Two minute guide to: Port Vale v Derby County B
Hmmm, it’s not something we’re in favour of at all so let’s just get this two minute guide over with shall we…
Not wanted and a danger to the Football League
Forgive us for a rant before our preview even begins but we feel very strongly on this issue.
Port Vale owner Norman Smurthwaite has made it clear that he was against the introduction of B sides into the competition.
Here are OVF’s editorial against the introduction:
I am massively disappointed with the Football League vote to allow Premier League B sides to compete in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy (aka the Football League Trophy, there’s a clue there Football League chiefs)…
The two sides
Port Vale
- Manager: Bruno Ribeiro
- Last match: 3-1 versus Scunthorpe United
- Top scorer: Jones, Forrester (2)
Derby County B side
- Manager: Dunno
- Last match: Dunno
- Top scorer: No idea, sorry…
Match details
Venue:
Vale Park
Date:
30th August 2016, 7:45pm
Team news
It’s a bit difficult to judge the Vale line-up but ironically although Derby can name their reserves, Vale are restricted in the number of first-team players that they can rest. However, it could be that the likes of Ryan Boot (above), Sam Hart and Martin Paterson will get a run-out.
Last time we met…
Well, we’ve never met the Derby B side in a senior fixture but the last time we played Derby County competitively was back in 1996. Tony Naylor (above in action versus Everton) scored for the Valiants in a 1-1 draw.
Video vault
One of our favourite cup memories is this John Rudge inspired FA Cup win over Derby in 1990. It’s from our YouTube channel:
Overall record
Port Vale wins: 7
Port Vale losses: 9
Draws: 4
Club connections
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson was one of Vale’s most successful imports from Derby. The diminutive midfielder joined on a free in 2000 and scored twice on his full debut. He went on to net fourteen times in his first season including a crucial penalty in the 2-1 LDV Vans Trophy Final win over Brentford. He rejected a Vale contract in 2004 to join Stockport.
Vale stats: 140 games | 36 goals
Other players to appear for both clubs include:
- Midfielder Robin van der Laan
- Striker Lee Mills
- Goalkeeper Mark Grew
- Defender Tom Cooper
- Forward Ian Buxton
Did you know…
- The two sides first met in 1921 in a 1-1 draw
- Bob Connelly (above) was the scorer of Vale’s first goal against Derby
- Three games have ended 3-2 – two in Derby’s favour and one in Vale’s