Phil Sproson

Phillip Jess Sproson (born 13 October 1959) is an English former footballer who played as a central defender. He played in 500 matches for Port Vale, placing him second in the list of appearances for Port Vale. He is the nephew of Port Vale defender Roy Sproson and son of Jess Sproson, who played for Vale between 1940 and 1947.

A strong and technically competent central defender, he helped Port Vale to win promotion out of the Fourth Division in 1982–83 and 1985–86, and was twice named on the PFA Team of the Year. Forced to retire in February 1989 due to a knee injury, he attempted a comeback with Birmingham City and later represented Stafford Rangers and Northwich Victoria. He remained in the game after retirement and became a football agent.

Early and personal life Phillip Jess Sproson was born in Stoke-on-Trent on 13 October 1959. His son, Warren, also played for Port Vale's youth team.

Career Port Vale Sproson was spotted by Port Vale coach Reg Berks after Berks visited Thistley Hough High School to see the team play. After asking for the youngster's address, he visited him later in the day to get him on a contract, at which point he discovered the youngster was the nephew of Vale's manager, Roy Sproson. He rejected an apprenticeship at Stoke City. Instead, he became an apprentice electrician until new manager Bobby Smith offered him forms with Port Vale in December 1977.

He featured in two Third Division games towards the end of the 1977–78 season. With the "Valiants" relegated into the Fourth Division, Sproson found first-team chances easier to come by at Vale Park as he played 25 games in the 1978–79 season under the stewardship of Dennis Butler. He scored five goals in 51 games in the 1981–82 season, after missing just four league matches. Vale boasted the best defensive record in the Football League, conceding only 34 goals. Stoke City manager Richie Barker had tried to sign Sproson earlier in the season but was put off by Vale's high asking price, so instead signed Paul Dyson.

The club suffered relegation in 1983–84, with Sproson scoring four goals in 44 appearances. The 1988–89 season saw Vale promoted from the Third Division; Sproson scored five goals in 29 games. In January 1989, Sproson suffered a severe knee injury during training and retired the following month.

Later career Against medical advice, Sproson attempted a return to league football. In August 1989 he joined Dave Mackay's Birmingham City, who were obliged to pay Port Vale a "fee" of £50,000 in lieu of insurance money. He did though later play for Conference sides Stafford Rangers and Northwich Victoria.

Post-retirement Sproson worked as head of the PFA's Player Management Agency, but stood down in March 2009 to work on his own account. He has worked as an agent to players such as Curtis Davies, Marlon Harewood and Liam Dickinson. He has also acted as agent for Adam Crookes and Joe Worrall, as well as numerous players at Nottingham Forest due to his friendship with academy manager Gary Brazil. He has also worked as an analyst for BBC Radio Stoke.

Career statistics

Honours Individual PFA Fourth Division Team of the Year: 1982–83

Port Vale Football League Fourth Division 3rd-place finish (promoted): 1982–83