THE BLUES
The visiting Blue supporters will be standing in unison on Saturday to acknowledge popular defender Adam Barrett who is set to make his 150th appearance for the club on Saturday.
With a near full squad to pick from, including Gower but not Hammell who is very close to being fully fit though, I still expect Tilly to name an unchanged side from the one that started v Doncaster. The subs bench will be interesting. The chance to make it four league wins on the bounce and get even closer to the Borient should stiffen hearts and minds. I cannot comment on the Blackpool winner however all reports mention some great Collis saves and you know my views on Hunt, especially away from Roots Hall. Harrold has scored at last and if not knackered should start but it will be great to see big Leon scare the life out of a dodgy Vale defence on present form.
Expect a full report as due to a ridiculous three month work contract signed under duress, I've got a rubbish agent, instead of lying under a hot Greek sun with the wife I'm off to………Burslem.
THE OPPOSITION
Managers of struggling League One teams look at the fixture list now, the game before you play Southend will be your last, this time Martin Foyle throwing in the towel, or his chairman did it for him, as assistant Danny Glover steps up. How many times has this happened to us? Many will say he has only himself to blame by not playing top, only, scorer Luke Rodgers until it was too late.
Only a goal keeps them off the bottom of the table while the team that finished the 1-2 away defeat to Luton was Anyon, McGregor, Westwood, Pilkington, Edwards, Harsley (Miller 52), Rocastle, Whitaker, Rodgers, Willock (Richards 64), McGoldrick (Tudor 77). Subs Not Used: Talbot, Hulbert. Sent Off: Westwood (43). Booked: Richards. Goals: Rodgers 90.
A report of that game which says more for future opponents Luton than the presently poor Port Vale; Paul Furlong and David Bell got Luton's season back on track against 10-man Port Vale with victory. Furlong broke the deadlock in the 29th minute when he was left unmarked in the box to head in Bell's near post corner. And the Valiants' cause was not helped when they had Ashley Westwood sent off for dissent before the break. Bell secured the win five minutes from time by firing in on the edge of the box, before Luke Rodgers headed a late consolation for the visitors.
They will be without defender Ashley Westwood, who is suspended and on-loan Wolves defender Keith Lowe is still sidelined with a groin injury. Former Leyton Orient man Justin Miller is poised to start alongside captain George Pilkington.
THE MATCHES
68 matches in total: Won 18 Lost 23 Drawn 27 so a chance to catch up on Saturday then!
It all started a long, long time ago, well nearly 70 years, when we played the Vale in the Cup on December 10 1938 away and won 1-0, a goal by Trainer. Bolan and Smirk scored in a 2-2 draw only a week later in the first league meeting, also away. After the war an older Alf got another, that couldn't have happened too often, in a 1-1 home draw, April 19 1947, while a month after that game, May 31, we lost 1-5, Thompton scored the consolation. Sadly, this result was matched on September 24 1962, this time Bobby Kellard getting the only Blue goal. Even sadder it wasn't our biggest defeat; we had to wait for that thirty years for that, a dark Guy Fawkes Day indeed in 1994, a 0-5 away embarrassment.
Johnny McKinven, our flying sixties winger, started a five goal run against the Vale in four years 63-67, scoring in a 2-1 League Cup win, a 1-4 Div. 3 defeat, a 2-1 Div. 3 win and two Div. 4 wins, 3-1 and 2-1. In between was a 4-1 win and run off those joining Johnny Mac amongst the scorers. Bradbury, Beesley, Beanland, Baber, Chisnall, King, Smith and Woodley.
Then a bizarre sequence of 1-1 draws between 67 and 69. Baber again, McMillan, the legends Best and Moore, the sides playing on a regular basis throughout the decade.
Before you get too depressed our biggest wins have seen us get five as well both at home. April 20 1973, 5-0, a great hat-trick from Chris Guthrie, while Billy Best got the others. Funny thing I could not remember Guthrie and Best playing together, it was always Best and Moore in my youth. August 18 1980, Gray(2), Spence(2) and Hadley got the ball in the net in a 5-1 win.
The last time we met both games in the 2005/06 season were memorable though they did the double over us! On a hot August 6 day in 2005 a late super Gray volley could not stop a 1-2 home defeat. While on Nov. 26 a rare Smith goal could not stop another 2-1 Vale win with ex-players Constantine and Husbands scoring against their former paymasters. Of course we all know who had the last laugh that year.
THE GROUND
At one end of the ground is a fair sized single tiered all seated stand, complete with an electric scoreboard on the roof. This stand, the Phones4U Stand, houses the away supporters and it replaced a former open terrace. Opposite is the Big AM Stand, covered and all seated. The corners on either side of this stand have been filled. The Tricell Stand (also known as the Railway Stand) on one side is fair sized, covered and all seated. All three of these stands have a small number of supporting pillars, half way up them, which may restrict your view. The other side, the Lorne Street Stand, is a relatively new smart looking 5,000 all seated stand, complete with 48 executive boxes, which so far has been half built. To keep some sense of history the original clock from the old stand has been incorporated into the new construction. Unfortunately it is unclear when this stand will be completed as building work has been suspended due to lack of finance. A pity, as the empty 'predominantly concrete' area, really brings the ground down. Still, if this stand does get completed, it will look superb. On the opposite corner is a Police Control Box keeping a watchful eye over the crowd. The pitch is one of the widest in the League and the crowd are further set back from the playing action by the surrounding cinder track. During the 2007/08 season the Club hope to eventually complete the currently half built Lorne Street Stand. This would vastly improve the overall look of the ground.
Up to 4,500 away supporters can be accommodated in the Phones4U Stand, where the view and facilities located on the concourse behind the stand are good. Even a relatively small number of away fans can really make some noise from this stand, as the acoustics are excellent. However, the slope is quite shallow, which might affect your view should a tall person be seated in front. Normally though, you could still move to another seat if necessary.
I've been to Port Vale on a number of occasions and always found it be a good day out. However the experience has sometimes been a little intimidating, not due to the Port Vale supporters but more because of the huge Police presence in and around the ground. One Police Officer said to me as we left the ground five minutes early, as my team were losing 4-0. "Leaving already? there's still five minutes to go!". Now who said that Police Officers don't have a sense of humour? Still, on the plus side the pasties on offer within the ground are among the best I've eaten at any football ground, so much so, that I found myself going back for a second. The P.A within the ground is quite deafening at times and there is no escape, even in the toilets, as it is piped through!
If you wonder at half time why the Port Vale fans seem transfixed with staring at the away end, it is not intimidation, but the electric scoreboard perched on the roof of this stand! (which the away fans can't see). Also at half time the Vale fans in the Railway Stand tend to transfer from one side to another so that can be nearer the goalmouth that Port Vale are attacking.
THE PUB
The Vine near to the ground, on Hamil Road, is certainly a good bet for away supporters. A good pint is on offer coupled with an enjoyable pre-game atmosphere. This pub is certainly the main away fan pub, but it not for claustrophobics, as this small pub packs the fans in like sardines. Still it s friendly enough, with a range of real ales on offer.
The town centre is only a short walk away where there are a number of pubs to be found. The New Inn (just along from Kentucky Fried Chicken), which was friendly, served real ale and reasonably priced food. Another pub worth visiting is the Bull's Head in St John's Square. This pub is the local outlet for the nearby Titanic Brewery which is located in Burslem. It is friendly for away fans and has good number of real ales on offer. To find this pub: From the outside of the away end, turn right and go down to the bottom of Hamil Road (passing the Vine Pub on your left). Turn right at the t-junction and then go straight across the traffic lights at the crossroads. Proceed past KFC, Wades and the New Inn on the right and then if you look over to your left you will see Woolworths at the bottom of the square. The Bulls Head is on the right of this square. Also recommended to is the Red Lion on Moorland Road (coming from the ground, at the bottom of Hamil Road turn right into Moorland Road B5051 and the pub is down on the right). This is a good sized pub that serves real ale and bar snacks.
THE CAR
The ground is located in the town of Burslem, one of the six towns comprising Stoke On Trent. Leave the M6 at junction 15 or 16 and take the A500 towards Stoke on Trent. Follow A500 until the A527 Tunstall/Burslem exit, where you take the A527 towards Tunstall/Burslem. At the next island just past the Price Kensington factory turn right for Burslem town centre. Continue on this road up the hill, crossing another island and into Burslem town centre. Continue straight on over the traffic lights at the cross roads and then take the first road on the left which takes you down to the ground. There is a large car park located outside a superstore next to the ground which costs £4, otherwise street parking.
THE TRAIN
Longport station is the closest to the ground, but is a good 30 minute walk away and is not well served. Most fans end up at Stoke On Trent railway station, which is over four miles away and take a taxi (about £6) up to the ground. You can catch bus service number 29 to Burslem. As you go out of the entrance to Stoke station the bus stop is a short way down on the left. The destination of the bus is Bradeley (the 29 going the opposite way from across the road goes to Keele) and you can get off in Burslem town centre for the ground. The bus costs adults £1 single or £1.90 return.
THE HISTORY
Port Vale are based in Burslem, Staffordshire -one of the six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. Sadly for them their record defeat is 0 - 24 against, guess who, Stoke City on December 14 1877 in Division Two. You just don't get results like that anymore! (And to Stoke, now that is a local rivalry, you could walk to the opposition ground! And we call Colchester a local derby.)
Although it is widely believed that Port Vale is one of the few teams not to be named after a geographical location, the name Port Vale exists on maps predating the formation of the club in 1876, and is a reference to a valley of ports on the Trent and Mersey canal, associated with the city's pottery industry.
Port Vale's current manager is Dean Glover who replaced former youth team manager and long standing Vale hero, Martin Foyle, who resigned with 'mutual consent' this week after a disappointing start. Glover was the club's assistant manager and another notable former player.
Vale Park has been Port Vale's ground home since 1950, when the club moved from the Old Recreation Ground in Hanley, which stood on what is now the multi-storey car park for the Potteries Shopping Centre. The Rec had been Vale's home since 1913 before which they had flitted between several homes in their early years of existence. The most poignant being the Cobridge Athletic Ground which was also a dog track for Greyhound Racing in Cobridge an area between Burslem and Hanley. Vale Park has a notional capacity of around 22,000 however with all the developments and a switch to an all seater stadium in recent years it is more likely around 18 or 19,000 once Lorne Street is completed. Despite not being the oldest ground in the world (circa 1950) Vale Park has had several upgrades in its 57 year history. The original ground consisted of just 2 stands (The Railway side and the Lorne Street or Main Stand) with banks of terracing at the Bycars and Hamil ends of the ground. Stands were eventually built behind each of goals during the 80s and 90s as the ground began to be modernized. The Paddock at the front of the Railway Stand was also made into an all seated affair with just the Lorne Street side now being left as a standing area. Vale fans stood for the last time on Lorne Street at the end of the 97-98 season with the stand being demolished before work began on a new 3 million pound structure. Unfortunately work has never been finished on this nearly 10 years on due to lack of finances and then a change in ownership of the club. However once new owners V2001 had sorted out the financing work was finally begun on finishing the 2nd half of the stand with work due to be completed sometime in 2008.
John Rudge took over the management reins at Vale Park in 1983/84 after the sacking of John McGrath following poor form upon Vale's promotion to Division 3 (now League One). Despite being unable to halt Vale's immediate return to the bottom tier of the Football League, Division 4 (now League Two) finishing 23rd, Rudge made his first profit in the 1984 close season when he sold Mark Bright to Leicester City for £33,000. Bright had originally been a signing from local non-leaguers Leek Town Rudge steadied the ship and had Vale promoted back to the third tier in 1985/86 losing just once at Vale Park and helped by the goals of prolific Welshman Andy Jones finished in 4th place. Jones continued to prove another inspired Rudge signing a level higher, netting a club record 37 goals in the 1986/87 season belittling his £3,000 price tag from Rhyl. Jones was then sold for a then club record £375,000 to Charlton. The Valiants rise didn't stop there after 3 seasons in Division 3 another promotion to Division 2(now the Championship) followed in 1988/1989. Robbie Earl scoring the winning goal at Vale Park to complete a 2-1 aggregate playoff final victory over Bristol Rovers. Rudge also oversaw the first of three cup giant killing acts on another momentous day at Vale Park in 1988 when a Vale side midway in Division 3 defeated Tottenham of Division 1 (now the Premiership) 2-1. Ray Walker and Phil Sproson were on target for Vale against Terry Venables' side which included Chris Waddle and Clive Allen, but omitted Ossie Ardiles, apparently due to the heavy state of the pitch.
Despite the disappointment going into the 93/94 season Vale were able to bounce back with Rudge's next two bargain buys becoming important players. Ian Taylor who Vale had signed for £15,000 from non-league Moor Green and Dutch import Robin van der Laan came to the fore with Martin Foyle back fit and experienced Bernie Slaven up front, Vale surged to 2nd place confirming promotion on the last day with a 3-1 win at Brighton's Goldstone Ground in front of 6000 travelling Valiants. Vale also notched another F.A.Cup scalp beating then Premiership side Southampton 1-0 at Vale Park in a 3rd Round replay. This time round Rudge knew what was required to sustain a better challenge in the higher league and although Ian Taylor became Rudge's first 1 million pound sale when Sheffield Wednesday invested in the midfielder, the money was well spent on bringing Tony Naylor, Steve Guppy and Gareth Griffiths to the club throughout the 1994/95 campaign. Although these three not big names or particularly proven at that time they began to build into the Rudge's best team in the next two seasons. Vale finished 17th in 1994/95 comfortably avoiding relegation by 10 points and again despite a pre-season sale of Robin van der Laan who Derby bought for £475,000 (he originally cost £80,000) Rudge made 2 more inspired signings with Jon McCarthy and Lee Mills joining before the 1995/96 season began.
These next 2 seasons Vale fans were to witness some of the best football the club has ever played and even have fans dreaming of the Premiership in the second half of the 1996/97 campaign. Although who'd have thought it 10 games into the previous 95/96 season Vale had mustered just 1 win; ironically away in the local derby against Stoke and were struggling at the wrong end of the table. Early home form was also the worst for years and it took the Valiants until the 2nd December to finally notch a win at Vale Park when Martin Foyle scored to beat Huddersfield 1-0. A 5-1 defeat at Ipswich on New Years Day saw Vale slip to 1 from bottom with just 5 wins all season but the magic of the F.A. Cup was again to prove the tonic. The draw had done Vale no favours with a trip to promotion chasing Crystal Palace but a battling 0-0 brought the tie back to Vale Park. Vale eventually won a classic on a freezing January night with Ray Walker curling home a spectacular winner in extra time to seal a 4-3 win and set up a trip to cup holders Everton in Round 4. It was somewhat a mystery why Vale were struggling in the League with wingers Steve Guppy and Jon McCarthy consistently proving their worth on the flanks with skill and pinpoint crossing the scurge of many a full back. However the Everton tie was to prove their finest hour in Vale shirt. Vale twice came from behind at Goodison Park to draw 2-2, with Ian Bogie scoring off virtually the last kick of the match. The replay was to prove a night to remember, Vale Park was full to capacity to see Guppy and McCarthy produce a masterclass in wing play. The Right and Left combination terrorised the Everton fullbacks all night and with the match poised at 1-1 after Ian Bogie's opener had been cancelled out by Graham Stuart, Guppy broke down the left before crossing for McCarthy to smash the winner past Neville Southall in the Everton goal. The victory in front of a 19000+ crowd (the last time Vale Park was full) saw Vale into round five where they would play Leeds United away who were then a top 10 Premiership side. The game at Elland Road took place on a Tuesday due to various cancellations due to bad weather and finished 0-0 in a game where the Valiants were arguable the better side and should have won. However the tie went to a replay in Burslem and Vale were dreaming of a Quarter Final with Liverpool when Tony Naylor slipped the ball past John Lukic to put them in front. Gary McAllister however was to prove Leeds' saviour scoring twice in the final 12 minutes to send the Yorkshire club into the Round 6. Vale's cup exploits were to earn them the FA's Giantkillers award for the 95/96 season.
The cup run seemed to inspire Vale onto better thing in the league with a run of 5 wins in a row pushing them up to 12th as the season drew to a close. Vale also had some excellent results in the Anglo-Italian Cup as they qualified for the final at Wembley in the 'England V Italy' competition's final season. The pick of the preliminary stages was a 5-3 win at Italian side Perugia where Lee Mills netted a hat trick. The English Semi Final draw pitted Vale away to Ipswich Town(who they'd already lost to 5-1), Tony Naylor though was to prove the hero scoring a hat trick as Vale record a superb 4-2 win at Portman Road(the first in their history at Ipswich's ground). A thrilling 3-1 victory in the English final 2nd leg at Vale Park against West Brom confirmed a 4-2 aggregate success and a game against Italian winners Genoa in the final. The Italian's skill however was to prove too much in the final and a side including future Italian internationals Vincenzo Montella and Fabio Galante ran out 5-2 winners (Martin Foyle with both Vale goals.)
Again Vale made a slow start to the 1996/97 campaign with only 2 wins from their opening 10 league games although a better performance in the League cup(a competition Vale traditionally struggle in!) gave the fans something to shout about early on. Especially after thumping local side Crewe 5-1 at Gresty Road! A protest against chairman Bill Bell after a poor home defeat to Crystal Palace seemed to see an upturn in the Valiant's performances. A 2nd win at Wolves' Molineaux ground(1-0) in two seasons was followed by a mixed period until December produced some of the best football many Vale fans are likely to have seen. The pick were 3 wins on the bounce against ex-premiership sides Charlton 3-1 at The Valley, 6-1 at home to Norwich and concluding in a 1-0 success on Boxing Day at Manchester City in front of more than 30,000. Despite the sale of the excellent Steve Guppy to Leicester City for £800,000, Vale's form remained steady from then on until 5 wins from 6 from mid March-mid April put them in with a chances of the playoffs for a place in the Premiership. However with 3 games remaining Vale were to lose in local derby defeats to main rivals Stoke City before Wolves came away from Vale Park with a 2-1 victory to end their hopes. Had Vale picked up anything from either of those games it would have set up a final day showdown at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace for a place in the playoff however Vale remained just out of reach 4 points behind the London club. Vale's final finishing position of 8th was their highest in the pyramid since 1931, when they had finished 5th in the old division two.
Among the club's fanbase is singer Robbie Williams, who was raised in Stoke-on-Trent. He is now a major shareholder having, in February 2006, bought £240,000 worth of the £250,000 worth of available shares in the club. Sponsors, Castle Comfort Stairlifts, at the same time bought the remainder for £10,000. For the computer game FIFA 2000 he provided an original theme song with It's Only Us on the condition that Port Vale were included in the game, which they were, as a special feature team. This song was also featured on the first and only FIFA Soundtrack CD release by EMI.
(Thanks to the usual suspects for their help in this article)
