Connections: Vale and Carlisle
To fill a quiet news day here is an occasional series from OVF – which players have appeared for both Vale and Carlisle?
Chris Birchall
The popular midfielder is back in his second spell at Vale Park. While he was on Coventry’s books, he was linked with a return to the Valiants but instead opted for a loan spell with Carlisle. He made just two sub appearances before returning to Coventry and cancelling his contract in order to move to the US.
Vale appearances: 74+40 (12 goals) *
Carlisle appearances: 0+2 (0 goals)
* as of March 2014
Jennison Myrie-Williams
The winger was a prolific loanee while on the books at Bristol City. In 2008, he took the brave step of moving from the West Country to Cumbria as he joined Carlisle on a two month loan spell. After all that moving around (in total Jennison made five loan moves from Ashton Gate) he’s probably happy to be in his second year as a permanent Port Vale player!
Vale appearances: 79+12 (21 goals) *
Carlisle appearances: 3+7 (0 goals)
* as of March 2014
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson
The diminutive playmaker was a key figure in the side that lifted the LDV Vans Trophy back in 2001. However, prior to joining the Valiants, Bridge-Wilkinson had enjoyed a loan spell with Carlisle. And after his departure from Vale, he joined the Cumbrians again in 2007, this time making over a hundred appearances during a four year spell.
Vale appearances: 124+16 (36 goals)
Carlisle appearances: 89+28 (14 goals)
Mark Boyd
The midfielder was a Brian Horton signing for the Valiants back in 2002. Boyd spent two seasons at Vale Park before being released and he subsequently spent a short three month spell with Carlisle before joining Gretna and then dropping into the non-league scene. He’s currently playing for Northern League side Celtic Nation.
Vale appearances: 46+4 (4 goals)
Carlisle appearances: 9 (1 goal)
Kevin Gall
A Dean Glover signing (those words are probably enough to fill Vale fans with dread) striker Gall was (in Glover’s words) needed to “bring a little more spice to our forward line and score a few goals for us.” Sadly, he failed in the latter regard, failing to net at all during a four month loan spell. He returned to parent club Carlisle at the end of the season and was promptly released. His last club was Stockport Sports for whom he played during 2012-13.
Vale appearances: 7 (0 goals)
Carlisle appearances: 60+15 (11 goals)
Barry Siddall
A footballing nomad, goalkeeper Siddall played for thirteen league clubs during a 21 year playing career so it’s no surprise he featured for both clubs. His spell at Vale Park was initially a happy one as he was a key part of the 1982-83 promotion side. However, relations with the Valiants were soured when he left over a contract dispute. Some seven years later, Siddall, then 37, joined Carlisle for a season before quitting playing duties in 1993 to become a coach. He now works for the Post Office.
Vale appearances: 81
Carlisle appearances: 24
Jon McCarthy
A Vale Park hero, McCarthy formed a formidable wing partnership with Steve Guppy during his first spell with the club. The highlight was undoubtedly McCarthy’s winning goal in the FA Cup giantkilling of Everton. McCarthy re-joined Vale for a short spell in 2002 before joining Carlisle later that year. He finished his playing days at Northwich Victoria and is now first-team coach at Chester.
Vale appearances: 124+4 (17 goals)
Carlisle appearances: 25+2 (2 goals)
Jeff Smith
An “enigmatic” (trans: inconsistent) winger, Smith joined Vale on a free transfer from Bolton. On his day he could be brilliant, on an off day anonymous but nevertheless Smith over a hundred appearances for the Valiants. In something of a shock move, Carlisle paid Vale £60,000 for Smith’s services, where he made over 50 appearances. In 2012, he teamed up with another former Vale-Carlisle connection, Mark Boyd, at Northern League side Celtic Nation.
Vale appearances: 75+28 (7 goals)
Carlisle appearances: 47+18 (2 goals)
Others
This is not a comprehensive list of players to appear for both clubs, but it includes goalkeepers Jonny Brain (although he never made the Carlisle first-team) and Matt Glennon (who conversely was on loan but never made a first-team appearance for Vale).
Other players include Tom Taiwo, David Freeman, John Durnin (pictured right), Bob Delgano, Craig Russell, Dean Holdsworth, Steve Livingstone, Gareth Taylor, Stephane Pounewatchy, Jack Round, John Brodie, Clarence Spencer, Tom Baxter and David Galloway.
Ivor Powell has managed both sides.