The Potteries duo both benefited from Rudge’s knowledge and wisdom over a long period. While he is better known for his time at Vale – Rudge spent three years as assistant manager before taking the top job for an impressive 16 years – it shouldn’t be forgotten that he then enjoyed 14 years as director of football at the Potters.
Now club president at Port Vale, the 78-year-old attends all their games home and away and has legendary status among the fans. So much so in fact that Vale supporters have already raised almost £60,000 towards the £100,000 needed to build a statue of the popular former manager.
And last Sunday the supporters’ club held a launch event for Rudge’s autobiography ‘To Cap It All’, with all profits going to the statue fund.
Rudge had previously penned some chapters for a book years ago but then put the idea on the backburner. The fans’ recent efforts – and some cajoling from his family – persuaded him to think again.
“I wondered how the supporters were going to raise that amount of money, especially with the cost of living crisis,” he told The FLP. “I thought it would only be fitting if I could write the book and donate all the money from it to help the supporters buy the statue. I’m grateful and honoured.
“People had asked me to write my book before, but I said that I’d had my time. My two girls, Lisa and Debbie, said to me ‘Dad, why don’t you finish that book? It would be for us as a family – our kids can look at it and see what you achieved’.”
Indeed, family comes first for Rudge – something he reiterates when you ask him about his best ever signing.
This story is from the October 01, 2023 edition of The Football League Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 01, 2023 edition of The Football League Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
FUMING GRANT'S BLAST PAYS OFF
CHOICE words from Grant McCann at half-time did the trick as Doncaster Rovers came back to secure a point against classy Notts County.
BOSS MARTI'S ON A MISSION TO RESCUE R'S ALL OVER AGAIN
ARTI Cifuentes proved he was up for a challenge when he took the manager’s job at QPR just over a year ago.
HUSTLE FROM RUSSELL NETS DERBY SPOILS
HEAD coach Darrell Clarke praised goalscorer Jon Russell as his Barnsley side earned all three points in a home victory over South Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United.
DAVIES AGONY AS BLUES BLOW IT
ADEJECTED Chris Davies gave a bleak assessment of his Birmingham City side’s draw against Northampton Town.
WARNOCK: ONLY A GAME? IT'S LIFE OR DEATH IN SHEFFIELD!
JUST another game? Don’t pull that one on Neil Warnock, a Sheffield native, boyhood Blade and managerial veteran of nine Steel City derbies.
BISHOP AT THE HEART OF POMPEY WIN
COLBY Bishop’s spectacular return after heart surgery was a well-kept secret, said Portsmouth manager John Mousinho.
ACE VAKOUN CLEANS UP FOR THE HORNETS
VAKOUN Bayo took the plaudits once more after his goal sunk Oxford on Friday.
ANDI'S AT DOUBLE TO SPARK AWAY JOY
BLACKBURN Rovers boss John Eustace believes his team gave a text-book performance to get a first away win of the league season at Cardiff.
COV CATCH BLACK CATS NAPPING
SUNDERLAND head coach Regis le Bris was frustrated his players couldn’t build on two moments of first half magic that should have seen off managerless Coventry City at the Stadium of Light.
FARKE: WE HAVE THE WINNING MENTALITY TO STAY COURSE
Pressure mounts on Hoops manager