Port Vale v Tranmere Rovers preview – can Vale win their home League opener?
Port Vale v Tranmere Rovers preview: It’s the first home League game at Vale Park for the Valiants and their fans. We preview the action…
Match details?
Port Vale v Tranmere Rovers, League Two
Vale Park stadium, Saturday 14th August, 3pm
TICKET INFO FROM PORT VALE HEREWhat happened last time we played them?
Vale slipped to a comprehensive 3-1 away defeat back in February. Jake Taylor was on the mark for Vale. In the fixture at Vale Park it finished in a dramatic 4-3 defeat for the Valiants with Vale letting a 2-0 lead slip following the dismissal of Luke Joyce. The sides also met in the Football League Trophy last season. The game finished 0-0 before Vale triumphed 4-3 on penalties.
What’s our overall record?
Tranmere hold a comprehensive lead as they’ve won ten games more than the Valiants.
- 31 Port Vale wins
- 41 losses
- 24 draws
What’s the Port Vale team news?
Goalkeeper Lucas Covolan may return after being suspended for the cup tie against Sunderland. Jamie Proctor started and scored in that match so he may keep his starting place upfront. Devante Rodney and Tom Conlon could also both return while David Amoo is also in contention after impressing from the bench on Tuesday evening.
However, it’s too soon for Jake Taylor who remains injured and on the sidelines. It’s better news for defender James Gibbons who was named on the bench for the League Cup tie.
Vale’s season so far…
It was a disappointing start of the season for the Valiants as they lost 1-0 to Northampton Town. It was only compounded by Lucas Covolan’s red card on his full debut. In their second match, the Valiants lost to Sunderland in the League Cup, but fans were generally pleased with the team’s performance.
What about the opponents?
Tranmere won their League opener with a 1-0 victory over Walsall. However, they exited the League Cup after losing on penalties to Oldham Athletic in midweek. In terms of personnel, there’s been a high turnover of players at the club. Notable arrivals include winger Callum McManaman, midfielder Liam Feeney, defender Nat Knight-Percival and former Valiant Sam Foley. Knight-Percival (34) and Foley (34) join fellow veterans Peter Clarke (39) and Joe Murphy (39) in a vastly experienced squad.
Man in charge: Micky Mellon
Age: 49
Clubs managed: Fleetwood Town, Barnsley, Shrewsbury Town, Dundee United
Appointed: June 2021
Games in charge: 201 (two spells)
Win ratio: 46%
Any Vale connections?
David Amoo could face a side for whom he made eleven appearances back in 2013. Amoo joined Rovers after leaving Preston North End by mutual consent and he scored on his debut. However, his appearances afterwards were limited and he was released at the season. Amoo joined the Valiants in 2019 and so far he’s made 67 appearances scoring six times.
On the opposing side, we’ve already mentioned midfielder Sam Foley who enjoyed a two year spell with the Valiants between 2015 and 2017. The midfielder made 87 appearances and scored seven goals before he left to join Northampton Town. Foley has joined Tranmere this summer after a spell in Scotland with Motherwell.
There’s plenty of other players who have played for both clubs. The long list includes strikers Jim Steel, Jordan Hugill and Graham Barnett, plus Tranmere legend who won promotion as a player with both clubs.
Vintage Vale Connection
The late John James served both clubs with distinction during his playing career. James, a huge fans’ favourite at both clubs, started his career with the Valiants in 1965. He made 199 appearances and scored 44 times. James was the top scorer with 17 goals during the club’s 1970 promotion campaign.
The striker also won promotion with Tranmere, the final club of his career. He made 79 appearances, scoring 28 times including nineteen as they were promoted in 1976.
James won a third promotion with Chester City as he finished his playing career with 122 goals from 429 appearances.
Potted history
Tranmere were founded in 1884 as Belmont Football Club, before they adopted their current name in 1885. The club moved to its current home, Prenton Park, in 1912 and joined the Football League in 1921. The 1990s would prove to be the most successful period in the club’s history as Tranmere remained in the second tier, and came close to reaching the Premier League with three consecutive play-off campaigns at the start of the decade
Quick stats
- Most appearances: Ray Mathias (637)
- Most goals: Ian Muir (180)
- Record buy: £495,000 for Shaun Teale
- Record sale: £4.4m for Steve Simonsen
From the archives…
Port Vale v Tranmere, 1984
We take a leaf through the pages of a programme from Port Vale’s 1984 Division Four campaign including a Vale squad photo and John Rudge’s programme notes on Bobby (sic) Earle…
Gone, but not forgotten
Several players to have appeared for both clubs have sadly passed away in recent years. Here are some obituaries to several of them:
- Former Port Vale, Tranmere Rovers and Chester City forward John James passes away
- Port Vale striker Graham Barnett passes away
- Former Port Vale defender John King passes away
Were you paying attention?
A quick quiz on the opponents – answers at the bottom of the page…
- Which striker won promotion both with Port Vale in 197o and Tranmere in 1976?
- Who is the club’s record purchase?
- Who is the current Tranmere manager?
- In which year did the club enter the Football League?
Quiz answers below:
- John James
- Shaun Teale
- Micky Mellon
- 1921