 He added to his inevitable fine from the club by continuing his verbal attack on the referee after the game, and following an investigation by the FA he continued to land himself in hot water with an elaborate practical joke he played on the FA officials who came to speak to Rudge at Vale Park.A first team regular alongside defensive partners Neil Aspin and Dean Glover, in summer 1992 he helped the club to win the pre-season TNT Tournament.His performances in the 1992–93 season saw him awarded a place on the PFA Second Division team.