Brian Horton celebrates with Mark Grew after Vale win the LDV Vans trophy

Reportedly bought for a 'pint of shandy' from Hednesford Town in 1970, Brian had previously been on the books of Walsall and he soon made an impression on the Vale Park faithful.

A determined character, Horton made his debut in a 1-0 home win over Preston North End and soon became an automatic choice in the side.

He was sold to Brighton & Hove Albion in 1976 for £30,000, where he soon became a crowd favourite, before moving on to Luton Town, where he played under David Pleat.

Ha later became player manager at Hull City, before spells with Oxford, Manchester City, Huddersfield Town and Brighton as manager.

After John Rudge left the Vale, Brian Horton didn't need asking twice to take over as the Vale boss. He was in charge of the club when we won the LDV Vans Trophy in 2001

Unfortunately, the club went into administration during his five year stint as boss at Vale Park, leaving him frustrated and unable to bring in the fresh faces the side obviously needed.

However, in his final year in charge, he took the side to the brink of the play-offs, before leaving the club by mutual consent with a quarter of the season to go. He went on to join Macclesfield Town as manager several weeks later. He later became numder two to Phil Brown at Hull and helped them to reach the Premier League. After leaving Hull he later linked up with Phil Brown again at Preston North End.