David Mulligan At The World Cup!

How bizarre is this?! David Mulligan is at The World Cup Finals with New Zealand! How has this happened? Does anyone remember this bloke? Played at full-back for us for the last few months of THAT disasterous relegation season 07-08. He resembled nothing more than a jobbing footballer making his way quietly towards the void that is non-league football and here he is, possibly playing against Italy later today! Yet another Port Vale connection in South Africa. Let's see - Robbie Earle, David Mulligan, and, of course, Brighty - Mark Bright, BBC Co-commentator and product of the Rudge years.

Robbie's In Mither...

Vale legend Robbie Earle

What a disaster for Robbie Earle! The former Vale legend has been sacked from his job as ITV football pundit after 40 'complimentary' tickets for friends and family came into the hands of a Dutch beer company. Oops! 'The Guardian' newspaper were a little bit cruel yesterday when they suggested that this was the most interesting thing Earle had ever done as a pundit.

Robbie is one of the greatest footballers ever to grace Vale Park. He was part of the halcyon days of the John Rudge-era, where Vale were lifted to new heights. Sadly for Robbie he was eventually sold to Wimbledon (although it was good for us as we got a packet from the sale), who at the time were peddling the type of grim, artless, route one football that makes Stoke City look like fine purveyors of the beautiful game. Robbie also represented Jamaica in the World Cup Finals.



So, what next for Robbie? His TV punditry days are also certainly over. Could it be a return to Vale Park in some capacity for our hero?