John Robert Rudge (born 21 October 1944) is an English former football player and football manager who is now working as football adviser and club president at EFL League One club Port Vale. His playing career began at Huddersfield Town in November 1961, but he made little impact at the club and was transferred to Carlisle United in December 1966. In January 1969 he joined Torquay United, and twice finished as the club's top scorer, before he moved on to Bristol Rovers in February 1972. He helped the club to win promotion of the Third Division in 1973–74, before departing for AFC Bournemouth in March 1975. His time on the coast was disrupted by injury, and he retired in 1977. He scored a total of 78 goals in 267 league and cup appearances in a sixteen-year career in the English Football Le