games in the 1981–82 season, after missing just four league matches. The 1982–83 season proved highly successful for Sproson; he was a regular in the first team, claiming four goals in 45 games, and was included in the PFA select Fourth Division side as Vale were promoted in third place. 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. Sproson maintained his first team place in the 1984–85 campaign under the management of John Rudge, as he played 54 of the Vale's 56 games. In the 1985–86 season, Sproson was appointed as club captain, and missed just two games as Port Vale were again promoted out of the Fourth Division; he was again selected in the PFA team of the year. He scored four goals in 52 appearances in the 1986–87 season, as the only real constant presence in the Vale defence. He missed just four of Vale's 56 games in the 1987–88 season, and claimed the winning goal in the FA Cup giant-killing of First Division side Tottenham Hotspur after getting the better of goalkeeper Tony Parks and centre-back Neil Ruddock in a goalmouth scramble that resulted; Sproson later claimed he also made the best tackle of his career in the game when he lunged in front of Clive Allen to block a Mitchell Thomas cross. 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. His testimonial match was held against rivals Stoke City on 21 March 1988, Vale drew the game 1–1, and Sproson collected £12,000 of the takings. 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 played 12 Third Division and four League Cup games for the "Blues" in the 1989–90 season, but a re-occurrence of his knee injury meant he was unable to perform at the required fitness levels, and he retired again in September 1990. He did though later play for Conference sides Stafford Rangers and Northwich Victoria.