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Post by lagwafis on Aug 20, 2016 22:14:40 GMT
One of our finest back lines, albeit playing in the lower leagues at the time.
John Butler was one of Mick Mills' better signings, eventually filling the boots left behind by Lee Dixon. I seem to remember him covering both full back positions although he was at his best on the right. Wonderful run down the wing at Vale Park, beating several Vale players to set up Stein's opener in the promotion season.
With Lee Sandford I remember Alan Ball playing him out of position originally but he came into his own as a left back under Macari. 300+ games and we eventually made a profit of about £500k on him when Howard Kendall signed him for Sheffield United.
Ian Cranson would have without doubt played at a higher level but for his injuries. A huge blow to lose him so suddenly to retirement at the start of 1996/97.
Vince Overson was another we lost through injury (a year before Cranson) although if memory serves he went on to play at Burnley after leaving us. A real captain and leader.
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Post by trentvale68 on Aug 22, 2016 14:04:01 GMT
Cranson is still the best defender ive seen at Stoke (too young to remember Dennis Smith). Him & Ryan - what a combination that would be!!
Overson not technically as good as Cranson but they made a formidable pairing. I would have backed them in the top flight
Another fantastic video!!
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Post by Trouserdog on Aug 28, 2016 14:07:24 GMT
Great defence that was.
Would definitely have held its own in the top flight. When you think that they only had Ronnie Sinclair behind them as well.
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Post by daviddunn on Jan 12, 2017 20:05:16 GMT
Top lad Ian Cranson got me tickets for many games and sometimes like Man U in the cup and Bolton when we won promotion but lost 1 0 but Bolton went up with us as champions leaving Vale in the play offs ,anyway he got me into the players lounge on those occasions , I got to know him as I worked with his brother up here in the North east , used to get the real stories about what was happening in football clubs not the crap we were being told by clubs and news papers
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Post by tideswell on Jan 19, 2017 14:47:32 GMT
Top lad Ian Cranson got me tickets for many games and sometimes like Man U in the cup and Bolton when we won promotion but lost 1 0 but Bolton went up with us as champions leaving Vale in the play offs ,anyway he got me into the players lounge on those occasions , I got to know him as I worked with his brother up here in the North east , used to get the real stories about what was happening in football clubs not the crap we were being told by clubs and news papers Cranson was a gent mate. |
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Post by JoeinOz on Jan 21, 2017 11:03:13 GMT
One story was when we bought Lee Dixon John Butler had actually been first choice.
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Post by Gifton on Jan 24, 2017 20:13:28 GMT
Cranson could strike a ball from range too
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Post by trentvale68 on Jan 29, 2017 22:02:57 GMT
Cranson was prem league quality
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Post by Dutchpeter on Mar 17, 2017 4:58:34 GMT
I always enjoy rewatching Lee Sandford's tackle on Andrei Kanchelskis in 1993. Man's stuff then  |
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