Two minute guide to: Scunthorpe United v Port Vale
Michael Brown’s side take on promotion chasing Scunthorpe and here’s our brief guide to the game…
In the picture: a Vale legend
The story behind our choice of image we’ve chosen to lead the article with…
Few fans would have predicted the influence that goalkeeper Paul Musselwhite would have when Vale signed him from Scunthorpe in 1992. The then 24 year-old had played over 130 games for Scunthorpe and had been beaten in the play-offs three times. However, his spell at Vale Park was to be far more successful.
Musselwhite’s £17,500 fee ironically makes him the most expensive goalkeeper in Vale’s history (a record that still stands) and it proved to be money well spent. In an eight year spell with the Valiants he rattled up 367 appearances during one of the club’s most successful spells and in the process won the Football League Trophy and promotion.
He left Vale in 2000 but was to have further spells with both Scunthorpe (with whom he won promotion) and the Valiants (as cover for an injured Mark Goodlad).
He is now back at Scunthorpe working as a goalkeeping coach.
Vale career: 367 appearances | 0 goals
The two sides
Port Vale
- Manager: Michael Brown
- Last match: 2-2 vs Bury
- Top scorer: Alex Jones (10)
Scunthorpe Utd
- Manager: Graham Alexander
- Last match: 2-1 vs Northampton
- Top scorer: Josh Morris (18)
Match details
Venue:
Glanford Park
Date:
28th January 2017
Scunthorpe Utd ticket website
Pre-match thoughts
Team news
It remains to be seen if Jak Alnwick (wanted by Rangers) will play. Michael Brown may be tempted to stick with the same side that drew with Bury despite Anton Forrester’s claims for a starting place and the arrival of new signing Scott Tanser. Forrester (right) scored a hat-trick for the reserves but after two injury set-backs, Brown may be tempted to ease him slowly back into the first-team. Sam Foley also played for the reserves but this game is too early for him to feature.
Last time we met…
Alex Jones netted a double as Vale recorded probably their best win under former manager Bruno Ribeiro.
Overall record
Port Vale wins: 13
Port Vale losses: 12
Draws: 16
Form guide
Club connections
Goalkeeper Joe Anyon progressed through the junior ranks to make his senior debut in 2006 following an injury to Mark Goodlad. He rapidly established himself in the side winning young player of the year that season and player of the year the following campaign. However, after he broke his leg in 2009 he was released in 2010 and subsequently joined Lincoln City. He joined Scunthorpe in 2015 and has made nine appearances.
Vale stats: 118 games | 0 goals
Other players to appear for both clubs include:
- Striker Steve Cammack
- Midfielder Michael O’Connor
- Forward Jeff Hemmerman
- Striker Geoff Horsfield
- Midfielder Paul Harsley
- Winger Jennison Myrie-Williams
Did you know…
- The two sides first met in 1953 with Vale winning 2-1.
- At that time Scunthorpe were known as Scunthorpe and Lindsey United.
- The “Lindsey United” part was due to a merger between Scunthorpe and Lindsey in 1910.
- Dickie Cunliffe (above) netted Vale’s first goal against United.