Chesterfield v Port Vale friendly match preview
It’s the final friendly of the summer for Darrell Clarke’s Port Vale team and a potential match-up with a former Vale midfielder…
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Chesterfield v Port Vale
Technique stadium, Saturday 31st July, 3pm
TICKET INFORMATION FROM PORT VALE HEREWhat happened last time we played them?
The last competitive fixture between the two sides was a League fixture back in 2018. It was an eventful match for Vale midfielder Danny Pugh who scored for Vale and was then sent-off. However, it didn’t matter too much as a further goal from Ben Whitfield gave the Valiants a 2-1 home victory.
What’s our overall record?
The overall record stands at
- 34 Port Vale wins
- 43 losses
- 22 draws
What’s the Port Vale team news?
Manager Darrell Clarke says he’s playing a waiting game with any further signings so it’s likely to be the same Port Vale team which faced Sheffield Wednesday in midweek. On trial Tom Solanke may be involved but it’s the end of the road for fellow trialist Luke Griffiths.
If you’re a Chesterfield fan reading this preview you may want to check out the Vale’s summer transfer activity:
PORT VALE SUMMER SQUAD TRACKERThe story of the summer…
Port Vale’s friendly games so far…
- Port Vale 1-2 Sheff Wed friendly match report
- Gallery: Port Vale 0-2 Nottingham Forest, friendly
- Port Vale 0-2 Nottingham Forest, friendly match report
- Kidsgrove Athletic 0-2 Port Vale match report
- Stafford Rangers 2-0 Port Vale match report
- Newcastle Town 2-6 Port Vale match report
- Fleetwood Town 1-0 Port Vale friendly match report
What about the opponents?
Chesterfield earned a creditable 2-1 friendly win over Vale’s League Two rivals Bradford City on Tuesday so will pose a tough test. The Spireite goals against City came from Danny Rowe and Stefan Payne.
One player missing from the opposition ranks is experienced striker Tom Denton who is still recovering from injury. However, trialist Jim Kellermann could play.
Man in charge: James Rowe
Age: 38
Appointed: November 2020
Games in charge: 36
Win ratio: 58%
Any Vale connections?
Oh yes! It’s fair to say that the transfer of Manny Oyeleke to Chesterfield towards the end of last season divided opinion. On the one hand, Oyeleke’s spell was blighted by injury but on the other he’d done well in Vale’s superb run of form under Darrell Clarke. Saturday potentially offers a chance to see which side is right.
There’s also a couple of other former Valiants in the Chesterfield squad. Midfielder Jak McCourt had a spell on loan while Gavin Gunning played under Michael Brown in 2017.
Vintage Vale Connection
It’s perhaps only right that we take this space to mention and reflect on the great Ernie Moss who passed away recently and who played for both sides with such distinction.
A genuine Chesterfield legend, Moss had three separate spells spanning nearly 20 years when he made 539 appearances and scored 168 goals for the side. He won two promotions with the Spireites.
Moss also won promotion in 1983 with the Valiants for whom he had a two year spell, playing 84 times and scoring 28 times.
Ernie passed away on the 11th July 2021 aged 71 years of age. It is heartening to read that Chesterfield are planning a permanent memorial to the much-loved player.
Ernie Moss. 1949-2021. RIP. Forever Valiant.
Potted history
Established in 1866, Chesterfield, then known as Chesterfield Town, turned professional in 1892. The side joined the Football League in 1899. In 1915 the original side went into liquidation but it was revived in 1919 as Chesterfield Municipal. It changed its name to Chesterfield FC in 1920. In November 1958, England legend Gordon Banks made his professional debut for the club. In the 1996-97 season the club memorably reached the FA Cup semi-final.
Quick stats
- Most appearances: Dave Blakey (617)
- Most goals: Ernie Moss (162)
- Record attendance: 30,561 vs Spurs, 1938
From the archives…
The two teams for a fixture from 1961:
Another programme from 1976…
Vale fans at the fixture in 2016:
Were you paying attention?
A quick quiz on the opponents – answers at the bottom of the page…
- In what year did the side change their name to Chesterfield FC?
- Who made his professional debut in 1958?
- Who is the current Chesterfield manager?
- How many goals did the legendary Ernie Moss score for Chesterfield?
Quiz answers below:
- 1920
- Gordon Banks
- James Rowe
- 168