Two minute guide to: Port Vale v Chesterfield
It’s time for the final game of 2016 as Port Vale host Chesterfield with caretaker Michael Brown in charge. Here’s our brief guide…
In the picture:
The story behind our choice of image we’ve chosen to lead the article with…
Following his stellar performance for Macclesfield in the FA Cup recently, we felt it was time to take a look back at the career of Danny Whitaker. A former Man Utd youth player, Whitaker joined Vale from Macclesfield in 2006. The Mancunian played 98 games and scored 15 times playing a vital role as a creative, goalscoring midfielder.
However, in 2008 he turned down an offer of a new contract from Vale and opted to join Oldham Athletic instead. He joined Chesterfield in 2010 after two years with the Latics and left after making 106 appearances over three years.
Vale career: 98 games | 15 goals
The two sides
Port Vale
- Manager: Michael Brown (caretaker)
- Last match: 0-1 vs Walsall
- Top scorer: Alex Jones (9)
Chesterfield
- Manager: Danny Wilson
- Last match: 0-3 vs Rochdale
- Top scorer: Jay O’Shea (8)
Match details
Venue:
Vale Park
Date:
30th December 2016
Tickets:
Online Port Vale ticketing website
Pre-match thoughts
“It’s easy when you are winning but you find out your real characters when you are on a losing streak.”
Caretaker boss Michael Brown
Vale team news
It will be interesting to see what changes Michael Brown will make. Will he pair Alex Jones and Rigino Cicilia (pictured) upfront? Will he ditch the zonal marking? Will he even pick himself in midfield?
One potential issue could be influential winger Jerome Thomas. He played on Boxing Day but with his fitness record will he be able to play another game just four days later?
Last time we met…
It ended in a 4-2 loss at the Proact stadium in April last season. AJ Leitch-Smith and JJ Hooper were on target for Vale. The match at Vale Park ended in a dramatic 3-2 win for the Valiants.
Overall record
Port Vale wins: 32
Port Vale losses: 41
Draws: 22
Form guide
Club connections
Chesterfield have former players Dan Jones (right) and Jay O’Shea in their squad. Jones is unlikely to feature as he is recovering from an ankle injury. However, there have been a large number of players to appear for both sides over the years. Those players include…
- Striker Marc Richards
- Midfielder Sam Morsy
- Defender Charlie Raglan
- Defender Colin Tartt
- Striker Ernie Moss
- Midfielder Sam Togwell
- Forward Bob Newton
- Midfielder Paul Harsley
Did you know…
- The clubs first met competitively in 1899.
- That first game ended in a 4-0 win for the Vale.
- Howard Harvey scored Vale’s first goal in that match and went on to net a hat-trick.
- However, Vale have only won one of their last five home fixtures against the Spireites.