Phil Sproson

Phil Sproson
Personal information
Full name Phillip Jess Sproson
Date of birth (1959-10-13) 13 October 1959
Place of birth Stoke-on-Trent, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s) Central defender
Youth career
1975–1977 Port Vale
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1977–1989 Port Vale 426 (33)
1989–1990 Birmingham City 12 (0)
Stafford Rangers
Northwich Victoria
Total 438 (33)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Phillip Jess Sproson (born 13 October 1959) is an English former footballer who played as a central defender. He played in 500 matches (426 in the league) for Port Vale and scored 41 goals (33 in the league); this places 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.