Friendly Preview: Port Vale v Birmingham City

It’s the first friendly match at Vale Park for the Valiants and a chance for the home fans to see some new faces in action.

Preamble

In addition to the match practice, this game is part of the club’s official 150th anniversary celebrations. Birmingham were the opponents for Vale’s first-ever League game.

This match could see the Vale Park debut for a number of Vale’s summer signings among them – Jordan Gabriel, Liam Gordon, Ben Waine, Marko Marosi, Cameron Humphreys and Jordan Shipley.

The Opposition

City are a club with huge ambitions having been taken over by a wealthy American consortium fronted by Tom Wagner. Transfer activity this summer has seen well-travelled striker Alfie May depart and in have come former Blues winger Demarai Gray and an eye catching £10m move for Kyogo Furuhashi. Birmingham also unveiled ambitious stadium plans under their new owners. Their last friendly outing saw a youthful Birmingham side defeat Solihull Moors 1-0.

Connections

Connections

There seems to be a well-worn path between two clubs, albeit less travelled in recent years. Some of the players to appear for both include veteran striker Geoff Horsfield and tricky winger Steve Fox (both pictured above). Others include Vale legend Phil Sproson, who finished his career at Birmingham; striker Alex Jones who enjoyed a successful loan spell with Vale and midfielder David Howland.

Last time we met…

The last League meeting ended in a comprehensive 3-1 League One win for the Valiants back in 2000. Tony Naylor gave Vale an early lead before late strikes from Tommy Widdrington and Tony Rougier made the game safe. It was played in front of a crowd of 7,702.

Archive

The friendlies so far…

Here’s our coverage:

• Brief Friendly Match Report: Newcastle Town 0-0 Port Vale
• Gallery: Newcastle Town 0-0 Port Vale, 2025
• Brief Friendly Report: Kidsgrove Athletic 0-7 Port Vale
• Brief Friendly Report: Bath City 1-5 Port Vale
• Brief Friendly Report: Port Vale 1-3 Notts County
• Brief Friendly Report; Everton 2-1 Port Vale

Quiz

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

• Who is the current Birmingham City manager?
• What was the score when Vale last played Birmingham in the League?
• What Vale anniversary does this match help celebrate?

(answers below – no cheating)

Quiz answers

• Chris Davies
• Port Vale 3-1 Birmingham City
• 150th Anniversary

Quiz ratings: today’s theme is rugged defenders. How did you fare?

• 0/3 – Callum Howe
• 1/3 – Gavin Gunning
• 2/3 – Nathan Smith
• 3/3 – Neil Aspin