Barrow v Port Vale preview – first cup test for Darren Moore’s Valiants
Our first cup preview of the new season includes team news, fixture details, a little bit of history and (of course) our traditional match preview quiz…
The Vale perspective
Essentials
Opposition: Barrow- Kick-off time: Tuesday, 7.45pm
- Venue: Holker Street
- Competition: League Cup
Opposition: BarrowStadium guide: Barrow have played at the Holker Street ground since 1909 and it maintains its traditional feel thanks to copious use of the club’s blue and white colours. Its current capacity is 6,500 with away fans housed on the Holker Street terrace.
Form
FormThe Valiants began their season with a decent 2-0 away win at Salford City thanks to a double from skipper Ben Garrity. The side will no doubt be keen to build on their success with another away win.
Fitness
FitnessDefenders Mitch Clark and Conor Grant are both definitely ruled out while the likes of Nathan Smith, George Byers and Jayden Stockley failed to make the squad on Saturday and are therefore very unlikely to feature in this fixture.
Team selection
Team selectionIt’s possible that manager Darren Moore may rotate his squad for this game. If he does it could see the likes of goalkeeper Ben Amos, recent signing Kyle John and Funso Ojo could all be contenders for a start. Ojo could well come in for captain Ben Garrity who suffered a late knock on Saturday.
The Vale team –
Possible formation: 3-4-2
Possible starting eleven: Amos – Debrah, Heneghan, Hall – John, Ojo, Croasdale, Hart – Curtis, Tolaj, Paton
Viewing guide
Viewing guideThis is the second Vale game in succession to be available on the Sky+ service in the UK. Viewers abroad need to obtain a pass from the club’s new PVTV service.
The opposition
Club factfile
Team: Barrow- League: League Two
- Manager: Stephen Clemence
Team: BarrowTrivia: the Barrow club crest contains an image of a submarine (an Astute class to be precise) to celebrate the town’s dockyard’s submarine industry. It (the dockyard, not the football club) constructed the country’s first nuclear powered submarine in 1960.
Man in charge
Man in chargePeter Wild was dismissed at the end of the season after failing to reach the play-offs and the club opted for 46 year-old Stephen Clemence as his replacement. Clemence, the son of former England goalkeeper Ray, is in his second job as manager having previously managed Gillingham for seven months in 2023.
Form
FormBarrow started the season with a 1-0 home win over Vale’s near neighbours Crewe Alexandra. The winning goal came from former Port Vale defender Theo Vassel.
Summer signings
Summer signingsFollowing the departures of Cole Stockton and Ben Whitfield, the club have strengthened upfront by bringing in Andrew Dallas on a season-long loan from Barnsley. Other additions include defender Sam Barnes, winger Connor Mahoney, former Vale man Vassell (pictured), veteran defender Chris Stokes as well as defenders Ben Jackson and Neo Eccleston.
One to watch
Midfielder Kian Spence impressed in his first season in the Football League last season. Signed from AFC Halifax Town, the 23 year-old scored nine times in 45 appearances and won the Football League goal of the month in August.
Connections
Current connections
Current connectionsWho else could start this section but former Vale favourite David Worrall. Many still see the decision to allow the veteran to move on after Barrow offered a longer contract as a huge mistake by the club. The 34 year-old is sure to be greeted by Vale fans and also be a significant threat. Barrow also include former Vale defender Theo Vassell in their squad. Valiants defender Dan Jones also spent a season on loan at Barrow.
Vintage connections
Vintage connectionsOver the years there have been a number of players to feature for both clubs. The list includes striker Jamie Proctor, forward Ben Whitfield, striker Dior Angus and midfielder Rory Holden.
Featured connection
Featured connectionTalented winger Jeff Smith was an astute signing by Martin Foyle in 2004. Plucked from Bolton Wanderers’ reserves, Smith soon became a first-team regular and scored seven goals in 103 games before he moved to Carlisle United for £60,000. His spell at Barrow was less memorable as he made just one appearance back in 1999.
History
Overall record
- Port Vale wins: 12
- Port Vale losses: 3
- Draws: 5
Trivia: the Valiants have enjoyed some high scorelines against Barrow over the years. Vale have hit five goals once and four goals on three occasions.
Last time we met
Last time we metThe two sides last met in League Two back in April 2022 when the Valiants recorded a memorable 2-1 win. Josh Kay had put the home side ahead only for Jamie Proctor to equalise and Aaron Martin scored the winner in the 89th minute. The victory took Vale into the automatic promotion places.
Memorable meetings
Memorable meetingsThe two clubs first met in 1929 when it ended in a thumping 5-0 win for the Valiants. Phil Griffiths (pictured) netted twice for the Vale. During Vale’s memorable Iron Curtain season (1953-54) striker Basil Hayward scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 home win. The Valiants haven’t actually lost at Holker Street since 1937, a run of seven games.
Archive
This website has been in operation for over 25 years and in that time has acquired lots of Port Vale related memorabilia (we have over 10,000 Port Vale images). Here’s a Port Vale vs Barrow match programme from the 1960s…
Brief history
Brief historyFounded in 1901, Barrow’s first spell in the Football League lasted from 1921 until 1972 when they were replaced by Hereford United. Barrow’s fortunes hit a low in 1990s when owner Stephen Vaughan was investigated for money laundering. The club recovered and rejoined the Football League in 2020 under the management of Ian Evatt after finishing as the National League Champions. The image shows speedway at the Holker Street ground, more on that below…
Club stats
- Record attendance: 16,874 vs Swansea Town (1954)
- Highest League position: Eighth in Division Three (1968)
- Average attendance last season: 3,920
Trivia: Barrow’s expulsion from the Football League in 1972 in favour of allowing Hereford Utd to join was due to three things – Hereford’s cup record, Barrow’s geographical isolation and (somewhat bizarrely) because of the Barrow board’s decision to host speedway at the Holker Street stadium.
Opinion and quiz
Discuss the game
Discuss the gameWant to discuss things before, during and after the game? Our forum’s dedicated match thread is the place to be. Share your views with fellow fans…
Barrow v Port Vale match thread
Predict the score
Quiz
Have you been paying attention? Here’s our traditional preview quiz
Preview quiz
- Who is the current Barrow manager?
- Which former Vale winger now plays for Barrow?
- What was the score in the last competitive fixture between the two sides?
- Who scored Vale’s last goal against Barrow?
The tough one: what vessel is depicted on the Barrow crest?
(answers below – no cheating)
Quiz answers
- Stephen Clemence
- David Worrall
- Barrow 1-2 Port Vale
- Aaron Martin
The tough one: an Astute class submarine
Images (c) onevalefan.co.uk except:
- Top Holker Street image from the Barrow AFC Facebook page
- HolkerStreet.png” by Barrovian is licensed under CC BY 3.0
- Speedway at Holker Road – image the South Cumbria Mail
How do you think the match will go for the Valiants? Share your thoughts and post a comment below.
