Port Vale v Rochdale preview: it’s another home League game for the Valiants – here ‘s our preview…
Match details?
Details: Port Vale v Rochdale, League Two
Where and when: Vale Park stadium, Saturday 4th September, 3pm
TICKET INFO FROM PORT VALE HERE PORT VALE FIXTURES LEAGUE TWO TABLE PORT VALE SQUAD PROFILESWhat happened last time we played them?
It’s 2016 since the teams last met in the League. That game, at Vale Park, ended in a 3-0 loss after Danny Pugh was sent off. It was a different story for the away fixture with Nathan Smith’s goal earning Vale a 1-0 win. Other than that 2016 defeat, Vale’s home form is superb with the Valiants unbeaten in all their previous home meetings.
What’s our overall record?
What’s our overall record?Thanks to that excellent home form, Vale are comfortably ahead:
- 23 Port Vale wins
- 11 losses
- 23 draws
What’s the Port Vale team news?
After marking his return from injury against Bolton with a goal, captain Tom Conlon is expected to return to the midfield for this game. However, that Bolton game will give Darrell Clarke food for thought with Lewis Cass, Ben Garrity and David Amoo all pushing their claims. Jake Taylor also returned from injury to make the bench so that only leaves Leon Legge on the treatment table.
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 were held at home by Tranmere Rovers. The Valiants haven’t scored in the League yet but they did manage to in the League Cup where they lost 2-1 to Sunderland. In their third League game they were held 0-0 by Carlisle Utd at Vale Park and they picked up yet another draw on Saturday after a 1-1 result at Stevenage. The winless streak was ended on Saturday with a fine 2-0 away win against leaders Forest Green Rovers. In midweek, Vale lost an entertaining 3-2 game with Bolton.
What about the opponents?
Rochdale had a slow start to the season under new manager Robbie Stockdale. They picked up two defeats and a draw in their first three games before an away win over Rochdale. In their last fixture, they drew 1-1 with Colchester United.
There have been a whole host of arrivals in the summer including defenders Sam Graham, Max Taylor, Aidy White and Corey O’Keeefe, midfielder George Broadbent, forward Danny Cashman and goalkeeper Joel Coleman.
Man in charge: Robbie Stockdale
Man in charge: Robbie StockdaleAge: 41
Clubs managed: Grimsby (caretaker), Sunderland (caretaker)
Appointed: July 2021
Games in charge: 7
Win ratio: 42%
Any Vale connections?
Port Vale Director of Football David Flitcroft spent four years as a player at Rochdale making 188 appearances. Otherwise, there’s no current players who have appeared for both clubs. However, there have been several in recent years including full-back Scott Tanser, forward Calvin Andrew and striker Rekeil Pyke.
Vintage Vale Connection
Full-back Gerry Keenan joined Port Vale from Bury in 1978 for a £15,000 fee. A regular pick during his four year spell with the Valiants, he made 114 appearances for the club, scoring seven times. He was given a free transfer in 1982 and subsequently made 38 appearances for them. After his playing career finished, Keenan spent many years working as part of the Vale hospitality team before he retired in 2019.
Potted history
Rochdale were founded in 1907 and were invited into the Third Division North in 1921. They reached the League Cup final in 1962 and won promotion from the Fourth Division in 1969. More recently, Rochdale won promotion to League One in both 2010 and 2014.
Quick stats
- Record transfer fee: Paul Connor, £150,000
- Record transfer sale: Luke Matheson, £1m
- Record win: 8-1 vs Chesterfield, 1926
From the archives…
A vintage programme with the cover showing star winger Mark Chamberlain being awarded with an award by manager John McGrath.
Were you paying attention?
A quick quiz on the opponents – answers at the bottom of the page…
- How many home games have Vale lost to Rochdale?
- Who is the current Rochdale manager?
- In which year were the club formed?
Quiz answers below:
- One
- Robbie Stockdale
- 1907
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