Everyone connected with the Vale was saddened to hear that our former player Clinton Boulton suddenly passed away on New Year’s Day, just 5 days short of his 73rd birthday on the golf course.
Born in Stoke-on-Trent in January 1948, Clinton joined the Vale in 1963 as an apprentice. He made his debut as a half back at Hull City on Boxing Day 1964 aged 16 years and 364 days, which at the time made him the Vale’s youngest ever player in a Football League game, which has since been surpassed. He scored his first goal for the club v Walsall in April 1965 aged 17yrs 110 days which is a club record for the youngest scorer that he still holds to this day.
He turned professional in August 1965 and became a regular in the side over the next few years mainly at right back. He was made captain at the age of 18 by Sir Stanley Matthews, another club record. He made 46 apps in 1968/69 and was one of five ever presents in Gordon Lee’s side that were promoted out of the Fourth Division in 1969/70.
He was equally adept in central defence and always gave his all, very reliable and rarely being injured, so it was a shock to everyone when he was sold to Torquay United in November 1971 for £10,000. It was the third highest fee Vale had ever received at the time and the reason given was that the club needed the money for new floodlights. Clinton had made 267 senior appearances for the Vale scoring 12 goals.
He played for Torquay for 8 years settling in Devon and running a company that made window blinds and awnings. In more recent times he moved to Blackpool.
Port Vale extends our deepest condolences to Clint’s family and friends at this time.