preston North End, managed by John Rudge's predecessor John McGrath, and the first leg was played on the plastic pitch at Deepdale in Preston on 22 May. Port Vale sold their 3,500 allocation for the game in three days. Preston's Nigel Jemson put the home side in front on 16 minutes, before Robbie Earle levelled the score at 1–1 after a John Jeffers cross was flicked on by Darren Beckford.{{cite web |title=Preston North End v Port Vale, 22 May 1989 |url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/preston-north-end-v-port-vale-22-may-1989-306781/ |website=11v11 |access-date=12 June 2020 |publisher=AFS Enterprises |archive-date=12 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612141221/https://www.11v11.com/matches/preston-north-end-v-port-vale-22-may-1989-306781/ |url-status=live }} There was a pitch invasion by the Preston fans after a fire erupted under the wooden slats of their stands. Joan Walley, Member of parliament (MP) for the Stoke-on-Trent North constituency, called for an enquiry at Parliament, but none was made.{{cite book|last=Kent|first=Jeff|title=The Valiants' Years: The Story of Port Vale|year=1990|publisher=Witan Books|pages=286|isbn=0-9508981-4-7}} The return leg was held at Vale Park three days later. Beckford opened the scoring on 11 minutes after latching on to a Ron Futcher flick on, only for Mark Patterson to again level the tie just two minutes later. Futcher had the chance to take the lead with a penalty, only to hit the bar, before Beckford scored two goals in quick succession to claim a hat-trick and secure a 4–2 aggregate victory.
Bristol Rovers faced Fulham in their semi-final play-off on 21 May, and the first leg was played at Twerton Park, Bath, where Bristol Rovers had played their home matches since being forced to leave Eastville Stadium in 1986. Bristol Rovers claimed a 1–0 win with a goal from Gary Penrice.{{cite web |title=Bristol Rovers v Fulham, 21 May 1989 |url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/bristol-rovers-v-fulham-21-may-1989-306779/ |website=11v11 |access-date=12 June 2020 |publisher=AFS Enterprises |archive-date=12 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612141223/https://www.11v11.com/matches/bristol-rovers-v-fulham-21-may-1989-306779/ |url-status=live }} The second leg was played three days later at Craven Cottage, London. Bristol Rovers claimed a comfortable victory, winning 4–0 away with goals from Billy Clark, Ian Holloway, Dennis Bailey and Andy Reece.{{cite web |title=Fulham v Bristol Rovers, 25 May 1989 |url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/fulham-v-bristol-rovers-25-may-1989-306780/ |website=11v11 |access-date=12 June 2020 |publisher=AFS Enterprises |archive-date=12 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612141223/https://www.11v11.com/matches/fulham-v-bristol-rovers-25-may-1989-306780/ |url-status=live }}
| width="100%" bgcolor=white |
| valign=top bgcolor=#99ccff
!colspan=3 style="width:1*"|Bristol Rovers !Round !colspan=3 style="width:1*"|Port Vale |
| valign=top align="center" bgcolor=#c1e0ff
|Opponent |Result |Legs |bgcolor=#c1e0ff|Semi-finals |Opponent |Result |Legs |
| align="center"
|5–0 |1–0 home; 4–0 away | |4–2 |1–1 away; 3–1 home |
Match
=Background=
It was the first time Port Vale or Bristol Rovers played a play-off final. Port Vale had previously posted two mid-table finishes following their promotion into the third tier in 1986.{{cite book|last=Kent|first=Jeff|title=The Port Vale Record 1879–1993|publisher=Witan Books|year=1993|isbn=0-9508981-9-8}} Bristol Rovers meanwhile had spent most of the decade in the third tier following relegation from the second tier in 1981. In the two league matches played between the clubs during the regular season, the two teams played out a 2–2 draw at Twerton Park in April before Vale won the home fixture 1–0 in the campaign's penultimate game. Port Vale had conceded fewer goals than any other team in the Third Division in the 1988–89 season.{{cite web |title=Season 1988–89 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1988-89.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=12 June 2020 |archive-date=25 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125003554/http://www.rsssf.com/engpaul/FLA/1988-89.html |url-status=live }} No team in the Football League had picked up as many home league draws as Bristol Rovers, with 11, whereas only the bottom two clubs of the Third Division had won fewer home fixtures. Port Vale quickly sold out their 1,500 ticket allocation at Twerton Park, whilst 4,000 Bristol Rovers fans secured tickets at Vale Park. Simon Mills had to postpone his honeymoon to play in the final. The second leg would be the first time Port Vale would play a competitive fixture in June. Port Vale were strong favourites, with The Guardian{{'s}} David Foot reporting that financially limited Bristol Rovers had made it to the play-offs "against every apparent law of logic" as manager Gerry Francis had built a squad with a transfer budget of £20,000, half of which he had lent the club himself in order to sign Ian Holloway.{{cite news |last1=Foot |first1=David |title=Gerry-built and Bristol fashion |url=https://theguardian.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=78803291&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjI2MDE4NTI3NSwiaWF0IjoxNjIyNzMxNTUyLCJleHAiOjE2MjI4MTc5NTJ9.3T6BFBH95pc434zQnjMtZ9Zy9WQq50eumCsppicqDsM |access-date=3 June 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=6 May 1989 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=3 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603161846/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=78803291&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjI2MDE4NTI3NSwiaWF0IjoxNjIyNzMxNTUyLCJleHAiOjE2MjI4MTc5NTJ9.3T6BFBH95pc434zQnjMtZ9Zy9WQq50eumCsppicqDsM |url-status=live }}
=Summary=
==First leg==
The referee for the first leg was Allan Gunn from Sussex.{{cite web |title=Bristol Rovers v Port Vale, 31 May 1989 |url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/bristol-rovers-v-port-vale-31-may-1989-306783/ |website=11v11 |access-date=12 June 2020 |publisher=AFS Enterprises |archive-date=12 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612141229/https://www.11v11.com/matches/bristol-rovers-v-port-vale-31-may-1989-306783/ |url-status=live }} The Port Vale starting line-up were largely the same eleven that defeated Preston, but with Gary West starting in place of Alan Webb.{{cite book|last=Kent|first=Jeff|title=The Port Vale Record 1879–1993|year=1993|publisher=Witan Books|pages=225|isbn=0-9508981-9-8}} Bristol Rovers were reported to have reserve players Paul Nixon and Willmott on stand-by as Devon White, Phil Purnell and leading scorer Gary Penrice faced late fitness tests,{{Cite web | title = Mackay discounts League Form; Football | work = The Times | date = 31 May 1989 | via = Gale | url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A117156031/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=01b48601 | access-date = 7 June 2021 | first = Louise | last = Taylor | url-access = subscription | archive-date = 14 June 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210614155620/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA117156031&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=01b48601 | url-status = live }} though all three would start the game. Francis was unable to name Geoff Twentyman, who was suspended, whilst loanees Bailey and Ian Hazel both returned to their parent clubs.{{cite news |title=Mackay's relaxant |url=https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/67841591/the-guardian/ |access-date=3 June 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=31 May 1989 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=18 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118155624/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/67841591/the-guardian/ |url-status=live }} Francis stated that "we are going to give it a real go. We are not letting up now".
Jeffers missed a good chance to open the scoring in the 30th minute following a Beckford flick-on from a corner kick.{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Memory-Match-Bristol-Rovers-1-Port-Vale-1-31-1989/article-2578985-detail/article.html|title=Memory Match: Bristol Rovers 1 Port Vale 1 May 31, 1989|last=Sherwin|first=Phil|date=28 August 2010 |newspaper=Stoke Sentinel |location=Stoke-on-Trent |access-date=29 August 2010}} It was Bristol Rovers that were the first to score; keeper Nigel Martyn hit the ball upfield and Penrice volleyed the ball into the net over a stranded Mark Grew following a White flick-on. Futcher headed the ball into the net just before half-time only to find his goal disallowed for offside. Port Vale dominated the second half and it was Earle who equalised seventeen minutes from time to level the tie, scoring a headed goal from a Futcher cross. Port Vale nearly won the match in the dying moments, only for Beckford's header to be cleared off the goal-line. Bristol Rovers manager Francis bemoaned Futcher being yellow-carded for an altercation with Ian Alexander when he believed a red was more appropriate, saying "It was an out and out nut!" In his match report, Nicholas Harling of The Times wrote that "Vale finished the first leg looking by far the more accomplished side".{{Cite web| title = Premature lap of honour| work = The Times| date = 1 June 1989| url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A117155800/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=24e35b2a| access-date = 7 June 2021| url-access = subscription| first = Nicholas| last = Harling| via = Gale| archive-date = 14 June 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210614155615/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA117155800&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=24e35b2a| url-status = live}}
==Second leg==
The referee for the second leg was 1981 FA Cup final referee and Sheffield & Hallamshire County Football Association representative Keith Hackett.{{cite web |title=Port Vale v Bristol Rovers, 03 June 1989 |url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bristol-rovers-03-june-1989-306784/ |website=11v11 |access-date=12 June 2020 |publisher=AFS Enterprises |archive-date=12 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612141227/https://www.11v11.com/matches/port-vale-v-bristol-rovers-03-june-1989-306784/ |url-status=live }} Port Vale manager John Rudge announced an unchanged team from the eleven that held Bristol Rovers to a 1–1 draw in the first leg. Francis was also able to name the same starting line-up for Bristol Rovers as the 13-man squad all passed fitness tests.{{Cite web| title = Thomas stands by for Palace recall| work = The Times| date = 3 June 1989| via = Gale| url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A117155468/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=322fafeb| access-date = 7 June 2021| url-access = subscription| first = Nicholas| last = Harling| archive-date = 14 June 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210614155603/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA117155468&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=322fafeb| url-status = live}} The first half finished goalless despite large periods of pressure from Port Vale, with Martyn in good form in the Bristol Rovers goal. Martyn saved a {{convert|30|yd}} strike from Dean Glover, whilst Beckford and Earle both came close to taking the lead. The second half saw the "MBE" combination (a Simon Mills corner, flicked on by Beckford and knocked into the net by Earle){{cite news |url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Vale-heroes-completed-mission-thanks-MBE/article-1470435-detail/article.html|title=Vale heroes completed mission thanks to MBE|date=30 October 2009 |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke-on-Trent |access-date=31 October 2009}} pay off, resulting in an Earle headed goal in the 52nd minute; it was his nineteenth goal of the season and fourth headed goal against Bristol Rovers that season. It was to prove the only goal of the match as Port Vale controlled the remainder of the game, and a celebratory pitch invasion ensued. The Guardian's Stephen Bierley did not enjoy the match and his only praise for Bristol Rovers was that they "did as little as possible to threaten the status quo, winning much praise from everybody by not forcing extra time to extend the tedium".{{cite news |title=Little to fire the imagination on a cracking day for the Potteries |url=https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/78803452/the-guardian/ |access-date=3 June 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=5 June 1989 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=2 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215653/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/78803452/the-guardian/ |url-status=live }} In contrast, The Observer{{'s}} Derek Wallis reported that "Rovers{{nbsp}}... played some delightful football but they were unable to penetrate a resolute defence{{nbsp}}... in which West and Glover needed to be constantly alert".{{cite news |last1=Wallis |first1=Derek |title=Port Vale UP |url=https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/78803390/the-observer/ |access-date=3 June 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=4 June 1989 |via=Newspapers.com |archive-date=2 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215928/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/78803390/the-observer/ |url-status=live }} With the play-offs still a relatively new concept, both managers and some journalists were highly critical of the idea and agreed that Port Vale had deserved their promotion after finishing the league campaign in third place.{{Cite web| title = Port Vale are justly rewarded| work = The Times| date = 5 June 1989| via = Gale| url-access = subscription| url = https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A117155205/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=cca1cd24| access-date = 7 June 2021| first = Ian| last = Ross| archive-date = 14 June 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210614155641/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA117155205&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=cca1cd24| url-status = live}}
{{Blockquote|"We practised corners for hours, and it certainly paid off. Millsy could put in a brilliant delivery and as soon as it went toward Becky I knew it was coming my way. At the end of the game it was a huge feeling of relief that we had proved a point – we were good enough for promotion. We knew as a group of players we could play at a higher level and this gave us a chance to do so. I had a great time at Vale, and this was the greatest of them all.|Earle speaking to The Sentinel in 2009}}
=Details=
==First leg==
{{football box
|date=31 May 1989
|time=19:45 BST
|team1= Bristol Rovers
|score= 1–1
|team2= Port Vale
|report=
|goals1 = Penrice {{goal|31}}
|goals2 = Earle {{goal|73}}
|stadium = Twerton Park, Bath
|referee = Allan Gunn (Sussex)}}
| width=92% |
| {{Football kit
| pattern_la = _whiteborder | pattern_b = _whitequarters14 | pattern_ra = _whiteborder | pattern_sh = _blue stripes | pattern_so = _band_white | leftarm = 0000FF | body = 0000FF | rightarm = 0000FF | shorts = FFFFFF | socks = 0000FF | title = Bristol Rovers }} |{{Football kit | pattern_b = _blackcollar | pattern_la = | pattern_ra = | body = ffd700 | rightarm = ffd700 | leftarm = ffd700 | shorts = ffd700 | socks = ffd700 | pattern_so = ffd700 | title = Port Vale }} |
| width="100%"
|valign="top" width="50%"| {| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" |colspan="4"|Bristol Rovers: | ||||
| width="25"| | width="25"| | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | 1 | Nigel Martyn | ||
| DF | 2 | Ian Alexander | ||
| DF | 3 | Billy Clark | ||
| DF | 4 | Steve Yates | ||
| FW | 5 | Devon White | ||
| DF | 6 | Vaughan Jones (c) | ||
| MF | 7 | Ian Holloway | {{suboff}} | |
| MF | 8 | David Mehew | ||
| MF | 9 | Andy Reece | ||
| FW | 10 | Gary Penrice | ||
| MF | 11 | Phil Purnell | ||
| colspan=4|Substitutes: | ||||
| FW | Christian McClean | {{subon}} | ||
| colspan=4|Manager: | ||||
| colspan="4"|Gerry Francis |
|valign="top" width="50%"|
| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
|colspan="4"|Port Vale: | ||||
| width="25"| | width="25"| | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | 1 | Mark Grew | ||
| DF | 2 | Simon Mills | ||
| DF | 3 | Darren Hughes | ||
| MF | 4 | Ray Walker | ||
| DF | 5 | Gary West | ||
| DF | 6 | Dean Glover | ||
| MF | 7 | John Jeffers | ||
| MF | 8 | Robbie Earle | ||
| FW | 9 | Ron Futcher {{yel}} | ||
| FW | 10 | Darren Beckford | ||
| MF | 11 | Andy Porter | ||
| colspan=4|Substitutes: | ||||
| FW | Ronnie Jepson | |||
| colspan=4|Manager: | ||||
| colspan="4"|John Rudge |
|}
==Second leg==
{{football box
|date=3 June 1989
|time=15:00 BST
|team1=Port Vale
|score= 1–0
|team2=Bristol Rovers
|report=
|goals1 = Earle {{goal|52}}
|goals2 =
|stadium = Vale Park, Stoke-on-Trent
|referee = Keith Hackett (Sheffield & Hallamshire)}}
| width=92% |
| {{Football kit
| pattern_la = | pattern_b = _vneckblack | pattern_ra = | pattern_sh = | pattern_so = _color_3_stripes_black | leftarm = ffffff | body = ffffff | rightarm = ffffff | shorts = 000000 | socks = ffffff | title = Port Vale }} |{{Football kit | pattern_la = | pattern_b = | pattern_ra = | pattern_sh = | pattern_so = | leftarm = ffd700 | body = ffd700 | rightarm = ffd700 | shorts = 0000FF | socks = 0000FF | title = Bristol Rovers }} |
| width="100%"
|valign="top" width="50%"| {| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" |colspan="4"|Port Vale: | ||||
| width="25"| | width="25"| | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | 1 | Mark Grew | ||
| DF | 2 | Simon Mills | ||
| DF | 3 | Darren Hughes | ||
| MF | 4 | Ray Walker | ||
| DF | 5 | Gary West | ||
| DF | 6 | Dean Glover | ||
| MF | 7 | John Jeffers | ||
| MF | 8 | Robbie Earle | ||
| FW | 9 | Ron Futcher | ||
| FW | 10 | Darren Beckford | ||
| MF | 11 | Andy Porter | {{suboff}} | |
| colspan=4|Substitutes: | ||||
| FW | 12 | Kevin Finney | {{subon}} | |
| FW | Ronnie Jepson | |||
| colspan=4|Manager: | ||||
| colspan="4"|John Rudge |
|valign="top" width="50%"|
| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
|colspan="4"|Bristol Rovers: | ||||
| width="25"| | width="25"| | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | 1 | Nigel Martyn | ||
| DF | 2 | Ian Alexander | ||
| DF | 3 | Billy Clark | ||
| DF | 4 | Steve Yates | ||
| FW | 5 | Devon White | ||
| DF | 6 | Vaughan Jones (c) | ||
| MF | 7 | Ian Holloway | ||
| MF | 8 | David Mehew | ||
| MF | 9 | Andy Reece | ||
| FW | 10 | Gary Penrice | ||
| MF | 11 | Phil Purnell | ||
| colspan=4|Substitutes: | ||||
| FW | Paul Nixon | |||
| colspan=4|Manager: | ||||
| colspan="4"|Gerry Francis |
|}
Post-match
File:Ian Holloway 03-01-2015 1.jpg
Bristol Rovers recovered from the loss and the following season joined Port Vale in the second tier, coming up as champions.{{cite web |title=Season 1989–90 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1989-90.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=30 May 2021 |archive-date=26 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126045934/http://www.rsssf.com/engpaul/FLA/1989-90.html |url-status=live }} Port Vale remained in the second tier until 1991–92, when they were relegated in last place.{{cite web |title=England 1991/1992 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1991-92.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=30 May 2021 |archive-date=1 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201012024/http://rsssf.com/engpaul/FLA/1991-92.html |url-status=live }} Bristol Rovers were themselves relegated at the end of the 1992–93 season.{{cite web |title=Football Statistics Archive |url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1992-93.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=30 May 2021 |archive-date=7 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507001701/http://www.rsssf.com/engpaul/FLA/1992-93.html |url-status=live }} Goalkeeper Martyn went on to win 23 caps for England and spend a long career in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, Leeds United and Everton.{{cite web |title=Nigel Martyn {{!}} Booking Agent {{!}} Talent Roster |url=https://mn2s.com/booking-agency/talent-roster/nigel-martyn/ |website=MN2S |access-date=12 May 2020 |archive-date=30 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830130050/https://mn2s.com/booking-agency/talent-roster/nigel-martyn/ |url-status=live }} Midfielder Holloway went on to manage Bristol Rovers in May 1996, with Gary Penrice as his assistant,{{Cite book|last=Murply|first=Alex|title=Let's Have Coffee: The Tao of Ian Holloway |editor=Jones, Richard |editor2=Faragher Steve|publisher=Naked Guides Ltd|location=Bristol|date=1 June 2005|isbn=0-9544177-9-8}} in the first job of a long managerial career.{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=628 |title=Managers – Ian Holloway |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=19 January 2020 |archive-date=14 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114211323/https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=628 |url-status=live }} Gerry Francis went on to manage Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, though would end his management career after a second spell at Bristol Rovers in 2001.{{Cite web | url = https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=533 | website = Soccerbase | publisher = Centurycomm | access-date = 14 June 2021 | title = Managers – Gerry Francis | archive-date = 10 August 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200810160049/https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=533 | url-status = live }}
Earle was sold on to Wimbledon for £775,000 in July 1991 and later appeared in the 1998 FIFA World Cup for Jamaica.{{NFT player|id=16637|access-date=10 July 2016}} The man that effectively put Port Vale in the final, Beckford, was himself sold to Norwich City for £925,000 in June 1991.{{cite web |title=Flown From the Nest – Darren Beckford |url=http://www.ex-canaries.co.uk/players/beckford.htm |website=ex-canaries |access-date=12 May 2020 |archive-date=30 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830130156/http://www.ex-canaries.co.uk/players/beckford.htm |url-status=live }} Mastermind of the success John Rudge immediately signed a new two-year contract and continued to manage Port Vale until January 1999, when he was dismissed in a controversial decision by chairman Bill Bell.{{cite news |last1=Keenan |first1=Dave |title=Port Vale savour moment |url=https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/forum/uploads/monthly_2021_06/bristol-rovers1.jpg.e81234d1c4c134d3ef46a436df03ce5f.jpg |access-date=9 June 2021 |work=onevalefan.co.uk |archive-date=14 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614155605/https://www.onevalefan.co.uk/forum/uploads/monthly_2021_06/bristol-rovers1.jpg.e81234d1c4c134d3ef46a436df03ce5f.jpg |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/no-grudge-for-rudge-only-old-golden-memories-2198438.html?|title=No grudge for Rudge, only old golden memories|last=Shaw|first=Phil|date=30 January 2011|work=The Independent|access-date=30 January 2011|archive-date=24 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624010451/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/no-grudge-for-rudge-only-old-golden-memories-2198438.html|url-status=live}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{EFL League One play-offs}}
{{1988–89 in English football}}
{{Bristol Rovers F.C. matches}}
{{Port Vale F.C. matches}}
Category:Football League Third Division play-off finals