Supporters with long memories will remember ex-Rovers forward John Rudge, who was back in the news this week for being appointed as Director of Football at Port Vale just a few days short of his 73rd birthday. Between 1983 and 1999 Rudge managed Vale master-minding Vale’s play-off final victory over Rovers in 1989.
As a player Rudge joined Rovers from Torquay United during the 1971-72 season and he went on to play 79 games for Rovers, scoring 20 goals in the process and was part of Don Megson’s promotion winning squad in the 1973-74 season.
His highlight in a Rovers shirt was scoring against Manchester United in the League Cup tie in 1972 which Rovers famously went on to win.
