Two minute guide: Port Vale v Hartlepool United
Billy Paynter returns to Vale Park for a vital FA Cup tie. Here’s our brief guide…
In the picture:
The story behind our choice of image we’ve chosen to lead the article with…
It’s an obvious choice but the game should mark the return of Billy Paynter to Vale Park. The striker has been at Hartlepool since 2015 and is club captain.
Billy began his professional career with the Valiants after progressing through the youth system. He made his debut aged just 16 (the youngest debutant for twenty years) and scored his first senior goal a year later. In 2003-2004 he had his most prolific season with fourteen goals and the following year he was named the club’s player of the year.
However, in November 2005, Paynter was loaned to Hull City with a permanent move of £150,000 soon following.
After spells with Southend, Leeds, Doncaster, Carlisle and notably Swindon Town, Paynter has now amassed 500 career appearances and scored over 100 goals. We hope he gets a decent reception from the Vale crowd.
Port Vale career: 158 games | 34 goals
The two sides
Port Vale
- Manager: Bruno Ribeiro
- Last match: 0-0 vs Shrewsbury Town
- Top scorer: Alex Jones (9)
Hartlepool United
- Manager: Craig Hignett
- Last match: 0-2 vs Wycombe
- Top scorer: Amond, Thomas (7)
Match details
Venue:
Vale Park
Date:
4th December 2016
Tickets:
Details of the cut-price ticket offer
Pre-match thoughts
“We want to win next Sunday and we will see then what team we will take and play the best team to get us through to the next round…”
Bruno Ribeiro
“Vale will always have a place in my heart… It’s a great fixture, but on the day I will be professional. I want my team to win, but if Vale get through I will be cheering for them afterwards…”
Billy Paynter
Vale team news
The Valiants will be missing left-sided duo Sam Hart and Kjell Knops which means Kiko (right) is a shoe-in to start as left-back. Veteran Jerome Thomas is an outside bet to start but Vale will definitely be without the suspended Anthony Grant and injured Sam Foley. Strikers Martin Paterson and Anton Forrester are also expected leaving just Rigino Cicilia on the bench.
Last time we met…
The two sides last met in a league cup clash in 2014 that saw Ben Williamson hit a hat-trick for the Valiants in a 6-2 win. Highlights of that game are above.
As far as the FA Cup goes, the two sides have met in 1994 when it ended in a 6-0 win for Vale. That game saw another Vale hat-trick for Martin Foyle. We have a clip of that game on our OVF YouTube channel and it’s below if you want to play it:
Overall record
Port Vale wins: 18
Port Vale losses: 18
Draws: 12
Form guide
Club connections
In addition to Billy Paynter, there are a number of other players to appear for both sides. The list includes former centre-half Sam Collins (right) who is still a coach at Hartlepool. Other players include:
- Midfielder Mark Lawrence
- Midfielder Geoff Davies
- Striker Jordan Hugill
- Forward Bob Newton
- Striker Joe Allon
- Winger Paul Atkinson
- Midfielder Tommy Widdrington
- Defender Andy Higgins
- Defender Peter Billing
- Winger Jeff Smith
Did you know…
- Vale may have won the last two cup ties as we mention above but as for league meetings… the Valiants haven’t won any of the last eight games against Pools
- The two sides first met in 1929 when it finished 2-1 to Vale.
- Harry Anstiss scored Vale’s first goal against Hartlepool in that 2-1 win.
- Tom Pope (right) was the scorer of Vale last goal against Hartlepool.