Two minute guide to: Port Vale v Coventry City
Can Port Vale continue their winning ways at home by crushing Coventry? Read our brief guide to the action…
In the picture: Double defeat in two days…
The story behind our choice of image we’ve chosen to lead the article with…
This is the home programme from our 1957-58 clash. Remarkably both games took place on consecutive days in Christmas. Vale travelled to Coventry on Christmas day and lost 1-0 and the return was held in Burslem the following afternoon with Vale again succumbing to a 1-0 defeat. However, Vale had the last laugh at the end of the season finishing in 15th place in the Third Division South compared to Coventry’s 17th position.
Any other business?
Don’t forget there are two Port Vale related events on Saturday.
Firstly, there is the launch of Dave Johnson’s latest book in the Port Vale shop.
Secondly, there is the charity evening raising funds to enable Vale supporter Skye to walk.
The two sides
Port Vale
- Manager: Bruno Ribeiro
- Last match: 3-1 vs Millwall
- Top scorer: Alex Jones (6)
Coventry
- Manager: None
- Last match: 2-2 vs Wimbledon
- Top scorer: Marvin Sordell (2)
Match details
Venue:
Vale Park
Date:
1st October, 3pm
Prices:
- Adults : £22 (£23 for Lorne St stand)
- Seniors: £17 (£18 for Lorne St stand)
- Juniors (18 to 21): £17 (£18 for Lorne St stand)
- Child (9-17): £10
- Under nines: Free
Pre-match thoughts
“It will be a difficult game because they’re bottom of the league and they need points, but we will be prepared…”
Bruno Ribeiro
Team news
Bruno Ribeiro says that Sam Hart (above) will keep his place after an impressive full debut on Tuesday. It could mean that Jerome Thomas is unfit to start and may line-up on the bench. Ribeiro has also hinted at further changes by saying he will pick a team to suit the opposition. One player missing will be Anthony Grant who is suspended with Michael Brown and Sebastien Amoros the leading contenders to replace him. But Vale also have Gezim Shalaj, Rigino Cicilia and Kiko all pushing for inclusion too.
Possible Vale line-up:
Alnwick
Purkiss – Streete – Smith – Knops
Brown- Tavares
Foley
Jones – Paterson – Hart
Last time we met…
It finished as a 1-1 draw at Vale Park in February. Vale drew level late on thanks to a special from Sam Kelly.
Overall record
Port Vale wins: 11
Port Vale losses: 9
Draws: 10
Form guide
Club connections
Forward Steve McPhee was possibly Vale’s best-ever addition from Coventry. The forward never made a senior appearance for City and joined the Valiants on a free transfer in July 2001. He scored on his debut and rose to prominence in the 2003-2004 season with 27 goals. That tally prompted much interest in the out-of-contract striker and with some controversy he left for Beira Mar in Portugal in the summer. He subsequently played for Hull City and Blackpool before retiring through injury in 2010.
You can read our cult hero article on McPhee here
Vale stats: 147 games | 44 goals
Other players to appear for both clubs include:
- Defender Peter Clarke
- Winger Mark Marshall
- Midfielder Chris Birchall
- Forward Keith Houchen
- Winger Archie Dyke
Did you know…
- The first game between the two sides took place in 1920 and finished 0-0
- Vale have only lost one of the last seven home fixtures against City
- Vale’s biggest victory is a 4-0 win back in 1924.