Connections: Port Vale and Macclesfield Town
This could possibly be the most “connected” Connections piece we’ve had in a long time, if not ever.
On the Port Vale side…
John Askey
The current Port Vale manager is a bona fide Macclesfield Town legend as the club’s record appearance holder, fourth highest goalscorer and a two times manager. Askey masterminded the club’s return to the Football League before opting for a move to Shrewsbury Town.
Scott Burgess
The former Bury midfielder made over thirty appearances for Macclesfield as they were promoted to the Football League at the end of the 2017-18 season. Yet to play for Vale, could this be the fixture which sees him face his former club?
Shaun Brisley
The rugged centre-half spent the first four years of his career with Macclesfield Town, making over a hundred appearances for the team. Yet to play for Vale, the former Notts County defender could feature in this tie.
Kieran Kennedy
Another former Macclesfield centre-half playing for Vale, Kennedy played for Macclesfield during their promotion season before following John Askey out of Moss Rose and joining Shrewsbury Town.
Callum Evans
Yet another former Macclesfield defender playing for Vale, Evans has been deployed successfully in a midfield role by John Askey. However, injury may rule him out of this game.
Ryan Lloyd
Sadly a controversial transfer in some fans’ eyes, Lloyd has nevertheless been a loyal and long-standing servant for Port Vale over many years. Released in 2017 after six years at Vale Park, he enjoyed a two year stint with Macclesfield before returning to the Valiants in the summer.
Rhys Browne
Another player who could be missing through injury, Browne had a loan spell with Macclesfield in 2017 when he made 17 league appearances.
On the Macclesfield Town side…
Daryl McMahon
Appointed after the shock departure of Sol Campbell, the former Ebbsfleet United manager had a brief playing spell with Port Vale in 2004 when he was a non-contract player.
Danny Whitaker
Rightly regarded as a Macclesfield Town legend, the assistant manager also had a successful spell at Port Vale between 2006 and 2008.
Theo Vassell
The former Gateshead player was a Neil Aspin signing but was released in the summer after just one season at Vale Park. He has been successful at Macclesfield, being a regular pick and scoring three times already this season.
Jak McCourt
A Rob Page signing back in 2015, the then Leicester City player made just three appearances on loan to the Valiants.