Port Vale v Bolton Wanderers preview – final home friendly test for new look Valiants

Our latest match preview including team news, fixture details, a little bit of history and (of course) our traditional match preview quiz…

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The Vale perspective

Form

Friendlies have been a bit of a struggle for the new-look Valiants in recent weeks so it was good to see the side put in a much improved display against a Luton XI. This was by no means a full-strength Luton side, but Vale’s approach play and goal threat was much better than the matches against Burton and Bath. It was also encouraging to see striker Ruari Paton get off the mark for the first time in a Vale shirt.

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Injuries

The Valiants have had quite a lenghy injury list this summer and fans will be hoping that some of the players involved will be fit to play in this game. Manager Darren Moore indicated that Nathan Smith, Funso Ojo and Jayden Stockley are not too far away but the status of George Byers is less clear. Conor Grant and Mitch Clark look set to miss this one entirely.

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The opposition

Man in charge

Former Chesterfield and Barrow boss Ian Evatt has been in charge since 2020. The 42 year-old has won 112 of his 226 games in charge.

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Form

In the promotion mix again last season, Bolton missed out on going up after losing out to Oxford United in the play-off semi-finals. Wanderers will be among the favourites to challenge once again this coming season.

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Summer signings

Cameron Jerome and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson were both released and into the club have come the likes of Wycombe defender Chris Forino, Cheltenham goalkeeper Luke Southwood, veteran midfielder Scott Arfield plus Crawley Town forward Klaidi Lolos.

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Injuries

It’s been a tricky summer for Bolton thanks to injuries. Last season’s top-scorer Dion Charles has only played 30 minutes while the influential Aaron Collins is a doubt with a bruised knee. Gethin Jones is recovering from surgery, Randell Williams is sidelined while former Valiant Will Forrester is also a doubt.

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Pre-match quotes

“We will get there but, at the moment, we’re having to manage the group as best we can.The injuries are coming back and hopefully we’ll have some new recruits come the start of this season, so it’s another step forward with more learnings and we’ll be ready for Port Vale on Saturday…”

Bolton manager Ian Evatt

“When I saw the pre-season fixtures get released in the summer, I couldn’t believe it (as there were fixtures against his former clubs Stoke and Vale). I’ll always be grateful to both clubs. Stoke gave me a platform when I was five all the way up to making my debut for them at 18 or 19. Then at Port Vale, Darrell Clarke gave me an opportunity to express myself in the Football League and show what I’m about. I will always be grateful to both clubs and hopefully they give me a bit of a better reception this time!”

Bolton defender Will Forrester

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Connections

Current connections

There is a crop of Vale players with Bolton connections. Firstly, summer signing Ben Amos had a loan spell and a permanent spell. Then there’s midfielder Jason Lowe who spent two years with Wanderers. Finally, wingback Tom Sang began his career in Bolton’s junior ranks.

In the Bolton side, defender Will Forrester departed Vale Park for Bolton last summer for an undisclosed fee. The 23 year-old made 24 appearances, scoring once last season. However, it is very doubtful that he will feature in this game.

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Vintage connections

Over the years there have been a number of players to feature for both clubs. The list includes winger Dennis Politic, goalkeeper Rob Lainton, winger Chris Eagles and midfielder Harry Charsley.

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Featured connection

Lol Hamlett spent spells with both clubs as a player. He played for Wanderers between 1938 and 1949 in a spell disrupted by World War Two. He was as present at the Burnden Park disaster on 9 March 1946, where 33 spectators were sadly killed. He joined the Valiants in 1949 and made over a hundred appearances as a player. After retiring he then spent 25 years with Port Vale as a coach and trainer earning a well-deserved testimonial game in 1976.

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History

Last time we met

The last competitive fixture was a comfortable 2-0 home win for Bolton in the closing stages of last season. The Valiants’ relegation was confirmed after the game and their cause also wasn’t helped by early injuries to Conor Grant and Uche Ikpeazu during this game.

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Memorable meetings

The two clubs first met back in 1900 when it ended in a comprehensive 5-0 win for Wanderers. In fact it took Vale nine games before they secured a draw against Bolton and a mammoth twenty games before they recorded their first win. That game was won thanks to strikes from David Riley and an injury-time winner from Ray Walker. Finally, there’s the dramatic 6-3 Port Vale away win in 2020 which saw the Valiants 6-1 up after an hour.

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Brief history

Formed as Christ Church Football Club in 1874, Bolton Wanderers adopted their current name in 1877 and were a founder member of the Football League in 1888. The period before and after WW1 is regarded as the club’s finest as they challenged in the top division. Over the years Wanderers have won four FA Cups and two League Cups.

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Opinion and quiz

Want 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

Pre-season games match thread

Have you been paying attention? Here’s our traditional preview quiz

(answers below – no cheating)

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Quiz answers

1. Ian Evatt
2. Will Forrester
3. Bolton 2-0 Port Vale
4. 1874

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