Two minute guide to: Kidsgrove Athletic v Port Vale
It’s the second summer friendly game and a chance for Jerome Thomas to get a game for the Vale…
Match details
Venue: The Novus Stadium
Date: 16th July, 3pm
Prices: Adults £6, Under-16s are free, £4 for other concessions.
Pre-match quote
We’ll need to get the language books down there! To have Vale down here is massive for us…
Kidsgrove manager Peter Ward
Team news
Vale have added three new signings to their squad since the Newcastle Town friendly. The likes of Anton Forrester (above) and Christopher Mbamba played in the Newcastle win but experienced winger Jerome Thomas is expected to make his first appearance.
Last time we met…
Last season’s fixture was notable as the first time that Enoch Andoh got on the scoresheet for the Vale senior team. The game ended in a 5-2 win for Vale with Byron Moore, Colin Daniel, Achille Campion and Michael O’Connor the other scorers.
Club connections…
- Vale keeper Harry Pickering (above) spent a spell on loan with Kidsgrove last season.
- Vale will miss out on facing an infamous face from the past. Veteran defender David Artell famously rejected a contract in 2012 and thus missed out on Vale’s promotion season. He is now on Kidsgrove’s books but will miss this game as he is unavailable.
- However, former Vale striker Anthony Malbon should play against his former club.
- Meanwhile Kidsgrove youngster Isaac Foster has signed for Vale’s Academy side.
From the archives
Jon McCarthy and Billy Paynter take part in a friendly back in 2002.
A little bit of history…
Kidsgrove Athletic was formed in 1952 and joined the Staffordshire County League in 1963. In 1989 Kidsgrove became the first club to win the Staffordshire FA Vase twice in succession. In 2009, the side won the Staffordshire Senior Cup at Vale Park after a penalty shootout. The club currently play in the Northern Premier League Division One South.