This season Prostate Cancer UK is the official charity of The Football League. To celebrate, we've asked bloggers from each of the 72 clubs to count down their top five strikers to have worn the No9 shirt, in recognition of the fact that prostate cancer affects one in nine men.

Visionary Valiant: Martin Foyle was more than just a goal poacher. Photo courtesy of Action Images

 

Here blogger Rob Fielding, from onevalefan.co.uk, selects Port Vale's five best No9s… and one to forget!

5. Basil Hayward (1946-58)
The centre-forward for Vale's legendary 1954 'Iron Curtain' side, Hayward played a key role as the side racked up a record-breaking promotion and became the first Division Three side to appear in an FA Cup semi-final. Originally a centre-half, Hayward was converted into a forward with such success that he was an ever-present for two seasons as Stan Steele's side set new standards and broke numerous club records. 

4. Tony Naylor (1994-2001)
For many Vale fans, diminutive striker Tony Naylor was one of the most gifted players to appear up front for the Valiants. Naylor didn't score many tap-ins, but when he was in form, his eye for the spectacular swiftly made him into a terrace idol. One strike against Sunderland in 1997 sticks out - stationed on the touchline, Naylor backheeled the ball past his marker and cut inside, bamboozling defenders before effortlessly curling the ball into the far corner of the net.

3. Andy Jones (1985-87 & 1989)
A powerhouse of a centre-forward, Jones was arguably the most important signing that legendary manager John Rudge made. Signed from Rhyl for just £3,000, the striker was virtually unplayable during the 1986-1987 season as he smashed in 37 goals, including five in a 6-1 thrashing of Newport County. His form was such that he earned a Welsh cap and duly scored on his debut. His subsequent £350,000 move to Charlton Athletic then enabled Rudge to purchase the players that would take Vale into the rarefied heights of Division Two.

2. Martin Foyle (1991 -2000)
The club's greatest goalscorer of the modern era, Foyle was so much more than just a goal poacher. Possessing a good first touch and great vision, he also set up numerous chances for his striking partners. Nevertheless, Foyle himself still managed a highly creditable 107 goals in 356 games and was twice voted the club's player of the year. After retiring as a player, he became a coach and also had a three-year spell as first-team manager. 

1. Wilf Kirkham (1923-29 &1932-33)
A shoe-in as the club's greatest striker, locally-born Kirkham hammered in a club record 164 goals in just 276 games during two spells at Port Vale. The holder of numerous other club records, the former teacher hit 12 hat-tricks and scored four goals in a game... twice!

And the worst…
Ville Viljanen (2000-01)
Vale fans were understandably excited when the club announced the signing of a Finnish international striker on trial and Viljanen quickly sealed a permanent move after three goals in his first four games. Sadly, he only managed three more in the next 33 games as fans swiftly discovered that, somewhat ironically, their Finnish 'star' simply couldn't finish...

Follow Rob on Twitter @OneValeFan