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February
/ March 2004
Alan Merrick (West Bromwich Albion)
Hi Bob Alan Merrick isliving in the
US and running a business with football education for
kids and juniors "Alan Merricks soccer academies
inc." in Minnesota. His siteis at www.bestofkicks.com
Lennart Kristiansson (Click to see Lennart's
site)
John Rudge (Torquay United)
Ashley
Hammond offers the following profile at BBC Staffordshire Sport - John
Rudge, which if
you click on the link also includes an interview.
Wolverhampton
born Rudge, aged 59, steered Port Vale from the
depths of the old Fourth Division to the First in his
nineteen year reign at Vale Park, which saw him clock
up 843 games and 3 Wembley visits.
Premiership stars
During his illustrious managerial reign he spotted
and developed the careers of many past and present
Premiership aces - such as Mark Bright, Robbie Earle,
Robin Van de Lan, Gareth Ainsworth, Ian Taylor, Steve
Guppy, Jon McCarthy, Lee Mills, and most recently
Anthony Gardner then he sold them on for a cumulative
value of just under ten million pounds over the
seasons in order to balance the books.
Playing days cut short
However his playing days were admittedly less
spectacular. Taken on by Wolverhampton schoolboys he
soon developed a prowess for playing down the wing,
and served Huddersfield, Carlisle, Torquay, and
Bristol Rovers, before ending his career at
Bournemouth after an Achilles injury.
He played 211 games and scored 70 goals.
His role as manager
At 32 Rudge was fortunate to be handed his first job
in management as assistant at Torquay, before being
offered a coaching role with John McGrath’s
Valiants side.
Four years later Rudge had taken the hot seat and
went on to become Vale's longest serving manager this
century.
Move
to Stoke City
From
Vale, Rudge made the short trip across Stoke to the
Britannia Stadium (right) and took up the post, in
1999; he remains at today, as Director of Football
for First Division Stoke City.
Further
February / March 2004 news can be found at ...
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