Two minute guide to: Kidsgrove v Port Vale
It’s Port Vale’s first friendly of the summer on Saturdaya and here’s our brief guide to the action…
Match details?
The Novus Stadium, 3pm on Saturday.
What’s the ground like?
The Novus stadium has a capacity of 2,000 and is situated one mile from the A500. Here’s a blog post from back in 2011 which includes some thoughts on the ground – http://stickypalms.blogspot.co.uk/2011/10/kidsgrove-athletic-0-bradford-park.html
Last time we met?
It finished 2-1 to the Valiants last summer. The home side had taken the lead through Harry Clayton before Michael Brown came on and scored two late goals to steer Vale to victory. You can read our match report and see some photos.
What’s the Vale team news?
Michael Brown is expected to field a number of trialists including former Luton Town winger Danny Green. The game should also give supporters the chance to see new signings Rob Lainton, Cristiano Montano, Tyrone Barnett, Graham Kelly, Anthony Kay and Sam Hornby in action. Youngsters James Gibbons, Billy Reeves, Mike Calverley, Luke Dennis and Dan Turner will also be given a chance to push their first-team claims. Lastly, and not least, it will mark the return of a certain Tom Pope to Vale colours.
What about the opposition?
Kidsgrove are managed by Ryan Austin who has signed three new players this season. Ironically, Dave Parton, Tim Sanders and Dan Cocks have all been signed from Newcastle Town who Vale will be facing in their second summer friendly
Any Vale connections?
The Grove have just appointed former Vale winger Steve Harper as first-team coach. Harper played for the Vale in the late 80’s before leaving to join Preston North End. Anthony Malbon, a former Vale youth team graduate will lead the line for the home side. Two more Vale youth teamers Tom Morris and Ross Davidson are also in the squad.
Potted history
Kidsgrove Athletic was formed in 1952. They joined the Staffordshire County League in 1963 and won the Division One title in 1965-66. They moved to the mid-Cheshire League and won the title on four occasions as well as the league cup on three occasions. They joined the NW Counties League in 1990 before earning promotion to the Northern Premier League. They are currently in the Northern Premier League Division One South.
Key stats
- Record attendance: 1,903 vs Tiverton Town, FA Vase semi-final, 1998
- Record win: 23-0 vs Cross Heath WMC, Staffordshire Cup, 1965
- Record loss: 0-15 vs Stafford Rangers, Staffordshire Senior Cup, 2001
Scrapbook
An image from last season’s fixture…
While you are here…
This website has a limited number of places available for local sponsors at prices that should suit every budget. OVF has a history of using local sponsorship over the year and we are both grateful to everyone who has been a sponsor on this site and also happy to provide awareness of local businesses to our wide readership. There is more information here and if you’re interested, please get in touch with robfielding@yahoo.co.uk
