A preview of Port Vale’s friendly double header
Port Vale take on non-league sides Stafford Rangers and Newcastle Town in rapid succession and here’s our guide to the action…
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS GAME ON OUR FORUMMatch details?
Match One: Stafford Rangers v Port Vale
Marston Road stadium, Stafford ST16 3BX
Friday 9th July. Kick-off 7pm. All-ticket. Tickets must be purchased in advance Buy tickets here
Match Two: Newcastle Town v Port Vale
Lyme Valley stadium, Stoke-on-Trent ST5 3BX
Saturday 10th July 3pm kick-off. All-tickets. Tickets must be purchased in advance Buy tickets here
What happened last time we went there?
There were no friendlies against non-league sides in the Covid-hit 2020-21 season. The Valiants last travelled to Newcastle in 2018 when it finished 1-1. Idris Kanu was on the mark for Vale. You can find out more about previous games with Newcastle Town in our previous meetings feature here
Stafford Rangers last played Vale in 2019 and secured a 3-1 win against a Valiants side comprising of youth team players. The Valiants have played one competitive fixture against Rangers. It came in the FA Cup in 1986 and finished 1-0 to Vale with Robbie Earle (pictured) on the scoresheet.
What’s the Port Vale team news?
The Valiants are highly likely to split their squad for these two games but new signing Jamie Proctor is likely to feature in one of them and new coach Dean Whitehead is likely to be on the sidelines. It remains to be seen if Lucas Covolan and Ryan Johnson will feature after both were given leave after their former club’s play-off campaign. If not, it means a further chance for the likes of former youth teamers Michael Lennon and Ammar Dyer (pictured) who are on trial with the club.
Any Vale connections?
Newcastle have plenty of Vale connections. Former youth teamers Joe Berks (pictured), Luke Dennis and Maxwell Chimenes are in the playing squad while Vale legend Robin van der Laan is on the board of directors and also manages the team.
Stafford Rangers have another former Vale youth teamer – Jonathan Kapend in their squad.
Potted history
There’s no definite date for the foundation of Stafford Rangers although it is believed to be around 1876.
The club entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1884/85 and won its first League title, the Birmingham Combination in 1912/13. They moved to their present Marston Road venue in 1896.
Quick stats
- FA Trophy winners in 1972 and 1979
- Twice winners of the Northern Premier League.
- Record win: 15-0 vs Kidsgrove Athletic, 2001
In contrast, the history of Newcastle Town is far more recent as they formed as a Sunday League side in 1964. In 1996–97 they reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time, losing 2–0 at home to Notts County in front of a record crowd of 3,948.
Quick stats
- FA Vase semi-finalists 1999-2000
- Club record goalscorer Andy Bott with 149
- Most appearances: Dean Gillick with 632
From the archives
OVF has been in existence for over twenty five years and now has over 10,000 articles. Here is a selection of media featuring previous encounters:
New Port Vale signing Kjell Knops at Newcastle Town in 2016
Captain Michael Brown leads the Vale team out at Newcastle Town
Port Vale take on Stafford Rangers in the friendly in the 1990s